Tag: San Jose Earthquakes

Atlanta United came back from 2-goal deficit to top Earthquakes 4-3

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — New coach, same result. The Steve Ralston era opened up with what has been a familiar theme for the San Jose Earthquakes (4-17-8) this season. Atlanta United (18-5-6) came back from a two-goal deficit and scored late in stoppage time to defeat the Quakes 4-3 at Avaya Stadium on Wednesday evening.

This was the first game the Quakes have played since they fired head coach Mikael Stahre on Monday and replaced him with interim head coach Ralston. Ralston, a former U.S. national team player, previously served as an assistant coach at the start of the season.

“Right now I’m disappointed,” said Ralston. “(I have) a lot of different emotions to be honest. Nerves, excitement. Not knowing what to expect. To have face this team, in your first game with one day (to prepare), it’s not an easy one.”

Josef Martinez scored the game-winning goal four minutes into stoppage time, thanks to a great set up by Miguel Almiron. Almiron sent in a centering pass into the middle that Martinez was able to head in past JT Marcinkowski into the left corner of the goal for his second goal of the night and league leading 30th MLS goal.

Marcinkowski was making his first MLS start in the San Jose net. He was tested early on by Atlanta FC, making three saves in the first 25 minutes of action.

“You always want to touch the ball early, make a clean save, make a clean pass (to) get your feed under you,” said Marcinkowski. “They’re a high scoring offense, they’re powerful, (at the) top of the league.”

San Jose would draw first blood in the 13th minute when Shea Salinas received the ball from Magnus Eriksson near the left wing. He sent over a crossing pass to an unchecked Nick Lima, who one-timed a header past Atlanta United goalie Brad Guzan into the far left corner of the net for his second goal of the season.

Quakes defender Guram Gashia kept Atlanta United from getting the equalizer at the 26 minute mark when he was able to block an on coming strike from Atlanta United midfielder Julian Gressel.

Quakes forward Danny Hoesen was injured in a collision with Atlanta United midfielder Jeff Larentowicz at the 18-minute mark. The result was a yellow card issued to Larentowicz. Hoesen remained in the game.

Hoesen then doubled the Quakes’ lead in the 43rd minute after Nick Lima sent in a long ball right in front of the defense box. Hoesen won the one-on-one battle against Atlanta United defender Michael Parkhurst and his initial shot was saved by Guzan. Hoesen then collected his own rebound and bent in a chip shot into the upper right corner of the goal for his team-leading 12th goal of the season.

Atlanta United’s Hector Villalba cut the lead in half two minutes before the end of the first half with a fantastic one-time strike from 20 yards out into the upper right corner of the goal that Marcinkowski and the Quakes could only admire from afar. Gressel sent a cross-field pass over to the left wing, where Villalba’s rocket of a shot was good for his sixth goal of the season.

Vako turned in the play of the game, and quite arguably the goal of the year, giving the San Jose a 3-1 lead in the 58th minute when he was able to take possession of the ball inside the right slot in the defense box. He dribbled around Atlanta United’s Chris McCann toward the middle, out-deked Gressel and fired a left-footed shot that curled in past Guzan for his 10th goal of the season.

In a weird turn of events the Quakes thought they had a 4-1 lead when captain Chris Wondolowski fired home a goal after receiving a wide-open pass from Anibal Godoy. However, after video review, it was determined there was a hand ball called on Eriksson inside their defense box that resulted in a penalty shot for Atlanta United. Martinez tapped in the penalty for his first goal on the night–and his 29th of the season–in the 70th minute.

With the Quakes’ heads still spinning from the goal that wasn’t, Almiron tied the match just three minutes later in the 73rd minute when Martinez dribbled inside the defense box and was tackled. No call was made on the tackled by referee Fotis Bazakos, who had a rough night on the pitch to put it lightly, and the rebound laid open where Almiron buried it into the left corner of the net for his 12th goal of the season.

In the 90th minute, Vako sent in a shot toward the goal that hit the elbow of Leandro Gonzalez Pirez that Bazakos apparently didn’t see, nor did the VAR decide it was worth replaying. That had San Jose scratching their heads in frustration.

“We’ve had this referee before,” said Wondo. “He’s had pivotal calls that’s come against us many times. To be honest I felt (we were) a little cheated by the refs (tonight).”

GAME NOTES: This was the second meeting all-time between the two clubs. Atlanta United won the first ever meeting back on July 4th, 2017 4-2.

