Category: San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes and Timbers play to scoreless draw in Tuscon

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose Earthquakes played some preseason soccer as they took on the Portland Timbers in Tuscon, Arizona, on Wednesday. The match featured three 30-minute segments–each with a different lineup. All players received some playing time on the field.

It was a close call for the Earthquakes at the third minute as Andrew Tarbell made a nice save on Fanendo Adi’s shot. Tarbell continued to make quality saves as the time went by.
The game was scoreless at the end of the first intermission.

The Earthquakes survived another close call. Timbers’ Tommy Thompson and Mo Thiaw worked together to create a shot for Quakes’ Jaymir Hyka, but it went over the San Jose net. Both teams had their own opportunities. The game remained scoreless at the end of the second intermission.

The officials handed Timbers’ Andres Flores a yellow card at the 63rd minute. Shortly after, a superb ball down the wing by the Earthquakes’ youngest player Gilbert Fuentes–15 years old–found fellow teammate Danny Musovski. He defeated his man, but the loose ball skipped across the front of the goal–untouched.

The clock continued to wind down up until the final whistle. The Earthquakes and Timbers settled for a scoreless draw at the end of the third intermission.

Notes
Earthquakes’ first starting lineup: Tarbell; Salinas, Affolter, Quintana, Marie; Godoy, Jungwirth; Vako, Eriksson; Wondolowski, Amarikwa.

Earthquakes’ second starting lineup: Bersano; Qwiberg, Cummings, Ockford, Lima; Hyka, Alashe, Yueill, Thompson; Hoesen; Thiaw.

Earthquakes’ third starting lineup: Marcinkowski; Hoppenot, Akanyirige, Ockford, Partida; Calvillo, Luis Felipe, Fuentes, Wehan; Dawkins, Musovski.

Up Next
The Earthquakes take on Real Salt Lake on February 7 at 9:30 am PT.

Whitecaps get first franchise playoff win; Quakes eliminated shutout 5-0

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~ Photo credit: (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ A both painful and sweet match depending on your side, Vancouver asserted themselves over the San Jose Earthquakes, as the Whitecaps advanced past the Knockout Round match 5-0 Wednesday.

The score reflected the name of the match. San Jose, who recently got back into the playoffs for the first time in five years, saw their postseason ambitions cut short in a harsh way.

After the first half, it was just a one goal difference. However, though both teams had seven shots in the second half, the Quakes could not convert while Vancouver had the scoring touch. San Jose had majority possession time throughout the game.

Nicolás Mezquida, who entered in the 68th minute, scored two goals two minutes apart.

The only score they needed though, began in the 33rd minute, off a corner kick. Cristian Techera sent the ball in, Kendall Waston headed it and Fredy Montero put in the final header as he finally got his first playoff goal. It was also the Whitecaps’ first home playoff goal.

Shots were 10-3 in favor of in the first half but both teams had the same amount of shots on target, three.

For the Quakes, the 39th minute saw one of Anibal Godoy’s chances, followed by one of Victor Bernárdez’s chances in the 40th minute and one of Danny Hoesen’s two offside calls in the 41st minute.

In the second half, San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski had a chance in the 52nd minute. Hoesen had a free kick attempt that sailed just high in the next minute.  

Techera’s free kick in the 57th minute, did not miss though, as he picked the top of the net. His status was tenuous for the game when he suffered an injury in the first half.

Vancouver kept on humming as they made it 3-0 in the 64th minute. It started with a corner kick then went to a number of Whitecaps players. At one point, it hit goalie Andrew Tarbell’s leg and then Waston got Tarbell out of position with the scoring touch.

Goal number four occurred when Christian Bolanos passed to Mezquida instead of shooting and Mezquida’s ball hit the post and bounced into the net.

Mezquida then scored one-on-one versus Tarbell in the 80th minute to cap the scoring.  

 

Quakes Clinch Playoff Berth With Late Game Score 3-2

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: London Marq

SAN JOSE–Just win. That was the situation for the San Jose Earthquakes when Minnesota United came in to Avaya Stadium on a beautiful clear day in San Jose California. The season has been turbulent. A rough start, a manager change, a competitive stretch of play in the latter half of the season, all lead to San Jose being in position to make the playoffs. Two wins against two of the best teams in Major League Soccer gave the Quakes to control their own destiny. Just win. Win and you’re in and the Quakes did it with a one goal victory over Minnesota 3-2.

