Tag: mls

Dynamo scores two goal in five-minute span for a 2-1 comeback win over Earthquakes

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The San Jose Earthquakes couldn’t hold the lead against the Houston Dynamo at Pay Pal Park in San Jose in MLS action on Sun Jul 17, 2022 (@SJEarthquakes photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — In a battle of playoff hopefuls, the Houston Dynamo scored two goals in the second half to complete a 2-1 comeback victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday evening at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose had its three-match unbeaten streak snapped. Houston, with the win, have points in two of its last three matches.

Possession was even in the first half as both teams weren’t able to generate many scoring chances.

San Jose (5-8-7-22 points) had two shots on target in the opening 45 minutes. In the 13th minute, Benji Kikanovic set up Cristian Espinoza for a shot, but his attempt was grabbed by Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark.

Then late in the half in the 41st minute, Clark came up big when he knocked a rocket of a shot by Paul Marie from 20 yards out over the net for a corner kick.

Houston (7-10-4-25 points) did not generate a shot on target against Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski in the first half.

San Jose drew first blood in the 53rd minute. Off a set piece, Tommy Thompson’s header hit off the top of the crossbar and ‘Quakes captain Jackson Yueill cleaned up the rebound with a right footed shot past Clark for his fourth goal of the season.

Houston took advantage of Marie’s turnover inside San Jose’s zone in the 71st minute. Fafà Picault picked the ball from Marie, then centered a pass over to Sebastián Ferreira who kicked in a right-footed shot for his co-team leading seventh goal of the season.

“I think the mistake [on the first goal] was an individual mistake, and on the second goal we had to keep the ball out when there wasn’t a clear moment to build up, and that’s it. I don’t think it was because we were building up in the back that Houston had those opportunities. I think we committed individual mistakes and that’s why it’s a very simple analysis today,” interim head coach Alex Covelo said.

The save of the match belonged to fullback Tim Parker. In the 73rd minute, the Earthquakes thought they had regained the lead just over two minutes later when Jeremy Ebossise had the ball inside the box staring at an empty net. Ebobisse’s attempt was blocked away by Parker with a sliding save right along the goal line.

The Dynamo gained their first lead of the match in the 76th minute after the ‘Quakes failed to clear the ball out of their own zone. Darwin Quintero found Thorleifur Úlfarsson in the center of the box and he beat Marcinkowski with a left-footed shot to the far corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

San Jose had one final chance to score the equalizer on the match’s final play off of a corner kick. However, Nathan’s header attempt sailed wide left of the net.

“I just forget this game,” said Jamiro Monteiro. “It already happened. We lost. Now we’re onto next week. We still have 14 games. Tomorrow is a new day. We have a new week, new chances. Every week is a new chance for us.”

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

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with eight corner kicks. Houston had seven.

The ‘Quakes were without fullback Marcos Lopez who was suspended for the match due to yellow card accumulation.

San Jose is 9-16-4 all time against Houston.

San Jose had its four-home match (W2 D2) unbeaten streak against Houston that dated back to 2017. Their four-match run was San Jose’s longest home unbeaten run against the Dynamo in MLS play.

The Dynamo snapped its four-game losing streak on the road. They are 4-14 from home dating back to last August.

After his right-footed goal in San Jose’s 3-2 win over the Galaxy on Wednesday, Ebobisse has now scored 10 goals with his right foot in MLS. Since 2019, Ebobisse is the only MLS player with double-digit goals with each of his right foot, his left foot and his head.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts a friendly against Spanish La Liga team RC Celta De Vigo on Wednesday 7/20 at Pay Pal Park at 7:15pm. They return to MLS action against the Portland Timbers on Saturday 7/23 at 7:30pm at Providence Park.

Earthquakes explode for a three goal first half, then hang on to beat Galaxy 3-2 in California Classico

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The San Jose Earthquakes celebrate its 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy in the California Classico at Dignity Health Park on Wed July 13, 2022. (Reuters)

by Marko Ukalovic

CARSON, Calif. — Call it torture, call it whatever you want, the San Jose Earthquakes exorcised their demons on the road.

San Jose scored three goals in the first half for the first time this season and then held on by the skin of their teeth to defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 and earned their first win on the road in the 94th installment of the California Classico on Wednesday evening at Dignity Health Park.

