Category: San Jose Earthquakes

MLS is Back Tournament podcast with London Marq: Quakes wait for their next opponent sit on top of Group B

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The San Jose Earthquakes Shea Salinas in the second game of the MLS is Back Tournament against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wed Jul 15th runs off in celebration after booting the winning goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time (sjearthquakes.com photo)

Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 Who would have thought but their they are on the top of Group B the San Jose Earthquakes who started the tournament with a scoreless draw against the Seattle Sounders on July 10th, then in a game that might have sparked the team the Quakes down 3-2 to the Vancouver Whitecaps came back with two goals to win 4-3.  London I’ll let you talk about those first two matches to start.

# 2 The Quakes in their third match last Sunday faced the Chicago Fire and picked up a shutout victory 2-0 and the Quakes are 2-0-1 who would have thought after the season was on hold for four months they would come back and playing in the bubble that they would have got this far.

#3 London just to review the Sunday game against Chicago regarding the two goals scored by the Quakes Midfielder Jackson Yueill got the ball to Christian Espinoza, who made a move past his defender and took a left-footed shot past Fire goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm. You’ve seen Espinoza in the past he’s a real ball handler.

#4 On the second goal by the Quakes Carlos Fierro and Chris Wondolowski came in as substitutes in the 82nd minute Fierro kicked a left footed cross and Wondolowski head butted in past Kronholm for the 2-0 lead.

#5 So at 2-0-1 the Quakes are awaiting who will their next opponent Real Salt Lake on Mon Jul 27th a 5:30 pm start. A win here will further improve their perfect record and put them at a higher seed in the tournament.

Join London Marq for the MLS is Back Tournament podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Earthquakes second half surge buries Fire 2-0. Advance to round of 16 of MLS Is Back Tournament

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San Jose Earthquakes gets sprayed with a can of beer as they celebrate their second win shutting out the Chicago Fire on Sunday 2-0 at the ESPN Wide World Sports Complex in Orlando (theathletic.com photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

ORLANDO, Fla—The San Jose Earthquakes are making a habit of putting teams away in the second half of matches.

They scored two goals to take control in the second 45 en-route to a 2-0 shutout victory over the Chicago Fire FC in their final match of Group B play on Sunday evening at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

With the win, the Quakes clinched first place with seven points (2-0-1) in Group B of the MLS Is Back tournament and advance to the Round of 16 as they await their next opponent.

“These three games were important for this tournament, and it’s also important for the points in the regular season from the stoppage,” said Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda. “Today, the players are responding in an excellent manner. That makes us and our families happy, especially the people from San Jose that watch and follow us.”

The first half featured an exhibition on passing and not much shooting the ball at the goal. San Jose controlled possession with a 70%-30% advantage, but neither team generated many quality chances.

Magnus Eriksson’s shot attempt in the 25th minute sailed high over the net. Luka Stojanovic had the best chance to score by either team in the 39th minute when Chicago finally applied pressure in the offensive zone. However his right-footed shot also sailed over the net.

San Jose (2-1-2) broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Andy Rios made a touch pass over to Jackson Yuiell. The Man of the Match then quickly found Cristian Espinoza ahead down the right wing. Espinoza beat Fire defender Francisco Calvo off the ball and lasered a shot into the back corner past goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm for his first goal of the season.

“We are just excited to be a team again, playing together. I think now these three games have given us a lot of confidence and a lot of momentum. We are just happy to be on the field. We didn’t want this to be our last game for a while, and we want to keep pushing and keep playing together. You can kind of see that everyone has a little bit of a chip on their shoulders to make it as far as we can and to enjoy ourselves. I think that’s why we are doing the best right now,” said Yueill.

It’s Espinoza third goal in 35 games since San Jose acquired him at the start of the 2019 season.

San Jose put the game away in the 83rd minute thanks to its super substitute Chris Wondolowski. Carlos Fierro sent in a perfect cross from the right sideline to an unmarked Wondolowski and the all-time MLS leading goal scorer headed in the ball past Kronholm for his second goal in as many games.

Wondo, who scored 30 seconds after coming in as a sub for Judson in the 82nd minute, increased his record to 161 goals.