Quakes defender Shae Salians was issued a yellow card in the 53rd minute when he slid in late on a tackle attempt on Villalba.

The announced attendance was 15,948.

The match was part of Mexican Heritage night at Avaya Stadium.

UP NEXT: The Quakes travel to Los Angeles to take on the LAFC on Saturday, September 22 at 5:30 pm PDT at Banc of California Stadium.

Headline Sports with London Marq: Garoppolo, 49ers look to avoid the INT Sunday; Halos look to be spoilers as A’s chase Yanks; Raiders drop to 0-2 in close battle with Denver; Quakes make a coaching change; plus more

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Photo credit: @KNBR

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 The A’s battle the LA Angels this week and the Angels want to be spoilers and try and set the A’s chase of the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card a peg or two.

#2 The Oakland Raiders played a nail-biter on Sunday, but lost to the Denver Broncos just by one point. Derek Carr looked and threw well, but the Raiders tried as hard as they could and lost their second game of the season, dropping them now to 0-2.

#3 With all the losses mounting, the San Jose Earthquakes fired head coach Mikael Stahre and assistant coach Alex de Crook. The Quakes have won only four games this season. When do you think Stahre should have got fired.

#4 The San Francisco Giants, who are a good 12 games out of first place, and their current hosts, the San Diego Padres, who are some 26 games out, will mostly look at their call ups during this series since the playoffs are dimming each day.

#5 The San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had a rough outing against the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium. The Niners had a 17-point lead, but lost it as their lead collapsed to just three points. If it wasn’t for a holding penalty late in the fourth quarter, the Lions would have been in field goal range or at best scoring range after picking off a Garoppolo pass.

London Marq does Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose sports podcast with Ana Kieu: Both Earthquakes and Spartans can use paper bags

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes and @SJSUSpartanFB

On the San Jose sports podcast with Ana:

1. The San Jose Earthquakes returned to Avaya Stadium…only to lose to Sporting Kansas City 5-1.

2. Quakes captain Chris Wondolowski put the Native American community first before the match vs. Sporting KC at Avaya Stadium. Wondo is half Native American through his mother, Janis Hoyt, who was born into the Kiowa tribe from Oklahoma. Wondo is also a member of the Kiowa tribe.

3. The Quakes host the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta United at Avaya Stadium tonight. Do you think the Quakes will get blown out again?

4. Despite the 35-22 loss, the San Jose State Spartans put on quite a show against No. 20 Oregon at Autzen Stadium.

5. After the bye week, the Spartans will welcome the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors for this year’s Homecoming game on September 29th. Coach Nick Rolovich and his Rainbow Warriors have proved they weren’t the same team they were last year. What should coach Brent Brennan and his Spartans do in order to prepare for this Mountain West contest? Also, do you think the Spartans can beat Hawaii?

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

About time: Earthquakes part ways with both head and assistant coaches

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes made headlines Monday morning when they announced that they’ve parted ways with head coach Mikael Stahre and assistant coach Alex de Crook.

For many fans, however, these firings should’ve happened a long time ago. Like, 10 or more matches ago. The Quakes made the MLS Wild Card match last year and lost to the Vancouver WhiteCaps, but this year, this team will not see the playoffs.

Here’s the official press release, courtesy of the San Jose Earthquakes.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has parted ways with head coach Mikael Stahre and assistant coach Alex de Crook. Assistant coach Steve Ralston has been elevated to interim head coach for the team’s final six matches of the 2018 MLS regular season, while Alex Covelo will serve as an assistant on Ralston’s staff. The Earthquakes have begun their search for a permanent head coach.

“I would like to thank Mikael and Alex for their hard work and professionalism this season,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “Mikael has qualities, both as a person and a coach, that will be missed by players, staff and the front office alike.

“We felt we needed a change and decided that the six remaining games represent an opportunity for all of us to begin heading in a new direction and to evaluate our options actively with a single goal in mind: to strengthen our First Team for the upcoming season and beyond.”

Stahre and de Crook were two of the three additions to the coaching staff ahead of the 2018 season, along with goalkeeper coach Jyri Nieminen. Nieminen will continue in his role with San Jose.

Ralston, 44, joined the Earthquakes as an assistant coach in 2015 after four years in the same capacity with the Houston Dynamo.

A native of St. Louis, Ralston retired from Major League Soccer in 2010 as the league’s all-time leader in assists (135), games played (378), starts (372), and minutes (33,143). He played in four MLS Cup finals for New England and was named an MLS All-Star seven times. He received MLS Best XI recognition three times during his 15-year playing career and is the only three-time recipient of the MLS Fair Play Award in league history.

