Tag: mls

Earthquakes blanked by Minnesota United 3-0

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: London Marq

SAN JOSE, Calif. — 2018 was a dark year for the San Jose Earthquakes, who finished the campaign with only 4 wins. One bright spot for the Quakes was the season series they won against Minnesota United. The United has traveled to San Jose twice before and lost both games. San Jose looked to continue that trend as Minnesota returned to Avaya Stadium. San Jose opened the 2019 season with a 2-1 loss to Montreal. They wanted to avoid making it a habit.

The Earthquakes opened the first half under pressure. Minnesota was able to maneuver the ball into the scoring third of the field. United had a total of 8 shots, most of which threatened the Earthquakes goalkeeper, Daniel Vega. Vega, who was under constant duress during the first half, faced a barrage of shot attempts for a near 10-minute stretch. He was equal to it. From the 27th minute through the 36th, Vega defended 5 shots on target, 2 of reach he blocked. San Jose in contrast, only had 4 shots on goal for the half.

The second half opened with scoring early as Minnesota United drew a penalty in the 49th minute. MLS All-Star and Colombia national Darwin Quintero slotted it into the corner. Just short of 3 minutes later, Minnesota would find the back of the net with a goal from the former NASL MVP Miguel Ibarra. Just like that, 6 minutes removed from being tied at half time, the Quakes were playing to salvage a tie.

San Jose had no cohesive rhythm throughout that match, despite passing the ball often and with 83% accuracy. They lost more than 50% of their one on one and were on edge the entire time. After the match San Jose coach Matias Almeyda explained that the offensive game plan wasn’t executed as planned. As a result, the team spent more time crossing the ball from wide areas than they wanted. While the ball found its way into the offensive third with regularity in the second half, San Jose couldn’t manage to get a good touch on the ball to capitalize.

A late San Jose own goal by defender Harold Cummings in the 75th minute effectively ended the game. Quakes captain Chris Wondolowski had a chance to put the team on the board late when the ball came to him a few feet from the goal, but whiffed. It was the summation of the night San Jose had. It’s only two games into the season, so there’s no need to panic yet. Coach Almeyda is looking to take this season one game at a time. The goal right now it to get his team in a winning mindset for next Saturday’s tilt with the New York City Red Bulls.

FINAL: Minnesota defeated San Jose 3-0.

UP NEXT: San Jose heads to the Empire State to face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, March 16 at 12:30 pm PT.

Earthquakes drop 2-1 decision to Impact

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose Earthquakes opened up the 2019 MLS season versus the Montreal Impact at Avaya Stadium Saturday evening. Prior to the kickoff, the Quakes gave a warm welcome to new head coach Matias Almeyda and the San Jose Sharks wished the home team the best of luck this season.

The Quakes’ starting lineup featured Daniel Vega, Marcos Lopez, Harold Cummings, Guram Kashia, Nick Lima, Anibal Godoy, Judson, Vako, Magnus Eriksson, Cristian Espinoza and Chris Wondolowski.

It wasn’t long before the Quakes got on the board. Magnus Eriksson scored his first goal of the season for an early 1-0 lead at the 11th minute.

But it also wasn’t long before the Impact tied the score. Ignacio Piatti scored his first goal of the season to make it 1-1 at the 30th minute.

The Quakes looked disappointed just minutes before the first half came to an end. Saphir Taider scored his first goal of the season to give the Impact a 2-1 lead at the 44th minute.

The Quakes had a lot of work to do in the second half. Moreover, San Jose was down 2-1 at halftime, but they weren’t out of it just yet.

The Quakes made their first substitution of the match at the 62nd minute as they allowed Tommy Thompson to enter and Lima to exit. Thompson received a yellow card at the 73rd minute.

The Quakes made their second substitution at the 69th minute as they allowed Jackson Yueill to enter and Eriksson to exit.

The Quakes made their third and final substitution at the 74th minute as they allowed Danny Hoesen to enter and Cummings to exit. Judson received a yellow card at the 77th minute.

The Quakes trailed 2-1 at the end of the second half. The officials added five minutes of stoppage time to the clock, so there was an opportunity or two, but the Quakes were unable to capitalize on those opportunities. San Jose (0-0-1) dropped a 2-1 decision to Montreal (1-0-0) in full-time.

The Quakes host the Minnesota United on Saturday, March 9th at 5:00 pm PST.

Headline Sports with London Marq: Arenado signs second largest MLB deal; Harper still waiting to sign; Cowboys’ Gregory suspended indefinitely; plus more

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Photo credit: @theScore

On Headline Sports with London Marq:

#1 The Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado signed a eight-year deal at $250 million. He does have an opt-out year when he turns 30 in three years from now. They really are counting on Arenado to be their cornerstone.

