photo by sjearthquakes.com: San Jose Earthquakes’ Chris Wondolowski scores his league leading MLS All-Time 157th goal at Avaya Stadium in San Jose in win Saturday over Orlando City 3-0.

By London Marq

SAN JOSE — The 2019 MLS season is rapidly approaching the business end and the San Jose Earthquakes are trying to solidify their playoff position. With seven games left, San Jose sat squarely in third place. after coming of a three-game losing streak, they won their second consecutive game convincingly against Orlando City 3-0.

San Jose started the match shot of a cannon. In the third minute of the match Magnus Eriksson wove through the box and delivered the first goal of the match. It was the beginning to a fruitful first half. Chris Wondolowski added to his legend, scoring in the 20th and 32nd minutes, increasing his MLS All-Time goals scored record to 157. The Quakes we dominant in the first half. Controlling 63% of possession with 13 shots on goal.

The second half of the match slowed down considerably. A frustrated Orlando City began playing a high press and the game became more physical, causing multiple altercations. Whereas there were no bookings in the first half, there were four yellow cards in the second. Despite the constant pressure Orlando was able to produce the San Jose defense was able to hold up. The Quakes defense has been suspect at times this season but they Quakes rectified that by getting the clean sheet.

The Earthquakes have been galvanized by their head coach Matias Almeyda. Almeyda is serving a three-game league suspension after a heated argument with the referees after no-call on a clear handball in the box during a game in in Los Angeles a week ago.

When asked about the suspension Wondolowski stated, “Love his passion, I love that he was sticking up for us. It was clear handball in LA, we don’t normally get those calls.” The Orlando City game was the second without Almeyda, who will be back in action on September 14th.

For now, the Quakes must stay focused on the final six games of the season. With the win over Orlando they moved into second place in the Western Conference. They will head east for a three-game road trip.

Florian Jungwirth, defender emphasized the importance of road games after the win, said, “Now it’s important to show the same performance on the road that we do at home.”

If San Jose can manage that, they will be hosting a playoff game come October.

Final: San Jose def. Orlando City 3-0