Tag: mls

Portland Timbers foward Cristhian Paredes battles San Jose Earthquakes defender Tanner Beason for a loose ball at Providence Park on Wednesday SEP 20, 2023. (Portland Timbers)

by Marko Ukalovic @MarkoUkalovic

Providence Park continues to be a house of horrors for the San Jose Earthquakes.

The Portland Timbers continued its dominance on their home turf against the ‘Quakes as they held on for a thrilling 2-1 victory on Wednesday evening.

Portland has won three matches in a row and are on a five-match point streak (4-0-1). San Jose had its three-match point streak snapped with the loss. The Timbers climbed up to eight place in the Western Conference with 39 points, one point behind the ‘Quakes who currently are in seventh place.

San Jose still has not been able to break the Providence Park curse as they have not won in 17 straight MLS matches in Portland with a record of 0-13-4.

Portland (10-11-9-39 points) controlled the majority of the possession in the first half as they spent the first half inside the San Jose’s zone generating quality scoring chances.

Late in the first half, San Jose (10-10-10-40 points) finally gained possession inside Portland’s zone attempting to take momentum away with a goal before halftime.

However, an errant pass led to a quick counterattack by the Timbers. Bryan Acosta got loose down the right wing before he centered a pass over to Cristhian Paredes who beat ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel to the far side with a sliding one-timer for his second goal of the season in the third minute of stoppage time right before halftime.

Portland doubled its lead in the 58th minute when Evander found himself at the right place at the right time. Sebastian Blanco’s shot attempted pinballed off two ‘Quakes defenders inside the box right over to Evander and the Brazilian midfielder chipped the ball over Daniel into the back of the net for his team leading ninth goal of the season.

‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez immediately brought in Cade Cowell and Nico Tsakiris to bring in some fresh legs and energy to the offensive attack.

San Jose cut the deficit in half two minutes later when Jeremy Ebobisse lofted a pass from left to right over to Cristian Espinoza. The Argentine striker’s one-timer was saved by Timber’s goalkeeper David Bingham but the subsequent rebound was buried home by Matthew Hoppe for his first career MLS goal and first in a ‘Quakes kit.

Hoppe, who made his first start for San Jose, was moved to central midfielder when the Cowell and Tsakiris were subbed in as wingers, a position he grew up playing up until he was a teenager.

“Growing up my whole life, I played midfielder up until the age of 16 or 17 (years old),” said Hoppe after the match. “Then I moved on up to the striker role. So, I’m comfortable in the middle and I told Luchi (Gonzalez) that. There was some good takeaways from today and you just have to build it towards the next game.”

Despite the offensive push from San Jose late in the match, Portland was able to hold down the fort and escape with three points in a crowded race for the top nine in the Western Conference.

“We knew it was going to be difficult, this is a hard place to get points. We knew that coming in. We embraced it in our prep. We talked about enjoying it. Enjoying this environment and the pressure of these last games. I thought we could be better in the attacking third. We scored a rebound goal. We need more of those and a little bit more determination and final action that I know we have in us,” Gonzalez said.

Bingham finished the match with one save on two shots on net to earn the win. Daniel made four saves, including a diving one off of a free kick by Evander from just outside the box in the 25th minute to keep the game scoreless at the time, on six shots on goal in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with five corner kicks. Portland had six.

Portland leads the overall series 17-6-10.

Cowell became the youngest player in MLS history to earn 100 MLS appearances.

Out of the 10 wins by Portland, eight of them have come at home.

The announced crowd at Providence Park was 21,518.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts Nashville SC on Saturday 9/23 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose Earthquakes defender Rodriguez keeps the ball away from D.C. United forward Christian Benteke during the 0-0 match at Audi Field on Saturday SEP 9, 2023. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic @MarkoUkalovic

The San Jose Earthquakes escaped the nation’s capital with a much-needed point.

Despite having a man advantage late in the match D.C United had to settle for a 0-0 draw with San Jose on Saturday evening at Audi Field.

D.C United has earned points in consecutive matches and remained in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. San Jose has drawn in two consecutive matches after failing to earn a point in the previous two and maintained seventh place in the Western Conference. They are one point ahead of Minnesota United, who lost 1-0 to New England.

DC United (9-12-7-34 points) enjoyed the final ten minutes up a man when Tannor Beason fouled Theodore Ku-DiPietro in the 88th minute. Initially ruled a yellow card by referee Tori Penso, Beason’s fouled was upgraded to a red card after a VAR review determined the foul was a clear path one.

Despite eight minutes of stoppage time Wayne Rooney’s squad weren’t able to take advantage as they missed out on an opportunity to climb the Eastern Conference standings.