#2 Bryce Harper continues to be a free agent waiting for that longterm deal a payout that would top the San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado’s $300 million deal. Harper is looking in the neighborhood of $350 million and ten years. Will he get a deal done soon?

#3 Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Randy Gregory has been suspended indefinitely for substance abuse. Gregory played two games in 2016, suspended for the whole season in 2017, played 14 games in 2018 and was second in sacks with the Cowboys. Gregory’s attorney says he can make it back in 2019.

#4 The Sacramento Kings have lost two of their last three games, but their efforts were right there with opposing teams: the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Kings have another tough task when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night at the Golden One Center.

#5 The San Jose Earthquakes open the season this Saturday at Avaya Stadium against the Montreal Impact. After the rough season they had last year, the Quakes are looking to turn it around this year.

Headline Sports with London Marq is heard each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Earthquakes and Sounders settle for 2-2 draw

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose Earthquakes captain Chris Wondolowski looked ready for the regular season as he singlehandedly led a comeback for his team with two penalty shot goals in a 2-2 draw with the Seattle Sounders in a pre-season match on Saturday afternoon at Avaya Stadium.

This was the fourth and final pre-season game for San Jose that came into the game off of a 3-0 victory over LAFC last week and finished 1-1-1 on the pre-season. Seattle finished 2-2-1.

The Quakes had the field tilted in their favor in the first 30 minutes of the game. Nick Lima’s centered a pass to Magnus Eriksson and his corner shot was stopped by a diving Stefan Frei. Lima then sent in a shot from 25 yards out in the 24th minute but once again Frei made a diving save to keep the ball out of the net. Christian Espinoza had a chance in the 29th minute but his shot went wide right from 20 yards out.

Seattle drew first blood when Jordan Morris took received the ball at midfield, raced down the right sideline and went around newly acquired Quakes midfielder Judson and crossed the ball into the middle to a wide-open Victor Rodriguez in the slot, who kicked the ball past Quakes goalie Daniel Vega into the back of the net at the 31st minute.

Marcos Lopez had a chance for an equalizer toward the end of the first half after taking a nice pass from Eriksson. However, his shot sailed high over the net at the 39th minute.

The Sounders doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when Rodriguez won a battle for the ball along the left corner end line. He made a nice move around a Quakes defender then centered a pass over to Morris, whose shot was blocked and deflected back to Rodriguez at the side of the net chipped it off Vega into back of the net. San Jose was standing around looking for a handball that was never called.

“There’s always things we can improve on,” said head coach Matias Almeyda after the game. “We look for a style to be aggressive, we try to be offensive. Even when we were down 2-0, I valued the (team’s) attitude. It was an important change.”

It became Wondo’s World in a four-minute span midway through the second half. Wondolowski was tripped up trying to split two defenders just inside the box. His kick beat Frei into the lower right corner of the goal at the 57th minute.

Then, in the 61st minute, Ericsson threaded a pass into the middle of the box and Wondo was pushed down by Kelvin Leerdam earning a red card and an immediate ejection for the Sounders defender and another penalty shot for Wondo. He cashed in his second opportunity for his second goal of the match into the exact same location as his first goal. Leerdam received red card and was ejected from the match.

“We’re starting to understand the system,” said Wondolowski. “Understand the way he (Almeyda) wants us to play. It’s demanding, but at the same time it’s fun, entertaining and a joy to play.”

Shea Salinas, who came in as a late substitution, had a scoring chance seconds into stoppage time, but his shot went way over the net that resulted in a free kick to Seattle.

“It showed our willingness to come back after we were down 2-0”, said Lima. “We were able to come together as a team I think the way Matias (Almeyda) wanted. Fight, get a couple of bounced to go our way and evened up the score.”

GAME NOTES: Wondo ended up leading the Quakes with three goals in four games during the preseason.

UP NEXT: The Quakes open up their 2019 regular season on Saturday March 2nd as they host the Montreal Impact at 6:45 pm at Avaya Stadium.

Earthquakes shutout LAFC 3-0 in preseason rivalry match

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose Earthquakes stopped by the City of Angels to take on LAFC in a rivalry match at the Banc of California Stadium Saturday afternoon.

The Quakes’ starting lineup featured Daniel Vega, Marcos Lopez, Guram Kashia, Harold Cummings, Nick Lima, Magnus Eriksson, Judson, Anibal Godoy, Cristian Espinoza, Vako and Chris Wondolowski.