“[The substitutions] depend on the game and on what we are experiencing on the bench. But I considered the game still open, and we could have ended it with the substitutions that we made. Fortunately, it ended up in a positive result,” Almeyda said.

Chicago (1-2-1) couldn’t find a way to get a ball past Quakes goalkeeper Daniel Vega. He has recorded two shutouts in three games of group play.

San Jose’s back line, led by Florian Jungwirth, did a good job frustrating Fire forwards Robert Beric and C.J. Sapong and keeping them off the scoresheet.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had 5 corner kicks. Chicago had 3. It was considerably less than the MLS record 22 they had against Vancouver last Wednesday.

Stojanovic was replaced by Fabian Herbers in the second minute of stoppage time in the first half due to an lower body injury he suffered in the first half.

Chicago’s Boris Sekulic (29th minute), Alvaro Medran (53rd minute), Herbers (61st minute) Mauricio Pineda (62nd minute) Gaston Gimenez (58th minute) and San Jose’s Florian Jungwirth (37th minute), Judson (50th minute) and Eriksson (86th minute) received yellow cards.

San Jose is now 12-16-11 all-time against Chicago.

UP NEXT: San Jose awaits their next opponent at the conclusion of group play. Chicago takes on Vancouver as both teams conclude Group B play on Thursday 7/23 at 6:00am at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Quakes having early success in first two games; Face Chicago Sunday

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The San Jose Earthquakes Shea Salinas (left) celebrates after scoring in the eight minute of stoppage time in the second half on Wednesday night scoring the winning goal for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in Orlando (AP photo)

On Headlines with London:

#1 London you never would have predicted it but the San Jose Earthquakes came back from a two goal deficit on Wednesday night to defeat the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-3. It’s something that you didn’t see much of last year.

#2 Eight minutes into stoppage with the scored tied 3-3 the Quakes Shea Salinas scored the tie breaking goal for the Quakes first win of the second match group B Wednesday night at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.

#3 Salinas took the shot 40 yards out worked the ball past three Whitecap defenders then took a shot past the Whitecaps goalie Maxime Crepeau for his first goal of the season. Talk about Salinas and the fashion of is goal?

#4 The game started out typical to some of the games you saw from last year’s Quakes games including a goal that was scored off the Quakes foot of Judson Silva Taveras who pulled inside on a centering pass that went off his foot and went into the Quakes net for a score for Vancouver that put them up 2-0.

#5 The come back in of itself and it has to inspire the Quakes to fight for another victory they came off a 0-0 draw with Seattle previous to facing Vancouver and now face the Chicago Fire this Sunday in Orlando could playing on a neutral site be the difference for the Quakes?

London does Headline Sports each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Salinas’ late heroics complete improbable comeback in Earthquakes 4-3 win over Whitecaps

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Chris Wondolowski Shea Salinas of the San Jose Earthquakes celebrate after beating the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-3 in Major League Soccer’s MLS is Back tournament in Orlando, Florida (au.news.yahoo.com photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

ORLANDO, Fla- Sometimes a head coach has to take drastic measures and take a gamble to spark his team.

Shea Salinas has had a flare for the dramatics during his Earthquakes storied career. He scored the game winning goal eight minutes into stoppage time in the second half as the San Jose Earthquakes, down by two goals twice in the match, defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-3 in their second match of Group B play on Wednesday evening at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex.

Salinas won a 50/50 ball near midfield. He dribbled all the way in from 40 yards out, outmanuevred the ball past three Whitecap defenders inside the box, then fired a shot past Whitecaps goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau for his first goal of the season, giving his team their first win of the 2020 season.

San Jose (1-1-2) were so flat-footed for the first 45 minutes of the game, no one thought the Quakes would have the tenacity for such a combeack. Vancouver controlled play as they came out with an attacking agressiveness against the lifeless Quakes.

Vancouver (1-2), playing in their first Group B match, caught San Jose sleeping in the 7th minute of the match. No one marked left back Ali Adnan as the Iraqi national team memeber dribbled in from the right into the middle and fired a right-footed shot to the back of the far corner for his first goal of the season.

