Tag: mls

The San Jose Earthquakes play their first post season game since 2017 and their first round of the 2020 playoffs at Sporting KC Sun Nov 22, 2020 (@SJEarthquakes image)

On the Quakes podcast with London:

#1 London, after the Quakes won three out of their last four games then had a meeting the Sounders in Seattle in a three goal loss 4-1 the last game of the regular season. Was it a game that the Quakes rested some players and really weren’t using their regular starters in the line up?

#2 During the period they won three out four they really bore down on their game plan and were locked in according to head coach Matias Almeyda.

#3 Chris Wondowski who scored two goals against Real Salt Lake back on Oct 28th in the Quakes 2-0 win. Has Wondolowski’s lastest scoring binge been the difference in the Quakes recent wins?

#4 The thing that coach Almeyda wants to do is keep the momentum going they did well when they were in the bubble in Orlando, then after the bubble they slumped and had a resurgence again with some wins and ended up just getting a playoff spot clinching eighth in the MLS Western Conference.

#5 The big day has arrived this Sunday Nov 22 the Quakes play in their first post season game since 2017 and they play the number one seed in the Western Conference can they get by the very challenging Sporting KC?

London Marq was filling in for Marko Ukalovic for the Earthquakes podcasts heard each Friday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

The Seattle Sounders were an offense machine in the second half of their game against the San Jose Earthquakes scoring four times to defeat San Jose at Century Link Field in Seattle on the final day of the regular season Sun Nov 8, 2020 (photo from soundersfc.com)

by Marko Ukalovic

SEATTLE, Wash.-In a match that did not have playoff implications, the Seattle Sounders scored four goals in the second half to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 4-1 in the regular season finale on Sunday afternoon at Century Link Field.

The “Decision Day” match was more about playoff positioning as both teams had already punched their ticket to the Audi 2020 MLS Playoffs.

San Jose was without Jackson Yueill, Andy Rios and Carlos Fierro due to a combination of yellow card accumilation and injury. Shae Salinas , Luis Felipe and Cade Cowell started in place for head coach Matias Almeyda.

The first half featured both teams going through the motions with sloppy play as neither team played aggressive and waited for counter attacks to happen on a cold, windy day. Only three total shots were attempted in the first 45 minutes.

Seattle forward Jordan Morris had the best chance to score when his initial shot and rebound attempt were both saved by Quakes goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski in the 38th minute.

The Sounders (11-5-6 1.77) broke through in 52nd minute. Nicolás Lodeiro came rushing into the middle off of his own free kick where he collected the ball and fired a shot past Marcinkowski into lower left corner form eight yards out for his seventh goal of the season.

Seattle doubled its leads two minutes later. Cristian Roldan set up Raúl Ruidíaz, whose shot went off the leg of Marinkowski into the back of the net for his team leading 12th goal of the season.

“We always try to prepare to compete and win. I think discounting the goals, the game was good. If we had taken advantage of our chances in the first half as they did, this would have been a different match. The difference is that they capitalized on their chances and we did not. Nonetheless, it makes me happy to see Cade Cowell be able to play 90 minutes, as well as seeing the other youngsters come on. It was a good game and we still came here to compete,” Almeyda said.

San Jose (8-9-6 1.30) cut the lead in the half in the 57th minute. After Cristian Espinoza won a free kick on the outside of the box, Marcos López bent one in like Beckham with a left footed shot from the right wing that fooled Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei for his second goal of the season.

Seattle received an insurance goal in the 74th minute when Lodeiro, after a turnover by Florian Jungwirth, returned the favor and set up Morris whose chip shot over an incoming Marcinkowski gave him his 10th goal of the season.

The Sounders iced the game six minutes later when Morris’ centering attempt deflected off López into the back of the net for an own goal to close out the scoring.

Frei finished the match with two saves to earn the victory. Marcinkowski also made two saves in the losing effort.

The Quakes now await the date and time of its first round match with Sporting Kansas City, who finished atop of the Western Conference.

“I think this team has shown a lot of character,” said Tommy Thompson on the team’s ability to bounce back after a tough loss. “We’ve gone through great moments this year. We’ve gone through extremely difficult moments as well, but there’s a belief in this group that whoever is on the field can get the job done. We’re going to learn from our mistakes today. Seattle is a great team, and they made us pay. We’ve got to make sure that we’re going to be as sharp as we can against Kansas City, and this game is a good reminder that against the top teams in this league, you can’t take your foot off the gas pedal for one minute. It’s a tough way to end the season, but we’ve accomplished a lot. We’re definitely going to have a short memory going into Kansas City. We’ll be full of confidence and ready to go in a couple weeks.”

