Category: San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes fall to Minnesota United 1-0

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The Minnesota United FC’s Luis Amarilla scored nine minutes into the first half that’s all the United would need to defeat the visiting San Jose Earthquakes at Allianz Field in St. Paul Sat Mar 19, 2022 (file photo from mls.com)

by Marko Ukalovic

ST.PAUL, Minn. — Luis Amarilla scored a first-half strike, and it was all Minnesota United FC needed to overcome the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 at Allianz Field on Saturday night.

Amarilla had a mini-redemption arc over nine minutes of an action-packed first half to get MNUFC (2-0-2) on the board. After just putting a chip attempt over the crossbar in the 23rd minute, leading a break that looked sure to produce the game’s opener, Amarilla struck gold in the 32nd minute, making a defense-splitting run to meet Robin Lod’s pass from the wing, and finishing smartly.

“We knew they could hurt us with [Luis] Amarilla, where they looked for him a lot with their crosses and that’s how they scored. After they went up, we still couldn’t find our groove. It was one of the worst starts that we’ve had,” said Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda.

In the second half, the teams dueled each other without adding to the scoresheet. Benji Kikanovic came closest for the Quakes (0-3-1) on a 56th-minute attempt. The Loons threatened to double their lead on a Bongokuhle Hlongwane corker and a Lod scorpion kick that nearly fell below the crossbar before an attentive JT Marcinkowski palmed it out.

The Quakes’ keeper also saved on a 1-on-1 situation in stoppage time against Franco Fragapance to give his offense one last-gasp chance.

“The roles changed a little bit at halftime and that gave us some more numbers out wide to try and create some overloads in wide areas. I thought we did that well late on,” said Quakes defender Tanner Beason.

Dayne St. Clair had a perfect clean sheet as the Quakes did not register a shot on net. Marcinkowski made four saves on five shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Each team finished with four corner kicks.

The Quakes now hold a 4-4-2 all-time record against Minnesota United FC, including a 2-2-1 record on the road.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns back to action after the International break as they host Austin FC on Saturday 4/2 at 4:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

Union shut out Earthquakes 2-0

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Philadelphia Union goaltender Andre Blake got the stop on the San Jose Earthquakes with one save good enough for a shutout at Sabaru Stadium in Chester PA on Sat Mar 12, 2022 (file photo from mls.com)

by Marko Ukalovic

CHESTER PA— The San Jose Earthquakes offense was as cold as the chilly temperatures.

The Philadelphia Union used the chilly conditions to their advantage in a 2-0 shutout victory over the Quakes on a frigid Saturday evening at Sabaru Stadium.

The temperature at kick off was 20 degrees and only got worse throughout the game.

San Jose is still winless after their first three matches. Philadelphia have won two in a row and have started the season with seven points in three games.

The Union (2-0-1) drew first blood in the 23rd minute. Sergio Santos was able to get around Jackson Yueill on the left wing. Santos’ cross found a wide open Cory Burke who tapped home the ball into an empty net.

San Jose (0-2-1) weren’t able to generate much offense in the opening 45 minutes as they had their ball in their own end for the majority of through half.

“We were lacking the depth to beat Philadelphia today,” said Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda. “Philadelphia beat us out wide and we lost them in the box.”

Philadelphia doubled its lead in the second half after a miscue by San Jose inside the box.

A clearing attempt by the Quakes in the 56th minute went off the forearm of Yueill, who struggled throughout the match playing center back for the first time in his career, setting up a penalty kick.

Daniel Gazdag cashed in the penalty two minutes later with a chip to the right as he got Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski guessing to the left.

Things were chippy between both teams with a combined six yellow cards issued.

Union goalkeeper Andre Blake only needed to make one save to earn the clean slate. Marcinkowski made four saves on six shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with five corner kicks. Philadelphia had three.

Three Quakes rookies made their MLS debut as subs in the second half included Ousseni Bouda, Wil Richmond and 16-year old Nick Tsakiris.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its road trip against Minnesota United on Saturday 3/19 at 5:00pm at Allianz Field.