Then at the 22nd minute, the Quakes allowed an embarrassing own goal from Judson. A turnover created a breakaway opportunity for forward Yordy Reyna. As he raced down the pitch , he pulled up inside the box and his centering pass went off the foot of a trailing Judson into his own net for a 2-0 lead for the Whitecaps.

San Jose finally woke up in the second minunte of extra time as they cut the lead in half off a set piece. A centering pass off a corner kick found Andy Rios who deflected the ball off the back of his right heel past Crepeau for his first goal of the season.

The Quakes started off the first 10 minutes of the second half strong with the majority of play in the Whitecaps defensive zone as they created nuerous corner kick opportunties. However they weren’t able to get a quick eqaulizer.

Just when San Jose had momentum on its side, a horrible mistake led to Vancouver’s second two-goal lead. Goalkeeper Daniel Vega made a lackadaisical pass out to the right side where David Milinkovic intercepted the ball and centered a pass over Cristian Dejome who buried the ball into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda had seen enough of the lackluster play from his starters as he made four consecutive substituions in the 63rd minute when he instilled Chris Wondolowski, Danny Hoesen, Shea Salinas and Carlos Fierro.

The strategy paid off immediately as San Jose took control of the game. Nine minutes later Hoeson’s centering cross was deflected high in the air and Wondo, who was unmarked, jumped up and headed the ball past Crepeau for his first goal of the season.

Wondolowski increased his league record to 160 career goals.

San Jose scored the equalizer in the 81st minute. Once again the set piece was kind to the Quakes. Magnus Eriksson bent in a perfect cross off a corner kick into the middle where Oswaldo Alanis headed the ball into the back of the net for his second goal of the season.

Vancouver, who played the match without four of their forwards, were stunned beyound belief and could only look back at blowing their two goal lead in the last 18 minutes of the second half.

GAME NOTES: San Jose dominated the game in corner kicks (22-4) and shot attempts (30-7). They also won the possession battle 67.8% to Vancouver’s 32.2%.

Four yellow cards were issued by referee Marcos de Oliveira with three to San Jose (Cristian Espinoza, Jackson Yueill and Fierro) and one to Vancouver (Jasser Khmiri).

UP NEXT: The Quakes finish Group B play when they take on the Chicago Fire FC on Sunday 7/19 at 5:00pm at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex.

Earthquakes and Sounders draw 0-0 in MLS Is Back debut in Orlando bubble

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The San Jose Earthquakes gather before kick off to send a photo tweet to assistant coach Benjamin Galindo a get well after Galindo suffered a stroke and had brain surgery on May 28th. Galindo was in intensive care and was released home on Thursday in Guadalajara, Mexico . Galindo has been on the coaching staff since 2019. (@SJEarthquakes photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

ORLANDO, Fla.—Soccer is back in America.

In muggy conditions, the San Jose Earthquakes and the Seattle Sounders FC played their first game in four months to a competitive 0-0 draw on Friday evening at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex.

The MLS Is Back tournament has 24 of the 26 league’s teams competing in Orlando to restart the 2020 MLS season. The winner receives a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2021. FC Dallas and Nashville FC were forced to withdraw from the tournament due to their players and staff having numerous positive tests for COVID-19.

San Jose, who were the first team to travel to Orlando 16 days ago, looked like the team most adapted to the humid conditions as they controlled play in the first half with a 63-37% advantage in possession against the defending MLS Cup champions.

The Quakes had two good scoring chances in the 24th and 25th minutes. Christian Espinoza made a move from the right into the middle for a shot that was saved by Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei. Then Vako’s shot from the left wing was also stopped by Frei.

San Jose looked to make a dent in the scoreboard late in the first half when Espinoza centered a pass into the middle, but Andy Rios’ attempt sailed just to the left of the goal in the 39th minute.

The Quakes defense played sound defense in the first half. With the exception of letting Cristian Roldan get behind them for a point-blank shot that Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel Vega made a two-handed blocker save in the 28th minute, Seattle didn’t muster any other quality scoring chances in the first 45 minutes.

The second half saw Seattle increase the pressure in the Quakes defensive zone. Once again Vega made a point-blank save on Roldan in the 52nd minute.

The steamy conditions began to take their toll on both teams with many players suffering cramps in the last 30 minutes of the second half.

