SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2-0 on Saturday night at PayPal Park.
After a scoreless first half, San Jose began to turn up the heat in attack with two close attempts from forward Amahl Pellegrino. However, in the 74th minute, the visitors struck first blood when midfielder Alessandro Schöpf found the back of the net. Vancouver added an insurance goal in the 86th minute from Ali Ahmed to close the match.
The Quakes will now prepare for a road contest against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, March 16. Kickoff from Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, 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 via 810 The Spread AM (English) and 1370 KZSF AM (Spanish).
GAME NOTES
San Jose and Vancouver are celebrating their 50th anniversary in existence, as the first game in club history for both sides was a 2-1 Earthquakes win on May 5, 1974. As a tribute to that match in the North American Soccer League (NASL), both clubs wore special kits to honor their heritage tonight.
The Earthquakes now hold a 11-11-12 overall record against Whitecaps FC in MLS play and snapped a five-game undefeated streak in the series dating back to October of 2021 (3-0-2). At home, San Jose is 7-2-8 against Vancouver.
Defenders Bruno Wilson and Vitor Costa made their first MLS starts in tonight’s game, their first starts for the Quakes since joining the club last month.
The Quakes controlled possession (59.5%) and out-shot the Whitecaps (9-8) but could not avoid the clean sheet after sweeping the regular-season series over Vancouver last season and outscoring Vancouver 11-3 in their six previous contests overall in San Jose.
MATCH INFORMATION
San Jose Earthquakes 0 – 2 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Saturday, March 9, 2024 – PayPal Park; San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 16,045
Scoring Summary:
VAN – Alessandro Schöpf (Ryan Gauld) 74’
VAN – Ali Ahmed (Ranko Veselinović) 86‘
Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Bruno Wilson (caution) 62’
SJ – Preston Judd (caution) 73’
SJ – Alfredo Morales (caution) 80’
VAN – Fafa Picault (caution) 80’
SJ – Tommy Thompson (caution) 90+3’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel; Paul Marie (Tommy Thompson 86’), Bruno Wilson, Rodrigues, Vitor Costa; Carlos Gruezo (Benji Kikanović 77’), Jackson Yueill (C), Jack Skahan (Alfredo Morales 46’); Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse (Preston Judd 70’), Amahl Pellegrino(Ousseni Bouda 86’).
Substitutes not used:William Yarbrough (GK),Michael Baldisimo, Tanner Beason, Daniel Munie.
SHOTS: 9; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 14; EXPECTED GOALS: 1.1
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC: Yohei Takaoka; Javain Brown (Ryan Raposo 70‘), Mathias Laborda, Ranko Veselinović, Tristan Blackmon, Luís Martins (Ali Ahmed 63‘); Pedro Vite (Alessandro Schöpf 71’), Andres Cubas, Ryan Gauld (C), Damir Kreilach (Fafa Picault 63’); Brian White (Sebastian Berhalter 82’).
Substitutes not used: Isaac Boehmer (GK), Balal Halbouni, Levonte Johnson, Bjørn Utvik.
SHOTS: 8; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 15; EXPECTED GOALS: 0.7
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ
On a frustrating start to the 2024 season:
“We are definitely frustrated. We are in a hole. We're in a hole and the way to get out is to dig ourselves out. The group has the ability to beat anybody home or away. But we’re not getting there. … I have a lot of faith in our talent, as well as our potential talent. One of these goals can change the momentum of winning games and earning points.”
On the mindset to fight for better results:
“We’ve got to create that competitive environment, and everyone's got to be fighting. Like I said earlier, your best way is to commit, is double down on competing, and grab a spot. Even if it's your best friend on the team, you have to grab a spot.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER ALFREDO MORALES
On the takeaways from tonight’s match:
“We have a very good group for me honestly coming into this team; very good spirit and very good connections within the group. At the end of the day, that’s not enough. We have to perform on the pitch. I think we can see very good things, but at the end of the day it’s about results. This game today was there to take. I think we had too many mistakes with decision making, but that’s how it is. What matters is that you have to respond. There is always going to be adversity and tough moments especially in MLS and, in the course of a season. We need to have the vision to work and do more in times where you struggle. The best solution is when you focus on the basics and the simple things. I think this has to be the aim for us: to focus on your role and playing your part on positioning, and the simple my experience this is the way you get out of these situations.”
On shifting focus to the next game at Sporting Kansas City:
“There is nothing we can do right now; we lost this game. There is the next game coming up and we have to prepare this week. We have to work harder every single day in training, and we have to go to Kansas and get those three points. Tonight, we made mistakes, and they punished us. We have to learn from that. We have to move forward. We come back on Monday, and we go all in.”