Earthquakes down a man come back to earn a point against the Crew in a 3-3 draw on match’s final play

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Francisco Calvo (80) of the San Jose Earthquakes scored two goals in the final two minutes at Pay Pal Park in San Jose for the win over the Columbus Crew on Sat Mar 5, 2022 (photo by San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Francisco Calvo has only played two games for the San Jose Earthquakes but has already made an immediate impact.

Down by two goals late in the second half and down a man, Calvo scored two goals off two separate headers in the final 10 minutes of the match to earn a 3-3 draw for San Jose over the Colombus Crew on Saturday afternoon at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose (0-1-1) drew first blood early thanks to Paul Marie who drew a penalty kick for San Jose in the fifth minute after Milos Degenek fouled him inside the box.

After video review Christian Espinoza made a slight hesitation before beating Crew goalkeeper Eloy Room with a low show to the left corner of the net for his first goal of the season.

The Quakes were on the wrong end of a controversial call in the 33rd minute. Jamiro Monteiro battled for a loose ball with Darlington Nagbe when both collided with one another. Referee Guido Gonzales Jr. initially issued a yellow card to Monteiro.

After video review, the call was changed to a red card an automatic ejection for Monteiro. They called swung momentum over to the Crew’s side.

Columbus (1-0-2) finally cashed in with San Jose being down a man in the 40th minute. Steven Moreira dribbled inside the box and crossed the ball over to Lucas Zelarayán who blasted a shot into the top right corner for his second goal of the season.

Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda decided to shake up the lineup to start the second half. In were Cade Cowell and Judson for Chofis and Eric Remedi to bring in more of an attacking presence.

Philadelphia gained its first lead in the 68th minute off a set piece. A corner kick resulted in Yaw Yeboah crossing the ball back into the middle where Gyasi Zardes one timed the ball into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

The Union scored what appeared to be an insurance goal five minutes later off a free kick. Zelarayán recorded his brace when he was able to bend in his right footed shot past Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski in the 73rd minute.

San Jose cut the lead to one goal in the 84th minute. Ján Gregus centered a free kick from 25 yards out into the middle of box where Francisco Calvo was left unmarked and headed the ball past Room for his first goal as a member of the Earthquakes.

Calvo’s heroics came on the last play of the match thanks to a gaffe by Room that gave San Jose a corner kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Once again it was Gregus who centered the ball into the middle of the box and Calvo headed the ball into the lower right corner for his brace.

Marcinkowski made four saves on seven shots. Room finished with one save on four shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with four corner kicks. Colombus had nine.

Nathan, who suffered a torn meniscus in last Saturday’s season opener vs. the New York Red Bulls. He had surgery on Monday and is expected to miss up to two months.

San Jose had their undefeated record vs. Columbus at PayPal Park extended to four matches (2-0-2). Additionally, the Earthquakes extended its unbeaten streak of eight straight home matches against Columbus (4-0-4) dating back to a 3-0 loss in August 2009, also snapped. The eight-game run is San Jose’s longest active home unbeaten run against any single opponent.

UP NEXT: San Jose travels out to Philadelphia to take on the Union on Saturday 3/12 at 4:30pm at Subaru Park.

Earthquakes open 2022 season with 3-1 loss to Red Bulls

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San Jose Earthquakes opened up their regular season against the New York Red Bulls at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Feb 26, 2022 (logos from MLS)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE —It was not the start the San Jose Earthquakes were looking for to begin the 2022 campaign.

The New York Red Bulls scored two second half goals en route to a 3-1 victory on Saturday afternoon over San Jose on Opening Day at Pay Pal Park.

Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda entered his fourth (and possibly his final) season with a roster, for the first time in 13 years, that didn’t feature Chris Wondoloski (retired). However, three new additions in Dutch midfielder Jamiro Monteiro (trade with Philadelphia Union), Costa Rican defenseman Francisco Calvo (free agent signing) and Slovakian midfielder Jan Gregus started for Almeyda in a revamped lineup that also featured Chofis and Cade Cowell.

New York has won the past four matches against San Jose.

San Jose (0-1-0) had a scoring chance in the 15th minute when Cristian Espinoza shot from outside the box was deflected away by Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, but Monteiro’s rebound attempt was blocked.

The Quakes lost their best defender Nathan to an injury in the 22nd minute and was replaced by Tanner Beason.