“At this point in the season, every point matters. So, it would’ve been nice to leave here with three points, for sure,” Rooney said.

Defender Daniel Munie made his first start at left back for ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez. Munie played all 90 minutes for San Jose and finished the match at center back.

“It was important to get that first start under my belt,” said Munie after the match. “I felt pretty good and felt confident after this whole time being out here and learning from these guys. The team having confidence in me helps me to go out there and perform to my best. I am getting better every day. It wasn’t perfect. I felt like it was a good performance. I’m going to keep working through this and get ready for whenever my name gets called next.”

D.C. United thought they had broken the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Steven Birnbaum slid a ball through the middle of the box over to Gabriel Pirani who made a nifty back tap with his left foot into the back of the net for his first MLS career goal. However, after a VAR review it was determined that Pirani was offsides cancelling out the goal.

The Earthquakes had two quality scoring chances just before halftime, but Cristian Espinoza and Jamiro Monteiro’s shot attempts missed the net.

“We had some challenges with player availability, with injuries and international callups. I am proud of our guys for adjusting to a different formation. Still, there are principles and concepts that we want to keep improving. I thought we had some good moments of building pressure and forcing turnovers, leading to good offensive transitions. I thought we rotated the ball quicker and with more simplicity. Credit to the guys, they put together a good effort,” Gonzalez said.

‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel earned the Man of Match with his eight save performance as D.C United peppered him from inside and outside the box with shot attempts throughout the entire match. Daniel earned his fifth clean slate of the season as he tied his season-best for saves in a single match.

D.C United goalkeeper Alex Bono didn’t have as busy a night as Daniel did as he made two saves to earn his third clean sheet of the season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with five corner kicks. D.C. United had seven.

The Quakes hold a 18-15-9 record against D.C. United, including a 9-10-2 record at home.

San Jose earned their eighth shutout of the season and have only lost one of their last four road matches.

Midfielder Jackson Yueill is now ranked fifth for most appearances in club history (172), passing Joe Cannon.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts Real Salt Lake on Saturday 9/16 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza dribbles past Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Diego Fagundez at Pay Pal Park on Wednesday AUG 30, 2023. (Nico Burgueno-El Show International)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — A controversial penalty call spoiled an exciting game.

The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on two second half goals, including the penalty kick, in the 98th installment of the California Classico on Wednesday evening at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose have lost two matches in a row since coming out of the League’s Cup match. Los Angeles are unbeaten in its past seven matches.

Los Angeles (7-10-7-28 points) drew first blood in the 16th minute. Raheem Edwards sent a long ball down the right wing where Tyler Boyd won the race to the ball. Boyd made a move around Jonathan Mensah before firing a shot from just inside the box past ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel for his team leading sixth goal of the season.

The Galaxy controlled the pace of play for the first 28 minutes of the match with an 80-20% advantage of possession as the Earthquakes played back on their heels. San Jose’s first shot attempt didn’t happen till the 28th minute.

The momentum of the match turned quickly just a minute later in San Jose’s favor. Off a corner kick Christian Espinoza had a give and go with Jamiro Monterio. Espinoza’s shot attempt deflected off of the head of Lucas Calegari and past Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond for an own goal.

San Jose (9-9-8-32 points) gained its first lead of the match two minutes later in the 31st minute. Monteiro got low inside the box before centering a feed into the middle where Jeremy Ebobisse chipped the ball high into the net from point-blank range for his eighth goal of the season.

It didn’t take long for Los Angeles to score the equalizer out of halftime. Riqui Puig made San Jose pay for falling asleep in its defensive zone. After receiving the ball from Edwin Cerillo, the Galaxy captain dribbled down the middle of the pitch unmarked before burying a right footed shot from just beyond the box past Daniel for his fifth goal of the season in the 50th minute.

San Jose conceded a penalty in the 58th minute when Edwards drew a penalty inside the box when he was knocked down by Miguel Trauco.

Dejan Joveljic converted the penalty in the 61st minute with a high shot into the middle of the net for his third goal of the season to give Los Angeles its second lead of the match.

The match was not one to write home about for referee Lukasz Szpala and his crew as there were numerous one-sided calls by Szpala that went against San Jose, especially in the second half.

San Jose thought they had tied the game in the 90th minute but the play was ruled offsides by the assistant official.

The Earthquakes had two back-to-back scoring chances in the first minute of stoppage time to score the equalizer, but Espinoza’s shot attempt from long range along the right corner hit off the crossbar and the subsequent rebound went just wide to the left side.