San Jose came out like they wanted it. Putting pressure on the opposing goalkeeper early, with a lot of urgency. In the 15th minute Danny Hoesen would break free of the back line and put a low ball between the legs of the keeper, igniting the already electric atmosphere. It was far from over though, Minnesota United committed to spoiling the day for San Jose. 20 minutes later, after almost conceding a penalty, the Earthquakes were scored on by a beauty of a goal by Jerome Theisson. With the score tied, San Jose couldn’t afford to let up. A tie game would leave their playoff hopes to chance.

Star man, Chris Wondolowski scored quickly after play resumed. The scales would be equalized again in the 81st minute by United’s Francisco Calvo. With nine minutes to go in regulation, a score was of paramount importance. Then the clock struck 90:00 and it seemed that the game would end up a draw. With their playoff hopes in the air.  Then the magic happened, in the third minute of added time. The ball bounced around the box, as it had so many times unsuccessfully early this season. But this time it paid off and the ball fell to Marco Urena right in front of the goal. And he put it in for the win.

With that goal, the San Jose Earthquakes are in. They are going to the 2017 MLS Playoffs.

Quakes move above blue in hostile territory; SJ gets 1-1 draw in Vancouver

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~ Photo credit: San Jose Earthquakes

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ San Jose kept their playoff hopes alive with an even 1-1 score against the Vancouver Whitecaps Sunday.

The Quakes now sit in sixth place, as they spoiled the Whitecaps’ attempt to clinch first place in the Western Conference with just their second positive result on the road.

Vancouver’s Yordy Reyna scored in the first half and San Jose’s Valeri Qazaishvili aka “Vako” scored in the second half.

The Quakes have scored in each of their last three outings with all different results. The Whitecaps have also had different results in their last three matches.

San Jose held most of the possession time, 59% to 41%.

Goalie-wise, the Quakes’ Andrew Tarbell had five saves, facing six on target including three against Fredy Montero. Vancouver’s Stefan Marinovic had four saves, facing five on target including three against Vako.

The remarkable saves started in the 26th minute with Tarbell facing Brek Shea.

A full field play initiated by Montero opened up scoring with multiple great passes from Cristian Techera and Jakob Nerwinski to Reyna up front in the 29th minute. Reyna has scored in his last two 90 minute games played and has points in his last three of the same length.

San Jose’s stay in the hunt goal came by way of Darwin Ceren and Chris Wondolowski. Vako has goals in his last two MLS games and points in the last three. Wondolowski also now has points in his last three games.

Game notes: The Quakes won both of the two regular season series games. San Jose’s Decision Day matchup will be next Sunday at 1pm versus Minnesota United FC.

Quakes Victorious over Portland 2-1, Inch Closer To Playoffs

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AP Photo: San Jose Earthquakes players celebrate a victory over the Portland Timbers at Avaya Stadium in San Jose on Saturday night

By London Marq

SAN JOSE–It’s usually good when the games throughout the season continually get more important. For the San Jose Earthquakes that has been the case this season. A rocky start to their campaign led to a midseason coaching change. They have since played a higher quality of soccer and climbed themselves into the playoff hunt. After two consecutive losses, in both of which the Quakes allowed four goals, they are on the outside looking in.

Tonight, they play the first of the final three games this season and they need every point they can get in the standings. Darlington Nagbe and the second seeded Portland Timbers come into Avaya Stadium as a formidable opponent. Not only a chance to for San Jose to prove they belong to be mentioned with the best despite their early season shortcomings, but also a chance to be proven wrong and knocked out of the hunt.

The Earthquakes came out of the locker room with fierce energy, striking for the goal immediately after the opening whistle. In the 16th minute, the Quakes opening salvo came from Valeri Qazaishvili. His third goal of the season. The crowd exploded and nearly blew the top off the stadium. Unlike we have seen in the past, San Jose did not ease up after the first goal. Wondolowski, Bernardez, and Hyka continued to push the issue. It paid off in the opening minutes of the second half, when Wondolowski fed a beautiful cross to Danny Hoesen who put a far post shot into the bottom left corner.

After San Jose obtained a two-goal lead, the match became more physical and two yellow cards were dealt out. One to Bernardez of San Jose and one to Andriuskevicius of Portland. The Timbers fought hard to make it a game but never got into a rhythm as the San Jose Defense kept them off balance. They would score in the 87th minute of the foot of Blanco, but it was too little too late. The game would end six minutes later 2-1.

A win tonight not only improves the Earthquakes standing from 8 to 7, but it should also be a confidence boost signaling that they have the talent to compete with anyone in Major League Soccer. The final two games are crucial to the team’s playoff aspirations. The next match is against the West leading Vancouver Whitecaps 16 days from now on October 15.

Earthquakes fall to Fire 4-1

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Photo credit: Major League Soccer (@MLS)

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE — Chris Wondolowski broke the scoreless deadlock late in the match, but the Chicago Fire finished with a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium.

