Sporting Kansas City

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sporting Kansas City, February 21, 2026

England International and Liverpool FC legend John Barnes sounds the Quakes alarm before the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City at PayPal Park in San Jose, California

PRESS RELEASE:

Feb. 21, 2026

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 3, Sporting Kansas City 0

San Jose starts season with shutout victory; Daniel Munie brace, Preston Judd goal put Quakes in driver’s seat before hour mark; Black and Blue host Atlanta United FC next Saturday for Grateful Dead Night

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-0 on Saturday night at PayPal Park in their 2026 Major League Soccer season and home opener in front of 16,367 fans.

San Jose struck first in the 42nd minute when Preston Judd headed a corner kick off SKC goalkeeper John Pulskamp and Daniel Munie tapped in the rebound to make it 1-0. Then in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, the Earthquakes doubled their advantage when in transition, Niko Tsakiris found Jamar Ricketts on the left wing, whose low cross was finished in the back of the net by a sliding Judd.

Up 2-0 after the break, the Quakes added a third goal in minute 54 when Reid Roberts tracked down a loose ball near the corner flag. He pushed the ball to Beau Leroux in the box, whose cross from the right was tracked down by Munie for a glancing header for the final 3-0 margin. Daniel and the back line, who faced only one shot on goal all game, closed out the match for the first clean sheet of 2026.

The Black and Blue continue their opening homestand on Saturday, Feb. 28, against Atlanta United FC for Grateful Dead Night at PayPal Park, where they will debut The Dead Kit, their new psychedelic secondary jerseys that were designed in collaboration with the iconic Bay Area band. Kickoff will take place at 4:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally via Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as local radio on KSFO 810 AM (English) and KZSF 1370 AM (Spanish).

MATCH SUMMARY | WATCH GAME

GAME NOTES

With the result, San Jose opens their 2026 MLS regular season with a win and all three points to move to 1-0-0 (3 GF, 0 GA). Sporting Kansas City goes to 0-1-0 (0 GF, 3 GA).

San Jose moves to 28-33-10 (91 GF, 95 GA) against Sporting Kansas City in regular-season play with a 19-9-8 (55 GF, 38 GA) record at home.

Bruce Arena won his 274th regular-season MLS game to extend his league record among head coaches. The late great Sigi Schmid is second with 240.

Tonight’s giveaway was 5,000 full-size soccer balls as part of the Quakes’ One Ball Can Change a Life campaign to donate at least 15,000 balls to the local community in 2026.

Before the match, there was a special #BayAreaUnite First Kick to celebrate the biggest year in American soccer history with representatives from local pro teams participating in the festivities:

Bay FC – Brandi Chastain

Golden State Warriors – Kelenna Azubuike

San Francisco 49ers – Tom Rathman

San Francisco Giants – Hunter Pence

Firing the ceremonial Earthquakes pregame siren as the players walk onto the field was England World Cup legend and longtime Liverpool FC star John Barnes.

The Quakes wore a black “VC” patch on the right shoulder in memory of Head Sporting Strategist Vassili Cremanzidis, who tragically passed away at age 36 earlier this month. Cremanzidis’ family flew in from his hometown of Montréal and participated in the starting 11 photo before kickoff.

The Quakes also donned a “USA 250” patch on the chest to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Daniel Munie’s first and second goals of the season in the 42nd and 54th minute were his third and fourth career league goals.

Preston Judd’s goal in the first minute of first-half stoppage time was his first of the season and 12th of his MLS career.

Jamar Ricketts’ primary assist in the first minute of first-half stoppage time was his first of the season and fourth of his MLS career.

Niko Tsakiris’ secondary assist in the first minute of first-half stoppage time was his first of the season and fourth of his MLS career.

Beau Leroux’s 54th-minute primary assist was his first of the season and fifth of his MLS career.

Reid Roberts’ 54th-minute secondary assist was his first of the season and fifth of his MLS career.

Daniel earned his first clean sheet of the season and 10th of his MLS career.

Jonathan González, a Bay Area native from Santa Rosa, made his Earthquakes debut in the 83rd minute, replacing Beau Leroux.

San Jose Earthquakes 3 – 0 Sporting Kansas City

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 — PayPal Park; San Jose, Calif.