The Quakes were off to a great start. Eriksson’s free kick that rattled the near post at the ninth minute of the first half. Eriksson then found the back of the net five minutes later to give the Quakes a 1-0 lead at the 15th minute. Wondolowski doubled the Quakes’ lead at the 30th minute.

The Quakes carried a 2-0 lead to the locker room at the end of the first half. Eriksson and Wondolowski each scored one goal apiece for the Quakes, who were pretty darn confident in the fact that they’d ultimately win the match for the much-needed confidence boost along with the bragging rights that arise when a team beats a bitter rival.

Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda made no changes to the team’s lineup to start the second half. Unlike in Northern California, both teams played under the warm California sun as opposed to the stormy Seattle weather.

The Quakes made their first substitution of the match as Tommy Thompson entered the game as a replacement to Lima. The Quakes’ second substitution was Luis Felipe in for Eriksson. The Quakes’ third substitution saw Shea Salinas, who replaced Espinoza. The Quakes’ fourth substitution witnessed Jackson Yueill, who stepped on the field after Judson walked off of it.

Fast forward to the 76th minute when Godoy nearly kicked in a third goal, but was denied at the post by a LAFC defender. The score remained in a 2-0 lead in favor of the Quakes. After that, San Jose made its fifth substitution as Florian Jungwirth replaced Godoy.

Turns out, Vako indeed tripled the Quakes’ lead with the match’s third goal of the game at the 76th minute. The final score turned out to be a 3-0 Quakes win on the road. That being said, it was never too late for San Jose to beat LA. Media members on both sides of the field flocked to speak with Coach Almeyda along with the Quakes players in the hopes of getting some interesting quotes for their respective articles and/or broadcasts.

The Quakes wrap up the 2019 MLS preseason with a match versus the Seattle Sounders FC at Avaya Stadium on Saturday, February 23rd at 12:45 pm PT.

Reno 1868 FC shuts down Earthquakes 3-0 in preseason match

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose Earthquakes traveled to Reno, Nev. to face off against the Reno 1868 FC in a preseason match at Greater Nevada Field on Saturday afternoon. The match was streamed on Reno’s YouTube channel.

The Quakes’ starting lineup boasted a good amount of fan favorites such as Daniel Vega; Marcos Lopez, Guram Kashia, Harold Cummings, Nick Lima; Magnus Eriksson, Judson, Anibal Godoy, Cristian Espinoza; Vako, and Chris Wondolowski.

After the kickoff, the match went underway in Northern Nevada. Reno got on the board first as Raul Mendiola found the back of the net from close range. The score was 1-0 Reno at the fourth minute. As a result, Reno fans gave Mendiola, who made his Reno debut, a warm welcome with a lot of cheering and clapping for the Mexican attacking midfielder from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Nick Lima made sure Matt Bersano was on his toes at the 10th minute. Lima slotted a notable shot for the memory moment. Also, Vako fought to earn possession and then created an opportunity on the attack at the 16th minute.

But the Quakes were unable to completely stop Reno, who doubled their lead 2-0 on a counter-attack at the 29th minute. Seth Casiple was created with the goal and Danny Musovski, a Henderson, Nevada native, picked up the assist on Casiple’s goal.

Things never improved for the Quakes, despite the fascinating sight of Cristian Espinoza had a go from the distance at the 37th minute. Reno made it three consecutive goals as Musovski kicked in a goal that was assisted by Brian Brown at the 41st minute. Sure, Wondolowski nearly pulled one back at the 45th minute, but Reno was on a roll and carried a 3-0 lead to the locker room at the end of the first half.

The Quakes made a line change to start the second half. The new-look roster featured the likes of Andrew Tarbell, Shea Salinas, Florian Jungwirth, Jimmy Ockford, Paul Marie, Siad Haji, Luis Felipe, Jackson Yueill, Gilbert Fuentes, Tommy Thompson, and Cade Cowell.

Cowell received a fortunate chance, but his shot was just wide of the net at the 57th minute. Haji had a go from the distance at the 62nd minute. However, Reno couldn’t be stopped, and they wrapped up the match with a 3-0 shutout in full-time. Reno started their season on a positive note with a tally in the win column, while the Quakes took the loss.

The Quakes will return to California, but to Los Angeles, to take on LAFC inside the Banc of California Stadium next Saturday at 12:00 pm PT.

Part 2 of the Earthquakes’ picks in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: Ana Kieu

After a much-needed weekend, the MLS was ready to roll in the third and fourth rounds of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft in Chicago Monday.

