Tag: San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes cruise past DC United in 4-1 win

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The San Jose Earthquakes Jackson Yueill is the Man of the Match after the Quakes defeated the DC United at Pay Pal Park in Washington DC on Sat May 1, 2021 (@SJEarthquakes photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif–The San Jose Earthquakes scored three goals in the first half en route to a dominating 4-1 victory over DC United on Saturday evening at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose has won two games in a row after dropping its opening match to Houston and are undefeated at home after two games. DC United has lost two in a row after winning its opener against New York City FC.

The Quakes (2-1-0) drew first blood in the opening minute of the match. Cade Cowell received a long ball along the left side. He dribbled out to the middle of the pitch before finding Javier Eduardo López, affectionally known as Chofis. The Mexican national played the ball with one touch before bending in a left footed shot into the lower left corner of the net past DC United goalie Chris Seitz for his first career MLS goal.

Chofis came to the Quakes on loan from Chivas Guadalajara back on January 20th. His combo of speed and skill is what head coach Matias Almedya has been looking for to anchor his midfield. Chofis drew a yellow card on DC United’s Tony Alvaro in the 18th minute after slipping past him with the ball along the right sideline forcing Alvaro to trip him up.

The Quakes doubled its lead in the 26th minute when Cristian Espinoza sent a deep ball down the right sideline over to Cowell that sprung a fast break. The sophomore sensation outraced Frédéric Brillant to the ball and dribbled in before he drilled a right footed shot rom the right side of the box to the bottom right corner of the net past Seitz for his second goal of the season.

Cowell has scored and goal an assist in back-to-back games for San Jose. He became the sixth youngest player in MLS history to achieve that feat last week against FC Dallas.

DC United (1-2-0) cut the lead in half at the 31st minute off a set piece. Edison Flores centered a corner kick out to Brendan Hines-Ike who headed the ball back into the middle of the box. Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski batted the ball away but Yamil Asad tapped it over to Alvaro, who slammed home the ball into the upper right corner for his first goal of the season.

San Jose kept the pressure on in the last 13 minutes of the first half. Seitz made a tough save on a shot by Paul Marie in the 34th minute. Espinoza had a great scoring chance in the 42nd minute when he dribbled around Seitz and looked to put the ball into an empty net. However, Moses Nyeman came back and swept away the ball for a corner kick,

In that ensuring corner for San Jose, Carlos Fierro centered a ball from the right that deflected off of the foot of Tanner Beason inside the box. The ball popped up high into the air where Jackson Yueill falling down, blasted the ball out of the air into the center of the net for his first goal of the season in the 43rd minute.

Yueill was the acting captain for San Jose during the match as Chris Wondolowski served a one-game suspension for receiving a red card last week against FC Dallas.

San Jose had six shots on goal compared to four for DC United in the first half. They also won the possession battle 55%-45%.

DC United came out in the second half and controlled the majority of play. Some sloppy passing by San Jose in the beginning led to four scoring chances in the first 22 minutes for the visiting team.

A bad turnover by Marcinkowski just outside the box in the 84th minute led to an open net opportunity for Erik Sorga from the center of the box but Florian Jungwirth chased down the ball down and kept it from crossing the goal line as he cleared it away from danger.

The Quakes put the game away a minute later after Jungwirth’s block. Cowell received the ball down the right wing and dribbled inside the box where he chipped a cross over to Yueill who headed the ball off of Seitz into the back of the net for his second goal of the match in the 85th minute.

Cowell finished the match with three points (G, 2A) and has five points overall in his past two games.

Marcinkowski finished the evening making six saves on seven shots to earn the victory. Seitz made five saves on nine shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had four corner kicks. DC United had five.

Marie, Chofis and Eric Remedi received yellow cards for San Jose. Nyeman also received a yellow card for DC United.

UP NEXT: The Earthquakes head out on the road to take on Real Salt Lake on Friday 5/7 at 6:30pm at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Earthquakes upend FC Dallas 3-1 in home opener

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San Jose Earthquakes Cristian Espinoza and head coach Matias Almeyda exchange congratulations following the Quakes win over FC Dallas on Sat Apr 24, 2021 at Pay Pal Park in San Jose (@SJEarthquakes photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif- The San Jose Earthquakes scored three unanswered goals en route to a 3-1 win over FC Dallas in its home opener on Saturday afternoon at the newly minted Pay Pal Park.

FC Dallas (0-1-1) almost received a gift in the opening minute where Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski lackadaisically made an errant past inside the six-yard box that landed on the foot of Jáder Obrian. Marcinkowski had to recover quickly and make a save. The ensuing corner led to Bressan’s header attempt hitting off the crossbar.