San Jose dominated the game with nine corner kicks to just one for Seattle. The Quakes had a chance to take the lead in the 83rd minute with their eighth of the match but were not able to cash in the opportunity.

Seattle’s best chance to break the deadlock came in the 84th minute when a centering feed split two Quakes defenders to a wide open Raul Ruidiaz inside the box but he hesitated on his shot attempt, allowing Vega to come out and make the save.

Despite a combined 28 shots on goal, both goalkeepers shined the brightest on the pitch for 98 minutes.

GAME NOTES: Quakes center fullback Guram Kashia left the game late in the match with what appeared to be a cramp in his leg.

San Jose’s Tommy Thompson (19th minute) and Seattle’s Xavier Arreaga (24th minute) were issued yellow cards for unsporting behavior.

One new quirk the tournament features is teams have the ability to make five substitutions instead of the normal three. San Jose used all five opportunities while Seattle used four.

This was the Quakes first match since March 7th when they lost to Minnesota FC 5-2 at Earthquakes Stadium.

UP NEXT: The Quakes take on the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday 7/15 in their second match of Group B play at 7:30pm at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Brodzinski’s two goals power Barracuda past Wild 5-1

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sjbarracuda.com photo

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif- Jonny Brodzinki is riding high on a huge wave of goals. He powered the San Jose Barracuda with two goals in a 5-1 convincing victory over the Iowa Wild on Wednesday evening at SAP Center

San Jose swept the two-game series with Iowa and went 3-1 in the season series. The Wild have lost two in a row for the first time since January 10th and 11th to San Diego and Bakersfield.

The ‘Cuda held one of the league’s highest scoring offenses to one goal in 123:20 minutes of action in the past 48 hours.

“One of our problems was we struggled to hold on to games,” said co-head coach Jimmy Bonneau regarding his team’s poor third period play this season. “I don’t know if it’s…I wouldn’t say less on the line. Cause in this league, especially more than anything, you play for a lot of everything. I think we’re learning how to win, learning how to manage games.”

San Jose (18-27-4-2) drew first blood less than three minutes into the first period on the power play. Just as the first penalty of their 5-on-3 opportunity had expired, Trevor Carrick sent a pass down low to Maxim Letunov. The sophomore forward then sent a backhand spin-o-rama pass to Joachim Blichfeld at the backdoor who buried the puck into an open net for his 16th goal of the season at the 2:42 mark.

“I always know Blichie (Blichfeld) is (stationed) backdoor ready to shoot. Before I got the puck I saw he was ready to shoot. So gladly it got through (to) him and he put it in the net,” said Letunov.

Iowa (36-17-4-3) had two power plays of their own in the opening frame but the ‘Cuda penalty kill led by goalie Josef Korenar kept the Wild scoreless. Iowa outshot San Jose 11-10 after 20 minutes.

The ‘Cuda doubled their lead early in the second period. Ivan Chekhovich picked up a loose puck near the crease. He skated behind the net and centered a pass out to the slot where Evan Weinger blasted a one-timer past Wild goalie Mat Robson for his eighth goal of the season at the 3:57 mark.

San Jose scored an insurance goal early in the third period. Letunov led a rush into the Wild zone. He fed a pass into the slot for Jeffery Viel who fired a wrist shot that was saved by Robson. However, the Wild backup netminder couldn’t control the rebound and Brodzinski slid the puck past Robson’s five-hole for his first goal and 11th of the season at the 1:41 mark.

Iowa spoiled Korenar’s shutout bid with a power play goal under four minutes later. A give and go between Bennan Menell and Sam Anas led to Anas finding JT Brown open in the slot and Brown lasered a one-timer past Korenar for his ninth goal of the season at the 5:28 mark.

The Barracuda regained their three-goal lead when Nick DeSimone skated in from the point down the right wing and roofed a shot top-shelf past Robson for his fourth goal of the season at the 12:16 mark. Chekhovich received the lone assist on the goal for a two-point night.

Brodzinski iced the game for San Jose 25 seconds later with his second goal of the contest. He intercepted a clearing attempt by the Wild. From the right slot he wired a wrist shot past Robson to the short side for this 12th goal of the season at the 12:41 mark.

