LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes and Los Angeles FC played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. A goal from Cristian Espinoza sees the Quakes earn a crucial point on the road.
The Quakes opened the scoring in the 30th minute from forward Cristian Espinoza. Jack Skahan found Espinoza behind the back line to out dribble the defender and fire his shot into the bottom corner. Los Angeles equalized from a penalty kick converted by Denis Bouanga to end the first half 1-1.
San Jose earned a red card in the 56th minute and played down a man for 30+ minutes to earn a point on the road in Los Angeles for the first time since 2020.
The Earthquakes will now return home to prepare to face Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday, July 12, presented by PG & E. 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 a 7-7-8 record (29 pts.) during the 2023 MLS regular season and currently sit in seventh place in the 14-team Western Conference.
San Jose currently holds a 6-8-1 record against the LAFC, including a 1-6-1 record on the road.
Cristian Espinoza scored his 10th goal of the season and 25th of his MLS career, his first time scoring more than 10 goals in a single season. He is now tied for third most goals in MLS this season.
Espinoza is now the club’s leader in goals (4), assists (9), shots (25), and shots on goal (12) against Los Angeles.
Jack Skahan, who tallied an assist on Espinoza’s goal, earned his first assist of the season and of his MLS career. Skahan has been involved in three goal contributions in three starts.
Midfielder Judson earned his 100th appearance for San Jose after being subbed-on in the 67th minute.
MATCH INFORMATION
2023 MLS Regular Season
Los Angeles FC 1 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes
Saturday, July 8, 2023 – BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif.
Attendance: 22,033
Scoring Summary:
SJ (1-0) – Cristian Espinoza (Jack Skahan) 30’
LAFC (1-1) – Denis Bouanga (penalty kick) 37’
Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Jonathan Mensah (caution) 22’
SJ – Carlos Gruezo (caution) 27’
SJ – Luchi Gonzalez (caution) 45+1’
SJ – Daniel (ejection) 56’
SJ – JT Marcinkowski (caution) 90+2’
LOS ANGELES FC: John McCarthy; Denil Maldonado, Mamadou Fall, Diego Palacios, Ryan Hollingshead; Timothy Tillman (Ilie Sanchez 58’), Mateusz Bogusz, Jose Cifuentes, Kellyn Acosta (Carlos Vela 72’); Stipe Biuk (Nathan Ordaz 86’), Denis Bouanga.
Substitutes not used: Eldin Jakupovic (GK), Daniel Crisostomo, Erik Duenas, Julian Gaines, Diego Rosales, Christian Torres.
SHOTS: 14; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 11; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 2
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel; Paul Marie (JT Marcinkowski 59’), Jonathan Mensah, Tanner Beason, Miguel Trauco (Judson 67’), Rodrigues; Carlos Gruezo, Carlos Akapo; Jack Skahan (Tommy Thompson 67’), Jeremy Ebobisse (Benji Kikanović 81’), Cristian Espinoza.
Substitutes not used: Ousseni Bouda, Cam Cilley, Daniel Munie, Will Richmond, Niko Tsakiris.
SHOTS: 9; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 11; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 5
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ
On tonight’s formation changes:
“We had been showing consistency in our formation and in our personnel this season, and that’s when players are available. Based on the circumstances and the challenges of missing some of these profiles in the midfield, we had to get creative. We had to think about playing a very good LAFC team in [Los Angeles] and trying to be organized defensively yet get pressure on the ball and attack them and try to hurt them. That was the formation and lineup we thought could do that from the start. We closed the game with a lot of effort, focus, and togetherness. It’s an important point and I’m proud of our guys.”
On defender Miguel Trauco’s performance in midfield tonight:
“Miguel [Trauco] is a very smart player. He has a lot of experience. He takes care of the ball and he’s naturally a very measured defender. He has played in the midfield before earlier in his career. Not recently, but we knew we could have a ball recovery-measured and defensive type of player that could take care of the ball and spray it next to [midfielder Carlos] Gruezo to give us some good defensive solidarity. I thought he did very well and stretched the game for us and caused problems.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES GOALKEEPER JT MARCINKOWSKI
On his thoughts before being subbed into tonight’s match:
“Not much was going through my head. That’s the life of a goalkeeper, you always have to be ready for your moment. That’s why we train. That’s why we grind day in and day out as a group. There’s never going to be a pretty moment where you’re come into a game [as a goalkeeper]. I was just ready for my moment. At the end of the day, that’s why we train so hard as professionals. Is to be prepared and be ready for that moment.”
On his leadership style in goal during tonight’s match:
“More than everything, I am just trying to motivate them to continue. They defended their tails off for 30+ minutes being down a man, and I thought they did great. I thought the guys who came into the match did phenomenal at controlling the tempo and we even had a chance or two to maybe sneak one in at the end. I am just trying to communicate as much as I can and help the guys in the back with my voice. I think that is one of my stronger qualities. My communication skills and leadership in the back. I am just trying to bring that in and not be afraid of the moment. At the end of the day this is what I live for, and I am always ready.”
