By: Joe Lami

SAN JOSE, Calif.— The San Jose Earthquakes win streak ends at four, as they surrendered two goals in the last 15 minutes of the match on Saturday night losing to the Philadelphia Union 2-1.

It was a very physical match that saw over 20 combined fouls called and even more not called by referee Ismail Elfath.  There were multiple fouls that occurred in the box that weren’t called that should’ve led to penalties for each team.

The first half was fairly quiet until the 37th minute when Quakes’ defender Victor Bernardez sprained his right hamstring on an awkward play. The veteran back liner went up to head it and came straight down on his hamstring. He laid on the field for about two minutes before being subbed for JJ Koval. When asked about the injury, Quakes’ coach, Dominic Kinnear didn’t go into the extent of the injury and how long Victor could be out.

The injury to Victor ended up being crucial late in the game, as San Jose definitely missed his presence when Koval was involved in both of Philadelphia’s goals.

San Jose didn’t give up, though, as they ended the half in the 42nd minute with an outstanding chance.  Matias Perez Garcia, who was San Jose’s best player on Saturday, sent a cross from the right side almost finding Quincy Amarikwa at the back left post. Amarikwa was unable to make the acrobatic move to finish off the goal.

The physical play bled into the second half and led to San Jose’s only goal. A foul and handball in the box led to a penalty kick for the Earthquakes. Captain, Chris Wondolowski found the bottom left part of the net for his 13th goal of the season. The leading scorer on the Quakes is now tied for fifth in goals in MLS.

The lead didn’t last too long for San Jose, as Union sub, Connor Casey made an immediate impact. Casey was brought on in the 71st minute and had his first of two goals in the 74th minute. Raymon Gaddis crossed it from the right side and was flicked in between two Quakes defenders in the middle of the box to find the right corner of the net. “He’s a great player, a big force in the box, great finisher and he creates that little bit of space when he gets it,” commented Wondolowski.

Just 12 minutes later, in the 86th minute, Casey found the bottom right corner again.  On a set piece from well outside the box Tranquillo Barnetta found the top of Casey’s head as he was able to redirect it just past the diving fingertips of San Jose goalkeeper David Bingham for the eventual game winner.

“We let ourselves down tonight. We pride ourselves on set pieces on both sides of the ball. Momentary lapses cost us and that’s kind of the way the game goes sometimes,” added Bingham.

It is an upsetting way to end a dominating win streak, but it gives San Jose fire to come back next week and beat the Seattle Sounders in a huge game with playoff implications on the line.