San Jose has beat Los Angeles in back-to-back Classicos in LA for the first time ever. They have points in four of their last five matches and sit five points out of seventh place, which the Galaxy presently occupy. Los Angeles has lost back-to-back matches and have conceded three goals in consecutive games.

San Jose (5-7-7-22 points) featured the return of midfielder Jamiro Monteiro back into the starting lineup for interim head coach Alex Covelo.

“It’s truly special (to win at the California Classico), I was talking to Chris Leitch before the game today that the last we were here all together was in 2007,” Covelo said.

Los Angeles (8-8-3-27 points) was without their leading goal scorer Chicharito (seven) and Marky Delgado due to injury.

The Earthquakes drew first blood early in the game when Julián Araujo tripped up Benji Kikanovic inside the box in the 12th minute drawing a penalty kick. Cristian Espinoza cashed in the PK a minute later when he beat Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond with a right footed shot into the lower right corner for his fifth goal of the season.

San Jose doubled its lead a minute later. Taking advantage of a bad back pass by Los Angeles in their own zone, Monteiro found Jeremy Ebobisse on the left wing. The native of Paris, France blasted a right footed shot to the same lower right corner for his team leading 11th goal of the season in the 14th minute.

Ebobisse is tied for second in the MLS with three other players with 11 goals.

The ‘Quakes scored their third unanswered goal of the half in the 40th minute. A nice give and go between Marcos Lopez and Kikanovic resulted in Lopez with a brilliant deke out on Bond and his left footed shot glided down the goal line inside the right post for his first goal of the season.

Los Angeles best scoring chance came in the first 45 minutes came at the 23rd minute mark. Samuel Grandsir’s point-blank shot from the left of the net was knocked away by ‘Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski.

The Galaxy opened the second half by cutting into the ‘Quakes lead. Kévin Cabral set up Dejan Joveljic, who roofed a shot top shelf beyond the reach of Marcinkowski for his seventh goal of the season in the 48th minute.

“The numbers speak for themselves, we are still giving up too many goals. We need to work on that and clean that up,” said Covelo.

Los Angeles controlled the play in the second half as San Jose sat back and played a prevent style of play that almost cost them the three points.

Joveljic made for an intense finish when he scored his second goal of the match late in the second half. Douglas Costa found Joveljic just outside the box. Joveljic faked out two different ‘Quake defenders before depositing the ball into the upper left corner of the net for his brace in the 88th minute.

Joveljic, who took over the team lead with his eighth goal of the season, has scored seven goals in his last six matches after only scoring three in his first 25.

Marcinkowski finished the match stopping eight of the 10 shots he faced, as he was the best player for San Jose in the second half, to earn his fifth win of the season. Bond made one save on four shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with eight corner kicks. Los Angeles had 11.

Los Angeles has scored 11 goals in the final 15 minutes of a match this season. They are second in MLS in that category.

San Jose has won five of its last eight visits to the Galaxy in MLS play (5-3-0) after winning only five of its first 30 regular season visits. The Earthquakes won, 2-1, at Dignity Health Sports Park in their last visit last August.

It was the sixth time this season LA has conceded three goals in a match, losing all six. The Galaxy have a record of 8-2-3 in the 13 matches in which they’ve held opponents under three goals.

With his 11th goal of the season, Ebobisse now has eight goals in eight career MLS starts against Los Angeles. He’s failed to score only once in his eight MLS starts against LA.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host the Houston Dynamo on Sunday 7/17 at 6:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

Frantic finish by Earthquakes leads to 2-2 draw with Toronto FC

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San Jose Earthquakes defender Marcos Lopez (27) battles for the ball with Toronto FC forward Deandre Kerr during the first half at BMO Field on Saturday Jul 9, 2022. (Nick Turchiaro/USA TODAY Sports)

by Marko Ukalovic

TORONTO — Jack Skahan was at the right place at the right time to rescue the San Jose Earthquakes off of life support.

Skahan, who came off the bench in the 83rd minute as a sub for Jan Gregus, scored the equalizer in the second minute of stoppage time to earn a point for San Jose in a 2-2 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday evening at BMO Field.

San Jose is unbeaten in three of its last four matches and continued its winless streak on the road this season (0-6-3). Toronto FC earned a point in four of its last 12 matches.

Seemingly left for dead at the start of stoppage time, a clearing attempt by
Ifunanyachi Achara hit off ‘Quakes captain Jackson Yueill that sprung Skahan down the right wing. Skahan rifled a shot into the lower left corner past Toronto FC goalkeeper Quentin Westberg for his first goal of the season to allow San Jose to escape with a point north of the border.

