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San Jose Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo, July 17, 2024

Houston Dynamo Forward IBRAHIM ALIYU (18) looks for a teammate to pass the ball under pressure from San Jose Earthquakes Forward BENJI KIKANOVIĆ (28) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Houston Dynamo at PayPal Park in San Jose, California

PRESS RELEASE:

July 17, 2024

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 0, Houston Dynamo 1

Visitors score goal in 86th minute to break deadlock; Quakes look ahead to Saturday road match vs. Minnesota United FC

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes were defeated by the Houston Dynamo 1-0 on Wednesday night at PayPal Park.

After a scoreless first half, both teams began to settle in. In the 50th minute, Quakes forward Cristian Espinoza appeared to have drawn a penalty kick after locking legs with Houston defender Micael dos Santos in the box, but video review called it back. The Dynamo went on the attack with several threatening chances, but San Jose goalkeeper Jacob Jackson and the Quakes’ back line rebuffed 21 consecutive shots. However, in the 86th minute, Amine Bassi and Daniel Steres connected for the visitors’ go-ahead goal.

The Quakes will now travel to St. Paul, Minnesota, to take on Minnesota United FC on Saturday, July 20. Kickoff from Allianz Field is set for 5:30 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 4-18-2 (14th in West; 14 pts), while the Houston Dynamo goes to 9-7-7 (8th in West; 34 pts).

San Jose is now 10-19-4 (41 GF, 53 GA) in the all-time series against Houston and 8-6-3 at home (24 GF, 18 GA).

Tonight’s match marked Quakes midfielder and team captain Jackson Yueill’s 200th MLS appearance since joining the club as an MLS SuperDraft first-round pick out of UCLA back in 2017 (6th overall).

Additionally, Quakes forwards Cristian Espinoza and Jeremy Ebobisse started Wednesday’s match, extending their MLS-leading active consecutive games played streaks to 98 and 97, respectively.

Espinoza remains only one goal contribution away from 100 for the Earthquakes (31g/68a). 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 (42g/73a) for the New England Revolution during his playing days.

Former Quakes goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell (2016-20) and midfielder Jan Greguš (2022) were unused substitutes for Houston.

MATCH INFORMATION

San Jose Earthquakes 0-1 Houston Dynamo

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 — PayPal Park; San Jose, Calif.

Weather: 72°F Sunny

Match Officials:

Referee: Natalie Simon

AR1: Meghan Mullen

AR2: Kali Smith

4th Official: Joe Dickerson

VAR: Kevin Stott

AVAR: Joshua Patlak

Scoring Summary:

HOU (0-1) – Daniel Steres (Amine Bassi, McKinze Gaines) 86’

Misconduct Summary:

HOU – Amine Bassi (caution) 15’

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Jacob Jackson; Paul Marie, Rodrigues, Daniel Munie (Tanner Beason 46’) , Benji Kikanović; Carlos Gruezo (Tommy Thompson 89’), Jackson Yueill (Alfredo Morales 68’), Hernán López (Jack Skahan 68’); Amahl Pellegrino (Will Richmond 89’), Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse (Preston Judd 83’).

Substitutes not used: William Yarbrough (GK), Michael Baldisimo , Oscar Verhoeven.

POSS.: 42.2%; SHOTS: 8; SOG: 0; CORNERS: 5; OFFSIDES: 1; SAVES: 6; FOULS: 15; xG: 0.8

HOUSTON DYNAMO: Steve Clark; Franco Escobar, Griffin Dorsey ( Daniel Steres 75’), Erik Sviatchenko, Micael dos Santos; Artur, Amine Bassi, Héctor Herrera, Ibrahim Aliyu (McKinze Gaines 75’) , Coco Carrasquilla; Sebastián Ferreira (Sebastian Kowalczyk 83’).

Substitutes not used: Andrew Tarbell (GK), Latif Blessing, Jan Greguš, Gabe Segal, Brad Smith.

POSS.: 57.8%; SHOTS: 22; SOG: 7; CORNERS: 7; OFFSIDES: 5; SAVES: 0; FOULS: 14; xG: 1.5

EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH IAN RUSSELL

On tonight’s game overall:

“It was a pretty even game. I thought the guys came out, connected passes, created some chances, defended really well. We played a team that prides themselves on keeping the ball, with really close central combinations. I thought we limited a lot of their chances. Unfortunately, they scored late in the game and that was it.”

On the team’s performance in attack:

“I felt like we missed some passes that would have created some really big chances on goal. I think it was more of that than the actual chances on goal. So just a few sloppy chances that would have created something. … We did create a little bit, but it’s got to be better.”

On trying to keep the team fresh with a third game this week on Saturday:

“We have three games in a week, so you want to focus on every game, but it’s a heavy week. So keeping guys fresh for the next game as well is a challenge. You’re definitely trying to win the game, and I think the subs that came on did a good job, and I think we’ll be fresh enough for Minnesota to field a really strong lineup.”

On the defense’s improvement during the homestand:

“I think defensively it’s been better, but now we got to get the attack going. It’s always that fine line. Going back into a back four, I thought we would create more tonight. But it’s just a matter of every player buying in defensively, being compact, tucking in, winning your tackles. It’s the small details. If you do that as a collective, you start seeing results.”

EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER BENJI KIKANOVIĆ

On the team’s effort tonight:

“I thought the energy and the fight was pretty good this game, compared to our usual. So obviously, I think I should have had a goal. And we maybe had a couple other chances to put a goal away, and maybe it’s different. But I think if we come with that fight and intensity, and just a little bit of extra grit, I think we’ll be OK at Minnesota.”

On playing right back:

“I mean, as you can see, we’re kind of experimenting a little bit with wingbacks. And then we went back to a four[-defender] back line. So just little tweaks like that. I don’t really think it’s too big of a change. Obviously, you have me playing there, which I don’t normally play there. But I try my best for the team wherever they put me. I’m actually going to work. But, in terms of that, I think the coaching staff does a good job in terms of just preparation, especially Ian. He’s a smart coach, and he knows what he’s doing.”

On the team’s defense improving of late:

“Everyone in the back, we try to do our best that we can. So it’s not just me and whoever else, it’s just, it’s a team effort. So, you got to put everyone in the category. But I do think that if we could tighten up the back, which I feel like we have been in the past couple games, but we just got to put the chances away. So I feel like if we put our chances away, then it’s a different game. But if we don’t, then it’s tough to win if you don’t score. Obviously, not giving up goals is nice, but you got to score to win.”

On the importance of winning second balls:

“There are a few plays where we kind of won the second ball and almost got something from it. But that’s kind of the strategy behind lumping forward, have me fight for the first one and get that knocked down, which we haven’t been doing too good of a job. Today was better. Last game, we didn’t win many second balls. But today was a little bit better. So hopefully, we can keep improving.”

####

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

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Chicago Fire, July 7, 2024

Chicago Fire Defender ARNAUD SOUQUET (2) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Chicago Fire at PayPal Park in San Jose, California

PRESS RELEASE:

July 7, 2024

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 1, Chicago Fire FC 0

San Jose shows grit to earn first clean sheet of season; Quakes’ homestand continues Saturday vs. Sporting Kansas City

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes defeated Chicago Fire FC 1-0 on Sunday night at PayPal Park to earn their first clean sheet of the season and snap a six-game losing streak as Ian Russell earned his first win as interim head coach.

After a scoreless first half, midfielder Hernán López got the Quakes on the board first when he hauled in a long pass from Cristian Espinoza and beat goalkeeper Chris Brady in the 49th minute. The visitors appeared to equalize in the 71st minute when Hugo Cuypers headed in a rebound off the crossbar, but video review called it back for offside. The Black and Blue put on a collective effort to close out the game defensively.

The Quakes will continue their homestand against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, July 13. 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 4-16-2 (14th in West; 14 pts), while Chicago Fire FC moves to 5-11-6 (13th in East; 21 pts).

Tonight’s win snapped a six-game losing streak dating back to a 1-1 home draw with Austin FC on May 25 and nine-game winless streak dating back to May 11’s 3-2 road win over the Colorado Rapids.

The Quakes earned their first clean sheet of the 2024 MLS season for San Jose in the 22nd game. The club’s last shutout in regular-season play occurred on Sept. 9, 2023, in a scoreless road draw against D.C. United.

San Jose is now 14-16-11 (53 GF, 58 GA) in the all-time series against Chicago Fire FC and 11-6-5 at home (33 GF, 25 GA). The Quakes have won their last three meetings at PayPal Park, with the last one a 2-1 decision on July 3, 2022, on the strength of a Benji Kikanović brace. The forward beat then-Fire goalkeeper Gabriel “Gaga” Slonina in the 47th and 87th minutes.

Quakes forwards Cristian Espinoza and Jeremy Ebobisse started Saturday’s match, extending their MLS-leading active consecutive games played streaks to 96 and 95, respectively.

Ebobisse made his 100th and 101st appearances with San Jose against St. Louis CITY SC last Wednesday and tonight against Chicago Fire FC, respectively.