The Fire opened the scoring early in the first half as Djordje Mihailovic kicked the ball in for his first career MLS goal at the 14th minute.

Luis Solignac used the power of his head to put the ball into the net and the Fire took a 2-0 lead at the 39th minute.

The Fire built up two goals and carried a 2-0 lead to the locker room at halftime.

The Fire continued to burn in the second half. Nemanja Nikolic scored at the 48th minute to give his team a 3-0 lead.

The Quakes put themselves in the same dark hole like they did in Washington D.C. last Saturday. Nikolic notched his 20th goal of the season at the 65th minute.

The Quakes were on the verge of being handed a second consecutive shutout loss until Wondolowski hit his 12th goal of the season at the 87th minute. Despite the incredible goal, the Fire continued to hold onto a 4-1 lead until the very end of the match.

Notes
Only one Western Conference side has fewer home losses than the Earthquakes’ one (SKC – 0). The Quakes are also in the midst of a seven-game unbeaten run at home.

Wednesday night marked the first showdown between the Quakes and Fire at Avaya Stadium since the venue’s first-ever regular season match in 2015.

The Quakes have gone 3-0-1 in their last four games following a loss.

The Quakes close out the season with three of their last four games at Avaya Stadium. They’re 8-0-2 in their last 10 home matches, including MLS and U.S. Open Cup contests.

Up Next
The Earthquakes host the Portland Timbers on Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. PST.

Mullins torches ‘Quakes with four-goal game for D.C. 4-0

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sjearthquakes.com photo: San Jose Earthquakes Danny Hosen (9) boots the ball in the loss to the DC United in Washington DC 4-0 on Saturday night

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, September 23, 2017

D.C. United striker Patrick Mullins torched San Jose with a four-goal match Saturday, leading United past the Earthquakes 4-0 in MLS action at RFK Stadium.

The Quakes were outshot 14-10 as San Jose entered the match trying to stay alive in the MLS Western Conference playoff hunt in a battle with FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake. San Jose is seeking its first postseason appearance since 2012.

Mullins scored his first goal of the season in the 57th minute, and finished off his hat trick over the next 11 minutes.

In the 88th minute, Mullins finished off his big night by scoring on a free kick. His 31-minute scoring spree was the fastest in league history. In order, Mullins scored his goals left foot, header, right foot, free kick.

It was D.C. United’s first victory against the Earthquakes since 2014, when they defeated San Jose at RFK. An announced crowd of 25,229 watched Mullins’ exploits.

Mullins tied the D.C. record for scoring three goals in a game with three other players, and it was the first time in team history that a player scored four goals in a half.

The Earthquakes had chances early, as they tested D.C. keeper Steve Clark with seven shots in the first half. Clark earned a shutout in his first start for United.

The Quakes return home for their next match on Wednesday, when they host the Chicago Fire at 7:15 p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes Saturday game wrap: Hoesen’s bottom corner kick gets Quakes needed goal in 1-0 shutout over Houston

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Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle The Dynamo (10-10-8) failed to score for a second consecutive game – the first time that has happened this season in the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 shutout of the Dynamo at Avaya Stadium in San Jose on Saturday night

By London Marq

SAN JOSE–As the long season draws to a close the matches are getting more crucial for the San Jose Earthquakes. On a cool night at Avaya Stadium the Earthquakes hosted the Houston Dynamo as they fight for playoff positioning. With 36 points entering play, they sit one point out of playoff contention.

Not surprisingly the Earthquakes came out firing early. They need to when at home if they want to be taken seriously. After missed shots by Vako and Urena, it looked as if it might be a long night for the Quakes, but they were relentless. Ball movement in the scoring third was solid and proved fruitful. An accurate cross came into the box from Sarkodie on the right side and found Hoesen. Hoesen, in traffic, very accurately slotted it into the bottom corner. The Quakes fought hard and did their due diligence to hold off Houston from equalizing. At the end of the 90 minute mark, they would walk off with a much needed, well deserved win 1-0.

A truly momentous victory, the win moves them from sevnth place in the standings to fifth. The Quakes, since acquiring new manage Chris Leitch midseason, have proved to have resilience. While they have had their losses, the Quakes are matching up well with other teams in playoff contention. This is experience that they will need if they want to make a run in the playoffs, and maintain their strength in the seasons to come.

The playoffs are not a guarantee. With five games left in the season anything can happen. The schedule is on the Quakes side, with three of those games taking place at Avaya Stadium. Marco Urena stated before the match, “If we want to make the playoffs, we have to win at home”. He’s not wrong and they will have their chance. If nothing else, remainder of the season will be filled with drama.