The first five minutes of play was filled with sloppy and mistimed passes for head coach Matias Almeyda’s squad.

San Jose (1-1-0) had not one but two penalty kick opportunities in the first half but weren’t able to capitalize on its first chance.

Obrian fouled Cristian Espinoza inside the D-box with an elbow up high that referee Timothy Ford whistled him for the foul and awarding the first chance.

Espinoza telegraphed his shot as FC Dall goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer kept the ball out of the net in the 19th minute.

Then in the 31st minute a handball inside the D-box by Tanner Tessmann led to San Jose’s second chance from six yards out after a video review.

Oswaldo Alanís buried his opportunity to the right corner past Maurer for his first goal of the season.

The Quakes received a scare in the 37th minute. A shot by Ryan Hollingshead got past Marcinkiwski but running back to sweep the ball around from danger before it crossed the goal line was midfielder Carlos Fierro.

Marcinkowski made a big save in the 41st minute when he came out to challenge an attempt by Obrian and poked checked the ball away before Obrian could shoot it.

The Quakes outshot FC Dallas 4-2 in the first half.

San Jose doubled its lead in the 49th minute. Sophomore forward Cade Cowell slipped a pass over to Espinoza that led to a breakaway. Espinoza redeemed himself as he chipped the ball past Maurer into the lower left corner for his first goal of the season.

Cowell made it 3-0 in the 59th minute for San Jose on a highlight reel of a goal. Cowell received the ball from 10 yards out and fought off one FC Dallas defender. The 17-year old sensation deked out another before putting the ball past Maurer in the left corner of the net for his first goal of the season.

FC Dallas spoiled Marcinkowski’s shutout bid in the 79th minute. Ricardo Pepi cleaned up the rebound off a shot by Andrés Ricaurte as he buried the ball into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

Captain Chris Wondolowski, who came in as a substitute in the 71st minute, was ejected by Ford on a dubious call at best. His foul on Jose Antonio Martinez at first resulted in a yellow card despite minimal contact on the play. Ford then changed his mind a minute later and issued Wondo’s second red card of his career.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had 3 corner kicks. FC Dallas had 5.

The Earthquakes are unbeaten in seven straight meetings with FC Dallas (W5 D2), their longest current unbeaten run against any opponent. San Jose last went longer without a loss to Dallas during a nine-game run (W2 D7) from 2004 to 2009.

Phelipe replaced Maurer in the 61st minute as Mauarer was injured on the goal by Cowell

UP NEXT: The Quakes host DC United on Saturday 5/1 at 8:00pm at Pay Pal Park.

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Sporting KC edges Earthquakes in penalties to cap off wild, thrilling match. Advance to the Western semi-finals

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Sporting KC players celebrate after shutting the San Jose Earthquakes out in a 3-0 shootout following a 3-3 draw in Kansas City in the first round of the MLS playoffs (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

KANSAS CITY, Kan.-If Chris Wondolowski decides to call it a career, he’ll have one amazing, emotional memory to have finished it.

Wondo’s equalizer goal in the final seconds off stoppage time wasn’t enough to get his team to the next round of the playoffs. Sporting KC’s Tim Melia stopped all three penalty shots he faced in the penalty kick round to give his team a 3-3 (3-0 PK) victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday afternoon at Children’s Mercy Park.

Sporting KC advanced to the Western Conference semi-finals where they will host Minnesota United, who shutout the Colorado Rapids 3-0 in its first round matchup. San Jose hasn’t won a playoff match since 2010.

San Jose was all but dead with five minutes left in stoppage time when Gianluca Busio’s goal 36 seconds into stoppage time gave Sporting KC a 3-2 lead. Just moments before Busio’s goal, Wondo’s header from point blank range was knocked away by Melia and off the left goal post that led to Sporting KC’s counter attack.

Matias Almeyda’s squad had the “Goonies never say die” attitude with seconds remaining in the six minute of stoppage when Cristian Espinoza sent in a left footed cross to where only Wondolowski could get a header on it and into the lower left corner of the net sending the game into extra time.

It was only Wondo’s second career post-season goal but the biggest of the match for San Jose.

The Quakes had a golden opportunity in the 97th minute when Espinoza led a two-on-one counter attack with Wondo. Espinoza raced down the pitch for 60 yards with a Sporting KC defender draped all over him before his shot attempt went wide left.