Bond made four saves on five shots on goal in earning the win. Daniel made two saves on four shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with 11 corner kicks. Los Angeles had seven.

The attendance for tonight’s match was 16,224.

The Galaxy lead the all-time series 43-33-18.

The Galaxy is unbeaten in its last four road matches versus San Jose, its longest unbeaten run in Classico.

Los Angeles is 5-1-4 in its last 10 matches.

Espinoza has scored eight of his 12 goals at home. Only LAFC’s Denis Bouanga has scored more goals (9) at home.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts Minnesota United on Saturday 9/2 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

Tigres UANL’s Rafael Carioca gets ready to mark San Jose Earthquakes Jackson Yueill before a corner kick during a League’s Cup match at Pay Pal Park on Sunday July 30, 2023. (Nico Burgueno/El Show International)

by Marko Ukalovic

It was a learning lesson.

Liga MX’s Tigres UANL needed just one goal to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 in both team’s final League’s Cup group stage match on Sunday evening at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose, which did not register a goal in both of its matches, were eliminated from the League’s Cup tournament going 0-2 in the group stage competition. Tigres advanced to the knockout round, along with the Portland Timbers, winning both of its matches.

Tigres, one of the best teams in the Mexican league Liga MX, showcased their talent and skill with an attack that consisted of players Andre-Pierre Gignac, Luis Quiñones and Mexican national team member Diego Lainez.

The team from south of the border also enjoyed a home field advantage despite the match being on the road as the majority of the sold-out crowd were cheering for them throughout the match.

San Jose controlled play in the opening 10 minutes of the match. Miguel Trauco set up Cristian Espinoza in the 11th minute as Espinoza dribbled into the middle of the box, but his shot attempt sailed wide right of the net.

Tigres began to take control of the match in the 15th minute as they gained possession. The eight-time Liga MX champion drew first blood in the 19th minute. Quiñones centered a ball from the right wing over to Fernando Gorriarán who one touched the ball past ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel with a low right footed shot.

“I’m really liking this tournament a lot”, said Tigres head coach Róbert Siboldi as his team continues on to the knockout round. “So far, we’ve had some thought and closed games. We’ve seen high intensity matches thus far. I like how MLS teams play, because they give it all on the pitch. They’re always looking to score, attack and make transitions. These Leagues Cup games have been dynamic and entertaining matches for fans. I’m surprised that all these MLS teams have put forward their best players. It’s been a really great competition.”

Tigres kept the Earthquakes on their heels the rest of the first half as they dominated possession 58%-42%.

San Jose, who needed to win by a two-goal margin in order to have advanced to the knockout stage, had chances in the second half but weren’t able to cash in their opportunities and Tigres were patient with counter attacks in the second half.

“I am sad for the guys because I thought our players left everything on the field. I’m really proud of them. I thought we showed some high-level concepts, ideas, play, combinations, and pressing against one of the best teams in Central, North, and South America. It’s disappointing not to get the result here at home in front of our fans, they had amazing energy. It just made it a great environment, a great event. If we keep showing that attitude, personality, that confidence to play, things will bounce our way in our league,” ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez said.

Ayo Akinola made his ‘Quakes debut in the 71st minute. Akinola was acquired on loan from Toronto FC this past Tuesday in attempt to inject new life into the ‘Quakes offense that needed a booster shot. He showcased his power when he blasted a shot way up into the stands in the 85th minute.

“Ayo (Akinola) is still needing integration; he’s only trained maybe three times with the group. He’s adapting to San Jose now, that is going to take time so these next few weeks will be really good for him. I think he already showed he’s got some physical qualities in terms of hold up, turning defenders. He’s got power and speed. He’s versatile and he’s young and has a lot of room to still improve. I think he is going be a good addition to our depth in what we need to compete the rest of the season,” Gonzalez said.

The best chance for San Jose to score the equalizer came late in the match at the 88th minute. Espinoza centered a corner kick into the middle of the box and Carlos Akapo’s header was robbed by Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman with an outstretched one-handed save to the chagrin of the Quakes faithful.

Guzman stopped all four shots on target to earn his first clean sheet of the tournament. Daniel made two saves on four shots on target in the losing effort.

Gonzalez said San Jose will get back to training this week but plans to give the players some extra time off during the month off before their next match. He also hopes to do some team-oriented activities outside the pitch for some team bonding.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with 10 corner kicks. Tigres UANL had seven.

The Earthquakes faced their first Liga MX team since defeating Cruz Azul 2-0 in an international exhibition held at PayPal Park on Oct. 7, 2021.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns back to MLS action when they visit the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday 8/20 at 7:30pm at BC Place.