Internationally, Ralston scored four goals in 36 appearances for the United States National Team, including the game-winning goal against Mexico on September 3, 2005 to clinch qualification for the World Cup.

Covelo, 40, joined the Earthquakes in April of 2017 as the team’s Director of Methodology. He later served as an assistant coach for the Quakes during the last four months of the 2017 season, helping the club reach the playoffs after recording a 5-1-1 record in their final seven home matches. He returned to his original role following the 2017 season, where he’s worked extensively with San Jose’s young Homegrown Players and youth academy.

These firings came a little too late, but who knows, maybe the Quakes will pull off an upset over Atlanta United this coming Wednesday.

Earthquakes get blown out by Sporting Kansas City 5-1

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: London Marq

SAN JOSE, Calif. — It was a Western Conference matchup at Avaya Stadium on Saturday night as the red-hot Sporting Kansas City took on the bottom-feeder San Jose Earthquakes. It was less of a showdown and more of a beat down as the Quakes, whose record indicates their season, failed to show up on their home field.

With an opportunity to take control and grab the No. 1 spot on in the conference, Sporting Kansas City was motivated to put in a full 90 minutes. The rout was on early. Sporting KC showing why they are the standard in the West notched their first of five goals in the in the 18th minute. The goal came off the back heel of Gutierrez after well placed cross into the box from Gerso. Five minutes later, Sporting KC’s Gerso notched the second goal of the match off of an assist from Gutierrez.

Sporting KC showed the kind of chemistry that has been lacking at Avaya Stadium for the entirety of this season. Kansas City would notch one more goal before the first half and two more in the second half.

Long after the flame of hope had been extinguished for San Jose, Hoesen would score the only goal for the Quakes in the 80th minute. Much too little, far too late. This match was pretty much the Quakes being used as a stepping tool for Sporting KC to take the No. 1 spot away from Dallas FC. Once again, it was back to the drawing board.

Sporting KC blew out the Quakes 5-1.

The Quakes wrap up their homestand with a Wednesday night match versus Atlanta United at 8:00 pm PDT.

San Jose sports podcast with Ana Kieu: What’s new with the Quakes?; What on earth is going on at SJSU?; plus mailbag time

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

On the SJ sports podcast with Ana:

1. What are your three takeaways from Quakes vs. Vancouver WhiteCaps at Avaya Stadium last Saturday?

2. Going into Saturday’s game vs. Sporting Kansas City, what are three things the Quakes need to do in order to pick up a win or at least settle for a draw?

3. Vako and Guram Kashia helped the Georgian Football Federation to their first-ever win in UEFA Nations League History last Thursday.

4. The Quakes caught up with Cal Golden Bears defender and Quakes Academy alum CJ Grey last Thursday night.

5. The Quakes will have beach volleyball star Kerri Walsh-Jennings at their training facility on September 28th for her Platform 1440 event at Avaya Stadium.

6. MLS commissioner Don Garber reminded fans and media members alike that finding cures for childhood cancers remains as important as ever. Garber also said that MLS Works will donate $5 to the Children’s Oncology Group each time #ScarvesUp is used on Twitter and Instagram throughout September.

7. What are three things that fans should know about San Jose State football and athletics in general?

8. It’s time to look over some items in Ana’s mailbag!

1) Juan from Fresno, Calif. wrote, “It all starts with the president and AD. If they only care about the bottom line, they won’t hire coaches that understand the terrain. That is how it was with Tim Deruyter, who didn’t care about recruiting in and around the Central Valley. He was exposed once the last of Pat Hill’s recruiting classes left. SJSU need to go look for former alums who know the lay of the land.”

2) Ryan from Wilmington, Del. wrote, “Great article (on the shenanigans at SJSU) even though Boise State is my second favorite team.”

3) Joe from Akron, Ohio predicted that WSU would beat SJSU 54-21.

Catch Ana on the SJ sports podcast each week at SportsRadioService.com!

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Raiders open up regular season on MNF; The shock waves of the Khalil Mack trade; plus more

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Photo credit: @steverosenbloom

On the Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 The Oakland Raiders open up their regular season this Monday night September 10th at the Oakland Coliseum. There are lots of expectations for the Raiders on the primetime show.

#2 The talk throughout the NFL is the Khalil Mack trade to the Chicago Bears and getting a record $114 million deal. London discusses how this will work out for the Bears.