GAME NOTES: Both teams each had four corner kicks.

Reno 1868 FC, the USL Championship affiliate of the San Jose Earthquakes, this past Friday announced it would cease operations following the 2020 season.

“We would like to thank everyone at Reno 1868 FC for their hard work and commitment to success over the past four seasons,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “Whether it be developing future First Team players or giving our current First Team players valuable minutes on loan, Reno has greatly impacted and proudly represented the Earthquakes organization. We are currently in the process of reevaluating our player development pathway.”

Reno was awarded a USL franchise in 2015 set to begin play in 2017. Through four seasons, Reno recorded a record of 62-26-28 and earned a playoff berth in all four campaigns under head coach Ian Russell, who was named the USL Championship Co-Coach of the Year.

The Earthquakes held a 6-3-1 record over their last 10 matches, tied for the best record in the Western Conference during that span, while keeping four shutouts.

Homegrown defender Nick Lima made his 100th MLS appearance, starting and playing 90 minutes. He became the second Homegrown Player in Quakes history to reach 100 regular season appearances, following Tommy Thompson.

The San Jose Earthquakes clinch the last and final eighth spot of the MLS Western Division Conference to make the post season against LAFC on Wed Nov 4, 2020 at Earthquakes Stadium in San Jose (@SJEarthquakes photo) 

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif.-Playoffs?? That is a question the San Jose Earthquakes can finally put to rest.

The Quakes 3-2 victory over LAFC allowed the team to clinch its first playoff bearth since 2017 on Wednesday evening at Earthquakes Stadium.

The match, originally scheduled for this past Sunday and postponed due to three LAFC players testing postitive for positive for Covid-19 last Friday, was rescheduled three days later.

San Jose has beat LAFC for the second time this season and snapped its SoCal rival’s two game winning streak. The Quakes are 6-2-1 in its last nine matches and are riding a wave of momentum with one match left in the regular season.

LAFC (9-8-4 1.48) scored the match’s opening goal in the 23rd minute. Diego Palacios started a counter attack with a cross into the middle that Diego Rossi deflected over to Latif Blessing. The 23-year old forward from Ghana tapped home the ball into an empty net for his first goal of the season.

San Jose (8-8-6 1.36) scored the equalizer just five minutes later off a set piece. Cristian Espinoza’s corner kick made a double deflection off Carlos Fierro and then Eduard Atuesta’s foot before finding its way in the back of net for an LAFC own goal.

The Quakes gained the lead in the 37th minute. Espinoza sent a cross from left to right that landed on the foot of Quakes captain Chris Wondolowski. Wondo one-timed the ball off the leg of LAFC goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer into the upper right corner of the net for his seventh goal of the season. For Wondo he increased his MLS all-time goal record to 166.

“We have belief (in ourselves),” said Wondlowski on what could be his final home game of his career. “We had it even when we were at the bottom of the table. I think that when healthy, fully ready, we’re a very dangerous team and can play against anyone and be ready against anyone. So I’m excited.”

It was Espinoza’s ninth assist of the season for San Jose, tying him for fourth overall in the MLS.

San Jose dominated the possession battle 60%-40% in the first 45 minutes.

LAFC came out desperate in the second half as head coach Bob Bradley inserted Carlos Vela, the current MLS MVP, to start the half and he had the Quakes backline on its heels.

Vela set up Rossi inside the box in the 59th minute, but Quakes goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski made a two-handed save on Rossi’s shot.

San Jose went down a man for the rest of the match in the 61st minute when Jackon Yueill received his second yellow card on a controversial call by referee Timothy Ford, resulting in a red card and ejection from the match.

The Quakes received a critical insurance goal in the 72 minute. Super substitute Shea Salinas sailed a cross from left to right over to Espinoza. The Argentine midfielder made one touch on the ball before firing it past Vermeer for his third goal of the season.

Salinas is now the Quakes all-time assist leader with 48, passing Ronald Cerritos in franchise history.

LAFC cut the lead to one goal in the 95th minute when Rossi one-timed a cross from Vela for his league leading 14th goal of the season.

Marcinkowski finished with three saves for his sixth victory of the season. Vermeer made one save on four shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with eight corner kicks. LAFC had six.

LAFC is now 0-6-1 when trailing at halftime.

San Jose are 4-0-1 in its past five home matches.

UP NEXT: The Quakes close out the regular season against the Seattle Sounders on Sunday 11/8 at 3:30pm at Century Link Field.