With his start tonight, Earthquakes midfielder and captain Jackson Yueill passed Shea Salinas in games started for San Jose (184) for third on the all-time club list. The midfielder now only trails Ramiro Corrales (228) and Chris Wondolowski (313).

Midfielder Hernán López scored his fourth goal of the season in 10 MLS starts (12 appearances).

Espinoza notched his 11th assist of the season, tied for 4th in MLS. He is now is the Quakes’ all-time leader in game-winning assists with 15, passing Richard Mulrooney and Shea Salinas (tied, 14). With his assist tonight, Espinoza is 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.

MATCH INFORMATION

San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 Chicago Fire FC

Sunday, July 7, 2024 – PayPal Park; San Jose, Calif.

Weather: 92°F Sunny

Man of the Match presented by Coors Light: Hernán López

Match Officials:

Referee: Ramy Touchan

AR1: Jeffrey Greeson

AR2: Diego Blas

4th Official: Victor Rivas

VAR: David Barrie

AVAR: Peter Balciunas

Scoring Summary:

SJ (1-0) – Hernán López (Cristian Espinoza) 49’

Misconduct Summary:

CHI – Rafael Czichos (caution) 24’

CHI – Kellyn Acosta (caution) 37’

SJ – Hernán López (caution) 62’

SJ – Jack Skahan (caution) 87’

CHI – Fabian Herbers (caution) 90+5’

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: William Yarbrough; Vítor Costa ( Tommy Thompson 85’), Tanner Beason, Rodrigues (Jack Skahan 81’), Daniel Munie; Carlos Gruezo, Jackson Yueill (Alfredo Morales 81’) , Hernán López; Benji Kikanović, Cristian Espinoza (Preston Judd 81’) , Jeremy Ebobisse (Amahl Pellegrino 88’).

Substitutes not used: Jacob Jackson (GK), Michael Baldisimo, Paul Marie, Will Richmond.

POSS.: 46.7%; SHOTS: 13 ; SOG: 4; CORNERS: 7; OFFSIDES: 3; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 7; xG: 1.1

CHICAGO FIRE FC: Chris Brady; Arnaud Souquet, Rafael Czichos, Wyatt Omsberg, Allan Arigoni; Maren Haile-Selassie, Chris Mueller ( Tom Barlow 63’), Brian Gutierrez, Kellyn Acosta (Georgios Koutsias 89’), Gaston Gimenez (Fabian Herbers 64’); Hugo Cuypers.

Substitutes not used: Spencer Richey (GK), Javier Casas, Jonathan Dean, Diego Konincks, Mauricio Pineda.

POSS.: 53.3%; SHOTS: 10 ; SOG: 1; CORNERS: 5; OFFSIDES: 2; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 11; xG: 0.9

EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH IAN RUSSELL

On snapping the losing streak:

“We needed to win tonight. The [California] Clásico was disappointing. Then our game against St. Louis. I thought we were pretty flat coming out. So I thought we were on the front foot all night. Deserved the win. Just really happy with how our players responded.”

On Cristian Espinoza’s assist and Hernán López’s game-winning goal:

“Great ball by Cristian. Takes a touch and [Hernán] finishes it. Just shows his class. He’s obviously done well since he’s come here and I expect more of those goals from him.”

On the Chicago Fire FC goal being reversed after a VAR check for offside:

“We’ve had a lot of those close ones kind of go the other way. So in that moment, it was a relief that that happened. … I think it gave the players a little relief, and then we’re able to make some changes after that to kind of slow them down with it.”

On the return of Carlos Gruezo after international duty with Ecuador:

“I thought he was excellent. We missed him. Niko [Tsakiris] and Jackson [Yueill] have done a really good job in there. But Carlos does give us a little of that bite defensively. He just came off a disappointing loss in Copa América, where he played 80 minutes. I didn’t even ask. I didn’t even look at him. You’re playing the whole game. I needed him in there. So really proud of Carlos.”

On how the team came together collectively for the win:

“I don’t want to say it felt comfortable because there were moments in that game that were uncomfortable. It didn’t feel as open. It didn’t feel like every time we lost the ball that we were vulnerable. So that was good. I thought Rodrigues had a very good game. Hernán with the goal. Will Yarborough made some really big saves at the end. Not so much general shot-blocking but he came out for some crosses at the end of the game and slowed the game down. I also want to point out Benji Kikanović. I thought he was excellent as a wingback. It’s not his normal position. And I thought Jebo (Jeremy Ebobisse) up front held the ball up really well and ran the channels.”

On changes moving forward heading into Leagues Cup:

“The main object for us was to stop conceding goals. It’s the first clean sheet we’ve had in this MLS season. I’m super proud of the team. We needed to grind out a game like that. A 1-0 win. It gives us a lot of confidence moving forward with Leagues Cup. We’ll approach that when we get there but it’s a tournament we really want to do well in obviously. We just need to build momentum from this game and carry on.”

On forward Benji Kikanović playing wing back tonight:

“Just physically very fast. He can do it over and over. He’s not a guy that needs five minutes to recover. Very good in the air, works extremely hard. His defending has gotten a lot better over the last few years. I think he’s got a really high ceiling. He’s still young, so just really excited. He’s a guy that never complained, just does his business. He’ll do anything for the team.”

EARTHQUAKES GOALKEEPER WILLIAM YARBROUGH

On playing with a back line of five players:

“Playing with the back fives are tricky because a lot of people think you’re playing a defensive formation. And it’s not the case, especially with the way things are now. I think it was an excellent formation. It gives us a little bit of that structure in the back, always having one of the wing backs because you still always have those four in the back. So you’re a little more compact — where, when you’re shifting the distances —distances aren’t as far and it’s harder for teams to play between us, right? But it’s all turned out. It’s all about, including myself, staying compact, making things tougher for the other teams. I think we felt a little more comfortable.”

On breaking the losing streak and addressing the San Jose Ultras questioning the players’ commitment:

“I talk to guys in the locker room and I know they’re just as frustrated as I am. And I wouldn’t be surprised if our fans are frustrated. You know, we’ve had a very poor season. We can’t hide away from that. You know what it means to me; it’s my life. You know, I started playing when I was five years old. I’ve dedicated 100% of myself to the sport every day. I left home when I was 15 years old, moved away from the comfort of my home. Sacrificed birthdays, Christmases, family members’ weddings. I have a brother getting married next weekend. I’m playing, you know, and it means everything to me.

“One thing that I’ve always had in the back of my mind is I take into consideration everything that the fans feel because we’re a team and it’s not just the players in the locker room. It’s not just the staff that comes into the building. It’s a society, everyone. And when you’re not delivering, it’s frustrating. It’s very frustrating. I know they spend a lot of money to come watch us, and we haven’t been our sharpest. And so getting little victories like today, they’re happy for today. So are we, but we have another game Saturday. … We’re grinding. We’re grinding. Personally this is my life. Until the day my body says no or otherwise. I’m going to give 100% of myself to this.”

On Rodrigues’ performance in helping keep the clean sheet:

“Rodri is a classic defender. I love having him on on my team in that backline. I love the confidence that he has. He loves taking risks, and I admire that. Today he had an excellent performance. We were frustrated, especially in the back. … And so to see tonight that all the hard work being put in paid off on a night like today, especially speaking specifically about Rodri, I’m basically so happy for the guy. I know he’s going to go home tonight and have a relaxed night, and he’s going to enjoy the day off tomorrow. Then he’s going to come back Tuesday ready to go again. We all have to, but Rodri is a dude who I love having in the back line and I love that no matter how things are going. I love the confidence that he shows to try to play this style regardless of what’s going on.”

On earning the first clean sheet of the MLS season:

“We need to try to do something to change what we know we’re capable of. It definitely helps. You know when like today there’s a clean sheet but you’re going into [the] Kansas City [game] next weekend. I want three or four or five in a row. I’ll enjoy the night today, but tomorrow we have an off-day. I’m looking at film right away, seeing what I can improve on and certain things that I can discuss with teammates and do everything I can to make it two in a row. I like that pressure. I like that weight on my shoulders. It’s been a part of my entire career. And you know, hopefully we can make a turnaround.”

EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER RODRIGUES

On winning tonight:

“This victory brought us a lot of confidence to me, to my teammates, to everyone. We know there’s another challenge next Saturday, but again, this victory brought us a boost of confidence to look for another one.”

On the back line adapting to a new formation:

“I believe I had a good performance tonight. We’ve been preparing the whole week for it, so we were ready for it. We counted on our teammates to make it happen.”

“It’s a new formation, and I’m adapting to it. It has more people supporting the back line which is good. I’m adapting it, pushing forward to the next game, and hopefully having that same outcome.”

On using the win as momentum for the rest of the season:

“We know that we started the season in a tough position how our games have been, but we know we have to keep the consistency and have the strong mentality to move forward with our teammates. That’s what we did today.”

“Today’s victory was really important. You can be sure that we’ll continue to put in the work in training and next week. Next week will also be a tough one, but we’re looking forward for the victory.”

