Visiting Sporting KC came in and took care of business against the San Jose Earthquakes at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat May 22, 2021 (@BlueTestamentKC photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif–Sporting KC scored three unanswered goals as they came back from an early deficit to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 on Saturday evening at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose has lost three matches in a row after winning three of its first four games. Sporting KC have won two in a row and have outscored their opponent 6-1 in its last two matches.

The Earthquakes (3-4-0) grabbed the momentum early as they drew first blood in the fourth minute. Sporting KC conceded a corner kick. Off the set piece, Cristian Espinoza served the ball outside the box from the left end. Chofis gathered the ball, made one touch before chipping a shot into the upper left corner for his second goal of the season past Sporting KC goalie Tim Melia.

Sporting KC (4-2-1) answered back in the 15th minute thanks to a nice individual play by Alan Pulido, who was a thorn in the side of San Jose all game long. Pulido won a ball off Paul Marie and threaded a pass between three Quakes defenders over to Jaylin Lindsey. The Sporting KC defender got behind Cade Cowell and tapped the ball past Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski, who challenged the shot, into the lower left corner for his first goal of the season.

Sporting KC were able to keep the momentum on their side for most of the first half thanks to some sloppy turnovers by San Jose.

Each goaltender made a big save in the opening 45 minutes. Melia stopped a chance from Cowell in the 24th minute making a sliding two-hand save on Cowell’s shot from 10 yards out. Marcinkowski made a kick out save on Pulido after a Quakes turnover led to a mini breakaway for Pulido down the center of the box.

San Jose held a slight edge in possession in the first half with a 51%-49% margin. Sporting KC out shot San Jose eight to four also in the first half.

The second half was tale of the Quakes missing out on its opportunities and Sporting KC taking advantage of theirs.

In the 59th minute, Chofis made nice serve into the middle where a wide open Andy Rios mistimed his header wide left instead of into an empty net.

Just a minute later, Sporting KC’s counter attack led to the game winning goal.  Dániel Sallói dribbled down the right wing before making a cross pitch pass over to Pulido. The native of Cuidad Victoria, Mexico made one move left before going right and firing the ball off the leg of Tommy Thompson that went under the crossbar in the upper right corner for his fourth goal of the season.

Another missed opportunity for San Jose came in the 72nd minute when Paul Marie made a nice move down the right wing and centered a ball into the box where a wide open Chris Wondolowski fired the ball wide left instead of into an empty net.

Sporting KC put the game away with its third unanswered goal three minutes later off another counter attack. This time it was Pulido setting up Sallói. Pulido dribbled in from the mid-line down the right side. He fed Sallói who made a one touch before bending the ball into the right corner past Marcinkowski for his third goal of the season.

Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda could only look on in helpless frustration as Sporting KC had his team on their heels for the majority of the match.

Melia finished the match with four saves, including the Quakes final good scoring chance when he stopped a point blank shot from Jackon Yueill in the 84th minute, on five shots to earn his fourth victory. Marcinkwoski (3-4) made four saves on seven shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had eight corner kicks. Sporting KC had two.

Chofis’ goal in the fourth minute snapped an 187 minute goal less draught by San Jose.

San Jose has scored eight goals at home, the most in the MLS.

The Quakes have conceded three goals after the 75th minute, also the most in MLS.

Wondo, who substituted in the 65th minute for Rios, made his 350th appearance for the Quakes.

UP NEXT: San Jose travels to Los Angeles to begin a three-game road trip as the take on the Galaxy on Saturday 5/29 at 4:00pm at Dignity Health Sports Park.