San Jose had Sporting KC on the ropes during both 15-minute halves of extra time but could not get the winning goal despite maintaining the majority of the possession in the final 30 minutes.

“I’d like to congratulate Sporting Kansas City for making it through. What I told the players is what I feel: I felt like we gave our last drop of sweat until the last second. It was a positive year. We competed in two tournaments and in both of them we competed. For moments it seemed like San Jose was dead, but we came back,” Almeyda said.

Melia, who is one of the best goal keepers when it comes to shootouts. The veteran goalkeeper stopped attempts from Oswaldo Alanís, Jackson Yueill and Espinoza. Melia’s teammates took care of their end of the shootout with goals from Johnny Russell, Ilie Sánchez and Khiry Shelton.

Sporting KC took advantage of the Quakes deer in the headlights start to the match. In the fouth minute, Russell sent in a cross off a corner kick where Roger Espinoza headed into the back corner of the net past Quakes goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski for his first career playoff goal.

San Jose came into the match having been the worst team in the MLS with goals conceded off set pieces (10) while Sporting KC came in as the best team in the MLS scoring off set pieces (12).

The Quakes stormed back in the 22nd minute when Espinoza sent in a cross that Carlos Fierro’s attempt deflected off the face of a Sporting KC defender into the back of the net. Fierro was credited with his first career playoff goal.

San Jose gained its only lead in the 35th minute off a quick counter attack. Espinoza once again led the charge down the right side where his cross found a wide open Shea Salinas into the middle from 10 yards out and Salinas buried the ball past Melia for a 2-1 lead.

“Yeah, it was wild,” said Salinas. “For me, it was an extremely emotional game just not knowing how many more of these opportunities I’m going to have. To be 2-2 when I was subbed off, I was excited for Cade [Cowell] because I know he can make a difference, but it was also really difficult because I now didn’t have control. It was emotional, but for us to fight back, the cross from Cristian [Espinoza], and the goal from Wondo [Chris Wondolowski] there at the end was just insane. My heart still hurts a little bit from the game, but it was an awesome experience.”

It didn’t take long for Sporting KC to regain the momentum in the second half. Once again off a corner kick. This time Busio crossed the ball into the middle where Ilie headed the ball off the shoulder of Alanís into the back of the net for the equalizer.

The Man of the Match, Melia finished the evening with five official saves before the shootout in earning the victory. Marcinkowski also finished with fives saves in the losing effort.

If this was Wondolowski’s last match of his storied career he leaves the game as the MLS All-Time goal scorer with 166 goals.

“Spent. I think that’s the best emotion to describe it right now,” said Wondo when asked what emotions he was feeling after the game. “We all left it out there for 120 minutes, and to be honest, I think both teams did. I think it was one of the cleanest and most physical playoff games. I thought both teams came to tackle but still out there playing the game. We’re connecting passes. Do I wish we won? Yes, absolutely. I think that we did a lot of correct things and things that we’re proud of, but in the long run, we didn’t do enough.”

Wondo also said he still has passion for the game and would love to come back but hasn’t made that decision just yet.

“I know that the door is open, but I was fully committed to putting everything I have into this year, and I did. Now I need to re-evaluate. I just want to re-evaluate everything: my personal life, my life where I want to be, and also where the club is to see the direction that it’s going.”

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

San Jose is now 4-8-2 when they have conceded the first goal of the match.

The Earthquakes now hold a 12-13-1 overall postseason record, including a 4-10-0 record in true road matches.

This was the fifth time in Quakes history to go to overtime and first since Nov. 15, 2003. It also marked the first time in Earthquakes history that a postseason match was decided by penalty kicks.

San Jose scored 3+ goals in a playoff match for the eighth time in club history and first time since Nov. 4, 2010. It also marked just the fourth time in club history the team has scored twice in the first half of a playoff match and first time since Nov. 23, 2003.

Espinoza was involved in all three goals, tallying two assists. He became the first player to record 2+ assists in a single playoff match for the Earthquakes since Brian Mullan on Nov. 23, 2003.

At 37 years and 299 days, Wondolowski became the oldest player in Earthquakes history and sixth oldest player in MLS history to score in the postseason. His goal, scored with 96:49 on the clock, was the third-latest non-overtime goal in MLS playoff history and the second-latest lead-changing goal.

Fierro tallied one goal and one assist, both firsts of his MLS playoff career. He became the fifth player in club history to tally at least one goal and one assist in a playoff match, joining Bobby Convey, Landon Donovan (4), Jamil Walker and Manny Lagos.

Cade Cowell became the youngest player in club history to make a postseason appearance at 17 years and 40 days.