 

 

The San Jose Earthquakes Chris Wondolowski jumps for joy after scoring one of his two goals against Real Salt Lake at Earthquakes Stadium in San Jose on Wed Oct 28, 2020 (@SJEarthquakes photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif.- San Jose Earthquakes captain Chris Wondolowski continues to rewrite the record books in the MLS.

His two goals provided all the offense the Quakes would need in a huge 2-0 shutout victory over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday evening at Earthquakes Stadium.

The win propelled San Jose up to the 7th seed in the Western Conference playoff race with 27 points, three ahead of 8th place Vancouver, with only two matches remaining in the regular season. Real Salt Lake has gone scoreless in back-to-back games and are currently on the outside looking in at 9th place with 22 points.

“Tonight, it was the first of many playoff-esque games,” said Wondo shortly after the match. “We had that mentality coming in (to the game). It wasn’t going to be the prettiest (match) but knew it was going to be full of energy. To grind out a 2-0 victory was beautiful.”

San Jose (7-8-6) were rejoined by Marco Lopez, who was inserted into the starting 11, Vako and Guram Kashia as they returned back from international playing duty.

The Quakes controlled possession in the first half establishing their game and had Real Salt Lake (5-8-7) defending its half of the pitch for most of the first 45 minutes.

For the second game in a row, San Jose scored early in the first half. Carlos Fierro led an attack down the left side of the pitch. His cross landed on the foot of Cristan Espinoza, who fired a left-footed shot that deflected off the hand of Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Andrew Putna and in turn bounced off the left post. Wondolowski cleaned up the rebound all alone from five yards out, tapping home the ball into an empty net for his fifth goal of the season and increased his MLS record goal mark to 164.

Wondo almost had his brace 12 minutes later when he was on the receiving end of a cross by Nick Lima. His one-timer from point-blank range was stoned away by Putna who used his whole body to keep the ball out of the net.

Real Salt Lake had a chance to even the game just before halftime in the 41st minute. A corner kick sailed right on to a crashing Marcelo Silva, whose header beat Quakes goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski but not the left post. Marcinkowski pounced on the loose ball ending the RSL threat.

Real Salt Lake refocused in the second half and controlled possession for much of the half in its attempt to get the eqaulizer. However, the backline from San Jose consistently collasped into the middle and cleared away any crossing attempt mustered by Real Salt Lake.

San Jose played exceptional to keep Real Salt Lake’s leading goal scorer Damir Kreilach from getting any quality scoring chances. The Croatian forward came into the match leading his team in goals with eight, but was left frustrated as he was closely marked by San Jose’s defense throughout the match.

“I think we played the game well. I take away the lesson that we learned last game and also the desire and effort from each one of the players. We have recovered our system of play for a while now. We have recovered the intensity. But It’s up to the players to play each game intelligently, differently, and they have been doing that very well,” Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda said.

The Quakes received an insurance goal to put the game away in the 74th minute. Shea Salinas, who came on as a substitute for Fierro in the 70th minute, attacked from the right side and sent in a cross that found a wide open Wondolowski who deposited the ball past Putna for his second goal of the match.

Wondo’s team leading sixth goal of the season and 165th of his career gave him his 24th multi-goal game of his career, which ranks second all-time in MLS history. The assist for Salinas gave him 47th for his Quakes career, tying him with Ronald Cerritos for the most asssits in team history.

The closest Real Salt Lake came to getting on the scoreboard was in the 80th minute when Andy Rios conceded a free kick to RLS just outside the box. Albert Rusnák’s attempted shot was blocked and cleared by San Jose.

Marcinkowski didn’t register a save in earning his fourth shutout of the season. Putna made three saves on five shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had five corner kicks to only one for Real Salt Lake.

Wondo’s first goal was also his MLS record 45th game-winning goal.

San Jose now leads the all time series 12-11-11. They are now 5-1-1 in seven matches against Real Salt Lake at Earthquakes Stadium.

San Jose held RSL without a shot on target for just the second time since Aug. 2017.

Real Salt Lakes road woes continued as they are 1-4-3 away from Rio Tinto Stadium.

UP NEXT: The Quakes host LAFC in its home season finale on Sunday 11/01 at 7:30pm at Earthquakes Stadium.

The Vancouver Whitecaps make it up field on the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night at Providence Park in Portland in their one goal win over the Earthquakes 2-1 (@ WhitecapsFC photo)

Marko Ukalovic

PORTLAND, Ore.-The Vancouver Whitecaps scored two goals in a six-minute span early in the second half en route to a much needed 2-1 comeback victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on a chilly Saturday evening at Providence Park.

