[MLS SPOTLIGHT] There are groundbreakings and then there are groundbreakings. The San Jose Earthquakes will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the largest participatory groundbreaking on Sunday when the ceremonial start of construction on the MLS club’s privately financed 18,000-seat stadium near Mineta Airport in San Jose takes place.

As of late Thursday, more than 5,500 people have signed up to dip shovels into the ground at the event, which will take place four hours before the start of the Quakes-Galaxy game at nearby Buck Shaw Stadium.

The world record for a groundbreaking ceremony is 4,532 diggers set in India in 2007.

The Quakes received approval for the $60 million stadium in February. A commitment to build a soccer-specific stadium was part of the agreement between Lew Wolff, the owner of the Quakes, and MLS when soccer returned to San Jose after the original Quakes moved to Houston for the 2006 season.

Wolff is also the owner of the Oakland A's and has sought to also move his MLB team to San Jose.

Wolff, Quakes president Dave Kaval, San Jose mayor Chuck Reed and MLS Commissioner Don Garber will be on hand for the ceremonies.