Weather: 51°F Mostly Clear

Attendance: 16,367

NorCal Honda Dealers Man of the Match: Daniel Munie

*all stats unofficial

Match Officials:

Referee: Alexis Da Silva

AR1: Chris Wattam

AR2: Jeffrey Swartzel

4th Official: Elijio Arreguin

VAR: Edvin Jurisevic

AVAR: Robert Schaap

Scoring Summary:

SJ (1-0) – Daniel Munie (unassisted) 42’

SJ (2-0) – Preston Judd (Jamar Ricketts, Niko Tsakiris) 45+1’

SJ (3-0) – Daniel Munie (Beau Leroux, Reid Roberts) 54’

Misconduct Summary:

SJ – Daniel Munie (caution) 36’

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel (GK); DeJuan Jones (Vítor Costa 71’), Reid Roberts, Daniel Munie, Benji Kikanović; Ronaldo Vieira (C) (Ian Harkes 66’), Beau Leroux (Jonathan Gonzalez 83’), Niko Tsakiris; Jamar Ricketts (Paul Marie 83’), Ousseni Bouda, Preston Judd (Jack Skahan 71’).

Substitutes not used: Francesco Montali (GK), Nonso Adimabua, Nick Fernandez, Dave Romney.

POSS.: 44.9%; SHOTS: 18; SOG: 6; CORNERS: 15; OFFSIDES: 0; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 16; xG: 3.9

SPORTING KANSAS CITY: John Pulskamp (GK); Ian James, Justin Reynolds (Kwaku Agyabeng 38’), Wyatt Meyer, Jayden Reid; Manu Garcia, Jake Davis, Jacob Bartlett, Calvin Harris (Taylor Calheira 90+1’), Shapi Suleymanov (Jansen Miller 68’); Dejan Joveljic (C).

Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland (GK), Ethan Bartlow, Shane Donovan, Zamir Loyo Reynaga, Cielo Tschantret.

POSS.: 55.1%; SHOTS:7; SOG: 1; CORNERS: 3; OFFSIDES: 1; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 12; xG: 0.5

EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH BRUCE ARENA

On starting the 2026 season with a victory:

“I think opening at home, it’s important to get three points, and we accomplished that. The performance wasn’t perfect, but it was a good performance. It’s a performance that gives our team confidence and we can continue to grow as a team. Next week, we have a very good opponent in Atlanta [United FC], and that’ll be challenging. Hopefully we can get better over the next week and be able to deal with it.”

On the team’s defensive performance tonight:

“We’re pretty athletic in the back. We have good pace. I thought Reid Roberts and [Daniel] Munie were very good. Our outside back played well. [Ronaldo] Vieira is a good, solid player in the central part of midfield. Defensively, we’re pretty solid against a team that, to their credit, they move the ball pretty well. They weren’t that dangerous in the final third, but they’re a possession team, and they made us work.”

On defender Daniel Munie scoring a brace tonight:

“If you told me Daniel Munie was going to score two goals tonight, I would have told you you’re crazy. The corner kick, the first one was just simple instincts and understanding his role on corners here. The second one was just in the right position in front of the goal, and a very good header.”

On Preston Judd and the remaining forwards picking up the scoring slack from last season:

“He’s a classic target type of No. 9, but he scores goals. Last year he had seven goals—I think statistically it was something like not even 700 minutes—so he probably was a more prolific goalscorer than the players we lost, so we know he can score goals. We think [Ousseni] Bouda has that potential that well, and hopefully we’re going to get some goalscoring out of Timo Werner when he arrives.”

“If you don’t give up goals, you don’t have to score 60 goals. And when you score 60 goals, you should win more games. And when you concede 60-something goals, it doesn’t add up real well. Defending well is certainly a priority, and I think we’re capable of getting goals.”

On the anticipation of Timo Werner’s arrival:

“Hopefully he’s going to make our team better. We’ll continue to try to improve our roster. The reason we didn’t do much in the offseason was because we felt that this group of players that we have has great potential. In time, they’ll be very good players. I think you saw some of that tonight.”

EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER DANIEL MUNIE

On opening the season with a win:

“It’s great. You want to start the season off with three points, especially at home in front of our fans. I feel like this is going to be a good reason why you guys should show up every single game, and we’re going to need you guys to support throughout the whole year. And like I said earlier, it’s going to be important to win all the games at home and win three points. It’s a good start, and it feels good.”

On scoring a brace:

“The goals are great, but I think most importantly, getting a shutout was probably most important, especially after last year, we didn’t get many shutouts. Especially starting off the season right, and it showed in preseason, when we got a few shutouts throughout preseason. I think that’s very important, and it’s going to be important for us going forward.”