Brodzinski has four goals in his last two games against the Wild.

“Sometimes you get the puck luck and that’s kind of how it’s been going (for me). Last probably 10 games before this there was one that kicked off the D-man’s foot, came right to me. It seemed like I was catching that one clean and it fell right in the glove. This one I don’t catch (it) right and I kinda fan on it and it goes five-hole. That’s just how the puck is going (in) for me right now,” Brodzinski said.

Korenar, fresh off his career high 42 save performance on Monday, stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced to earn his 11th win of the season. Robson made 26 saves on 31 shots in the losing effort.

It was a nice change of scenery for the second year netminder to have some goal support which had been lacking for him earlier in the season.

“I felt so much better after we won the game in overtime (on Monday). It gives you such confidence. Hopefully that continues,” said Korenar.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 1-for-4 on the power play. Iowa was 1-for-6.

Weinger’s goal snapped an 11-game goal-less draught for the forward.

With his two helpers, Letunov now leads the ‘Cuda with 38 points and 26 assists.

Jayden Halbgewachs had his three-game point streak snapped.

Anas’s assist gave him 65 points on the season, which leads the AHL.

The announced attendance was 2,571.

UP NEXT The Barracuda continue their six-game homestand on Friday 3/6 as they host the San Diego Gulls at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

Alanis last second heroics save Quakes in 2-2 draw with Toronto FC

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photo from centredaily.com: San Jose Earthquakes’ Guram Kashia (37) Toronto FC’s fouls Marky Delgado (8) during the second half of an MLS soccer game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020.

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif- The San Jose Earthquakes wanted to upgrade their backfield so they went out and acquired Mexican national Oswaldo Alanis. He paid immediate dividens as he scored a spectacular goal right near the end of stoppage time to seize victory away from Toronto FC in a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon at Earthquakes season.

The center back, on loan from Chivas de Guadalajara for a year and occupies the Quakes international spot on the roster, had a free kick from 20 yards out on the right side. His shot sailed high into the upper left corner of the goal stunning Toronto FC and sending the home crowd into a frenzy in the season opener for both teams.

“I know Alanis. It’s not the first goal he’s scored from a free kick. I think he played 95 good minutes with a certain personality. He was enthusiastic and he showed why we brought him on (to the team),” Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda said about Alanis’ heroics.

Toronto FC (0-0-1) drew first blood in the 40th minute thanks to a controversey call by referee Armando Villarreal. With Toronto FC positioned for a corner kick, Jozy Altidore was taken down inside the box by Andres Rios before the kick and Toronto was awarded a penalty kick.

Alejandro Pozuelo easily buried the ball past Quakes goalkeeper Daniel Vega for his first goal of the season.

San Jose (0-0-1) had two quality chances to score in the first half. In the 27th minute, Nick Lima’s shot from 15 yards out was deflected away at last second by Toronto FC goalkeeper Quentin Westberg. Then in the 43rd minute, Danny Hoesen dribbled in from inside the D when his shot sailed just to the left of the goal.

Toronto FC dobuled its lead six minutes into the second half. Pozuelo led an counter-attack as he passed the ball out to Tsubasa Endoh. Endoh’s shot was kicked out by Vega, but Ritchie Laryea, who subbed in to start the second half, cleaned up the rebound for his first goal of the season and a 2-0 lead in the 51st minute.

The Quakes fired back two minutes later in the 53rd minute. Christian Espinzoa centered a pass from the right side of the D that was chipped in over Westberg by a sliding Rios in for his first goal of the season.

“I thought it was great character to show some fight. It’s never good to go down 2-0. Especially the response after the (Toronto’s) second goal,” forward Chris Wondolowski said.

The game featured sloppiness by both sides and missed calls by the officiating that seemed to favor Toronto FC that had many of the Quakes players as well as Almeyda frustrated throughout the match.

Alanis’ goal saved the Quakes from a disappointing start to the season as they had started out 0-4 last year.

“I hope there will be many more (goals like that) as I try to do my best. I’m a defender but I can bring some things offensively to the team,” said Alanis.

GAME NOTES: San Jose registered 11 shots. Toronto FC had 10.

San Jose had three corner kicks. Toronto FC has seven.

