Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes returned home for a redemption match, hosting NYCFC at Avaya Stadium Saturday night.

In case you missed it, San Jose dropped a 3-2 decision to Sporting KC at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Mo., on March 17.

The Quakes had a lot to look forward to coming into this nationally televised match against NYCFC on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and TSN2. Vako Qazaishvili returned to the field and these two teams were just moments away from competing in a West Coast vs. East Coast match.

The Quakes didn’t waste any time getting on the board as Yeferson Quintana got his first goal as a member of the Blue and Black at the third minute of the first half. Just moments later, Quintana had a good look on the field.

Oh yeah, and Krazy George was in attendance. In case you didn’t know, Krazy George is the world’s most famous cheerleader as well as the creator of the “wave.”

For the second time in one week, Vako made a powerful kick that went just above the opponent’s net at the 31st minute of the half in an attempt to be featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays on ESPN.

The Quakes held a 1-0 lead over NYCFC at halftime. Shots were 5-3 in favor of San Jose.

NYCFC’s Anton Tinnerholm scored his second career MLS goal to even the score 1-1 at the 49th minute of the second half.

Quakes captain Chris Wondolowski applied pressure on the NYCFC backline at the 54th minute of the half, but the score remained tied 1-1.

NYCFC took a 2-1 lead when Maxi Moralez scored the go-ahead goal at the 60th minute of the half.

Harold Cummings was kicked by an NYCFC player at the 75th minute of the half. Cummings was able to pick himself up off the ground, but he was shook up pretty bad, so Quincy Amarikwa stepped onto the field to replace Cummings.

There was six minutes of stoppage after these two teams battled it out in two halves. Vako kicked a goal into the net at the 95th minute, but a NYCFC defender blocked the kick from entering the net.

The Quakes lost to NYCFC 2-1 in full time.

Notes
Quakes’ starting lineup: Andrew Tarbell, Nick Lima, Chris Wondolowski, Shea Salinas, Anibal Godoy, Magnus Eriksson, Yeferson Quintana, Florian Jungwirth, Danny Hoesen, Harold Cummings and Vako Qazaishvili.

NYCFC’s starting lineup: Sean Johnson, Anton Tinnerholm, Alexander Callens, Maxime Chanot, Saad Abdul-Salaam, Ebenezer Ofori, Yangel Herrera, Maximiliano Moralez, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, David Villa and Jesus Medina.

Up Next
The Earthquakes head to Talen Energy Stadium to take on the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, April 7 at 4:00 pm PST.