On the responsibility playing for the club and city:

“Since I got here in this club, I knew I had an important role to carry. Every game is like that. I know how big this club is, so every game I’m here, I look to do my best with my teammates. That’s always the focus. Moving forward, that’s what we want to do, make sure we communicate on the pitch to make everything works at its best.”

####

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. Portland Timbers, June 19, 2024

Former San Francisco 49er Alex Smith sounds the Earthquake Siren before the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Portland Timbers at PayPal Park in San Jose, California

PRESS RELEASE:

June 19, 2024

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 1, Portland Timbers 2

San Jose edged late in second half; Quakes look ahead to Saturday road match against Los Angeles FC

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell 2-1 to the Portland Timbers on Wednesday night at PayPal Park.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Evander took advantage of a turnover in the box and beat Quakes goalkeeper Jacob Jackson. The Quakes would emphatically answer in the 50th minute with a long-range blast from Paul Marie to equalize. However, Portland recaptured the lead for good when Evander fed Jonathan “Cabecita” Rodriguez for the finish in the 72nd minute.

The Quakes will now prepare for a road match against Los Angeles Football Club on Saturday, June 22. Kickoff from BMO Stadium 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

The Quakes are now 6-22-10 against the Timbers in MLS regular-season play and 6-5-6 at home.

Winger Cristian Espinoza and Jeremy Ebobisse started Wednesday’s match, extending their MLS-leading consecutive games played streaks to 93 and 92, respectively.

Goalkeeper Jacob Jackson made his Quakes debut in MLS play. He started last month’s San Jose’s 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 matchup against Sacramento, a 4-3 defeat in extra time where he made five saves — several at point-blank range — to keep the Black and Blue in the game.

In the 50th minute, Quakes defender Paul Marie scored his second goal of the season and sixth of his career.

MATCH INFORMATION

San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 Portland Timbers

Saturday, June 19, 2024 – PayPal Park; San Jose, Calif.

Weather: 65° Sunny

Match Officials:

Referee: Marcos DeOliveira

AR1: Andrew Bigelow

AR2: Jeremy Hanson

4th Official: Ricardo Fierro

VAR: Greg Dopka

AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert

Scoring Summary:

POR (0-1) – Evander (unassisted) 22’

SJ (1-1) – Paul Marie (unassisted) 50’

POR (1-2) – Jonathan Rodriguez (Evander, Juan Mosquera) 72’

Misconduct Summary:

POR – Claudio Bravo (caution) 48′

POR – Evander (caution) 76′

POR – Nathan Fogaca (caution) 87′

POR – Diego Chará (caution) 89′

POR – Eric Miller (caution) 90+4′

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Jacob Jackson; Vítor Costa (Tommy Thompson 81’), Tanner Beason, Daniel Munie, Carlos Akapo (Paul Marie 18’); Jackson Yueill (C) (Alfredo Morales 81’), Niko Tsakiris, Hernán López; Amahl Pellegrino (Jack Skahan 73’), Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse (Preston Judd 73’).

Substitutes not used: William Yarbrough (GK), Michael Baldisimo, Tanner Beason, Alfredo Morales, Tommy Thompson, Casey Walls.

POSS.: 52.9%; SHOTS: 18 ; SOG: 2; CORNERS: 8; OFFSIDES: 2; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 3; xG: 1.9

PORTLAND TIMBERS: James Pantemis ; Claudio Bravo (Eric Miller 68’), Dario Zuparic, Zachery McGraw, Juan Mosquera; Evander, Jonathan Rodriguez (Nathan Fogaca 87’), Diego Chara (C), David Ayala (Cristhian Paredes 86’), Santiago Moreno (Dairon Asprilla 89’); Felipe Mora (Antony 67’).

Substitutes not used: Trey Muse (GK), Tyler Clegg, Larrys Mabiala, Eryk Williamson.

POSS.: 47.1%; SHOTS: 15 ; SOG: 4; CORNERS: 2; OFFSIDES: 0; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 12; xG: 2.4

EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ

On overall thoughts of tonight’s match:

“I think we imposed ourselves offensively. We created a lot. We got on the ball a lot. I thought we actually defended really well. I know the goal we conceded early first half was a build-up mistake, but not from a lack of effort or intensity. … I thought we imposed second half, started with protagonism, pushing the game. It should have been 2-1 with the chances we were creating. … It’s like this theme that continues to haunt us. It was a good 60 to 70 minutes where we could be winning, we’re imposing, we were actually defending well, and we just lose in a moment. We lose organization and concede. I like the effort of the guys to push at the end and I thought we were deserving of a second goal but it did not happen. We’re going to be disappointed with the common theme and we’ll have to get over it quick, but we need to change this common theme. If we don’t change, the results aren’t going to change.”

On the decision to start Jacob Jackson at goalkeeper:

“Making a goalkeeper rotation and change is never easy. It’s that one position, I’d say center backs and keepers are the hardest positions to just rotate or to make changes because you want that to be as consistent as possible. We saw Jacob really strong in training — really strong with second-team games. Our second team is really important to our development pathway for guys to earn opportunities with the first team. We were conceding goals. William is a fantastic leader with a lot of experience and a very good goalkeeper. … It’s not an easy decision and of course he’s disappointed with that, but at the same time there are opportunities there and we saw we needed to make a change. Jacob was performing well in training and in second-team games and we went for that decision. As a goalkeeper, he’s got a bright future. He still has a good age to keep learning and getting better and that’s the context of the decision.”

On conceding two goals tonight:

“The game is cruel. Because too many times we’ve been in leads or been in good momentum so it could have or should have or deserve to be winning while we’re creating. I love the excitement our guys play with in the attack and courage. I actually really liked our defensive organization. Up until the second goal because the first goal was a giveaway in distribution but we were very disciplined, very compact. We pushed our back line up. We controlled their transition quite well and even when they broke it without numbers behind the ball and protect the box so that goal is a hard one to swallow. We could’ve 100% prevented that. Just a little bit more numbers behind the ball, and more intensity on the ball, and push them out and not allow a free and open cross. You’ve got to do those things that are not easy, and you got to do the things that not everybody wants to do. That sacrifice. That’s how you win. That’s how you get results and so we’re disappointed.”

On making changes amid all the players out of the lineup due to injury:

“The first change that I would like to see develop is get our guys healthy — Daniel healthy, JT [Marcinkowski] healthy, Bruno Wilson healthy, get [Carlos] Akapo back healthy. That’s first and foremost. Get these guys healthy. [Carlos] Gruezo is in the [Ecuador] national team; but at the same time, I know every team is dealing with national call-ups right now, whether it’s Copa America or Euros. Get our roster and our depth as available and ready as possible. We’re aware we don’t talk about playoffs in every moment, but we do in key moments. We’re not going to give up. I’m not going to give up. These guys, what I know about them, the staff, these players, they’re not going to give up. If at some point mathematically it is impossible, then it is what it is, but the only way we can start making playoffs this season or seasons in the future is by taking care of business today and right now. That’s going to be our focus. Staying present and what we control and bringing our best today so that the future can be bright.”

On updates pertaining to Rodrigues and Daniel, as well as Daniel Munie’s performance:

“[Rodrigues] was not cleared for tonight — potentially cleared against LAFC, so that would be good news to have him available. And then Daniel is probably training with us within two, maximum three weeks training and competing with the group, and going from there. Hopefully he’s in our competition goalkeeping and helping our back line and defensive outcomes. But look, I mentioned guys that are injured, and we’d love to have them back competing with us, especially in that back line competition and in goal. But it’s also positive when you see a Daniel Munie who I thought had a strong performance tonight. A young player who has been patient to keep growing and learning from his other center backs and other players. He has speed. He has good physical qualities. But he also showed good build-up. Good confidence on the ball as well. Good in the air as well. I think he’s got a bright future. He’s got good guys next to him like Tanner [Beason], Rodri, [Carlos] Akapo. There’s a lot of cultural differences, but you can see the influence they had on him and he had a good performance tonight overall.”

EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER PAUL MARIE

On having to come in to the match early on:

“We had to do a sub early. Carlos [Akapo] got hurt so I had to step in at the 16th minute. It’s not easy to step in a game like this but it went OK. Obviously, we got scored on early on a mistake but that’s OK. I think the boys responded. We played really well until the 70th minute, and then they had half a chance and they scored. I think that’s the little moments that we need to take care of. I didn’t think they had that much on us, but it was the little details that beat us 2-1 tonight. I thought the team played well. There’s a lot of games that we’ve played well but there’s a switch in our mentality maybe that we need to think of, to work on and be able to be consistent for 90-plus minutes.”

On his second-half goal from long range and feeling the home crowd’s energy:

“It was amazing to feel the fans. … Having the fans behind us is a big plus. I think it’s hard to realize maybe for some people if they’ve only been at this stadium, but when we go on the road, having the crowd pushing for you for 90 minutes is unreal. I was very happy to score the goal, get a second breath for the team. We had that big chance and it felt like it was all coming along and had a happy ending, but it is what it is. I’m really happy to score a goal and help the team, but it would have been better with a win.”

