By: Joe Lami
The Earthquakes came back from a two-goal deficit just to give up two more goals in the final 20 minutes on Sunday in a 4-2 loss to the Philadelphia Union. San Jose’s goals came from both Sam Cronin and Chris Wondolowski. Wondolowski leads the Earthquakes in goals with ten, and marks the fifth consecutive season where the striker has found the back of the net ten times. He is just the third person in MLS history to achieve this accomplishment.
The night started off with a bang for Philadelphia, as the Union scored in just the tenth minute of the match when Andrew Wenger found his first of the night when fired one into the upper left part of the net for the 1-0 lead. Just four minutes later Sebastien Le Toux, who got the assist on the Wenger goal, made it a 2-0 lead for Philadelphia with an easy volley into the net.
The Earthquakes wouldn’t get on the board until the second half, when Sam Cronin cut the deficit to one in the 59th minute. The goal came off a free kick, when Jordan Stewart sent it into the box, found Cronin. He was able to settle the ball before firing it home giving San Jose hope.
San Jose would complete the comeback when Chris Wondolowski scored in the 70th minute with a volley at the back post. Shea Salinas got the assist on the equalizer.
However, the game wouldn’t be tied for long, as Philadelphia would re-take the lead just two minutes later. Le Toux notched his second assist of the match as he sent the free kick to Sheanon Williams. Williams flicked the free kick past Busch for what eventually would be the game winner.
Philadelphia would pick the game away on Wenger’s second goal of the evening on a great individual effort. Wenger gained possession at midfield before breaking behind the Quakes’ defense and finding the back of the net.
San Jose is getting into the crunch time of the season, and can’t let these points get away from them, as loss comes to a big disappoint to Quakes’ coach Mark Watson “It was a frustrating night for us. To come back from two goals and equalize and then give u the third goal so quickly was rough. We worked hard to get back in it, and we had the momentum, but we made too many mistakes in the critical moments. We are disappointed right now.” The Quakes have another match on Saturday, as they return home to face Real Salt Lake in a big game “We have a big game at home and need to get focused in training and be ready to go against RSL”, Watson added.
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