New York (1-0-0) had a point-blank attempt from Sean Nealis in the 21st minute but Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski made a diving save without giving up a rebound. Then in the 35th, Marcinkowski made a one-handed leaping save over the net on a shot by Patryk Klimala.

The Red Bulls drew first blood at the end of the first half in the first minute of stoppage time. Lewis Morgan serviced a ball into the middle where Klimala chipped it over Marcinkowski just inside the right post for his first goal of the season.

“It’s going to take some time,” said Almeyda regarding the three new faces in his lineup to make an impact. “Some teammates are able to do it faster than others. I think the three new guys looked good today. Surely, as time goes on, they will get better, and our team will play better.”

San Jose answered back in the 69th minute off of a free kick. Espinoza sent a low line drive into the middle where Chofis headed the ball into the far corner of the net for his first goal of the season.

New York responded three minutes later in the 72nd minute. A turnover near midfield led to Omir Fernandez dribbling in from the left side of the box and shooting the ball through the legs of Marcinkowski for his first goal of the season.

The Red Bulls sealed the deal with a goal in the second minute of stoppage time. Tom Barlow got inside the box and his shot got past Marcinkowski for his first goal of the season.

Coronel just one save on two shots on target to earn the victory. Marcinkowski made four saves on seven shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with four corner kicks. New York had six.

New York’s John Tolkin, Dru Yearwood and Cristian Cásseres Jr were issued yellow cards during the match. San Jose were issued none.

San Jose is 18-16-9 overall against the Red Bulls franchise.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts the Columbus Crew on Saturday 3/5 at 2:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

Wondo says farewell in Quakes final game in 1-1 draw with FC Dallas

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San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski being carried off the field he broke the all-time MLS record for goals on May 18, 2019.—Courtesy of the San Jose Earthquakes.

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—The greatest goal scorer in MLS history had his swan song.

San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski announced his retirement from the game of soccer to a crowd of 17,075 after his team played its final match of the season to a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas on Sunday afternoon at Pay Pal Park.

What was supposed to happen last year in 2020, finally happened after a career that spanned 17 years. Wondolowski originally intended to have 2020 be his final year in soccer but due to the Covid-19 pandemic that postponed the season for four months and then returned with no fans allowed inside the stadiums, he wanted to play one more full season with the fans in attendence.

Wondo, 38, finished his storied career as the MLS leader in goal with 171, 26 more than any other MLS player (Landon Donovan-145) and 413 games played, including 376 appearances for San Jose, most in club history and third most in MLS history.

He also holds the MLS records for combined regular season and playoff goals (173), goals for one club (167), game-winning goals (46), and goals in 1-0 victories (14), while ranking second in multi-goal games (25) and tied for second in hat-tricks (5).

As for the match, it was only fitting that Wondolowski scored a goal in his final game. His goal broke the ice for San Jose (10-13-11) in the 34th minute. Marcos Lopez sent in a low cross into the box where Wondo one-timed a perfect volley into the left corner of the net for his fifth goal of the season.

FC Dallas (7-15-12) had a chance to even the game late in the half when Quakes goalie Daniel Vega, who made his only start of the season, collided with Jáder Obrian inside the box and was whistled for a penalty by referee Victor Rivas.

However Ricardo Pepi’s penalty attempt in the 40th minute hit off the cross bar and was cleared away by the Quakes as FC Dallas weren’t able to generate a second opportunity.

FC Dallas scored the equalizer two minutes later. Jesus Ferreira’s clearing attempt out of his own zone caught San Jose’s backline flatfooted as it led to a breakaway from Obrian. The 26 year native of Colombia dribbled in and chipped the ball past Vega for his ninth goal of the season in the 42nd minute.

Each team had chances in the final 10 minutes of the match to score the game winning goal but none of the attempts were successful.

Vega didn’t make a save on the one shot on target his faced. FC Dallas goalie Jimmy Maurer made six saves on seven shots as each keeper earned a draw.

For Wondolowski, he wanted to make his announcement in front of the Quakes faithful to give them a chance to say goodbye to him on the pitch one final time.