On the team attempting to come together as a collective:

“Nobody showed up in preseason thinking it would go this way. We feel terrible for our fans and people that come to support us week in and week out because we have had the lead in so many games. We gave it all for our fans and for us too to get a result. Obviously, for the guys who are coming in, maybe they were in teams that were successful, and they didn’t have to do as much defensively. Obviously, we’re trying to gather everybody and get everybody on the same page. As of right now we’re not able to click everything together, hopefully we’re able to figure that out. There’s a lot of games left and a lot of positives to take in each game.”

On his and the rest of the team’s mentality:

“My mind is to win games and to be performing. I think Luchi is doing everything he can. He is giving 100 percent, and he’s been perfectly aligned with his message this season all along. Obviously, we’re trying to give it all for him. We would have loved to have better results but as of right now the players just need to focus on winning games and following the plan.”

On the team being able to score goals but not come away with a result:

“It feels like we’re able to turn things around and be more offensive. I feel like we’re being very positive going forward, and unfortunately maybe we don’t score, but then we start to become spread out. We start to have midfielders and No. 10s of the other team start to face us and play balls in behind us. For me, I feel like we start to be over-positive on one side, become stretched, and then in the middle they start to come at us with everything they have. I feel that’s what happened in New York, last game and in this game. Obviously, we’re going to score goals. We have incredible attackers, but we really have to focus and recover and stay in better lines especially in those last 20 minutes.

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. Cincinnati FC, June 15, 2024

Former San Francisco Giant Hunter Pence cranks the Earthquake Siren before the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Cincinnati FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, California

PRESS RELEASE:

June 15, 2024

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 2, FC Cincinnati 4

Visitors surge ahead late after San Jose holds second-half lead; Quakes continue homestand Wednesday vs. Portland

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell 4-2 to FC Cincinnati on Saturday night at PayPal Park.

After a scoreless first half, Cincinnati struck first in the 53rd minute when midfielder Pavel Bucha picked off a pass and scored in transition. The Quakes would answer just four minutes later when midfielder Hernán López scored off a rebound in the box.

San Jose would capture the lead in the 72nd minute when Vítor Costa pinged a long ball for winger Cristian Espinoza, who hauled it in and buried it in the back of the net for this third goal of the season. However, the visitors responded with three goals in succession from Yuya Kubo in the 78th, 80th and 87th minutes to pull ahead for good.

The Quakes will now prepare for a midweek home match with the Portland Timbers on Wednesday, June 19. 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

The Quakes are now 1-2-0 against FC Cincinnati in MLS regular-season play and 1-1-0 at home.

San Jose has had the lead at some point in 10 of 17 games in MLS play this season.

With his 57th minute goal, Hernán López stayed hot, notching either a goal or assist in four of his six MLS starts.

Winger Cristian Espinoza scored his third goal of the season, marking his 12th goal contribution of 2024 when paired with his nine assists.

Espinoza and forward Jeremy Ebobisse started tonight’s match, extending their MLS-leading consecutive games played streaks to 92 and 91 games, respectively. Sporting Kansas City’s Daniel Salloi had the third longest record with 69 matches until tonight, when he sat out due to injury.

San Francisco Giants legend Hunter Pence was on hand to fire the ceremonial siren before the game. The four-time Major League Baseball All-Star and two-time World Series champion is part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Bay Area Host Committee Advisory Board and took in his first game at PayPal Park.

FC Cincinnati assistant coach Dominic Kinnear returned to the South Bay. The former San Jose defender served the club as assistant coach for the Quakes’ Audi MLS Cup triumphs in 2001 and 2003, and as head coach, he led the Black and Blue to their first MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2005.

MATCH INFORMATION

San Jose Earthquakes 2-4 FC Cincinnati

Saturday, June 15, 2024 – PayPal Park; San Jose, Calif.

Weather: 63° Clear

Match Officials:

Referee: Lukasz Szpala

AR1: Chris Wattam

AR2: Mike Nickerson

4th Official: Tim Ford

VAR: Younes Marrakchi

AVAR: TJ Zablocki

Scoring Summary:

CIN (0-1) – Pavel Bucha (unassisted) 53’

SJ (1-1) – Hernán López (unassisted) 57’

SJ (2-1) – Cristian Espinoza (Vítor Costa) 72’

CIN (2-2) – Yuya Kubo (Luciano Acosta, Gerardo Valenzuela) 78’

CIN (2-3) – Yuya Kubo (Luciano Acosta, Gerardo Valenzuela) 80’

CIN (2-4) – Yuya Kubo (Luciano Acosta, Obinna Nwobodo) 87’

Misconduct Summary:

CIN – Kevin Kelsy (caution) 66′

SJ – Hernán López (caution) 90+4′

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: William Yarbrough; Tanner Beason, Daniel Munie, Carlos Akapo (Paul Marie 75’), Vitor Costa; Jackson Yueill (C) (Preston Judd 84’), Hernán López, Niko Tsakiris (Alfredo Morales 84’); Amahl Pellegrino (Jack Skahan 75’), Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse (Benji Kikanovic 90+3’).

Substitutes not used: Jacob Jackson (GK), Michael Baldisimo, Tommy Thompson, Casey Walls.

POSS.: 44.7%; SHOTS: 20 ; SOG: 8; CORNERS: 10; OFFSIDES: 0; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 5; xG: 3.2

FC CINCINNATI: Roman Celentano; Nick Hagglund (Gerardo Valenzuela 75’) , Matt Miazga (Kipp Keller 64’), Luca Orellano, Ian Murphy, DeAndre Yedlin; Obinna Nwobodo, Luciano Acosta (C), Pavel Bucha; Sergio Santos (Yuya Kubo 64’) , Kevin Kelsy (Yamil Asad 75’).

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann (GK), Landon Aghedo, Bret Halsey, Alec Kann, Malik Pinto, Alvas Powell.

POSS.: 55.3%; SHOTS: 20 ; SOG: 7; CORNERS: 3; OFFSIDES: 0; SAVES: 5; FOULS: 11; xG: 2.2

EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ

On leading in the second half before FC Cincinnati’s late surge:

“We actually were on the front foot winning 2-1. We were in their half attacking them. … We lost balance in that attack in the transition moment. We lose the ball in the box and even though we had good numbers to defend the tradition we weren’t together enough. We lost duel [after] duel, falling behind, didn’t cover the depth, and they’re dangerous. If you give Lucho Acosta half a second, he plays a one-touch ball behind [Yaya] Kubo and that’s what they’re capable of. The other goal again was we had numbers behind the ball, but Lucho Acosta is driving it and we’re not able to shut him down, and duel and keep him out of the box. It ricochets there to Kubo is opportunistic so that’s the game. The game is won or lost in the box defensively and offensively. When it was 3-2, we got some offensive guys on the field to push the game, and the game opened up. I thought we could have actually scored and made it interesting, possibly 3-3, but it ended up going 4-2, and that’s the risk you take.”

On FC Cincinnati’s team as a whole:

“It’s not one player. They’re a good collective unit. They have three center backs that know their role; they win balls in the air. I thought we did a good job creating isolation with our wingers against their center backs and getting in behind their wing backs. … There’s physicality, speed — they’re a handful. With Lucho Acosta with a free role, you can see how they’re really dangerous. They’re a good team, and we were toe to toe with them until the game got out of our hands in the transition moments. I think the transition moments hurt us at the end of the day, and in the last 15 to 20 minutes of the game that didn’t allow us to get the result.”

On the Earthquakes’ defense over the course of the match:

“We’re a dangerous team that can score in any way. We’ve shown that with the underlying data and we back it up with actual goals. But we needed five goals to win this game. These transition moments where we are attacking are important. I thought we did improve that for the most part until we opened up. You can do things well for 70 minutes, 80 minutes. We saw that last game [vs. New York City FC]. We lost our organization. … Missing two center backs is not easy; losing Bruno [Wilson] and Rodrigues in the same game. … I thought Daniel [Munie], Tanner [Beason] had very good control of this game. They stepped it up, did well. Until it got to that moment where collectively we broke down mentally and tactically and physically. That’s something that we’ve got to fix.”

On the continued push for a playoff spot:

“Our goal for the second half of the season is to be a top-three team in the conference points-wise from this point on. We say that we can’t control the past, but if we’re a top-three team in points for the rest of the season, we’ll get into the playoffs. It’s been historically the trend and it starts with a win tonight. Everybody’s stepping up. Surely we were coming into the game with that mentality. We had that in our hands at some point. It didn’t happen. Cincinnati is a good team. Congrats to them. They’re a very good team and they turn it around on us, and they have talent, and they have had the effectiveness.”

On the team’s mindset after tonight’s game:

“It’s going to hurt because we had the game in our hand until we didn’t. It’s about control. We control the next moment and we’re never going to give up. I’m not going to ever give up. These guys won’t give up. We’re going to learn and keep trying to figure this out. That’s what we can control.”

