Chris Wondolowski of the San Jose Earthquakes gets a hug from his father after making his 400th career appearance as a substitute during the 85th minute against the Minnesota FC on Tue Aug 17, 2021 (photo from @SJEarthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—It’s usually not a good thing when an official makes himself a part of a match.

The San Jose Earthquakes found that out the hard way in a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United on Tuesday evening at Pay Pal Park.

Referee Victor Rivas, in his first full season as a referee in MLS, left the home team frustrated at the end of match with numerous non-calls against Minnesota that appeared to be fouls.

The worse non-call came in the 80th minute when Cade Cowell, a substitute in the 54th minute, came streaking in on a one-on-two break and DJ Taylor appeared to have drug him down. Rivas ruled to play on, much to the chagrin of Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda and the 10,353 fans in attendance.

“The truth is I’m really upset,” said an animated Almeyda. “I’ve been speaking out about these misses (calls) for a while. It’s not a justification. We’ve lost matches to our mistakes. If there is a DP on the other team and they protect them. (I want them to) protect my youngsters (too). Have the fouls be the same and have them call it the same way (on both sides). My complaint is to have it (the match) called even. And when we protest, we get sent off!”

San Jose, with the tie, extended its unbeaten streak to nine games. Minnesota United are 3-1-3 in its past seven matches.

San Jose (5-7-8-23 points) drew first blood in the 12th minute. A service from across the pitch left to right from Marcos Lopez found Cristian Espinoza along the right wing. Espinoza dribbled inside and fired a shot from just beyond the box that deflected off the leg of fullback Bakaye Dibassy into the back of the net for an own goal.

The tide turned in the 21st minute when defenseman Nathan slid hard into Dibassy with his cleats up that injured the Minnesota defenseman. Referee Victor Rivas initially issued a yellow card. After a VAR review, the infraction was changed to a red card and an automatic ejection. Nathan will be suspended for the next match against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Minnesota United (7-6-6-27 points) made San Jose pay immediately. In the 22nd minute, Ethan Finlay centered a ball over to Adrien Hunou inside the box. Hunou made a back pass over to Wil Trapp open from 15 yards out. Trapp fired a shot into the lower right corner that beat Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski.

Both teams had scoring chances in the final minutes of stoppage time in the first half.

Hassani Dotson’s right footed shot from the right side of the box was knocked away by Marcinkowski in the third minute of stoppage time.

Jeremy Ebobisse set up Espinoza in the fifth minute of stoppage time, but Espinoza’s right footed shot headed for the top left corner was stoned away by Miller.

Despite being down a man for the rest of the game, San Jose didn’t sit back and defend just to have a tie. They countered attacked in the second half when Cowell, Carlos Fierro and Paul Marie came into the match as subs in the second half.

The Quakes had a chance one minute into stoppage time in the second half to score the game winning goal when Jackson Yueill had a free kick from just beyond the box. However, his right footed attempt sailed high and wide right of the net.

Marcinkowski finished the match making two saves on the four shot attempts by Minnesota United. Miller made one save on three shots on net.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with three corner kicks. Minnesota United had seven.

Chris Wondolowski made his 400th MLS appearance as a substitute in the 85th minute.

The Earthquakes nine game unbeaten streak is the longest of the season and is the longest unbeaten streak since August-November 2012, going 10 in a row without a loss (including playoffs).

Minnesota United’s 1-0 loss to LA Galaxy on Saturday was its second loss in the last 14 matches (W7 D6). The Loons are tied with Nashville and New England for the fewest losses in MLS in that time (since May 12).

UP NEXT-San Jose travels out to Los Angeles to take on the Galaxy in the third installment of the California Classico on Friday 8/20 at 7:30pm at Dignity Health Sports Park.