“I wanted to do this in front of fans instead of in front of a bunch of cameras,” said Wondolowski as he address the crowd. I wanted to do this in front of you because you guys have been there from day one. This is the last run. I told myself I would cry, and I knew that tears would be coming, but thank you guys. It’s been an amazing ride. I can’t thank you guys enough. It starts with my teammates and literally the league. These guys have been there, in the locker room, practices and the battles. I’ve got to thank my family and everyone here. There are more people than I can count, many Wondolowskis, mom, dad. I got my wife and two girls and a little one on the way.”

Wondo couldn’t help but be overcome with emotion as he talked to the crowd and how much each of them meant to him during his career.

“The cool thing is that I get to do this with my hometown team,” the native of Danville continued. “Thank you guys for this wonderful ride. Thank you for being a part of me, pushing me on. I can’t thank you guys enough. This organization is going to do big things. I can’t wait for it, and we’ll be here for the future. Thank you to the fans. From Faultline to Epicenter, the Ultras and everyone here. I can’t thank you guys enough. You guys mean the world.”

Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda had this to say about his time with Wondo over the past three years.

“I enjoyed coaching him. We have an excellent relationship in the humane and sporting aspect. He has been a great professional. A goal scorer is leaving and it is difficult to replace goal scorers, especially him. Hopefully, our young players have recognized the path Chris has taken and follow it. Chris leaves a huge legacy behind, which is the nicest thing to leave behind. Many leave titles, many leave huge numbers, but he leaves a special legacy as the all-time leading scorer. With time, he and many others will realize how important that is,” Almeyda said.

Wondlowski, whose MLS career began in 2005 as a fourth-round Supplemental Draft pick out of Chico State, took home Golden Boot presented by Audi honors during the 2010 and 2012 campaigns. A five-time MLS All-Star and three-time Best XI selection, he also was named the league’s MVP in 2012.

The Quakes have a lot of questions to be answered during the off season such as who will be the next general manager? Will Almeyda return as head coach? Does he want to return? Will the team continue with its youth movement or will they look to acquire veteran talent both domestic and international?

Those questions will have answers to them later on as the offseason progresses.

But today was all about the celebration of Bay Area soccer legend Chris Wondolowski who hung up his cleats one last time.

Earthquakes score four unanswered goals in 4-3 upset win over Real Salt Lake

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The San Jose Earthquakes Chris Wondolowski kicks the ball against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy UT on Sat Oct 30, 2021 (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SANDY, Utah—Playing spoiler isn’t such a bad thing.

The San Jose Earthquakes took their new role well as they scored four unanswered goals and then hung on at the end in a stunning 4-3 victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday afternoon at Rio Tinto Stadium.

San Jose won their final road game of the season and finished 5-6-7 away from Pay Pal Park. Real Salt Lake failed to to move up in the Western conference standings and currently hang on the seventh and final playoff spot with 45 points.

It was the first time San Jose had won two consecutive games in Rio Tinto Stadium since RSL joined MLS in 2005.

Real Salt Lake (14-13-6) controlled the first 30 minutes of the game as they were able to create counter attacks as San Jose only had three fullbacks to start the game, leaving them vulnerable in its defensive zone.

In the ninth minute, RSL drew first blood. A failed clearing attempt by San Jose led to the ball ending up on the foot of Albert Rusnák. The Slovakian striker made a nice give and go with Damir Kreilach and Rusnák finished off the play with a chip in past Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski for his ninth goal of the season.

Real Salt Lake came very close to doubling their lead in the 26th minute. A point blank shot from five yards out by Rubio Rubín was stopped by Marcinkowski.

San Jose (10-13-10) turned the tides in the 37th minute. Cade Cowell, who was inserted back into the starting lineup by head coach Matias Almeyda, received a long ball along the right side. The 17-year old forward raced down the right side and centered a ball into the middle where Carlos Fierro diving attempt put the ball into the back of the net for his third goal of the season.

The Quakes earned their first lead of the game in the third minute of stoppage time. Off of a corner, Fierro serviced the ball over to the right side where an unmarked Chris Wondolowski, who also made his return to the starting 11, headed the ball past Real Salt Lake goalie David Ochoa for his fourth goal of the season to cap off an entertaining opening half.

Wondo increased his MLS all-time goal total to 170. With his 13th goal all-time against Real Salt Lake, Wondolowski tied Landon Donovan for the most has scored more against RSL since they joined MLS in 2005 (including playoffs).