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 Austin FC, May 25, 2024

Major League Soccer’s Match Balls await warmups before the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Austin FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, California

PRESS RELEASE:
May 25, 2024

MATCH RECAP:

Earthquakes 1, Austin FC

San Jose earns point at home to snap two-game losing streak; Quakes travel to New York on Friday to face NYCFC

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes drew 1-1 with Austin FC on Saturday night at PayPal Park in front of 13,744 fans.

San Jose found the back of the net early when Jeremy Ebobisse finished Cristian Espinoza’s cross in the 10th minute. The visitors then drew level via Brendan Hines-Ike’s header off a set piece right before intermission. Despite both clubs attempting to find the go-ahead goal in the second half with a late blast from Earthquakes midfielder Hernán López hitting the crossbar, the match would end in a draw, snapping a two-game losing streak for San Jose in MLS play.

The Quakes will now prepare for a road match with New York City Football Club on Friday, May 31. Kickoff from Yankee Stadium is set for 4:30 p.m. PT and will bebroadcast 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).

NOTES
The Quakes are now 2-1-6 against Austin FC in MLS regular-season play and still unbeaten at home (1-0-3). Tonight’s draw snapped a two-game losing streak for San Jose (three in all competitions).San Jose has now led at some point in 11 of 17 games in all competitions (9 of 15 in MLS play).

Jeremy Ebobisse’s fourth goal of the season also tied him with Landon Donovan for third on the all-time club list for goals scored (32). He also netted his fifth time in seven career games against Austin. Cristian Espinoza notched his ninth assist of the season, good for fourth in MLS. It was also his sixth career assist in nine games against Verde. The winger now has 65 career assists in total to extend his club record.

MATCH INFORMATION
San Jose Earthquakes 1-1 Austin FC
Saturday, May 25, 2024 – PayPal Park; San Jose, Calif.
Weather: 59° Sunny
Attendance: 13,744

Match Officials:
Referee: Chris Penso
AR1: Chris Elliott
AR2: Eduardo Jeff
4th Official: Alyssa Nichols
VAR: David Barrie
AVAR: Jozef Batko

Scoring Summary:
SJ (1-0) – Jeremy Ebobisse (Cristian Espinoza) 10’
ATX (1-1) – Brendan Hines-Ike (Owen Wolff) 45’

Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Bruno Wilson (caution) 41′
SJ – Cristian Espinoza (caution) 43′
ATX – Sebastian Driussi (caution) 48′
SJ – Carlos Akapo (caution) 57′
SJ – Vítor Costa (caution) 64′

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: William Yarbrough; Vítor Costa, Rodrigues, Bruno Wilson, Carlos Akapo; Carlos Gruezo (Niko Tsakiris 56’) , Jackson Yueill (C); Hernán López; Cristian Espinoza, Amahl Pellegrino (Jack Skahan 77’); Jeremy Ebobisse .

Substitutes not used: Jacob Jackson (GK), Tanner Beason, Ousseni Bouda, Preston Judd, Paul Marie, Daniel Munie, Alfredo Morales.

POSS.: 48.5%; SHOTS: 23 ; SOG: 7; CORNERS: 8; OFFSIDES: 1; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 10; xG: 3.5

AUSTIN FC: Brad Stuver; Brendan Hines-Ike, Hector Jimenez (Ethan Finley 72’) , Jon Gallagher, Julio Cascante; Dani Pereira (Jhojan Valencia 86’), Alex Ring, Owen Wolff; Sebastian Driussi (C) (Gyasi Zardes 81’), Jáder Obrian (Zan Kolmanic 86’), Diego Rubio .

Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland (GK), Guilherme Biro , Matt Hedges, Emiliano Rigoni.

POSS.: 51.5%; SHOTS: 6 ; SOG: 2; CORNERS: 1; OFFSIDES: 2; SAVES: 6; FOULS: 12; xG: 0.7

EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ

On his reflections pertaining to tonight’s match:
“I thought we played with a lot of urgency. I thought the guys were up for the game. We say in the locker room that we want to get PayPal back. We want to make this the place that teams suffer like they did most of last season, and I thought Austin suffered a lot tonight. We had 20-plus shots and created a lot of opportunities. I loved how we played brave to attack, to play forward and get numbers in the box and create chances. That’s a positive. “Defensively I thought in the run of play, we were quite sound. It was great work rate by the 11 players on the field to defend in their mid-block, build pressure, sprint and recover behind the ball when Austin tried to counter. I loved the effort. I thought we let them off the hook. We let them off the hook. We didn’t put away some clear chances, and for maybe three minutes, we’re giving away silly set pieces around our box at the end of the first half. Things that we can avoid. Fouls we can avoid with a little more discipline and a little more control defensively, push them back and not gift them free crosses into our box, and it caught up to us. That was a disappointing few minutes of the game, but when we play with this sense of urgency and this desire to push the game and score and attack, I know we’ll earn points and win more games over the course of time.”

On the Quakes’ attack starting to jell midseason:
“[Amahl] Pellegrino’s a really dangerous winger who can score and set up teammates. He’s working really hard. I really love what I’m seeing in terms of his work rate, to be connected to us defensively. We can still even use him more with his runs in behind, but he’ll continue to score goals in this league. I’m really happy that [Jeremy Ebobisse] got a goal tonight. He played with a lot of conviction and energy. His hold-up [play] was excellent, switching fields for us, drawing fouls. Really good connection with Hernán [López] in the press. And then Hernán could’ve had two goals and two assists. It’s him continuing to do his thing. He’s a high-risk player. There are moments where he can lose balls and he and the team needs to know that the risk-reward ratio is a little higher with him, but when he pulls things off, he’s super-dangerous, and we’re really glad to have him. Cristian [Espinoza] does what Cristian does, with volume of crosses. I think he’d like some of those left-footed shots and get them on frame because he hits them with good power. But I think we have a dynamic attack and I think we’ll continue to be dangerous.”

On being unable to sustain the lead:
“It’s disappointing. … The margins in this league are so close, from winning, losing, even tying. This is the 11th game in 17 [in all competitions] where we’ve had leads. But this tough moment, which has lasted longer than we’d like, it’s going to make us tough. I’m going to keep working, doing my best, and these guys are going to keep working, and that’s the only way we can turn those leads into points.”

On using the defensive performance tonight as a reference point heading into next Friday’s road game vs. NYCFC:
“We allowed six shots, and two on goal. That’s really good for a defensive performance in our league, especially a very good team like Austin who’s doing well. They’re winning games and attacking well. So yes, this is a good standard and reference for us defensively.”

EARTHQUAKES GOALKEEPER WILLIAM YARBROUGH

On his overall thoughts of the game (translated from Spanish):
“I think, from my personal point of view, this is the best game that we have had collectively at home. It seemed like we dominated most of the game. We created quite a few goal opportunities, and that is what calms us down a bit. If we continue down that path playing like we did today, we’ll win and we’ll win more than we’ll lose. Obviously, defensively it was a notable improvement today. Practically spaces weren’t left open. That speaks highly of how well the 10 players in front of me were doing. … To not get the results we want is frustrating, but if we continue this way it will go well.”

On earning the point at home but wanting more:
“I want to win every game. When you’re at home with your fans, seeing that they’re making the effort to come to these games. … Playing the way we did tonight and not being able to give them three points, which we feel like they deserve and we deserve, it’s a frustrating feeling. Knowing where we are in the standings and playing the way we did tonight, we felt like we deserved three points, but this game isn’t about deserving; it’s about going out there and taking the points. Tonight, unfortunately it didn’t work that way for us, but I am at peace of mind knowing that if we continue to play the way we did tonight, sooner or later things will turn around for us.”

On finishing the third straight week with two games on the schedule:
“We train very hard to make sure that we have the legs to play as many games as we need to, whatever time span that it is. We have a good group of guys and I feel like we have enough depth to where we can have a competitive squad for 90 plus minutes. If it has to be every three, four days, so be it. At the end of the day, we’re professional athletes. We have to take care of our bodies on and off the pitch.

“I know that there are times where we can sense a bit of that fatigue, and that’s just where we need to step it up mentally. That’s where you have to show a little bit of that extra concentration so that when that fatigue steps in you know you can still focus and not become sloppy on the ball and in decision making. That is 100 percent just concentration. It is a frustrating feeling. What do we do? We soak it in. We analyze the video. We learn from what we did right, what we did wrong, and use that in training. Let it out in training.”