‘Quakes head coach Alex Covelo needed to make one change to the starting 11 with midfielder Jamiro Monteiro was away on the birth of his child. Judson started in Monteiro’s place.

San Jose (4-7-8) drew first blood in the 26th minute off of a turnover. Benji Kikanovic centered a ball into the box where Jeremy Ebobisse got behind the defense and beat Westberg with a right footed shot to the left corner of the net for his team-leading 10th goal of the season.

Ebobisee, who tied for third in the MLS goals scored, snapped a three-match goal less draught.

Toronto FC (5-10-5) had a golden scoring chance to even the game in the 44th minute. Deandre Kerr’s attempt from 10 yard out was blocked away by ‘Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski. The rebound by Jonathan Osario was knocked out of bounds by a diving Marcos Lopez.

On the ensuing the corner kick, Kerr’s header hit the crossbar and went over the net.

Toronto FC controlled the play for most of the second half and broke through twice in a four-minute span.

In the 71st minute, Kerr received the ball from Osario just past midfield. San Jose’s defense allowed Kerr to dribble all the way up to the box before he beat Marcinkowski with a left footed shot for his third goal of the season.

Then four minutes later in the 75th minute, Kerr returned the favor as his centering pass hit off of Judson and onto the foot of Osario, who was all alone versus Marcinkowski, and he chipped the ball into the net for his fifth goal of the season.

Marcinkowski finished the match with four saves on six shots on target to earn his eighth draw of the season. Westberg made one save on three shots for his fifth draw.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with three corner kicks. Toronto had seven.

San Jose is unbeaten in its last four meetings with Toronto (W1 D3). The Earthquakes are unbeaten in its last two matches against Toronto FC at BMO Field.

The ‘Quakes are one of three teams (Toronto, Colorado) without a road win in 2022 (D3 L6).

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its two-game road trip in Los Angeles when they take on the Galaxy on Wednesday 7/13 at 7:00pm at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Lynx Destroy Aces 102-71 last place team beats first place team; Vegas’ fourth loss in six games

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Guard Kelsey Plum of the Las Vegas Aces (10) show driving the ball down the floor against the Minnesota Lynx at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sun Jul 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

Lynx Destroy Aces 102-71

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Las Vegas Aces (15-6) took on the Minnesota Lynx (7-15) for a second time in as many days. The Lynx put on a display in front of their home crowd that was a stunner in a 102-71 win.

After losing to the Aces in Las Vegas Friday night the Lynx came into this game a different team. They outplayed the Aces at every turn. They had an incredible defensive game. They had 13 offensive rebounds to the Aces one. Minnesota couldn’t miss showcasing an offensive display.

The Lynx outscored the Aces 33-15 in the first quarter and they never looked back. The Aces did win the second quarter 20-16 but never got on the defensive track. Las Vegas never led once in his game.

The Lynx won the third quarter 29-20 and the final quarter 24-16 in total domination over the Aces. The final was 102-71.

Besides the offensive rebounds the defensive rebounds were notable. Minnesota had 52 to the Aces 26. The Lynx’s Aerial Powers had a career high 32 points and Vegas could not stop her. The Minnesota defense held A’Ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum taking away that threat. Las Vegas was rendered helpless unable to get into any rhythm.

This was a stunning defeat for the number one team in the Western Conference. Las Vegas will need to put this in their rearview mirror moving forward. They will be back on the court Wednesday night to take on the New York Liberty. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM PT.

Kikanovic’s first ever brace the difference in Quakes 2-1 over Fire

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Cristian Espinoza (10) and Benji Kikanovic (28) celebrate Kikanovic’s first goal of the match at Pay Pal Park on Sun July 3rd, 2022. (Dario Cruz-Tectonic Takes)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Benji Kikanovic rose up to the occasion for a struggling team.

Kikanovic, started at forward in place of Cade Cowell, who was out playing for the 20 and under US Men’s National Team, made the most of his start with two goals in the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on Sunday evening at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose earned just its fourth win of the season and is unbeaten in two of its past three matches. Chicago have lost four of its past six matches.

Chicago (4-9-6) had two quality scoring chances in the first half but didn’t generate much offense otherwise. ‘Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowskin came out aggressively to stop Federico Navarro’s attempt in the 23rd minute.