“It’s a good service, good delivery from our teammates, and good, hard runs from everyone. I think a lot of goals come from inside the six-[yard box]. It doesn’t have to be pretty. Getting a gritty goal, as my boy Preston [Judd] would always say. Very happy on the score.”

On Ronaldo Vieira as the new captain:

“Rony was the captain tonight. He’s a guy that has a lot of experience, and a guy that we’re going to lean on throughout the whole year and help us with his leadership. I think we got a lot of guys in our locker room that can lead the team, and I think we have a fun, energetic group. It’s going to be exciting to watch.”

On the success of playing in a different formation from the 2025 season:

“We did change formation. We were in three back last year and moved to a four now. I think it worked well throughout preseason. We have a good connection right now, and I’m very happy with how it transpired today. I think we didn’t really give up too many chances either. I feel like we kind of kept the play in front of us. It’s a good job shifting, good communication, because you’re going to need communication from everyone; it’s not just the back six. I think it’s going to be also the front guys working there, working their tails off. It took every single one of us good effort from everyone. I’m looking forward to how the year goes.”

On Niko Tsakiris’ confidence on the field:

“It’s great. We have a lot of confidence in him, and we know what he can do, what he’s capable of. He maybe didn’t get as many minutes as he wanted last year, but maybe he has something to prove. I feel like he’s doing a great job, and I feel like the whole team has a lot of confidence and in him. We’re looking forward to seeing what he can do, because he can do so much for us.”

####

Quakes Communications Contacts:

Ryan Maquiñana – Director, PR & Communications

RMaquinana@sjearthquakes.com

C: 650.243.8523

Delmy Barillas – Manager, PR & Communications

DBarillas@sjearthquakes.com

C: 424.240.8006

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sporting Kansas City, April 20, 2025

San Jose Earthquakes Defender RODRIGUES (26) passes the ball under pressure from Sporting Kansas City Forward DANIEL SALLOI (10) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City at PayPal Park in San Jose, California

PRESS RELEASE:

April 19, 2025

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 3, Sporting Kansas City 5

San Jose climbs back from early 3-0 deficit but unable to complete second-half resurgence; Quakes go on the road next Saturday against Columbus Crew

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Sporting Kansas City 5-3 on Saturday night at PayPal Park in front of 14,147 fans.

Logan Ndenbe struck first for the visitors in the 18th minute when he scored from the left wing off a shared assist by Dejan Joveljic and Daniel Salloi. Three minutes later, Salloi hauled in a long ball from goalkeeper John Pulskamp and slotted it home to double SKC’s advantage. In the 24th minute, Shapi Suleymanov found Manu García in the box, who promptly finished the through ball to make it 3-0.

San Jose pulled one back in the 30th minute when defender Rodrigues dribbled deep into the attacking third and his through ball from the right wing was finished by a streaking Josef Martínez in the box. The Quakes drew closer in the 42nd minute when an Espinoza free kick near the right corner flag was headed past Pulskamp by Cristian “Chicho” Arango to make it 3-2 at intermission.

The Quakes aimed to complete the comeback in the second half, but in the 73rd minute, Salloi finished an Erik Thommy pass from the right wing into the back of the net to push the SKC lead back to 4-2. Thommy added a fifth for SKC in the 85th minute off a Manu Garcia feed. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, the Quakes drew a penalty and Arango converted from the spot for the final 5-3 margin.

The Black and Blue will now travel to Columbus, Ohio next Saturday, April 26, to take on the Columbus Crew. Kickoff from Lower.com Field will take place at 4:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as on local radio via KSFO 810 AM (English) and 1370 AM La Kaliente (Spanish).

GAME NOTES

The Earthquakes move to 27-33-10 all-time vs. Sporting KC (91 GF, 99 GA), with an 18-9-8 (53 GF, 40 GA) record at home. Tonight’s result evens the season series. In their last meeting back on March 1 in Kansas City, Kansas, the Quakes won 2-1 for their first road win over SKC since Aug. 19, 2015.

Quakes team captain Cristian Espinoza extended his consecutive games streak—a club record and the longest active run in MLS—to 118, third on the league’s all-time list.

The Quakes regained their spot atop the MLS team goals leaderboard after scoring three more to run their total to 19, two more than Vancouver. San Jose is also No. 1 in expected goals at 22.57, ahead of Vancouver’s 22.35.

