By: Joe Lami

photo by sjearthquakes.com: They battled they tussled but the San Jose Earthquakes came up a goal and three points short in their loss to Sporting KC at Avaya Stadium on Saturday

SAN JOSE, Calif.–On the same night three MLS team stamped their ticket to the playoffs, the San Jose Earthquakes stubs were torn to shreds by Sporting KC in a 2-1 loss. Dropping three important points for San Jose makes their playoffs dreams extremely bleak with just five games remaining in the season.

The Quakes nightmare started early, as star striker Quincy Amarikwa went down in the opening minute after a mid-air collision with KC keeper, Tim Melia. After reviewing the replay, it appeared that Amarikwa sustained a brutal knee injury that will likely put him out until next summer. Quakes’ head coach, Dominic Kinnear confirmed that Quincy will undergo the proper scans on Sunday.

After Amarkiwa was finally stretchered off the pitch, Sporting added insult to injury burring a goal in the seventh minute. Dom Dwyer found the back of the net heading home a set piece after he spilt between three different Quakes defenders that failed to pick up the assignment.

Kansas City’s second goal also came on a set piece, as Kevin Ellis backheeled a corner kick for the game-winner. Kinnear mentioned the importance of the set piece and how they have not been up to Earthquakes’ standards.

San Jose’s lone goal came from Simon Dawkins, who hit a near empty net after beautiful footwork from Henok Goitom, who picked up his first assist in an Earthquakes kit. Goitom mentioned that the team has to take it one match at a time, “and if you’re thinking about the playoffs, you’re looking too far ahead”.

San Jose has two games remaining at Avaya Stadium, and it is unknown at this time whether or not the Ultras will be making a return this season, as the protested the game on Saturday night due to sanctions placed on them after incidents involving smoke bombs at the September 10th home game.

If the Ultras decide not to support their local team, Avaya Stadium definitely has the potential of being dead silent for the final two games of the 2016 campaign after Saturday night’s near elimination.