On the biggest takeaway from tonight heading into next Friday’s road game vs. NYCFC:
“The intensity. You saw guys throwing themselves in front of shots. When [Austin FC] were circulating the ball and getting into those wide spots how quick we were to shift and close the space down. A lot of times when they got into our final third it felt like they didn’t have much time to think about what their next option was going to be. The intensity that the guys showed tonight—that’s what I stick with.####

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. Los Angeles FC (LAFC) August 20, 2022

A pregame rondo with Los Angeles Football Club Forward GARETH BALE (11) in the middle before the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Los Angeles Football Club at PayPal Park in San Jose, California

MEDIA RELEASE:
Aug. 20, 2022
MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 2, LAFC 1
Quakes now 5-2-0 in last seven matches vs. LAFC; Eighteen-year-old Cade Cowell scores game-winner in front of sellout crowd
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes defeated first-place LAFC 2-1 in front of a sellout crowd on Saturday night at PayPal Park. LAFC entered the match on a seven-game winning streak and hadn’t lost since July 2.San Jose broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. Cristian Espinoza played a through ball to Tommy Thompson, who dribbled to the end line before playing a cut-back to forward Benji Kikanović for the first-timed finish (highlight).The Quakes held onto the lead into halftime before LAFC equalized in the 54th minute through Kwadwo Opoku.The Earthquakes then regained the lead on a thunderous strike by 18-year-old Cade Cowell in the 77th minute. Espinoza and Thompson combined again down the right flank with Thompson sending in a cross to the back post. Cowell volleyed the ball past goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau and into the roof of the net (highlight).The Earthquakes will now travel to face Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, Aug. 27. The match will kick off from Children’s Mercy Park at 5:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Bay Area, KNBR 1050 (English), and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).

GAME NOTESThe Earthquakes currently hold a 6-11-9 record (27 pts.) during the 2022 MLS regular season.San Jose is now 5-7-0 all-time vs. Los Angeles Football Club, including a 4-2-0 record at home. San Jose is now 5-2-0 in their last seven meetings with LAFC, including three straight home wins.The Earthquakes are now 6-7-6 in MLS play under interim head coach Alex Covelo.Benji Kikanović scored his fifth goal of the season and the ninth of his MLS career.Cade Cowell scored his second goal of the season and eighth of his MLS career.Tommy Thompson tallied his first and second assists of the season and 10th and 11th assists of his MLS career. It marked his second career multi-assist match (10/7/20 vs. VAN).Cristian Espinoza tallied his 10th and 11th assists of the season and 40th and 41st assists of his MLS career. He has passed Chris Wondolowski on the club’s all-time assists leaderboard and now ranks fourth in club history, just three behind third-place Richard Mulrooney.

MATCH INFORMATION
2022 MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 2 – 1 Los Angeles Football Club
Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 18,000 (sellout)
Man of the Match: Tommy ThompsonScoring Summary:
SJ (1-0) – Benji Kikanović (Tommy Thompson, Cristian Espinoza) 14’
LAFC (1-1) – Kwadwo Opoku (Kellyn Acosta) 54’
SJ (2-1) – Cade Cowell (Tommy Thompson, Cristian Espinoza) 77’

Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Tommy Thompson (caution) 30’
SJ – Nathan (caution) 31’
LAFC – Sebastien Ibeagha (caution) 42’
SJ – Benji Kikanović (caution) 60’
LAFC – Kellyn Acosta (caution) 67’
LAFC – Ilie Sanchez (caution) 67’
SJ – Eric Remedi (caution) 74’
LAFC – Ilie Sanchez (ejection) 79’
LAFC – Jose Cifuentes (caution) 86’
LAFC – Cristian Arango (caution) 90+6’

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Paul Marie, Tanner Beason, Nathan, Tommy Thompson; Jackson Yueill ©, Jan Gregus (Eric Remedi 69), Jamiro Monteiro; Benji Kikanović (Cade Cowell 69), Jeremy Ebobisse, Cristian Espinoza.Substitutes not used: Oskar Ågren, Matt Bersano (GK), Ousseni Bouda, Judson, Shea Salinas, Jack Skahan, Niko Tsakiris.

SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 14; CORNER KICKS: 11; SAVES: 1

LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB: Maxime Crepeau; Diego Palacios, Sebastien Ibeagha, Jesus Murillo, Franco Escobar (Eddie Segura 87); Kellyn Acosta ©, Sebastian Mendez (Jose Cifuentes 64), Latif Blessing (Ilie Sanchez 64); Kwadwo Opoku (Gareth Bale 76), Cristian Arango, Ryan Hollingshead (Carlos Vela 64).Substitutes not used: John McCarthy (GK), Brian Rodriguez, Daniel Trejo.

SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 1; FOULS: 14; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 3

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH ALEX COVELO

On tonight’s perseverance to get a signature win at home:
“Emotions are high right now. We need to be calm, but I believe tonight is one of the best games I have seen from this team this season. When you lose, you ‘stink’ and when you win, everybody wants to talk good things about you. The guys showed that we have personality and played good with and without the ball. And we did it.”

On where the motivation came from for tonight’s match even with the new coach announcement earlier this week:
“From the beginning when I took the team, I said I am here with San Jose and for San Jose. I was going to do whatever it takes to help the team. The players took the notice, took the news, they are professionals and know what they have to do. We are in this together. As I said in the past, the team trains fantastic every day, every week, following the game plan, and giving their best. We did it naturally and understanding there were nine games left and now eight. Before tonight, we were behind 9-10 points, and we have to still fight. We have to keep fighting and take this naturally.”

On the atmosphere in the stadium and what it meant to the team tonight:
“Tonight, we played with 12 players. Anything can happen when the stadium is like that. It was incredible. It was amazing that the fans pushed the team and accompanied us. It helped us a lot.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER TOMMY THOMPSON

On tonight’s performance:
“It felt great. The atmosphere was electric. I give a lot of credit to the fans that came out to support us. There is no doubt. We’ve had some difficult moments this year, but it’s moments like that that shows the strength of this team mentally, physically, and the ability that we have to compete with some of the best teams and the best players in this league. For me personally, it felt great to put in a good shift with the team, but I give a lot of credit to all the guys out there that fought until the end right in the middle of the difficult moment that we’re in. I think it’s exciting and it’s a night that I won’t forget anytime soon.”

On the team’s mentality for tonight after the hiring of Luchi Gonzalez as the next Quakes head coach:
“I think we’re all excited about the hire [Luchi Gonzalez]. It was a great hire, but at the end of the day, our focus is the here and now. I give a ton of credit to the guys that came in: Lucho [Luciano Fusco], [Alex] Covelo, Wondo [Chris Wondolowski], Steve Ralston, Tubo [Fernandez]. All those guys came in at a really difficult moment. I think it was seven games into the season and they provided us with the positive energy that we needed. If you look at our record over that time period, it shows that we’ve been competitive consistently over the past couple of months. I think that’s a really positive piece of this season and I give those guys a ton of credit. It was a difficult moment and we’ve fought through those difficult moments. So, the hire is exciting, it’s exciting for the fans and the players. I think Luchi coming in is a step in the right direction and we’ll all be ready once he arrives in San Jose, but right now, we’re focused on giving the fans performances like we did tonight and I just wanted to give credit to the coaches here that have done something special over the course of the last 15 games or whatever it may be because I’m grateful for that. Whether I was playing or not playing, I’m grateful for that positive energy that has just provided us with that stimulus that we needed this year.”###

Earthquakes Communications Contacts:
Jake Pisani – Director, Communications
jpisani@sjearthquakes.com
C: 650.483.0701

Pedro Ortiz – Manager, Communications
portiz@sjearthquakes.com
C: 650.457.3512

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Columbus Crew, March 5, 2022

A beautiful day for Major League Soccer at the match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Columbus Crew at PayPal Park in San Jose, California

MEDIA RELEASE:
March 5, 2022

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 3, Columbus Crew 3
Quakes play a man down for 57+ minutes; Calvo scores two, including stoppage-time equalizer
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes earned a dramatic 3-3 draw against the Columbus Crew on Saturday afternoon at PayPal Park.
After taking an early 1-0 lead on a Cristian Espinoza penalty kick, San Jose dropped to 10 men when Jamiro Monteiro was shown a straight red card in the 33rd minute. Columbus took advantage by scoring three unanswered goals, including two by Lucas Zelarayan, to take a 3-1 lead into the final 15 minutes of the match.
Francisco Calvo got the Quakes within striking distance by heading home a Jan Gregus free kick in the 84th minute. The two newcomers to the club connected again six minutes into stoppage time, with Calvo heading in the equalizer off a Gregus corner kick.
The Earthquakes will now hit the road for their first away match of the season against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, March 12. Kickoff from Subaru Park is set for 4:30 p.m. PT and the match will be broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area Plus, KNBR 1050, and 1370 KZSF.

GAME NOTES
The Earthquakes currently hold a 0-1-1 record (1 pts.) during the 2022 MLS regular season.
The Quakes now hold a 15-20-9 all-time record against the Columbus Crew, including a 12-6-6 record at home.
San Jose remains undefeated at PayPal Park when hosting Columbus (2-0-2).
The Quakes scored two goals while down a man for the first time since June 29, 2013 vs. LA.
Midfielder Cristian Espinoza scored his first goal of the season and ninth of his MLS career.
Defender Francisco Calvo scored two goals, his first two goals of the season and 11th and 12th of his MLS career.
Midfielder Jan Gregus tallied two assists, his first two assists of the season and 20th and 21st assists of his MLS career.