Josef Martínez’s 30th-minute goal was his fifth of the season and 121st in his MLS career, extending his lead among all active players. He currently stands sixth all-time in MLS history. Martínez also now has six goal contributions in just five meetings with SKC (4g/2a).

Rodrigues’ assist on Josef Martínez’s 30th-minute goal was his first of the season and fourth of his career in MLS play.

Chicho Arango’s 42nd-minute and 94th-minute goals were his fifth and team-leading sixth of the season, as well as his 58th and 59th of his MLS career. Arango now has 10 goal contributions in nine MLS regular-season matches against SKC (7g/3a).

Cristian Espinoza’s assist on Chicho Arango’s 42nd-minute goal was his sixth of the season—tied for the league lead with Charlotte FC’s Pep Biel—and 77th of his career in MLS play, extending his club record. Espinoza also continues to lead MLS in key passes with 36, five more than Colorado’s Djordje Mihailovic (31).

Goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. and defender Daniel Munie made their first starts of the season.

Max Floriani made his MLS and Quakes debut in the 88th minute, coming on for Rodrigues.

San Jose Earthquakes 3 – 5 Sporting Kansas City

Saturday, April 19, 2025 – PayPal Park; San Jose, Calif.

Weather: 60°F Clear

Attendance: 14,147

Match Officials:

Referee: Joe Dickerson

AR1: Chris Elliot

AR2: Kevin Lock

VAR: David Barrie

AVAR: Tom Supple

4th Official: Brandon Stevis

Scoring Summary:

SKC (0-1) – Logan Ndenbe (Dejan Joveljic, Daniel Salloi) 18’

SKC (0-2) – Daniel Salloi (John Pulskamp) 21’

SKC (0-3) – Manu Garcia (Shapi Suleymanov) 24’

SJ (1-3) – Josef Martínez (Rodrigues) 30’

SJ (2-3) – Cristian “Chicho” Arango (Cristian Espinoza) 42’

SKC (2-4) – Daniel Salloi (Erik Thommy, Manu García) 73’

SKC (2-5) – Erik Thommy (Manu García) 85’

SJ (3-5) – Cristian “Chicho” Arango (penalty) 90+4’

Misconduct Summary:

SJ – Mark-Anthony Kaye (caution) 36’

SKC – Logan Ndenbe (caution) 41’

SJ – Rodrigues (caution) 52’

SKC – John Pulskamp (caution) 90+2’

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Earl Edwards Jr. (GK); Rodrigues (Max Floriani 88’), Daniel Munie, Dave Romney; Vítor Costa (Ousseni Bouda 78’), Mark-Anthony Kaye (Ian Harkes 46’), Beau Leroux (Preston Judd 81’), Niko Tsakiris (Amahl Pellegrino 78’), Cristian Espinoza (C); Cristian “Chicho” Arango, Josef Martínez.

Substitutes not used: Francesco Montali (GK), Nick Lima, Reid Roberts, Jamar Ricketts.

POSS.: 63.2%; SHOTS: 22; SOG: 6; CORNERS: 6; OFFSIDES: 7; SAVES: 0; FOULS: 13; xG: 4.2

SPORTING KANSAS CITY: John Pulskamp (GK); Khiry Shelton, Jansen Miller, Logan Ndenbe, Joaquin Fernandez (Robert Voloder 45+2’); Nemanja Radoja (Zorhan Bassong 67’), Jacob Bartlett, Manu García (Memo Rodriguez 90+1’); Daniel Salloi (C), Shapi Suleymanov (Erik Thommy 68’), Dejan Joveljic (William Agada 90+1’).

Substitutes not used: Ryan Schewe (GK), Stephen Afrifa, Andrew Brody, Tim Leibold.

POSS.: 36.8%; SHOTS: 8; SOG: 5; CORNERS: 0; OFFSIDES: 2; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 15; xG: 1.9

EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH BRUCE ARENA

On the early first-half deficit:

“You concede three goals in the first 30 minutes; you don’t deserve to win. I give our team a lot of credit. We got it to 3-2 at halftime. I felt we were in position to win the game, but we continued to make some errors that were costly in the second half. Overall, it’s a poor performance on our part. There’s no two ways about it. … We were poor today. Give our opponent credit. They played hard. They converted the opportunities that were there. They deserve a lot of credit.”

On making costly mistakes in defense:

“Some players played pretty poorly tonight and made some big mistakes. I’ll take the responsibility for that. Those particular players are not going to step on the field again unless they can get it right and be more consistent in their play. We made some mistakes that I think cost us for sure.”

