WASHINGTON, D.C. – The San Jose Earthquakes and D.C. United played to a scoreless draw on Saturday evening at PayPal Park. Goalkeeper Daniel tied his season-best of eight saves in a Man of the Match performance to help the Quakes earn their eighth shutout of the season.
Both sides played scoreless through the first half. D.C. United nearly took the lead early in the second half, but had a goal recalled for offside.
The Quakes almost broke the draw in the 64th through Jeremy Ebobisse hitting the side netting on a breakaway. Goalkeeper Daniel made a diving save in the 70th minute to deny D.C. a shot into the top right corner. San Jose would be reduced to ten men in the 90th minute but would battle to earn a crucial point on the road.
The Earthquakes will now return home to face Real Salt Lake on Saturday, Sept. 16, presented by Dropbox. Kickoff from PayPal Park is slated 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 an 9-9-10 record (37 pts.) during the 2023 MLS regular season and currently sit in eighth place in the 14-team Western Conference, but only three points from third place.
The Quakes hold a 18-15-9 record against D.C. United, including a 9-10-2 record at home.
San Jose earned their eighth shutout of the season and have only lost one of their last four road matches.
Goalkeeper Daniel made eight saves to earn his fifth shutout of the season, trying his season-best for saves in a single match.
Defender Daniel Munie earned his first start in his MLS career. Munie made his debut this season against Seattle Sounders FC on May 31.
Midfielder Jackson Yueill is now ranked fifth for most appearances in club history (172), passing Joe Cannon.
MATCH INFORMATION
D.C. United 0 – 0 San Jose Earthquakes
Saturday, September 9, 2023 – Audi Field, Washington, DC
Attendance: 17,255
Man of the Match: Daniel
Scoring Summary:
None.
Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Daniel Munie (caution) 51’
SJ – Rodrigues (caution) 56’
SJ – Jeremy Ebobisse (caution) 64’
DC – Pedro Santos (caution) 65’
SJ – Tanner Beason (ejection) 90’
D.C. UNITED: Alex Bono; Ruan, Brendan Hines-Ike, Pedro Santos, Steven Birnbaum (C); Russell Canouse (Nigel Robertha 87’), Gabriel Pirani (Yamil Asad 81’), Ted Ku-DiPietro, Mateusz Klich; Cristian Dajome (Erik Hurtado 72’), Christian Benteke
Substitutes not used: Luis Zamudio (GK), Chris Durkin, Jackson Hopkins, Donovan Pines, Gaoussou Samake, Hayden Sargis, Luis Zamudio
SHOTS: 24; SHOTS ON GOAL: 9; FOULS: 11; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 2
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel; Tanner Beason, Daniel Munie, Rodrigues, Carlos Akapo, Paul Marie; Jackson Yueill (C), Niko Tsakiris (Michael Baldisimo 76’), Jamiro Monteiro (Tommy Thomspon 76’); Cristian Espinoza (Cam Cilley 90+5’), Jeremy Ebobisse (Ayo Akinola 82’)
Substitutes not used: JT Marcinkowski (GK), Matthew Hoppe, Will Richmond
SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 16; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 8
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ
On getting a point on the road against D.C. United:
“We had some challenges with player availability, with injuries and international callups. I am proud of our guys for adjusting to a different formation. Still, there are principles and concepts that we want to keep improving. I thought we had some good moments of building pressure and forcing turnovers, leading to good offensive transitions. I thought we rotated the ball quicker and with more simplicity. Credit to the guys, they put together a good effort.”
On defender Daniel Munie performance tonight:
“Daniel [Munie] has been working had all season. It is not easy to just rotate center backs and to play a younger center back in his first year anywhere in the world. It is a position, like a goalkeeper, closest to the goal. You need security and stability. Munie was prepared and ready. He is a young, structured, disciplined, and an athletic player. He is a great player and open to learning. He got the job done.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER DANIEL MUNIE
On tonight’s defensive plan against D.C. United:
“It was crucial to have Tanner [Beason] there centrally, to be able to talk to Rodrigues and me. I could talk to Tanner and to Akapo too in order to help him shift over. With [Christian] Benteke up top, we wanted to make sure we had one challenge, be physical, and have a lot of cover underneath to take care of second chances. There was a lot of communication between us three to help keep the shutout.”
On what he learned in his first MLS start:
“It was important to get that first start under my belt. I felt pretty good and felt confident after this whole time being out here and learning from these guys. The team having confidence in me helps me to go out there and perform to my best. I am getting better every day. It wasn’t perfect. I felt like it was a good performance. I’m going to keep working through this and get ready for whenever my name gets called next.”