The next match will be on September 23rd, an away game against D.C. United.

Toronto FC tramples Quakes

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~ Photo credit: San Jose Earthquakes

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ San Jose was outshot 21-6 as Toronto FC won in a 4-0 rout Saturday.

Toronto increased their unbeaten streak to 10 games while remaining undefeated at home.

The Quakes had no shots in the second half before going a man down in the 72nd minute. They ended up getting three shots starting in the 88th minute.

Jozy Altidore got his 50th and 51st MLS goals, Victor Vasquez got a goal and assist and former Quake Steven Beitashour had two assists to name some.

San Jose was able to hold off Toronto at first.

Toronto had a number of chances, including Altidore to start. In the 7th minute, he had an offsides goal, a missed header in the 12th minute, and another shot that was saved in the 14th minute.

Marco Urena had the Quakes’ first shot in the 17th minute.

Altidore, Justin Morrow and Sebastian Giovinco had shots for Toronto in the 21st minute, 23rd minute and 24th minute respectively.

They finally scored in the 26th minute. Goalie Andrew Tarbell got his hands on the ball before Beitashour’s ball went to Vasquez, who took advantage of Tarbell being out of position.

Urena had another shot in the 34th minute.

San Jose only had possession advantage in the final five minutes of the first half. The Quakes’ Jackson Yueill had a shot in the 43rd minute and Giovinco had another shot in the 44th minute.

Altidore finally got his goal when Toronto tacked on another goal in the 48th minute. He then scored another goal in the 64th minute.

Half-time substitute Jonathan Osorio made it 4-0 two minutes later.

Darwin Ceren was the man issued a red card. The Quakes also went down a man the last meeting between the teams. 

Game notes: It was both goalie Alex Bono’s and San Jose’s second shutout in three games. The Quakes return home to play the Houston Dynamo Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Tarbell gets first MLS win as Quakes blank Galaxy on the road 2-0

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~ Photo credit: San Jose Earthquakes

~By Pearl Allison Lo

~ CARSON– San Jose ended their six game losing streak on the road with a 2-0 shutout over Los Angeles Sunday in the 2017 finale of the California Clasico.

It was head coach Chris Leitch’s first road win with the team as Andrew Tarbell also got his first MLS shutout, as he made three saves. Two of them came 31 seconds apart.

What made this game different, “today we had just the mentality that we weren’t going to let any obstacle set us back. We were going to overcome this thing…a bigger desire to win,” replied Quakes’ Shea Salinas.

San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski now has the league record for most goals on the road. He was also called to the U.S. National Team today.

With an announced crowd of 19, 237, meanwhile, the Galaxy continued a 10-game winless streak overall and at home.

Pele van Anholt had to leave in the first half due to a right knee injury and Los Angeles went down a man in the second half due to a red card.

The Galaxy started off with the shots, but they were all off target. The Quakes’ Tommy Thompson intercepted a pass on one side of the field and sent it forward to Marco Urena with only goalie Jon Kempin before him, but Urena shot the ball wide in the 8th minute.

The game’s first shot on goal went to Vako in the 15th minute followed by the game’s first blocked shot in the 16th.

Before Urena’s shot, which was on goal this time, he had a collision with van Anholt, who had to be carried off in a stretcher in the 26th minute.

Los Angeles’ first shot on goal came in the 38th minute.

Galaxy newcomer Jonathan dos Santos nearly had a goal in the 45th minute when he hit the crossbar.

Two minutes of stoppage time were just what San Jose needed as Salinas’ corner sailed over several players’ heads and bounced to Vako. Vako made a swift left kick and the ball went over Kempin for a 1-0 lead. It was Vako’s second goal in three games.

Los Angeles got a chance to recover from the break when Joao Pedro was awarded a penalty kick. However, video review called it off.

Chances got even dimmer when Nathan Smith, who came in for van Anholt, was given a red card. Smith was the only one with 100% accuracy for in the first half.

Less than a minute after entering in the 71st minute, the Quakes’ Danny Hoesen had an attempt on net.

In the 80th minute, Urena’s goal trickled in for San Jose’s second goal after he and the ball passed a sliding Kempin, who came off his line. Jackson Yueill got his first MLS assist. On how he felt, Yueill responded, “It was awesome. It was a great team win, and the assist was just a bonus…excited that Marco made a great run and I saw him.”

Urena, who had a game-high six shots, had his game-high fourth shot on target in the 91st minute.

Wondolowski capped the scoring with his 92nd minute goal.

Game notes: Post game, the LA Galaxy Special Olympics Unified team won 4-0 over the Earthquakes’ side. San Jose completes their long three-game road trip Saturday against Toronto FC at 2pm.