Andy Rios tallied an assist on Wondolowski’s goal, the first assist of his MLS playoff career.

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with London Marq: Quakes take on No.1 seed Sporting KC in first round playoff game Sunday

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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

 

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Quakes should be at full strength for playoff on Nov 22 in KC

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The San Jose Earthquakes stadium will sit silent throughout the playoffs as the Earthquakes will be traveling for all of the playoffs which it opens on Sat Nov 22 against Sporting KC (@ SJEarthquakes photo)

On the San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Earthquakes opened the last game of the season against the Seattle Sounders without Jackson Yueill, Andy Rios, and Carlos Fierro due to yellow card accumulations and an injury.

#2 Marko, talk about Shane Salinas, Luis Felipe, and Cade Cowell who replaced Yueill, Rios, and Fierro.

#3 Although the playoffs weren’t at stake as both teams had clinched for post season already. What would you say were some of the take aways in the Seattle match as the Quakes head into the playoffs.

#4 Chris Wondolowski had been key in the home stretch of the season scoring twice in a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake Oct 28th and had a goal in the 3-2 win over LAFC on Wed Nov 4th.

#5 The Quakes next opponent of the first round of the playoffs on Sat Nov 22 Sporting KC who finished first in the Western Conference with three straight wins to finish the regular season. Taking that into account what are the Quakes odds?

Join Marko each Friday night for the SJ Earthquakes podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sounders four second half goals doom Earthquakes 4-1 on Decision Day

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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.

Earthquakes roll past LAFC 3-2 clinch playoff berth

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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.

 

 

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Wondolowski’s key goals help Quakes get seventh seed in Western Conference

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The San Jose Earthquakes Chris Wondolowski celebrates a first half goal with teammate Cristian Espinoza (10) against Real Salt Lake FC on Wed Oct 28, 2020 at Earthquakes Stadium in San Jose (AP News photo)

On the SJ Earthquakes podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko talk about Chris Wondolowski’s two goals Wednesday night against Real Salt Lake in a 2-0 shutout win at Earthquakes Stadium.

#2 The win gave San Jose the seventh seed in the Western Conference with 27 points.

#3 The Quakes are ahead of the eighth place Vancouver Whitecaps who they lost two in their last match against them in Portland 2-1 so the win against Real Salt Lake was crucial.

#4 Wondolowski said the game against Real Salt Lake wasn’t the prettiest but the Quakes grinded it out for the 2-0 shutout.

#5 The Quakes next host LAFC (9-4-7) and hold the fifth seed in the Western Conference. The Quakes shutout LAFC in their last meeting 4-0. LAFC will be looking for some revenge, can the Quakes pull off another win against LAFC in this next match.

Join Marko for San Jose Earthquakes futbol podcasts each Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Wondolowski’s pair of goal sparks Earthquakes 2-0 shutout win over Real Salt Lake

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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.

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Antonio Brown will join Bucs next week ; Earthquakes battle Real Salt Lake FC tonight

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Antonio Brown wide receiver of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will join the team on Sun Nov 8th. Here he is tuning up during his time with the New England Patriots. Some questions remain will there be a repeat of his problems when he returns with the Buccaneers?(file photo touchdownwire.com)

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 The Buffalo Bills (5-2) who lead in the AFC East won and played a close game last Sunday against the New York Jets (0-7) 18-10. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw for 307 yards. Despite being winless the Jets did play some good defense against Allen and the Bills.

#2 Tom Brady quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) shows a lot of faith in newest Buc wide receiver Antonio Brown after his abrupt departure from the Raiders last season and his suspension from the NFL when he was briefly with the Patriots last season how do you see him working out with the Bucs this time around?

#3 The Los Angeles Dodgers had a lot to celebrate last night with their World Series win but third baseman Justin Turner who had a Covid positive test and was pulled in the eighth inning of the deciding game added to the strange ending to the season for the Dodgers and the baseball bubble called Arlington.

#4 The San Jose Earthquakes after getting a 0-0 draw from the Seattle Sounders on Sunday the 18th lost in a 2-1 neutral site game against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Whitecaps Ali Adnan got a free kick and a 57th minute to tie it and got the go ahead goal from Tosaint Ricketts for the one goal win.

#5 The Quakes host Real Salt Lake FC at 7:30 at Earthquakes Stadium, the Quakes have gone winless in the three of their last four games and beat Real Salt Lake FC 5-2 in their last meeting July 27th can the Quakes do it tonight?

Join London for Headline Sports each Wednesday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com