On the team’s inconsistent performance:

“You want consistency. You prefer to have players at this kind of level (makes straight-line motion with hand from left to right) as opposed to this (makes up and down motion with hand). We still have players that operate this way—very good, not good, very good, not good. That’s not good. We need more consistency from the individuals in the team. That’s something we’ve actually addressed. We need to be a smart team.”

EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER IAN HARKES

On where tonight’s game falls in relation to the rest of the season so far:

“There was kind of a good spark in terms of the season and how we started, and you know there’s bumps up and down in the road, but a game like tonight, you never want to see happen. … We have to bounce back. We know that the mistakes were unacceptable, and you can’t have that.”

On the team falling behind early and the comeback falling just short:

“I think we need to look at ourselves in terms of responsibility, the team and the mentality going into it. Because, like you said, seeing the way we were playing, the way we came back in the in the first half, it was just a classic way-too-late situation of where the game gets going and the players start to pick themselves up, but it’s already too late. We shouldn’t wait ‘til it’s 3-0 down to kind of have a kick in the butt, in terms of getting our mentality right. So we have to look at ourselves in the mirror. Every single person has to stand up, and try and be better.”

On adapting to injuries and stepping up collectively ahead of next Saturday’s game in Columbus:

“Yeah, it’s a responsibility of everyone on the team. You have to step up and the next guy up. When these things happen, injuries are going to happen. We don’t want them to, especially to top guys, but the next one has to step up and perform better. And I think again, it’s a mentality thing, and it doesn’t get any easier. We’re going to Columbus Crew, and they’re flying as a team and as a whole culture and club. So it’s going to be tough, but not impossible, and we have to get a desperate kind of three points now.”

####

Earthquakes Communications Contacts:

Ryan Maquiñana – Director, Communications

rmaquinana@sjearthquakes.com

C: 650.243.8523

Jake Jansing – Coordinator, Communications

jjansing@sjearthquakes.com

C: 408.425.1329

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sporting Kansas City, July 13, 2024

San Jose Earthquakes Defender DANIEL MUNIE (24) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City at PayPal Park in San Jose, California

PRESS RELEASE:

July 13, 2024

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 1, Sporting Kansas City 2

Late charge from San Jose falls short; Quakes finish homestand Wednesday night vs. Houston Dynamo

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Sporting Kansas City 2-1 on Saturday night at PayPal Park.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 48th minute when Erik Thommy unleashed a deep left-footed shot from the center of the edge of the box that found the back of the net. In the 57th minute, SKC doubled their advantage when Nemanja Radoja picked out a streaking Alan Pulido for the finish.

San Jose refused to fold, and in the 82nd minute, a Jack Skahan pass in the box from the right wing ended up in the net when SKC’s Khiry Shelton swept it in for an own goal. The Quakes put on a final furious charge in the waning minutes but could not obtain the equalizer.

The Quakes will complete their three-game homestand when they take on the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday, July 17. Kickoff from PayPal Park is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as well as on local radio AM 810 The Spread (English) and AM 1370 La Kaliente (Spanish).

GAME NOTES

As of tonight’s final whistle, San Jose’s record now stands at 4-17-2 (14th in West; 14 pts), while Sporting Kansas City goes to 6-13-5 (12th in West; 23 pts).

San Jose is now 26-32-10 (86 GF, 93 GA) in the all-time series against Sporting Kansas City and 18-8-8 at home (49 GF, 33 GA). In the last 15 home matches against SKC, the Quakes are 8-4-3 (20 GF, 16 GA).

Quakes forwards Cristian Espinoza and Jeremy Ebobisse started Saturday’s match, extending their MLS-leading active consecutive games played streaks to 97 and 96, respectively.

Espinoza remains only one goal contribution away from 100 for the Earthquakes. Only Chris Wondolowski’s 207 (167g/40a) and Ronald Cerritos’ 108 (61g/47a) are higher totals among San Jose players, past or present. Quakes assistant coach Steve Ralston had 115 goal contributions for the New England Revolution during his playing days.

MATCH INFORMATION

San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 Sporting Kansas City

Saturday, July 13, 2024 — PayPal Park; San Jose, Calif.

