San Jose Earthquake players before their match against Austin FC the first meeting with the expansion team at Q2 Stadium in Austin on Sat Jun 19, 2021(@Earthquakes photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

AUSTIN, Texas–The San Jose Earthquakes played to scoreless draw with Austin FC in their first ever meeting with the expansion team on Saturday evening at Q2 Stadium.

The match marked the first ever MLS game to be played at the brand new stadium that was at 100% capacity for the match. Actor Matthew McConaughey, who is part owner of the team, led the more than 20,000 in attendance in a pregame chant banging on bongo drums before the opening whistle.

San Jose snapped a four-game losing streak but are winless in its past five games. Austin FC had their third consecutive draw and are winless in their past six games.

Austin (2-4-3) grabbed the momentum early in the game as they created the game’s first scoring chance in the 10th minute. Zan Kolmanic volleyed a ball into the center of the box where Diego Fagundez’s header was knocked away the net by Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski.

San Jose (3-5-1) had its best chance to break the seal in the 36th minute. Chofis played a ball to the right side where Cristian Espinoza dribbled in and fired a shot off the right post.

Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda implemented a new system and formation for the match after having the past two weeks off during the international break.

“We were asked what we have been working on during the break. During this time, we were practicing this style of play and method because we thought we should play this way in this match. I am very pleased. I thought the team made a huge effort. We created clear counterattacking opportunities through this system. We still need that last step. We will keep working on that aspect, but overall, the guys were great interpreters,” Almeyda said.

Austin FC came out quick to start the second half. In the 51st minute Tomás Pochettino centered a ball inside the six-yard box, but Cecilio Domínguez’s left foot attempt was punched away by Marinkowski.

Marcinkowski kept the Austin FC off the scoreboard in the 63rd minute when Alexander Ring rifled a shot from 15 yards out on net and Marcinkowski sent it away to the right for a corner kick.

The Earthquakes best scoring chance in the second half came late in the 83rd minute. Cade Cowell set up Carlos Fierro with a back pass just inside the D box and Fierro’s right footed attempt heading for the top right corner was knocked away by Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver.

“In the second half, we made changes to our system again and we had more goal-scoring chances. I think the effort made in changing positions has a risk in tiring out the players. That is why I appreciate the effort they made. I repeat that this is how we thought this match should be played. Within the losses that we had, I looked inward and felt that I had to make effective changes. I think these changes were effective,” said Almeyda.

Marcinkowski earned his sixth career shutout and first of 2021 with six saves, equaling his career high. His 12 saves over the past two games are the most in consecutive matches in his career (previous high was 10).

“I think it’s a long time coming to be honest,” said Marcinkowski regarding his first shutout of the season. “We’ve been playing well in the back, just haven’t found a clean sheet yet. It was a really good night to have our first one and unfortunate not to get more. I thought we deserved a little bit more out of the game, but we’ll take the point and all eyes on Orlando now.”

Stuver stopped all nine shot on target to earn his second shutout of the season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had seven corner kicks. Austin FC had nine.

Chris Wondolowski made his first start of the 2021 season. It marked his first regular season start since Nov. 8, 2020.

The Earthquakes faced former players Danny Hoesen, Nick Lima, and Andrew Tarbell. The match will mark Hoesen and Lima’s first ever match against the Quakes since their departures from San Jose prior to the 2021 MLS season.

UP NEXT: The Earthquakes take on Orlando City SC in their second consecutive road match on Tuesday 6/22 at 4:30 p.m at Exploria Stadium.