Vancouver’s win snapped a four-game losing streak to San Jose. The Whitecaps have won three out of its last four games and have tied San Jose for seventh place in the Western Conference with 24 points. The Quakes are 4-2-1 in their last seven matches with three matches left in the regular season.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Canada still has its border closed and therefore Vancouver has needed Providence Park to play its matches, including it’s final four where there will be the home team in three of them.

San Jose (6-8-6) controlled play in the first half as they won the possession battle 62%-38%. Cristian Espinoza had a quality chance to put the Quakes on the board in the 18th minute when Chris Wondolowski set him up with a back pass just outside the box but Espinoza fired high and wide of the net.

The Quakes scored the match’s first goal in the 24th minute. Espinoza started a counter attack near the end line at midfield. He raced down the right side centering the ball right into the middle where an open Carlos Fierro one-timed a right footed shot into the lower right corner of the net beating Whitecaps goalkeeper Evan Bush for his second goal of the season.

The Fierro/Espinoza combo has become a deadly weapon for head coach Matias Almeyda. Espinoza recorded his team leading eighth assist (fourth overall in MLS) on Fierro’s goal. The goal was a rarity for San Jose as that was just its seventh first half goal of the season, compared to the 22 they have scored in the second half.

Vancouver (8-12-0) made its comeback early in the second half. Left back Ali Adnan rifled in a free kick from 30 yards out into the upper left corner of the net that Quakes goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski had no chance at in the 51st minute. It was Adnan’s second goal of the season.

Then just six minutes later, a defensive breakdown by San Jose led to an odd-man rush inside the box where Cristian Dájome’s shot from the left side deflected off the hand of Marcinkowski over to Tosaint Ricketts. The Canadian midfielder made a point-blank finish into an empty net for his second goal of the season.

“Vancouver came out and wanted to press us down the middle, and we played right into the teeth of it,” said Wondolowski on the Whitecaps second half success. “Also, we just weren’t able to connect passes. I think once we did connect a pass, we didn’t move after and give us an option. When we do that, we become stagnant. We lose a lot of possession and a lot of passes that we shouldn’t. That usually feeds into another team’s counterattack. They punished us twice and rightfully so. Then we’re playing catchup. I thought we combined well after that. We just couldn’t hit that final pass.”

The two quick goals by Vancouver shell-shocked San Jose as they were never able to recover the rest of the second half. Their passing was sloppy and rushed which resulted in turnovers. Even with substitutions made at the 71st and 72nd minutes, they could not regain the momentum they had established in the first half.

“I think we had a great first half in which we had the lead. We were interpreting how to play the game. But then we went back to making the same mistakes that were made previously. In five minutes, there was a lack of concentration that the opponent took advantage of. Once the opponent took the lead, I think the momentum in the match shifted. We were not able to find that final pass to create those chances that would give us the tie or win,” Almeyda said.

Despite having a few chances in the final five minutes of the match, San Jose was not able to score the equalizer and were left to contemplate the disappointing result.

Bush only needed to make one save for the victory. Marcinkowski finished with two saves on the evening in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Both teams had six corner kicks during the match.

Vancouver leads the overall series 9-8-9.

San Jose had its shutout streak snapped at 234 minutes (over 2.5 matches), plus stoppage time.

UP NEXT: The Quakes return home to host Real Salt Lake on Wednesday 10/28 at 7:30pm at Earthquakes Stadium.

The San Jose Earthquakes face Vancouver Whitecaps for this Sat Oct 24th’s game at Providence Park in Portland neutral site game (@SJEarthquakes image)

On the Quakes podcast with Marko:

#1 The Quakes (6-6-7) are in seventh place heading to Portland to play a neutral site game against the Vancouver Whitecaps (7-0-12) the Quakes have gone undefeated in four of their last five games how crucial of a game is this one to keep their playoff hope going?

#2 In their last game last Sunday they battled the Seattle Sounders (9-4-4) tooth and nail to get a nil-nil draw and the Sounders are not a very easy task to accomplish that task.

#3 The tie gives San Jose 24 points on the season as they hold on to the seventh spot in the Western Conference and have earned a point in five of its last six matches

#4 Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda said that after all the loses the team had suffered before going undefeated in four of their last five it took hard work and having to admit the team was doing bad and gaining their confidence back it certainly started with that shocking win against LAFC (7-4-7) back on Sep 27th.

#5 Neutral site game on Saturday night at Providence Park in Portland against the Vancouver Whitecaps the Whitecaps have won two of their last three games including a game against LAFC. The Quakes shutout the Caps 3-0 last time they met Wed Oct 14th at Earthquakes Stadium. Marko set this match up for us.

Marko does the Earthquakes podcasts each Friday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com