(Sports Network) - Saturday's contest between the New England Revolution and the San Jose Earthquakes appears to be a David vs. Goliath affair on paper. The Revs hold the best record in Major League Soccer at 10-5-3 while the expansion Earthquakes are dead last at 4-9-6, but, as has been proved many times in MLS, anyone can beat anyone on any given day.

Despite their polar opposite positions in the league's overall table, there is a lot at stake for both clubs.

The Revs are just one point up on Chicago in the East after losing to their conference rival last week while the 'Quakes are fighting to get back into the playoff picture in the mediocre Western table.

San Jose improved its position greatly in its last league fixture, a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Aug. 3. Before that, the club rattled off three straight draws, possibly meaning it is slowly starting to catch up to the rest of the league in term of overall form.

"We haven't lost in a month," 'Quakes defender Nick Garcia said. "Three ties and a win are decent results. Things are optimistic right now, and our destiny is in our own hands. With eight or nine games still to play at home, I think we have a legitimate shot [at the playoffs]."

A revamped roster that includes Arturo Alvarez, Darren Huckerby and Francisco Lima, among others is another reason for optimism.

"Both Darren [Huckerby] and [Francisco] Lima haven't really trained for two months, and before our last home game, neither had trained for the whole week, so their fitness is not near what it will be in three or four weeks time," 'Quakes coach Frank Yallop said. "But the guys we've added have made a difference for us, and that's important.

"We starting to establish a good rhythm now, and with our next game at home - if we can get a win out of that game [against New England] then we have a real good chance at getting a run into to try and make the playoffs, which is our whole aim," Yallop added.

The Revs' loss to Chicago was the team's first league fixture in more than a month because of their participation in the SuperLiga. The team lost midfielder Shalrie Joseph in the game because of a red card, meaning he will be suspended for Saturday's contest as well.

The team is also coming off a loss in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal at D.C. United in a midweek fixture.

"Something has to give, but these guys have put the work in and we're disappointed because we didn't get to the finals," Joseph said. "It's a lot of games in a lot of days, but that's why you play soccer. We have to get up and be better the next time."



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