Then in the 25th minute after a nice give and go from Xherdan Shaqiri to Chris Mueller, Marcinkowski made a diving save on Mueller’s shot.

San Jose (4-7-7) controlled the play in the final 15 minutes of the first half. Jeremy Ebobisse’s had the best scoring chance in the 32nd minute when his shot from 12 yards out was saved by Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina.

“The guys read the game very well, finding Benji [Kikanović], Jeremy [Ebobisse], and Cristian [Espinoza] behind and understanding that Chicago was going to press a high line and we knew that we had to get a few passes in and get into that space,” ‘Quakes head coach Alex Covelo said.

The Earthquakes broke the seal in the 47th minute. Benji Kikanovic cleaned up a Cristian Espinoza shot that hit off the left post as he tapped the ball into an open net. It finished off a wild sequence where San Jose hit the post twice and had one shot saved by Slonina before Kikanovic scored his first goal of the season.

“I think they did a good job of finding me in pockets,” Kikanovic said regarding his two goals. “I knew I was going to have space out wide and kind of do my thing. The first goal I was at the right place at right time to just tap it in.”

San Jose nearly doubled its lead in the 67th minute when Espinoza sent a cross into the middle of the box, but Slonina made a point blank save on Ebobisee’s one-timer.

Kikanovic iced the game for San Jose in the 87th minute with his second goal of the match. Jamiro Monteiro found Kikanovic along the right wing. The San Jose native striker deked out Carlos Teran before kissing a left-footed shot just inside the left post.

It was the first brace in a ‘Quakes uniform for Kikanovic.

Brian Gutierrez scored his first goal of the season in the last minute of stoppage time, but it was too little too late for Chicago.

Marcinkowski finished the match with five saves on six shots to earn the win. Slonina made six saves on eight shots he faced in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with two corner kicks. Chicago had three.

San Jose is now 13-16-11 all-time vs. Chicago Fire FC, including a 10-6-5 record at home.

This was the first meeting between the Fire and Earthquakes since a 2-0 San Jose win during MLS is Back in 2020. The ‘Quakes have lost only one of their last six home matches against the Fire dating back to 2011, winning four times and drawing once in that time.

The Earthquakes are unbeaten in eight straight home matches (W4 D4) after a 3-1 loss to the Red Bulls on the opening day of the season. San Jose has had just one longer single-season home unbeaten run in the last six seasons, going 12 in a row without defeat at home in 2019 (W10 D2).

The Fire have lost seven of their last right away matches, including the last four in a row. Chicago has won only two of its last 38 away matches against Western Conference foes (D9 L27) dating back to 2014.

Four different Earthquakes players have recorded at least four assists this season, led by Cristian Espinoza’s seven. No other MLS team has more players with at least four assists in 2022 (CF Montréal – also 4).

UP NEXT: San Jose travels to north of the border to take on Toronto FC on Saturday 7/9 at 4:30pm at BMO Field.

California Classico postponed tonight due to power outage at Stanford

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by Marko Ukalovic

PALO ALTO-Calif. — The California Clasico featuring the San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium, originally scheduled to be played tonight at 7:00pm, has been rescheduled to Saturday, September 24. Stanford University has been experiencing a power outage due to an equipment failure caused by the nearby Edgewood Fire.

“We were informed by Stanford University that the issues they are experiencing on campus this week are going to prevent the California Clasico from taking place Saturday,” said Earthquakes President Jared Shawlee. “We appreciate Major League Soccer and the LA Galaxy for swiftly coming to an agreement on a rescheduled date that would allow us to keep this match and all its pageantry at Stanford Stadium. We are looking forward to putting on a spectacular event for our community in September.”

All tickets purchased for the match will carry over to the future date. Tickets will be eligible for a refund for the next 30 days at the original point of purchase. More information about the rescheduled date, including kickoff time and broadcast information, will be announced later.

San Jose returns to action on Sunday 7/3 when they host the Chicago Fire at 6:00pm at Pay Pal Park.

Real Salt Lake shut out Earthquakes 2-0

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Real Salt Lake played their toughest defense yet shutting out the visiting San Jose Earthquakes at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy Utah in MLS action on Sat Jun 18, 2022 (photo from @SJEarthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

SANDY, Utah — Jefferson Savarino was a one man wrecking crew.