San Jose increased its lead to 3-1 in the 69th minute after a spectacular individual effort for Cowell. Marcinkowksi started a counter attack as he kicked the ball out to Cowell near midfield. Cowell raced in, faked out Justen Glad with a move into the middle of the box, then got Ochoa to bite right as Cowell slid the ball into the lower left corner of the net for his fifth goal of the season.

It was Cowell’s first goal since back in May of this year.

The Quakes looked to have put the nail in the coffin in the 79th minute when captain Jackson Yueill pick pocketed the ball off of Rusnák just outside the box. Yueill slammed home a shot top-shelf for his third goal of the season. It proved to be the game winning goal.

Real Salt Lake scored twice in the final eight minutes of the game to make the game closer than it should have been.

Anderson Julio sent a cross into the middle that hopped over two players onto the foot of Maikel Chang for his second goal of the season in the 85th minute.

Rusnák scored his second goal of the match after his left unmarked inside the box and one-timed a centering feed from Aaron Herrera in the third minute of stoppage time for his 10th goal of the season,

Marcinkowski finished the match six saves on nine shots to earn his 10th win of the season. Ochoa made two saves on six shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with 0 corner kicks. Real Salt Lake had 0.

Real Salt Lake had its seven game home winning streak snapped. It had equaled NYCFC for the longest home winning streak of the season. It was also the longest home winning streak in Real Salt Lake’s MLS history.

Damir Kreilach scored his 15th goal of the season in Real Salt Lake’s win over Dallas on Wednesday. Only two players have scored more goals in a single season in RSL’s history: Álvaro Saborio (17) in 2012 and Jeff Cunning ham (16) in 2006.

UP NEXT: The Earthquakes close out the regular season against FC Dallas on Sunday 11/7 at 3:00pm at Pay Pal Park.

Earthquakes second half onslaught buries Austin FC 4-0 shutout win

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San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Carlos Fierro (7) celebrates by putting the futbol inside his shirt and running down field with his thumb in his mouth as the Quakes blank the visiting Austin FC at Pay Pal Park in San Jose Wed Oct 20, 2021 (USA Today photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—The San Jose Earthquakes still have a pulse in its bid to make the MLS Playoffs.

The home team scored four answered goals in the second half to route Austin FC 4-0 on Wednesday evening at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose snapped its three match losing streak in what are must win games down the stretch. With 36 points, they are six points out of the seventh and final playoff spot (the Los Angeles Galaxy currently sit in seventh with 42 points) in the Western Conference. The expansion Austin FC have lost two matches in a row and a league worse 19 matches.

San Jose (9-12-9) dictated the pace of play from the get go. They had the pitch tilted in their favor for the majority of the first half.

In the 18th minute, Jeremy Ebobisse fired in a shot from just outside the D box but saved by Austin FC goalie Brad Stuver.

Then in the 31st minute, a cross from Marcos Lopez just skidded past the sliding Andy Rios who was open down the middle of the box.

Benji Kikanovic had a chip shot that bent just wide right of the goal in the 38th minute. In the 42nd minute, Eric Remedi sent Ebobisse in on a breakaway but his shot attempt was saved by Stuver as the veteran goalie came out and challenge the attempt.

Austin FC (7-19-4) were too busy defending their own zone for the majority of the first half to generate any dangerous scoring chances as they only generated two total shots in the first 45 minutes.

It didn’t take long in the second half for the Earthquakes to break through on the scoreboard. In the 47th minute, Kikanovic obtained possession of the ball along the left sideline and dribbled in when his pass deflected off of Alex Ring into the middle of the box. Chofis collected the ball and buried the ball into an empty net for his team leading 12th goal of the season.

San Jose doubled its lead six minutes later. Remedi started a counter attack when he sent a long ball into midfielder where Ebobisse gained possession. Ebobisse was interfered with by Zan Kolmanic as the ball squirted out to Kikanovic on the left wing. Kikanovic raced in on a breakaway and was able to get Stuver to commit early before he sent in a shot past him into the lower right side of the net for his third goal of the season in the 53rd minute.