Weather: 77°F Partly Cloudy

Match Officials:

Referee: Alexis Da Silva

AR1: Corey Rockwell

AR2: Cory Richardson

4th Official: Calin Radosav

VAR: Fotis Bazakos

AVAR: Jonathan Johnson

Scoring Summary:

SKC (0-1) – Erik Thommy (Nemanja Radoja, Johnny Russell) 48’

SKC (0-2) – Alan Pulido (Nemanja Radoja) 57’

SJ (1-2) – Khiry Shelton (own goal) 82’

Misconduct Summary:

SJ – Benji Kikanović (caution) 37’

SKC – Tim Leibold (caution) 38’

SJ – Jack Skahan (caution) 87’

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: William Yarbrough; Vítor Costa, Tanner Beason ( Amahl Pellegrino 59’), Rodrigues, Daniel Munie; Carlos Gruezo, Jackson Yueill (Alfredo Morales 59’), Hernán López; Benji Kikanović (Paul Marie 59’), Cristian Espinoza (Jack Skahan 78’), Jeremy Ebobisse (Preston Judd 69’).

Substitutes not used: Jacob Jackson (GK), Michael Baldisimo, Will Richmond, Tommy Thompson.

POSS.: 49.3%; SHOTS: 11; SOG: 1; CORNERS: 8; OFFSIDES: 2; SAVES: 0; FOULS: 8; xG: 0.9

SPORTING KANSAS CITY: Tim Melia; Robert Voloder, Dany Rosero ( Robert Castellanos 23’), Tim Leibold; Nemanja Radoja, Memo Rodriguez (Remi Walter 46’), Erik Thommy ( Willy Agada 84’); Alan Pulido, Khiry Shelton, Alenis Vargas (Johnny Russell 46’) , Stephen Afrifa (Daniel Salloi 46’).

Substitutes not used: Ryan Schewe (GK), Andreu Fontas, Kayden Pierre.

POSS.: 50.7%; SHOTS: 13 ; SOG: 4; CORNERS: 7; OFFSIDES: 1; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 12; xG: 1.2

EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH IAN RUSSELL

On changing from a back line of five defenders to a back four mid-game:

“I think that the back five obviously helps you defensively, but I just didn’t feel like we created enough chances in the first half to be dangerous. … So, it was actually right after the second goal we went to a back four. We actually changed it at that point.”

On Cristian Espinoza and Hernán López matching up with SKC’s center backs:

“Yeah, I feel like I thought we’d get more pressure on the ball. I thought their center backs had too much time and space, especially early on, so potentially releasing more with Cristian and Hernán going to a center back to get pressure that way. I thought we were a little bit too deep. I think that’s one thing I would have. Well, I thought we’d get more pressure early and we didn’t, and then we had to kind of change that about 20 minutes in.”

On Sporting KC matching up with the San Jose press:

“Yeah, a couple things. So, you know, in our formation, they have an extra player in the middle with the way they’re playing. So, it makes it difficult when we get into a press with Jackson [Yueill] and [Carlos] Gruezo pushing high under their two defensive midfielders, that if they do hit a long ball, the second ball to have a player, and [Erik] Thommy was floating underneath. So I just told him, especially when the ball went back to [Tim] Melia, you don’t need to press as high. We need them deeper so they can win second balls. And again, in that halfway through the first half, we did try to get more pressure on the center backs, and I thought that was effective. But I do feel like when we went to a back four, our possession was better. We found Hernán not in more dangerous places. I thought that looked a bit better.”

EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CRISTIAN ESPINOZA

On the difference between tonight and the win against Chicago Fire FC last Sunday:

“Last game in Chicago, we did a pretty good job in the press in keeping the ball and playing more vertical in behind the defenders. Today, I think we were not in the same shape. I think every time that we pressed we were a little bit disconnected. It cost us a lot. We created a lot of space for them.”

On his role in the new formation:

“I feel good to be honest. I can be more connected with the midfielders and also I can participate a little bit more with the ball to wave the ball in the wide areas. I can be more and more connected with the team in between the lines. I’m very, very comfortable.”

On his growing partnership in attack with Hernán López:

“[Hernán] has an amazing pass on his left foot and we know the man can make those passes very easily. We need him to connect passes. He’s the connection between the midfielders and the forwards. I think his job is very interesting for the team. Hopefully we can help him even more, and also he can help us a little bit more.”

####

Earthquakes Communications Contacts:

Ryan Maquiñana – Director, Communications

rmaquinana@sjearthquakes.com

C: 650.243.8523

Jake Jansing – Coordinator, Communications

jjansing@sjearthquakes.com

C: 408.425.1329