EARTHQUAKES VS. NEWYORK CITY FC

KICKOFF: 8 p.m. Friday at Avaya Stadium. TV/RADIO: UniMas/KLIV 1590, KZSF 1370.

EARTHQUAKES UPDATE: The Quakes struck a deal Wednesday just before the end of the transfer window, acquiring Orlando City SC midfielder Darwin Ceren for designated player Matias-Perez Garcia. With midfielders Fatai Alashe, Anibal Godoy and Marc Pelosi all having missed time this season because of injuries or suspensions, Quakes coach Dominic Kinnear said the Salvadoran national team captain and former Orlando City co-captain brings depth to a position that sorely needs it.“Now if one of those guys aremissing we don’t have to move guys around,” Kinnear said.“Everyone stays in position.” It’s unclear if Ceren will start right away, but Kinnear said he will be available to play Friday.… Coming off a 1-1 draw at Houston on Sunday, San Jose (6-6-9) faces New York City FC, the only team in MLS with a winning road record (6-4-1). NewYork will present a stiff challenge for the Quakes, who have only lost once at home all season.“They make the most of their chances,” Kinnear said of NewYork, which leads the league with 40 goals. “It all coincides with the health of Frank Lampard, who’s been scoring a lot of goals. They also go from attack to defending very quick with good players.” Despite New York’s star power with legends such as Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, Quakes defender Marvell Wynne said San Jose is taking the same approach as it does with every opponent.“We’re not going into the game fearing anybody,” Wynne said.“We have great players as well. If we take them out of their game and play at our pace in our house then we can take advantage.”… Facing Eastern Conferenceleading New York might be just what the team needs. San Jose is 4-2-6 this season against top 10 teams in the MLS. … The Earthquakes have earned at least one point in their last three matches.… David Bingham has allowed no more than one goal in six consecutive games.

NEWYORK CITY FC UPDATE: Lampard scored a hat trick for New York (10-7-6) in a 5-1 blowout against Colorado on Saturday. Lampard’s hat trick was the first in the team’s two-year history.… Friday will mark NewYork’s ever visit to Avaya Stadium.… Assist specialist Pirlo is tied for fifth in MLS in that category this season with eight.

— MARTIN GALLEGOS