Austin FC had its only quality scoring chance in the 56th minute. Off of a free kick, the ball found its way to the foot of Sebastian Driussi. His shot attempted deflected off Ebobisse and then off Tanner Beason as San Jose conceded a corner kick. The visiting team did not convert the subsequent corner kick.

Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda brought in Chris Wondolowski, Paul Marie and Cristian Espinoza as subs in the 58th minute.

The moves had an immediate pay off. In the 59th minute, Espinoza sent in a cross from right to left. The ball deflected off the foot of former Quake Nick Lima right over to Wondolowski. The MLS all-time leading goal scorer one-timed the ball with a chip into the upper right corner of the net for his third goal of the season.

Wondo now has 165 goals in his MLS career.

San Jose put the icing on the cake in the 85th minute off of a corner kick. Espinoza recorded his second assist of the match when he sent the ball into the middle where an unmarked Carlo Fierro’s running header found its way into the lower right corner of the net for his 2nd goal of the season.

Espinoza has a team leading eight assists on the season.

Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski finished the match with four saves for his fifth clean sheet of the season. Stuver made five saves on nine shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with 10 corner kicks. Austin FC had eight.

The last time San Jose hosted an expansion team, the Quakes prevailed 1-0 over FC Cincinnati on May 4, 2019. Nick Lima, who now plays for Austin FC, scored the lone goal for the Earthquakes.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday 10/23 at 7:00pm at Pay Pal Park.

Arango’s brace powers LAFC past Earthquakes 3-1

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The San Jose Earthquakes’ Carlos Fierro (7) and Chris Wondolowski (8) share congratulations during their game against the Seattle Sounders FC on Wed May 12, 2021 at Pay Pal Park in San Jose. The Quakes lost to LAFC on Sat Oct 16, 2021 at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles (Bay Area News Group file photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

LOS ANGELES—Cristian Arango has been carrying LAFC on his shoulders since Carlos Vela went down to injury as they fight for their playoff lives.

Arango had a brace and an assist in his team’s 3-1 over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday afternoon at Banc of California Stadium.

LAFC are unbeaten in its last two matches (1-0-1) and sit in eight place in the Western Conference with 37 points, one point behind Minnesota FC, who have 38 points and currently the final playoff berth. San Jose have lost three games in a row and and their fading playoff hopes suffered another blow with five games remaining in the season. They are in 10 tenth place with 33 points.

Vela has missed the Black & Gold’s last eight games with a hamstring injury. He missed three games at the beginning of the season with a different injury as well.

LAFC (10-12-7) drew first blood early in the match. In the third minute, a turnover by San Jose led to Arango sending a back pass into the middle of the box where Danny Musovski crashed in and buried a shot through two Quakes defenders and Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski for his fourth goal of the season.

San Jose (8-12-9) had a chance in the 24th minute to even the score. Jeremy Ebobisse, who made his first appearance since suffering a head injury on September 4th, received the ball inside the box but his chip attempt into an empty net was swept away by Kim Moon-Hwan before the ball was able to cross the goal line.

Arango set up his first goal when he was able to get Jackson Yueill to concede a penalty inside the box in the 26th minute. Yueill made contact with Arango but the Colombian striker sold the penalty when he immediately went down in a heap on the pitch. Referee Alan Kelly ruled Yueill did enough to earn the penalty.

Two minutes later, Arango, better known as “Chicho” came up slowly, hesitated and then shot the ball to the left side, as Marcinkowki guessed to the right, to convert the penalty kick for his team leading seventh goal of the season.

San Jose had two scoring chances during stoppage time at the end of the first half but Ebobisse’s shot went high over the net and Benji Kinkanovic had his shot attempt blocked by an LAFC defender.

“I believe in the first half we were pretty inaccurate when we had the ball,” said Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda. “They put their chances away and we did not.”

Almeyda made all of his substitutions early in the second half as he looked to maintain the momentum his team seized late in the first half. He inserted Cade Cowell, Chris Wondolowski and Andy Rio in the 55th minute to keep the offensive pressure inside LAFC’s defensive zone.