Cautions-Tommy Thompson was issued a yellow card in the 33rd minute for a tackle from behind. Jackson Yueill was also issued a yellow card in the 70th minute. Altidore was issued a yellow card in the 71st minute. Goram Kashia was issued a yellow card in the 81st minute.

UP NEXT: The Earthquakes take on the Minnesota United FC on Saturday 3/7 at 4:45pm at Earthquakes Stadium.

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Can Raiders get by Chargers on Thursday Night?; 49ers distributing momentum going into Monday Night at Levi’s; plus more

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Photo credit: forbes.com

On Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 The Oakland Raiders just got by the Detroit Lions Sunday 31-24 at the Oakland Coliseum. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns. One of the big throws for Carr was his pass to Hunter Renfrow that gave the Raiders a go-ahead lead and eventual win.

#2 What a Thursday Night Football it was for the San Francisco 49ers in their win over the Arizona Cardinals 28-25, a narrow win, but it kept them undefeated at 8-0. Seeing that that was a close game, could their contest coming up in Santa Clara against the Seattle Seahawks be a close one, too, on Monday Night Football?

#3 The Sacramento Kings won their second straight game on Sunday night against the New York Knicks 113-92 at Madison Square Garden. It was a much-needed win for the Kings after suffering a five-game losing streak before their first two wins.

#4 The announcement came in October about the MLS coming to Sacramento in 2022 and the partners of the Sacramento Republic are excited to bring Major League Soccer to the state capital, which could bring a new rivalry between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Republic.

#5 The San Jose Sharks star player Evander Kane is being sued by the Cosmopolitan Casino in Las Vegas for $500,000, a gambling debt that goes back to the NHL playoffs when the Sharks were in Vegas back in April. Will the publicity of the debt create a disruption for the Sharks going forward?

London Marq does Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

SJ Earthquakes and SJSU Spartans podcast with Ana Kieu: Quakes finish season, while Spartans play their hearts out

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes and @SanJoseStateFB

On the San Jose Earthquakes and San Jose State Spartans podcast with Ana:

1. The Quakes dropped their series opener in a 3-1 loss to the Portland Timbers.

2. JT Marcinkowski was called to the U-23 US Men’s National Team.

3. San Jose State football defeated New Mexico 32-21 last Friday and will take on Nevada Saturday afternoon.

4. San Jose State men’s soccer set a program record for margin of victory in a conference match and the largest win in any contest since 2003.

Ana did the San Jose Earthquakes podcasts and will shift to the San Jose State Spartans podcasts on  http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Earthquakes’ season ends with a thud in 3-1 loss to the Timbers

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By Ana Kieu

There wasn’t an actual Decision Day as the San Jose Earthquakes’ season ended with a thud in a 3-1 loss to the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon.

Quakes captain Chris Wondolowski scored the equalizer in the 39th minute to tie the score 1-1 just 10 minutes after Timbers defender Larrys Mabialia opened the scoring in the 29th minute. Wondo found the back of the net and scored from an acute angle for the game-tying goal. Wondo’s goal scoring streak now stands at 159.

The two teams headed to the locker room tied at one goal apiece at the halftime break.

The Timbers started off the right foot to start the second half. Portland went ahead 2-1 in the 59th minute, thanks to defender Dairon Asprilla, who scored the go-ahead goal. With the goal, Asprilla scored his second in two matches.

The Quakes made their first substitutions in the 61st minute. Shea Salinas came in for Vako, while Andy Rios came in for Florian Jungwirth.

The Quakes made their final substitution in the 66th minute. Danny Hoesen came in for Mario Lopez.

Timbers midfielder Sebastian Blanco extended the Timbers’ lead to 3-1 with a noteworthy free kick in the 75th minute. Like Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda, Blanco’s also an Argentine native.

The Timbers made two substitutions in the 81st minute. Marvin Loria and Zarek Valentin came in for Jeremy Ebobisse and Jorge Moreira, respectively.

The Quakes dropped their season finale with a 3-1 loss to the Timbers, but the Quakes displayed good sportsmanship to the Timbers and thanked their fans for being there through the thick and thin. The Quakes will watch tape, make changes and work hard to prepare for the 2020 season.