MATCH INFORMATION
MLS Regular SeasonSan Jose Earthquakes 3 – 3 Columbus Crew March 5, 2022 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.Attendance: 12,888Man of the Match: Francisco Calvo

Scoring Summary:SJ (1-0) – Cristian Espinoza (penalty) 9’CLB (1-1) – Lucas Zelarayan (Steven Moreira) 40’CLB (2-1) – Gyasi Zardes (Derrick Etienne Jr.) 68’CLB (3-1) – Lucas Zelarayan (direct free kick) 73’SJ (3-2) – Francisco Calvo (Jan Gregus) 84’SJ (3-3) – Francisco Calvo (Jan Gregus) 90+6′
Misconduct Summary:SJ – Eric Remedi (caution) 16’SJ – Jamiro Monteiro (ejection) 33’CLB – Pedro Santos (caution) 45+6’SJ – Judson (caution) 75’SJ – Benji Kikanović (caution) 79’CLB – James Igbekeme (caution) 83’CLB – Lucas Zelarayan (caution) 90’CLB – Jalil Anibaba (caution) 90+5′

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Francisco Calvo, Jackson Yueill, Paul Marie (Tommy Thompson 79); Marcos Lopez, Jan Gregus, Eric Remedi (Judson 46), Cristian Espinoza, Chofis (Cade Cowell 46), Jamiro Monteiro; Jeremy Ebobisse (Benji Kikanović 72). Substitutes not used: Tanner Beason, Matt Bersano, Ousseni Bouda, Siad Haji, Niko Tsakiris.

SHOTS: 7; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 4

COLUMBUS CREW: Eloy Room; Jonathan Mensah, Milos Degenek, Pedro Santos, Steven Moreira, Darlington Nagbe, Artur (James Igbekeme 65), Lucas Zelarayan (Jalil Anibaba 90+1), Yaw Yeboah (Aidan Morris 89), Derrick Etienne Jr., Miguel Berry (Gyasi Zardes 65).
Substitutes not used: Evan Bush, Marlon Hairston, Erik Hurtado, Alexandru Matan, Will Sands.

SHOTS: 19; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 16; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 1

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On set pieces and how they thrive on them:“Our new arrivals have good service and are dangerous in the air. Fortunately, today they were able to execute both plays. We still have to keep working on our finishing. Today’s match was really difficult because [Columbus] scored four goals in its previous game. When we were 11v11, we were dominating the game. We played a man down against them for about 70 minutes. The moment we went down 3-1, we decided to go man to man and take more risks. We got our reward for the effort. With 10 players, we had two or three chances based off our build-up play. So, I’m really happy for the players and fans who came out today, and for us as well because we dedicate a lot of time studying the opponent and the club as well.”
On adjusting tactics mid-game and how he’ll approach Philadelphia:“I understood that the game today should’ve been played with that. Especially due to the strategy of Columbus, this is a system that we already have that’s pretty well oiled for us. We’re not going to get caught up with one system. We’re looking for variations in order to get more results than last year. Today, we thought that the game should be played with that formation. We’ll see what we decide for the upcoming match.”
On substitutions at halftime:“I think the players interpreted what we they had to do well. The game required that we make changes. We had to play in a different way that we spoke about at halftime. I was obligated to take [Eric] Remedi off because the ref was likely to send him off. I was liking how he was playing. But once I noticed that every time he would challenge for the ball, there would be a foul and I saw the red card coming quickly. Being a man down, we added different characteristics out wide. Without so much passing quality and dribbles that we have in Chofis, we decided to play with more aggression and speed for the counterattack. The players did well. I always say the same thing with Cade, he’s a young guy that some day, after having many more games played, when he has that chance that he had today, he’s going to shoot instead of cutting inside. But that’s the time that every player needs to become a better player.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER FRANCISCO CALVO
On scoring his goals:“This is just not about Francisco Calvo. This is about the San Jose Earthquakes, about this team. I’m happy for the two goals for sure and to help the team tie the game, but I need to talk about the effort of the team. Being down 3-1 and tying the game is amazing and hopefully we can go from here.”
On the team’s mentality playing with 10 men:“It was tough because we were almost 70 minutes with a man down. And it’s tough, in high level it’s tough to play with 10 [men]. About the goals, I just believed in my teammates, I know they cross really well. If it wasn’t me, I was pretty sure it was another guy who was going to score. Thank God he gave me these two goals and I could help the team. It’s a good point. When we play at home, we always want to win here, but we tied against a really good team. Remember that they just scored four goals in their last game. I don’t think they overplayed us either. They had two golazos from [Lucas] Zelarayan, and sometimes you can’t do anything against that.”
On the team’s resilience today:“Yeah, that’s the right word: resilience. That’s a really good word. And everything starts with [Matias Almeyda] and his coaching staff. I think the spirit that he transmits, the will, the anger, the idea of never giving up, it all starts with him. We then transmit that one by one and in the end, we move onward with that as a team. I’m very happy for scoring my goals, grateful to God, but this is a job done by the entire team. It’s San Jose who earned the score and it’s a point that we didn’t want to let go, but we celebrate it due to the circumstances. We played around 70 minutes with a man down and it’s very difficult playing like that at the highest level.”

####

Contact:
Jake Pisani – 408-556-7774 – jpisani@sjearthquakes.com
Pedro Ortiz – 408-556-3415 – portiz@sjearthquakes.com

San Jose Earthquakes vs. New York Red Bulls, February 26, 2022

San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and New York Red Bulls at PayPal Park in San Jose, California

MEDIA RELEASE:
Feb. 26, 2022

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 1, New York Red Bulls 3
Chofis scores first goal of the season; Three players make Earthquakes debuts
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell the New York Red Bulls 3-1 in their 2022 season opener at PayPal Park on Saturday afternoon.
Chofis scored the lone goal for San Jose, while Cristian Espinoza tallied an assist. Midfielders Jamiro Monteiro and Jan Gregus and defender Francisco Calvo all made their Earthquakes debut.
The Earthquakes will remain in San Jose to host the Columbus Crew on Saturday, March 5, presented by Fastmetrics. Kickoff from PayPal Park is set for 2:30 p.m. PT and the match will be broadcast on NBC Sports California, KNBR 1050 and KZSF 1370.

GAME NOTES
The Earthquakes currently hold a 0-1-0 record (0 pts.) during the 2022 MLS regular season.
The Quakes now hold a 17-15-9 all-time record against the New York Red Bulls.
Midfielder Chofis scored his first goal of the season and 13th of his MLS career.
Midfielder Cristian Espinoza tallied his first assist of the season and 31st of his MLS career.
Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski and forward Jeremy Ebobisse made their 50th and 100th MLS appearance, respectively.

MATCH INFORMATION
MLS Regular SeasonSan Jose Earthquakes 1 – 3 New York Red Bulls Feb. 26, 2022 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.Attendance: 16,146

Scoring Summary:RBNY (1-0) – Patryk Klimala (Lewis Morgan, Omir Fernandez) 45+1’SJ (1-1) – Chofis (Cristian Espinoza) 69’RBNY (2-1) – Omir Fernandez (Frankie Amaya) 72’RBNY (3-1) – Tom Barlow (Caden Clark) 90+2′
Misconduct Summary:RBNY – Cristian Cásseres Jr. (caution) 56’RBNY – Dru Yearwood (caution) 65’RBNY – John Tolkin (caution) 89′

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Nathan (Tanner Beason 22), Francisco Calvo; Jackson Yueill, Jan Gregus, Eric Remedi (Tommy Thompson 65), Jamiro Monteiro, Chofis, Cristian Espinoza (Siad Haji 86), Cade Cowell (Benji Kikanovic 65); Jeremy Ebobisse.
Substitutes not used: Matt Bersano, Paul Marie, Judson, Marcos Lopez, Jack Skahan.

SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 6; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 4

NEW YORK RED BULLS: Carlos Coronel; Dylan Nealis, Sean Nealis, Aaron Long, John Tolkin; Frankie Amaya, Lewis Morgan, Dru Yearwood (Daniel Edelman 74), Omir Fernandez (Serge Ngoma 77), Cristian Casseres Jr. (Caden Clark 57); Patryk Klimala (Tom Barlow 77).
Substitutes not used: Anthony Marcucci, Lucan Monzón, Ryan Meara, Zach Ryan

SHOTS: 18; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 22; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 1

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On the goals surrendered against Red Bulls:“If you watch the three goals, which I just watched, there was no build-up play from the opponent. There wasn’t game control from the opponent to create the goal-scoring chance. What I saw on the opponent is that they pressed us when our players had their back turned. We know that we shouldn’t play through the middle because one of the strong points is Red Bulls’ pressure because we know that with our turnovers, they can break away quickly and they will catch us open – and that’s how two of those goals were scored. Two turnovers, two counters, but it was their virtue where they put away the chances that they had. But I didn’t see that they were able to hurt us through their build-up play, but rather our own mistakes.”