In the 61st minute the moves paid off as San Jose cut the lead in half off a set piece. Chofis serviced a corner kick near the right post where Rios headed the ball past LAFC goalie Jamal Blackman over to Carlo Fierro, who came in as a sub to start the second half, and he knocked the ball off his chest into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

San Jose had three quality scoring chances in the final 15 minutes to even the match, but Blackman came away with highway robber each time. Cowell first chance in the 75th minute was a blazing shot from just outside the box that Blackman needed both hands to knock the ball away. Jack Skahan’s attempt in the 83rd minute was stoned away by Blackman.

Cowell’s second chance in the 83rd minute from outside the box was thwarted by a diving save thanks to the quick reflexes of Blackman that ended with frustration for San Jose.

“The first 20-30 minutes was tough I think,” said midfielder Shea Salinas. “But our team settled in and ended up playing well the second half. It just wasn’t enough.”

LAFC put the game away in the 88th minute when Brian Rodriguez won a challenge along the midfield sideline along with Yueill. Rodriguez created a two-on-one odd man rush and serviced a ball from left to right over to Arango who one-timed the ball into the far left corner for his second goal of the match and eighth of the season.

Blackman finished the match with five saves to earn the victory. Marcinkowski made two saves on four shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Each team finished the match with three corner kicks.

Los Angeles FC won their first five meetings with the Earthquakes in MLS, outscoring them, 20-4. San Jose had won all four meetings since, the first team to beat LAFC four straight times in MLS play, regular season or playoffs.

After not allowing more than one goal in 11 straight matches (9 total goals conceded) from mid-July to mid-September, San Jose has conceded at least three goals in five of its last six games (16 total goals conceded). The only team the Earthquakes held under three goals in that time was LAFC (2-0 win on September 25).

Los Angeles FC has held opponents to just 9.9 shots per match, second fewest in MLS (NYCFC – 9.3), though opponents have scored with a league-high 14.9 percent of those shots. San Jose had a total of 15 shots in the match.

Eric Remedi has received 12 yellow cards this season, tied with Leandro González Pirez for most in MLS. Remedi has also been fouled 97 times, 14 more than any other player in the league in 2021.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts Austin FC on Wednesday 10/20 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

Earthquakes beat Cruz Azul in 2-0 shutout friendly

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San Jose Earthquakes get a shutout in a late evening friendly match at Pay Pal Park in San Jose over Cruz Azul (photo from @SJEarthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Earthquakes scored two goals in the second half as they shutout Liga MX’s Cruz Azul 2-0 in an International friendly on Thursday evening at Pay Pal Park.

Cruz Azul has a 2-1-3 record and is currently in sixth place in Liga MX’s Torneo Apertura 2021, the first of two championships during the 2021-2022 season. The historic club won the most recent championship (Torneo Clausura 2021) after finishing with a league-best 13-2-2 record and winning all three of its playoff matchups.

Cruz Azul has won nine Liga MX championships, with its title earlier this year the club’s first since 1997. Additionally, Cruz Azul has won six Concacaf Champions League titles, four Copa MX titles, three Campeon de Campeones championships, one Supercopa MX, and one Leagues Cup.

Cruz Azul is the only Mexican team to ever win a treble, lifting the Liga MX, Copa MX and Champions League trophies in the same season (1997).

There wasn’t much action on the scoreboard in the first 45 minutes as both teams went into the locker room at halftime deadlocked at 0-0.

However, these two teams played like bitter rivals as tempers flared late in the first half.

In the 37th minute after a foul, both teams were pushing and shoving one another inside the Quakes defensive zone. As the teams began to separate from the melee, a fan, under the influence of liquid courage, jumped from the stands onto the field and rushed the players.

Quakes goalie Daniel Vega, who made his first start this year, was the first one to confront the fan. MLS all-time leading scorer and Quakes captain Chris Wondolowski was able to get the fan, who had been wearing a blue lucha libra wrestling mask, in a headlock and drive him down to the ground before security arrived on the scene to escort the fan out of the stadium.

Cruz Azul’s star forward Jonathan Rodriguez and the Quakes top fullback Nathan were both ejected from the match for their involvement in the melee as both teams finished the rest of the match each down a man.

San Jose broke the ice in the 58th minute when Paul Marie blasted a shot from 20 yards out into the upper right corner of the net beating Cruz Azul goalie Jose de Jesus Corona.

