SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Colorado Rapids 3-0 Saturday night at PayPal Park.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 10th minute when they drew a penalty kick and forward Miguel Navarro converted from the spot. Colorado doubled their lead at the hour mark when a Keegan Rosenberry cross bounced around in the box off Cole Bassett and found an opportunistic Navarro, who tapped it in. The Quakes were dangerous all game, outshooting the Rapids (22-13) and putting more attempts on goal (6-3), but could not find the back of the net for just the second time this season. Bassett scored a third in the 80th minute to put the game away.
The Quakes travel to Southern California for their next contest against archrival LA Galaxy on Sunday, April 21, in what will be the 100th California Clásico in all competitions. Kickoff from Dignity Health Sports Park is set for 5:15 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and nationally on FS1, as well as on local radio via AM 810 The Spread (English) and AM 1370 La Kaliente (Spanish).
GAME NOTES
The Quakes now hold a 32-26-19 overall record against the Rapids, including a 19-10-9 record at home.
San Jose outshot Colorado (22-13) and put more shots on goal (6-3), but were shut out for only the second time all season.
Colorado goalkeeper William Yarbrough faced his former team for the first time since joining the Quakes in January. As a member of the Rapids, he amassed 33 shutouts in 101 appearances and logged 9,044 minutes across four MLS seasons. He also helped lead them to first place in the Western Conference in 2021.
MATCH INFORMATION
San Jose Earthquakes 0-3 Colorado Rapids
Saturday, April 13, 2024 – PayPal Park; San Jose, Calif.
Scoring Summary:
COL (0-1) – Miguel Navarro (penalty) 10’
COL (0-2) – Miguel Navarro (Cole Bassett) 60’
COL (0-3) – Cole Bassett (Miguel Navarro) 80’
Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Alfredo Morales (caution) 32’
COL – Cole Bassett (caution) 37’
SJ – Paul Marie (caution) 48’
SJ – Preston Judd (caution) 80’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: William Yarbrough; Carlos Akapo, Tanner Beason (Ousseni Bouda 74’), Rodrigues, Paul Marie (Vítor Costa 56’); Alfredo Morales (Jack Skahan 62’), Jackson Yueill (C), Niko Tsakiris; Cristian Espinoza, Amahl Pellegrino (Benji Kikanović 62’), Jeremy Ebobisse (Preston Judd 61’).
Substitutes not used: Emi Ochoa (GK), Carlos Gruezo, Daniel Munie, Tommy Thompson.
POSS.: 58.9%; SHOTS: 22; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; CORNERS: 10; SAVES: 0; FOULS: 11; xG: 2.2
COLORADO RAPIDS: Zack Steffen; Keegan Rosenberry, Sam Vines, Andreas Maxso, Moise Bombito; Djordje Mihailović (Wayne Frederick 90+1’), Oliver Larraz (Jackson Travis 90+1’), Cole Bassett; Miguel Navarro (Darren Yapi 85’), Calvin Harris (Omir Fernández 85’), Kévin Cabral (Lamine Diack 85’).
Substitutes not used: Adam Beaudry (GK), Lalas Abubakar, Sebastian Anderson, Marlon Vargas.
POSS.: 41.1%; SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; CORNERS: 7; SAVES: 5; FOULS: 4; xG: 3.0
EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ
On how he can help with the team’s mindset amid the early season results:
“In key moments…when there is a tempo, speed, and pressure you have to make a split-second decision individually and in a collective way. I think it’s about building confidence that we know the solutions and how can we decide better over a 90-minute game. … Confidence is built with first taking ownership. We are going to review this and not be happy with the breakdowns, and then move forward. ... We can’t get stuck staring at the table and worrying about playoffs; it’s not about that at this point. It’s about getting better at training Tuesday. Let’s bring it Tuesday, let’s compete Tuesday, and let’s go to LA Galaxy and do what no one expects us to do.”
On the different challenges the team have faced this season:
“Every game has a different story. … We’ve had some interesting goals against us. Let’s not even allow that shot to even happen; that’s the standard we have to set for ourselves. We’re very disappointed with this result at home. If someone didn’t watch the game there is going to be a judgment about it, which is fair. We have to take responsibility for that. We have to take responsibility for our games. That’s the scoreline; we have to take accountability, but also know that the guys didn’t give up. We didn’t give up; they pushed ‘til the end. I thought that they took their chances, and we didn’t, and that’s it. Let’s not overthink it. We aren’t going to change everything. We’re going to take the next step and make some adjustments and hope that they work next.”
On preparing for the LA Galaxy next Sunday (translated from Spanish):
“We know that things aren’t getting easier; they’re getting harder. But we know that when things get harder, we have to be strong. We have to be united. We have to keep fighting and keep having faith, and keep making us better. What a beautiful opportunity to play Galaxy in [Southern California], a team that hasn’t been beaten in their own stadium. It’s a game that’s very important for our fans, our community, our club, the history of the clubs, the rivalry. … We want to change the course of our trajectory with this game.”
On the play of 18-year-old midfielder Niko Tsakiris (translated from Spanish):
“Niko is progressing well from his injury. He’s getting his rhythm. He played with a lot of positivity. As the game progressed, he showed a lot of courage. He’s learning. He’s learning. I love his mentality, his ability, and he’s going to keep helping this team as he keeps growing.”
EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER NIKO TSAKIRIS
On the team’s mentality after the tough start to the season:
“It’s not the start to the year that we wanted, that we were looking for. We’re looking to build moments, [and] find moments to turn this thing around. We made a comment today. It doesn’t happen in a day. It doesn’t happen in one action. It takes time, and we know that. We’re just looking for those three points to turn this thing around and a moment for this group to build momentum again and get a rhythm where we are getting points.”
On turning results around:
“I feel like we created a few moments tonight where we have been looking to build off of. The combinations in the final third is something we wanted to build off of and we saw that tonight. We just didn’t put away our chances. It’s hard right now, but we’re looking to fight back and we’re looking to get our three points, which I think is big right now for us and the momentum of the team. In terms of a spark, I think it’s just the collective, coming together and fighting for three points.”
