SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes and the Portland Timbers played to a scoreless draw on Saturday night at PayPal Park. The Quakes extend their home undefeated streak this season to nine games (6-0-3), their best home start to a season since 2005.
San Jose featured a heavily rotated lineup due to national team call-ups, missing defenders Carlos Akapo and Miguel Trauco, and midfielders Carlos Gruezo and Jamiro Monteiro.
Goalkeeper Daniel made a goal line save in the 47th minute to keep the match 0-0. Neither side was able to break the deadlock, with both teams hitting the post on multiple occasions.
The Earthquakes will now prepare for two matches next week, first traveling to face Houston Dynamo FC on Wednesday, June 21. Kickoff from Shell Energy Stadium is slated for 5:30 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 7-5-6 record (27 pts.) during the 2023 MLS regular season and currently sit in fourth place in the 14-team Western Conference.
San Jose now hold a 6-16-10 all-time record against the Portland Timbers, including a 6-4-6 record at home.
The Quakes home undefeated streak (7-0-3) is on pace for their best home unbeaten streak since 2019 (10-0-2), and they have not lost at home since Sept. 24, 2022.
San Jose have not lost at PayPal Park in 12 consecutive matches, with their last loss at the stadium dating back to Aug. 3, 2022.
The Earthquakes have conceded one goal in four matches for the first time since Aug. 28, 2015.
Goalkeeper Daniel has gone undefeated in his last five games in goal (2-0-3), making 26 saves and earning three clean sheets in that span.
Midfielder Niko Tsakiris made his first start of the season and first since Oct. 9, 2022.
MATCH INFORMATION
2023 MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 0 – 0 Portland Timbers
Saturday, June 17, 2023 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 14,188
Man of the Match: Daniel
Scoring Summary:
None.
Misconduct Summary:
POR – Santiago Moreno (caution) 18’
POR – Dario Zuparic (caution) 44’
SJ – Cade Cowell (caution) 51’
SJ – Paul Marie (caution) 54’
POR – Eric Miller (caution) 64’
SJ – Tommy Thompson (caution) 90+1’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel; Tanner Beason, Rodrigues, Jonathan Mensah, Paul Marie; Niko Tsakiris (Jack Skahan 76’), Judson (Tommy Thompson 63’), Jackson Yueill (C); Cade Cowell (Benji Kikanović 90+4’), Jeremy Ebobisse (Ousseni Bouda 90+4’), Cristian Espinoza.
Substitutes not used: JT Marcinkowski (GK), Cam Cilley, Daniel Munie, Will Richmond.
SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 8; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 4
PORTLAND TIMBERS: David Bingham; Claudio Bravo, Dario Zuparic, Eric Miller, Zachary McGraw; Evander, Diego Chara (C), Cristhian Paredes, Dairon Asprilla, Santiago Moreno (Sebastian Blanco 72’); Franck Boli (Jaroslaw Niezgoda 72’).
Substitutes not used: Hunter Sulte (GK), Noel Caliskan, Nathan Fogaca, Diego Gutierrez, Marvin Loria, Larrys Mabiala, Justin Rasmussen.
SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 2
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ
On tonight’s result:
“I think the draw was fair. I liked our foundation in terms of build-up. We got into their half a lot, but we didn’t turn those finishing attack phases into crosses and shots in the volume that we wanted. I am happy with the foundation of how we moved the ball forward, especially against their high press. Getting zero goals against at home is always going to be positive and we’re going to grab that. We always want to win at home in front of our families and fans. At the same time, adding a point is positive. We’ll grab that, rest, and prepare for the next one.”
On goalkeeper Daniel’s performance:
“It’s great to have Daniel in a rhythm of staying healthy and having another positive performance. He is showing that he can be consistent in games as well, so credit to him. Congrats to Daniel in being important in tonight’s shutout.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CRISTIAN ESPINOZA
On tonight’s result:
“We kept their goals to zero, so that is a good thing for us. We keep improving our defense, but now we can focus on our offense. We have a couple days to work on that before we go to Houston. We will try to take three points there.”
On facing a solid Timbers defense:
“I think that the other teams have been more aggressive in marking me, Jebo [Jeremy Ebobisse], and Cade [Cowell]. They know that when we have space, we are dangerous. This is something that we can improve on. We can improve our movements in those situations when the defense is tight on our backs. We have a couple days to rest and to improve in what we can do better in. We will go to Houston with everything we’ve got.”