On how long it will take for the three new players to adapt to the rest of the squad:“Surely that’s going to take some time. There are some people who pick up new systems faster than others. Also get to know their new teammates, some do that faster than others. I think the three new guys looked good today. Surely as time goes on, the better they will look just as well as the rest of the team.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER JAMIRO MONTEIRO
On his Earthquakes debut:“I had already felt comfortable, the guys welcomed me very well. I am happy that I played my first game for San Jose. Disappointed that we didn’t get the three points, but we have a long season. We learned a lot in this game, but we will move on and make it better.”
On his takeaways from the first match of the season:“The connections were really good between me and Chofis, Jebo [Jeremy Ebobisse], Cade [Cowell], and [Cristian] Espinoza. Everybody likes to come to the ball, pass in the back. We have a good connection. We train really hard on that. This is our first game, it’s a long season, and we will do better for sure. The idea that the coach has is a very good idea, but it will come for sure. We will do better.”

####

Contact:
Jake Pisani – 408-556-7774 – jpisani@sjearthquakes.com
Pedro Ortiz – 408-556-3415 – portiz@sjearthquakes.com

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Austin FC, October 20, 2021

Austin FC Forward MOUSSA DJITTÉ (99) takes a shot during warmups of the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Austin Football Club at PayPal Park in San Jose, California

MEDIA RELEASE:
Oct. 20, 2021

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 4, Austin FC 0
Wondolowski scores 169th MLS goal
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes defeated Austin FC 4-0 on Wednesday evening at PayPal Park. Four different players scored for San Jose, including Major League Soccer’s all-time leading scorer Chris Wondolowski.
After a scoreless first half, San Jose struck early in the second frame. Benji Kikanovic forced a turnover in the corner and carried the ball goalward. His lateral pass bounded past several players before finding Chofis at the back post for the short-range finish.
San Jose added a second just a few minutes later. Jeremy Ebobisse battled with his defender for possession of a long through ball with both eventually stumbling. Kikanovic recovered the loose ball and curled a low shot past goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
The Quakes extended their lead to 3-0 in the 59th minute. Cristian Espinoza played a floating ball into the box, which was cleared only as far as the penalty spot. Chris Wondolowski volleyed the bouncing ball into the back of the net.
San Jose then added a fourth goal in the 85th minute when Carlos Fierro headed home a corner kick by Cristian Espinoza.
The Quakes will now prepare to host Vancouver Whitecaps FC at PayPal Park, presented by Intermedia. The match, which will celebrate the 2001 MLS Cup-winning team, will kick off at 7 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.

GAME NOTES
The Earthquakes now hold a 9-12-9 record (36 pts.) during the 2021 MLS regular season and are currently in 10th place in the Western Conference.
San Jose is now 2-0-1 all-time vs. Austin, with a 1-0-0 home record. The Quakes have scored four goals in each of their last two meetings with Austin.
San Jose’s last victory by a margin of 4+ goals was vs. LA Galaxy (4-0) on Oct. 14, 2020.
The Quakes recorded their first multi-goal shutout victory since Sept. 29, in which the Quakes defeated LAFC 2-0 at PayPal Park.
Midfielder Chofis scored his team-leading 12th goal of the season, his first season in MLS. His 12 goals are the most by any first-year player in MLS. His goal also marked his second game-winning goal of the season.
Rookie forward Benji Kikanovic scored his third goal of the season.
Forward Jeremy Ebobisse tallied the assist on Kikanovic’s goal. It marked his first assist of the season and ninth of his MLS career.
Forward Chris Wondolowski scored his third goal of the season and 169th of his MLS career. Along with two postseason goals, he now has 171 combined regular season and playoff goals, surpassing Landon Donovan (170) for most all-time.
Midfielder Carlos Fierro scored his second goal of the season and fourth of his MLS career.
Midfielder Cristian Espinoza tallied the assist on Fierro’s goal. It marked his team-leading seventh assist of the season and 29th of his MLS career.
Tonight’s shutout marks JT Marcinkowski’s fifth shutout in 2021, and 10th of his MLS career. His five shutouts are a single-season career-high.

MATCH INFORMATION
MLS Regular SeasonSan Jose Earthquakes 4 – 0 Austin FCOct. 20, 2021 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.Attendance: 12,035Man of the Match: Benji Kikanovic

Scoring Summary:SJ (1-0) – Chofis (unassisted) 46’SJ (2-0) – Benji Kikanovic (Jeremy Ebobisse) 53’SJ (3-0) – Chris Wondolowski (unassisted) 59’SJ (4-0) – Carlos Fierro (Cristian Espinoza) 85′
Misconduct Summary:SJ – Nathan (caution) 25’ATX – Jhohan Romaña (caution) 39’ATX – Alex Ring (caution) 45+1’SJ – Marcos Lopez (caution) 81′

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Marcos Lopez, Tanner Beason, Nathan, Tommy Thompson (Paul Marie 58); Eric Remedi, Jackson Yueill, Cristian Espinoza, Chofis (Cristian Espinoza 58); Andy Rios (Chris Wondolowski 58), Benji Kikanovic (Carlos Fierro 65), Jeremy Ebobisse (Cade Cowell 65).
Substitutes not used: Oswaldo Alanis, Tanner Beason, Judson, Shea Salinas, Daniel Vega.

SHOTS: 20; SHOTS ON GOAL: 9; FOULS: 14; CORNER KICKS: 10; SAVES: 4

AUSTIN FC: Brad Stuver; Jhohan Romaña, Julio Cascante, Zan Kolmanic, Nick Lima; Tomas Pochettino, Alex Ring, Sebastian Driussi (Dani Pereira 70); Cecilio Dominguez (Rodney Reyes 46), Diego Fagundez (Kekuta Manneh 80), Moussa Djitte (McKinze Gaines 46).
Substitutes not used: Sebastian Berhalter, Jon Gallagher, Hector Jimenez, Aedan Stanley, Andrew Tarbell.

SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 12; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 5

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On his impressions of the match and shutout victory:“I think we played a great game. The strategy went well because we won the match by creating many opportunities to get shots on goal. When the team plays well, everyone plays well, even the guys who came off the bench. I think if we were able to maintain this consistency, intensity and style, surely our outlook would be different. It makes me happy for the young players. They showed they go for more even in a complicated present. I asked them to play for honor and they did that.”
On Benji Kikanovic’s impact as a winger:“I decided for him to play on the left side. Benji, Cade Cowell, Cristian Espinoza, Carlos Fierro can all play in different positions. That is what we are looking for and try to transmit to them. I have been saying for a while that when the young players have 30 matches played for San Jose, they will be more complete. Among four to five players, younger guys such as Tanner Beason, Jackson Yueill, Benji need these minutes to improve, make mistakes and grow physically and mentally.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On scoring his 169th MLS goal:“To be honest, it was a bit of a combo, both relief and joy. Joy to get that win, especially a breakout win in front of our home fans. It’s been a strong point for us to be better at home and to pick up points and it’s exciting to be able to get more points at home for it to be a fortress. That’s something that we try to work on and keep trying to continue to improve. To have this breakout game at home was very satisfying, very nice. For myself, I grab joy from that and for myself it’s a bit of a relief. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it hit the back of the net, so to do that was special as well.”
On the team’s confidence heading into the remaining few games after tonight’s win:“I think it’s something that was needed. I think it was great for the morale in the locker room. It was nice to have one of those tangible wins where everything went well. We worked on set pieces, and we were able to get a set piece goal. We worked on our diagonals and crosses, and we were able to get a goal like that. It was nice to have everything kind of click so I think that it’s very beneficial for us as we close on these last four games and try to make the best run as we can.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES GOALKEEPER JT MARCINKOWSKI
On Tanner Beason’s impact in the defense:“Tanner has done really well. He’s a gamer. I think he’s someone who leaves it all on the line. I think you can see that in his save and the countless number of blocks he makes throughout a match. I think the entire team played really well tonight because of the way we pressed in the first and second half. It was really effective. Our backline was really sharp and compact, and communicated really well with each other. Nathan, Marcos Lopez, Tommy Thompson and Paul Marie played well. I think Eric Remedi had six or seven key tackles in the middle, same with Jackson Yueill. It was overall a team effort and we were fortunate to get the clean sheet.”
On the team’s communication in the locker room:“Before the game, I think there was a really good vibe in the locker room. Matias Almeyda has always told us to play with love, passion and honor. I think that’s what we showed tonight. We played for each other, with each other as a team. At halftime, we tried to continue what we were doing in the first half. We created some good chances, and we knew if we kept a high intensity, goals would come in the second half. I think it was crucial getting a few early and putting ourselves on the front foot. I think that’s something we haven’t done well this year, putting teams away when we can. We let a lot of teams back into the game when they shouldn’t have been there. It was nice to finally get one where we scored goals when we needed to. After the match, it was a good vibe, but we’re ready for Saturday. It’s a quick turnaround. There’s only a short amount of time before the next game. All eyes are on Vancouver.”

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Contact:
Jake Pisani – 408-556-7774 – jpisani@sjearthquakes.com
Pedro Ortiz – 408-556-3415 – portiz@sjearthquakes.com