Sounders-Earthquakes Preview

Published Jul. 12, 2013 7:03 p.m. ET

foxsports

While the Seattle Sounders haven't had much trouble scoring at home, that certainly hasn't been the case when they've gone on the road.

The Sounders will try to end their two-game scoreless drought away from home Saturday night when they take on a San Jose Earthquakes team riding an eight-game home unbeaten streak.

Seattle (7-6-3) has 13 goals during its four-game winning streak at CenturyLink Field, but hasn't scored away from home since a 2-0 victory at Chivas USA on June 1.

The Sounders suffered their fourth shutout in five road games across all competitions with a 2-0 loss at Vancouver last Saturday.

"The quality of our crossing still needs to be better, I think there were some good situations we put ourselves in and that's something we've got to get back to as well," coach Sigi Schmid told the league's official website.

Forward Obafemi Martins has scored four of his team-leading six goals at home. He provided one of those in a 4-0 victory over San Jose on May 11.

Midfielder Lamar Neagle scored twice in that meeting, giving him three goals in his last three matches against the Earthquakes.

Seattle may be getting a key member of its midfield back in this contest with Osvaldo Alonso expected to play after missing the past four games because of a thigh injury.

"Anytime you can get a good player back into the fold – he's an important player on our team as well – that helps us," Schmid said. "Having him available in midfield makes a big difference."

The Sounders will attempt to stop their road drought against the Earthquakes, whose 32 goals allowed are among the most in the league.

San Jose is likely to be short-handed once again with reigning league MVP Chris Wondolowski still on duty with the U.S. national team. Wondolowski had the goal in a 1-0 win over Seattle at Buck Shaw Stadium on March 23 and has six in nine career matches against the Sounders.

Forward Alan Gordon has stepped up in Wondolowski's absence with three goals in his last three matches.

The Earthquakes, 4-0-4 over their last eight home games, are happy to be back on their own field after playing seven of eight in all competitions on the road. They went 2-6-0 during that stretch, but are home for their next three.

"There's been a lot of travel with a lot of difficult games," defender Jason Hernandez said. "The games we've been playing have been down to the final second, every one of them, so we're really excited to get back home, get some rest and get in front of our own fans."

Seattle has totaled nine goals in its last 16 road games across all competitions.