#3 Trump says that Nike is sending a “terrible message” with the Colin Kaepernick ad. Trump still doesn’t see unequal treatment and police brutality going on in the African American and Latino/Hispanic communities.

#4 The San Jose Earthquakes, who took a tough 2-1 loss last Saturday in Vancouver, have another two months worth of soccer left with only three wins for the season. Can they make the best of it or will they just go through the motions and suffer through it?

#5 After former Sacramento Kings player DeMarcus Cousins left Sacramento, who will carry the Kings this season? Willie Cauley-Stein, Skal Labissiere, Bogdan Bogdanovic, D’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, or another player to be named later?

London Marq does the Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose sports podcast with Ana Kieu and Jerry Feitelberg: Do the Quakes really have home field advantage?; Is it time to throw in the towel on SJSU football?

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

On the San Jose sports podcast with Ana:

1. The Quakes took on the WhiteCaps at BC Place in Vancouver on September 1st. What were your three takeaways from this match and how did it compare to the August 25th match at Avaya Stadium?

2. The Wondo watch remains in full effect as Chris Wondolowski is just four goals away from making history. Right now, Wondo has 142 goals.

3. Vako is the other Quakes player that fans should be talking about whether or not they’re a diehard or a casual fan.

4. Quakes attacking midfielder and Loomis, Calif. native Tommy Thompson is grateful for the amazing fans.

5. The Quakes will host a Beer Fest at Avaya Stadium on September 15th versus Sporting Kansas City. All proceeds will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

6. Flipping the script to San Jose State football. The Spartans lost to the UC Davis Aggies 44-38 and that was a game that they were supposed to win, according to most Spartans’ media members and fans and even some college football odds in Las Vegas.

7. A lot of people have contacted you through email, phone and social media that it’s time to throw in the towel on SJSU football. Do you still stand by your prediction of 5-7 and do you think that head coach Brent Brennan should get fired?

Ana does the San Jose sports podcast each week at sportsradioservice.com

Road woes: Earthquakes lose to WhiteCaps 2-1 at BC Place

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: London Marq

The San Jose Earthquakes took a trip to the Great White North and were welcomed by the eighth-seeded Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on Saturday night. It would prove to be physically challenging match for San Jose as they drew 22 fouls from Vancouver.

The opening score came from WhiteCaps midfielder Alphonso Davies at the 22nd minute. The Quakes remained off-balance, despite controlling the possession for the majority of the game, as well as passing with 82% accuracy for the match.

San Jose found themselves in themselves in the scoring third often enough, with 11 shots taken. However, as it has been all season, opportunities continue to slip through the Quakes’ fingers. Only 2 of 11 shots required goalie intervention.

The WhiteCaps found more success, and founds that they could work the opposing keeper more often, with 5 of 16 shots on target. In the 78th minute, Vancouver’s Nicolas Mezquida effectively shut the door on the Quakes’ hopes of winning the match, when he scored to make it a 2-0 game.

These two teams played a full 90 minutes of soccer plus three minutes of stoppage time. Vako helped the Quakes avoid getting shutout by the WhiteCaps by scoring his ninth goal of the season at the 90th minute.

The WhiteCaps defeated the Quakes 2-1.

Since it’s late in the season and with a negative cellar-dweller image in place, San Jose needs to reevaluate for the team’s future. If they can’t find a way to build a more consistent team with better chemistry, they will be bottom feeders again next year.

The Quakes return home to Avaya Stadium, where they’ll host Sporting KC on Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 pm PDT.

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana Kieu: What did the Quakes do at home?; plus SJSU football preview

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Photo credit: @SutterHealth

On the San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana:

1. The Vancouver WhiteCaps edged the San Jose Earthquakes 3-2 at Avaya Stadium last Saturday night. What were your three takeaways from that match?

2. The Quakes hosted FC Dallas last night at Avaya. What do you have to say about that match?

3. Speaking of last night, the Quakes hosted A’s night for those who are A’s and Quakes fans. How did that turn out?

4. The Quakes head to British Columbia to take on the WhiteCaps this Saturday. What are three things the Quakes need to do in order to beat or at least draw with the WhiteCaps?

5. The Quakes will face Cruz Azul FC in an international friendly at Avaya on October 13th. Do you think that’s a good matchup?

6. The San Jose State Spartans host the UC Davis Aggies in its season opener at CEFCU Stadium tonight. What’s your prediction for the Spartans and do you think they’ll beat the Aggies?

Catch Ana on the San Jose Earthquakes podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com