Savarino tallied a goal and an assist in leading Real Salt Lake to a 2-0 shutout victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday evening at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Real Salt Lake has won four of its past five matches. San Jose has lost two of its past three matches.

RSL (8-4-4) drew first blood in the 22nd minute off a set piece. Savarino sent in a corner kick into the middle of the box where Mareclo Silva beat Quakes goalkeeper with a right footed shot for his third goal of the season.

San Jose (3-7-6) played on the back of their heels for the majority of the first half and did not generate a shot on target in the first 45 minutes.

Marcinkowski kept the Quakes in the game with back to back point blank saves in the 48th minute.

Rubio Rubin’s header off a cross by Savarino was knocked away by Marcinkowski. Immediately after, Sergio Cordova’s shot attempt was gobbled up by Marcinkowski.

RSL put the game away in the 81st minute thanks to a turnover by Jackson Yueill. His header went back into the box where Savarino one touched it up in the air before buying a shot past Marcinkowski for his second goal of the season.

The Quakes best chance to score came in the 89th minute when Nathan’s header hit off the crossbar from a corner kick.

RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath only needed to make one save to earn the clean sheet. Marcinkowski finished with four saves on six shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with three corners kicks. Real Salt Lake had 10.

San Jose is 14-13-11 all time against RSL, including 5-7-7 on the road.

The Quakes were without Cade Cowell and Nico Tsakiris who were both playing for the USMNT U-20 squad. Each scored a goal in USA’s 10-0 win over Saint Kitts and Nevis.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday 6/25 at 7:00pm at Stanford Stadium in the first installment of the California Classico.

Earthquakes and Nashville SC battle to a 0-0 draw

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The San Jose Earthquakes and Nashville SC battled to a 0-0 draw at Geodis Park in Nashville on Sat Jun 11, 2022 (San Jose Earthquakes twitter)

by Marko Ukalovic

NASHVILLE — The San Jose Earthquakes and Nashville SC each earned a point in a 0-0 draw on Saturday evening at GEODIS Park.

San Jose comes off the international break with a point in its first match in the month of the June. Nashville SC extended its unbeaten streak to four matches.

The Quakes played without several regulars including Francisco Calvo (international duty), Marcos Lopez (international duty), and captain Jackson Yueill (injury).

Nashville SC (6-4-5) nearly had the match’s opening goal in the ninth minute. Hany Mukhtar played a through ball to Luke Haakenson, who dribbled around goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski and put a shot towards the empty net before Paul Marie made a last-ditch slide tackle to put the ball out of play.

Marcinkowski was San Jose’s (3-6-6) best player during the match making key saves throughout the match including in the 33rd minute when he kept a Mukhtar header out of the net with a diving save.

The Quakes best chance to score in the opening 45 minutes came in the 40th minute when Cade Cowell bent in a right footed shot from 10 yards out only to have Nashville SC goalkeeper Joe Willis to make a diving save to his right.

Marcinkowski once again came up big for San Jose in the 76th minute when he made a save on an unmarked C.J. Sapong’s header that he knocked away from the net.

Jan Gregus tried to be the hero for the Quakes in the 87th minute but his shot from just outside the D was stopped by Willis.

Marcinkowski finished the match with fives saves to earn his second clean sheet of the season. Willis made six saves on six shots on target for his fourth clean sheet of the season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with two corner kicks. Nashville SC had seven.

The Quakes are now 0-0-2 all-time vs. Nashville SC, including a 0-0-1 record on the road.

San Jose is now 3-2-3 in MLS play under interim head coach Alex Covelo.

Midfielder Cristian Espinoza made his 100th MLS appearance, starting and playing 79 minutes.

UP NEXT: San Jose conclude its three-game road trip when they take on Real Salt Lake on Saturday 6/18 at 6:30pm at Rio Tinto Stadium.

LAFC edges Earthquakes 3-2 in regulation

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LAFC forward Cristian Arango brings the ball up the pitch during the second half of a 3-2 victory over San Jose on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Orange County Register)

by Marko Ukalovic

LOS ANGELES — The best in the West resides in Southern California.

Brian Rodríguez scored the eventual game winning goal in the 47th minute to give LAFC a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday afternoon at Banc of California Stadium.

San Jose had its four-match unbeaten streak snapped with their first loss since a 3-0 loss to NYFC back on May 1st. LAFC stayed atop of the Western Conference with its second consecutive win.