It didn’t take long before the San Jose Earthquakes were on the board in day two of the SuperDraft. So, that being said, San Jose selected defender Nathan Aune out of Seattle University. Aune appeared in 17 matches and started in 16 matches on defense. Aune scored two goals and was a key part of the Redhawks’ defense that allowed just 24 goals in 20 meetings. Moreover, Aune was named to the All-WAC First Team and the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Second Team.

Contrary to popular belief, San Jose passed on the 74th overall pick in the fourth round of the SuperDraft, so their second and final day in Chicago ended with only one brand-new pick. The Quakes needed all the help they could get, and hopefully, these prospects-turned-pros will carry out their respective duties.

Best of luck to the Quakes, whose season kicks off on March 2 at 7:00 pm PT.

Part 1 of the Earthquakes’ picks in 2019 MLS SuperDraft

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: Ana Kieu

Friday marked the first day of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, which was the 20th SuperDraft held by the Major Soccer League (MLS). The exciting festivities took place in Chicago, Illinois, and for Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda, this was his first SuperDraft.

The introduction of brand-new soccer stars of the future went underway and the Quakes selected three players using three picks in the opening rounds of the SuperDraft. The Quakes went 4-15-8 this past season and finished in 12th place in the Western Conference, so it wasn’t a surprise they got things started from the get-go.

In the first round, San Jose selected midfielder Siad Haji with the second overall pack. Haji was a VCU standout in Richmond, Virginia.

In the second round, San Jose selected another midfielder, Sergio Rivas, with the 26th overall pick. Rivas played college soccer at Seattle University in Seattle.

Also, in the second round, San Jose selected forward Mamadi Camara with the 46th overall pick. Camara last played for Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada.

According to theScore via MLS, the third and fourth rounds of the SuperDraft will be conducted through a conference call at 10:00 am PT.

San Jose sports podcast with Ana Kieu: Earthquakes finish season in Seattle; San Jose State notch first win of the season vs. UNLV

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Photo credit: @KNBR and @SJSUSpartanFB

On the San Jose sports podcast with Ana:

1. The San Jose Earthquakes wrapped up the 2018 MLS season in Seattle. The Quakes lost to the Seattle Sounders FC 2-1 in full-time. What more could you say about the Quakes’ future?

2. Reno 1868 FC wrapped up the 2018 USL season in Orange County, Calif. with a 1-0 loss to Orange County SC. Do you think Reno will be back stronger in 2019?

3. The San Jose State Spartans defeated the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels 50-37 inside CEFCU Stadium on Saturday. This was the Spartans’ first win since November 25, 2017 versus the Wyoming Cowboys.

4. Spartans sophomore receiver Tre Walker celebrated his birthday on Sunday just a day after the 50-37 win over the Rebels. How great was that?

Ana does the San Jose sports podcasts each week for SportsRadioService.com

Earthquakes fail to play spoiler, lose 2-1 to Sounders in season finale

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose Earthquakes’ season was a lost cause, but despite all the setbacks, the Quakes were looking to play spoiler in their final match of the 2018 MLS season at the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field on Sunday.

Yes, Chris Wondolowski was a starter for the Quakes. And, if there’s anything else positive to say about this match, San Jose battled with Seattle until the very end. The #DecisionDay match was 90 minutes plus three minutes of stoppage time.

The Quakes and Sounders played great amounts of defense to keep themselves in the match. The match was in a scoreless draw at the end of a hard-fought 45-minute first half.

The Quakes finally broke things open in Seattle when Danny Hoesen helped generate his own goal for a 1-0 lead at the 64th minute. However, that was the lone goal for the Quakes, and the #WondoWatch was in effect…but without a sight of a Wondo goal.

The Quakes made their first substitution of the match at the 73rd minute. Magnus Eriksson took the field to replace Eric Calvillo. That substitution, however, was ineffective as the Sounders tied the match 1-1 just six minutes later on a Raul Ruidiaz goal.

The Quakes made a late substitution at the 87th minute. Luis Felipe went in for Jackson Yueill. Again, that didn’t make a difference in the outcome of the match.

Sure, Tommy Thompson shot his shot for what could’ve been a go-ahead goal, but his shot went just wide of the net. The match saw three minutes of stoppage time, which was in favor of the Sounders. Ruidiaz scored his second goal of the game to seal the 2-1 win for the Sounders…and spoil the Quakes’ hopes of crashing the party in Seattle.

Notes
Quakes’ starting lineup

Sounders’ starting lineup



Up Next
See you next season, Avaya Stadium faithful!