Cruz Azul’s best chance to score came in the 62nd minute. Santiago Gimenez sent in a shot from the right wing but Vega made a diving save to the left. The rebound by Pablo Aguilar was also sent away by Vega for a corner kick.

The Quakes put the game away in the 72nd minute when they doubled their lead. Jeremy Ebobisse, who came in as a substitute in the second half in his first match action in two months, serviced a ball from left to right over to Cristian Espinoza. The ball was misplayed by Roberto Alvarado that sprung Espinoza on a breakaway. Espinoza dribbled in from the right wing, around a defender, into the middle before firing a shot past Corona right down the middle of the net.

GAME NOTES: San Jose now holds a 12-11-11 all-time record in international exhibitions, and a record of 2-8-4 against teams from Mexico.

The Earthquakes now hold a 1-0-1 record against Cruz Azul and a 2-8-4 record against teams from Mexico. Tonight’s win marks the first time the Quakes have defeated a Liga MX team since Sept. 6, 2012 (W 1-0 vs. San Luis FC).

UP NEXT: The Earthquakes return to MLS action on Saturday, Oct. 16 when they take on LAFC at Banc of California Stadium. The match kicks off at 12:30 p.m.

White’s hat trick power Whitecaps to 3-0 shutout win over Earthquakes

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Vancouver Whitecaps Cristian Dajome (center) is upended by the San Jose Earthquakes Nathan Brazil (left) at BC Place in Vancouver on Sat Oct 2, 2021 (Canadian Press via AP)

 

by Marko Ukalovic

Brian White is definitely enjoying his change of scenery.

The Vancouver Whitecaps striker scored a hat trick to lead his team to a 3-0 shutout victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday evening at BC Place.

Since being traded from the New York Red Bulls back in June, White has scored nine goals in 20 matches since his arrival, with eight of those coming in his last nine games. He had zero goals with New York.

Vancouver are unbeaten in its last four matches (2-0-2) and have climbed up to eighth place in the Western Conference, one point behind Minnesota for the final playoff spot. San Jose have lost two matches in a row and are quietly slipping away from the playoff race with six games remaining in the season.

White scored his first goal after a nice touch pass over to Ryan Gauld inside the box. Gauld’s shot was saved by Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski but the rebound was cleaned up by White in the 26th minute.

San Jose (8-11-9-33 points) only generated two shots on target in the first 45 minutes. Both shots by Cristian Espinoza in the 25th minute and Jackson Yueill in the 39th minute were easily handled by Whitecaps goalie Maxime Crépeau.

Vancouver (9-8-10-37 points) doubled their lead in the 59th minute off a set piece. Déiber Caicedo floated a free kick from near the right end line into the middle where an unmarked White headed the ball into the back of the net in the upper left corner for his second goal of the evening.

“We had to make movements to free up players in certain zones,” said Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda. “Those movements were slow. I thought the match was even in the first half. On three or four occasions, we were able to have the control we were looking for. We met a team that has been growing in important ways, with a secure system of play. We knew that if we conceded a goal, it would be hard to turn it around because they are secure on defense. In the second half, we took more risks. The set piece played a fundamental factor against us.”

White completed the hat trick in the 73rd minute once again off another set piece. This time Gauld serviced a corner kick into the middle of the box and once again the Quakes left White unmarked for a header just inside the right corner of the goal for his ninth goal of the season.

The closest San Jose came to getting on the board came late in the second half. Espinoza sent in a shot from 25 yards out but Crépeau made a jumping catch to preserve the shutout.

“We have to keep improving but we have less and less time. We’re talking about the last six games and a projection of our future in which there is some instability. Personally, I’d like to plan for what is coming up. We have to live day by day, we’d love to plan for the future, but the reality is different,” Almeyda said.

Crépeau finished the match stopping all five shots on target to earn his ninth victory of the season. Marcinkowski made three saves on six shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Each team finished with four corner kicks.

San Jose is now 8-10-10 all-time vs. Vancouver, including a 2-9-3 record on the road.

San Jose had its eight-game unbeaten streak on the road, longest in club history, snapped with the loss.

UP NEXT: San Jose return to action on Saturday 10/16 when they travel out to Los Angeles to take on LAFC at 12:30pm at Banc of California Stadium.