COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The San Jose Earthquakes and the Colorado Rapids played to a scoreless draw on Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. The Quakes closed their road week earning four of six possible points without conceding a single goal in the two road games.
The Quakes had some close scoring opportunities, including a long range shot from Benji Kikanović that bounced off Marko Ilić’s left post, as well as headers by Jeremy Ebobisse and Carlos Akapo. Colorado was shown a red card in the 59th minute before earning a penalty kick opportunity 11 minutes later that was successfully blocked by Quakes goalkeeper Daniel.
Ultimately, neither team was able to find the back of the net.
The Earthquakes will now return to San Jose to host the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, June 10, presented by Intermedia. Kickoff from PayPal Park is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be streamed globally on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app, as well as on local radio via 810 AM The Spread (English) and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).
GAME NOTES
The Earthquakes now hold a 6-5-5 record (23 pts.) during the 2023 MLS regular season and currently sit in fifth place in the 14-team Western Conference.
San Jose currently hold a 32-25-19 record against the Colorado Rapids, including a 13-16-10 record on the road.
The Quakes have only conceded one goal in their last three matches.
Midfielder Jackson Yueill made his 163rd Quakes appearance (150 starts), tying Richard Mulrooney for seventh most appearances and tying Ronald Cerritos for eighth most starts in club history.
Carlos Akapo was active for the first time since April 29, 2023, after working his way back from a hamstring injury. He entered the match as a substitute in the 76th minute.
Goalkeeper Daniel his second shutout of the season, making five saves, including a penalty shot. He has now made 13 saves in the last two games.
MATCH INFORMATION
2023 MLS Regular Season
Colorado Rapids 0 – 0 San Jose Earthquakes
Saturday, June 3, 2023 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.
Attendance: 15,038
Man of the Match: Daniel
Scoring Summary:
None.
Misconduct Summary:
COL – Moise Bombito (caution) 44’
COL – Moise Bombito (ejection) 51’
COL – Kevin Cabral (caution) 59’
COLORADO RAPIDS: Marko Ilić; Keegan Rosenberry, Danny Wilson, Andreas Maxso (C), Sam Nicholson (Lalas Abubakar 88’), Moise Bombito; Connor Ronan (Ralph Priso 79’), Bryan Acosta (Danny Leyva 88’), Cole Bassett; Jonathan Lewis (Braian Galvan 79’), Kevin Cabral.
Substitutes not used: Michael Barrios, Steven Beitashour, Alex Gersbach, Calvin Harris, William Yarbrough (GK).
SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 11; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 0
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel; Miguel Trauco, Tanner Beason, Rodrigues, Paul Marie (Carlos Akapo 76’); Jamiro Monteiro, Carlos Gruezo, Jackson Yueill (C); Benji Kikanović (Tommy Thompson 76’), Jeremy Ebobisse, Cristian Espinoza.
Substitutes not used: Michael Baldisimo, Ousseni Bouda, Judson, JT Marcinkowski (GK), Jonathan Mensah, Daniel Munie, Will Richmond.
SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 0; FOULS: 6; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 5
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ
On earning points in back-to-back road matches:
“If you look at the body of work over the two away games, four points and two shutouts in two games, I would say it’s positive. In the circumstance where we could get the winning goal, we did push in the end, but we wanted to do it in an organized way. We had five shots in the last 10 minutes and zero went on target. They were blocked or they went slightly wide. [Carlos] Akapo also gets that open header. At the end of the day, I thought we did push in a very smart, organized way in the end to try to win because at the end of the day you did see in transition how dangerous they were. They put us under pressure, and we adjusted much better with our defensive shape to get pressure on their center backs, deny the diagonals, and defend much better. I thought we were much more in the game in the second half, with or without [Colorado’s] red card. Daniel was stepping it up winning in the penalty kick, in the game moments in the run of play. But collectively, the team put a great effort, mentality, and grit to defend and to earn points. In reflection, I think it’s positive, we’ll grab that, and now we get to go home and play a really good Philadelphia team and try to earn maximum points.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER CARLOS AKAPO
On the team results this week:
“It’s been a good week for us. I think we could’ve done better, there is always room for improvement. We know that it’s been a good week because we have only conceded a goal which was last Saturday vs. Dallas. We’re heading home very happy because we have been improving in goals conceded over the course of the past three matches. We have to keep that going next week at home vs. Philadelphia, earn three points, keep playing like we have been at home, and continue to move up the standings.”