Jose Cifuentes set up Rodríguez with a cross pitch pass that left Rodríguez all alone against Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski. The Uruguayan midfielder’s left footed shot beat Marcinkowksi for his second goal of the season.

LAFC (9-3-2-29 points) drew first blood when they were able to draw a penalty inside the box in the sixth minute. Ryan Hollingshead was tripped up by Jan Gregus. Cristian Arango converted the penalty in the eighth minute for his third goal of the season.

The home team doubled its lead just over five minutes later. Rodríguez found Hollingshead along the left side of the box. Hollingshead beat Marcinkowski with a low shot to the left corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season in the 13th minute.

San Jose (3-6-5) responded three minutes later to cut LAFC’s lead in half. Jamiro Monterio set up Jeremy Ebobisse as the pair had a nice give and go inside the box. Ebobisse finished off the play with a left footed shot that beat LAFC’s goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau for the first of his two goals of the match.

The Earthquakes scored the equalizer off a set piece in the 31st minute. Cristian Espinoza sailed a cross into the middle where an unmarked Ebobisse one-timed the ball into the back of the net with a left footed shot for his second goal of the match.

It was Ebobisse’s fourth brace this season as he leads the Quakes in goals with nine. Ebobisse had a chance to score four goals in the first half, but a header attempt sailed high over the net, and on another occasion, he overran a pass from Espinoza where he was all alone on net. By the time he recovered, Crépeau was able to secure the ball.

Quakes head coach Alex Covelo waited till the 73rd minute to make his first substitutions with Benji Kikanovic and Marcos Lopez replaced Cade Cowell and Tommy Thompson.

LAFC settled down defensively in the final 20 minutes to keep San Jose from earning a point in the match.

Crépeau finished the match with one save on four shots on target to earn the victory. Marcinkowski made six saves on nine shots on target in the losing effort.

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

LAFC have yet to concede more than two goals in any match this season while posting four shutouts. They are 2-2-1 after starting the season 7-1-1.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns continues its three-match road trip on Saturday 6/11 in Nashville as they take on Nashville SC at 3:00pm at GEODIS Park.

Republic FC shutout Earthquakes 2-0 advance to quarterfinals of US Open Cup

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Luis Felipe (#96) celebrates his goal he scored in the 28th minute with his teammates on Wednesday evening at Heart Health Park. May 25, 2022. (Courtesy of Sacramento Republic FC)

by Marko Ukalovic

SACRAMENTO — The Battle of NorCal went to the Capitol City.

Sacramento Republic FC defeated the San Jose Earthquakes in a 2-0 shutout in the Round of 16 at the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday evening at Heart Health Park.

Quakes head coach Alex Covelo started what consisted of a “B” lineup like he has during all three matches of the US Cup San Jose has participated in.

“We try to provide opportunities… that’s it. I wouldn’t change anything,” Covelo said when asked if had and regrets with who he penciled into the starting lineup.

Sacramento drew first blood in the 28th minute off a set piece. A corner kick from Rodrigo López found its ways to Luis Felipe. The former Quake headed the ball off the hands off of Quakes goalkeeper Matt Bersano for a 1-0 lead.

The best scoring chance San Jose had in the first half came in the 35th minute when Shea Salinas’ shot from 25 yards out was gobbled up by Republic FC goalkeeper Danny Vitiello.

Covelo looked to even the score when he substituted three of his regulars in the 58th minute when he inserted Cade Cowell, Cristian Espinoza and Chofis.

López iced the game for the Republic FC in the 83rd minute. Matt LaGrassa found López along the right wing and the Mexican national midfielder dribbled in and blasted a shot from 20 yards out into the upper left corner of the net that Bersano had no chance at.

“We came here to get the job done and we came up short,” said fullback Tommy Thompson. “The atmosphere was great. Sacramento Republic made it difficult for us.”

Sacramento advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup where they will play the Los Angeles Galaxy, who defeated LAFC 3-1 earlier in its Round of 16 match, in late June.

Vitiello made five shots in earning his clean sheet. Bersano made two saves on four shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with 12 corner kicks. Sacramento had three.

Sacramento is now 16-1 at home in US Open Cup play.

San Jose is 3-1 against Sacramento in US Open Cup play.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns to MLS action when the travel down to Los Angeles to take on LAFC on Saturday 5/28 at 3:00pm at Banc of California Stadium.