SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes and Nashville SC finished with a 1-1 draw at home on Saturday night at PayPal Park. Forward Matthew Hoppe has scored in two consecutive appearances to help the Quakes earn a point at home.
San Jose nearly opened the scoring in the 36th minute when forward Cade Cowell struck the crossbar, just inches from the top corner. Both sides would trade blows but end the first half scoreless.
Nashville opened the scoring in the second half, but the Quakes would find the equalizer in the 75th from Matthew Hoppe. A low cross from Carlos Akapo found Hoppe unguarded, with space to fire into the top corner. San Jose built on the momentum and fired four shots in less than a minute just after scoring.
The Earthquakes will now prepare to face Minnesota United FC on Saturday, Sept. 30. Kickoff from Allianz Field 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 an 10-10-11 record (41 pts.) during the 2023 MLS regular season and currently sit at eighth place in the 14-team Western Conference, but only three points from fourth place.
The Quakes now hold a 0-0-3 record against Nashville SC, including a 0-0-2 record at home.
San Jose has only lost twice in 15 MLS home matches this season (8-2-6) and are tied for fewest home losses in the Western Conference.
Forward Matthew Hoppe scored his second goal of the season, earning two goals in two consecutive appearances.
Defender Carlos Akapo tallied his third assist of the season and of his MLS career.
Forward Cristian Espinoza earned his 150th MLS appearance.
MATCH INFORMATION
San Jose Earthquakes 1 – 1 Nashville SC
Saturday, September 23, 2023 – PayPal Park, San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 16,728
Man of the Match: Matthew Hoppe
Scoring Summary:
NSH (1-0) – Teal Bunbury (Shaq Moore) 50’
SJ (1-1) – Matthew Hoppe (Carlos Akapo) 75’
Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Cristian Espinoza (caution) 10’
NSH – Anibal Godoy (caution) 12’
SJ – Carlos Gruezo (caution) 54’
NSH – Walker Zimmerman (caution) 89’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel; Miguel Trauco (Paul Marie 61’), Jonathan Mensah, Rodrigues, Carlos Akapo; Jackson Yueill (C), Carlos Gruezo (Niko Tsakiris 55’), Jamiro Monteiro (Benji Kikanović 90+1’); Cade Cowell (Matthew Hoppe 61’), Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse (Ayo Akinola 90+1’)
Substitutes not used: JT Marcinkowski (GK), Judson, Tanner Beason, Tommy Thompson
SHOTS: 21; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 9; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 3
NASHVILLE SC: Elliot Panicco; Daniel Lovitz, Jack Maher, Shaq Moore, Walker Zimmerman (C); Hany Mukhtar, Teal Bunbury (Sam Surridge 67’), Alex Muyl (Josh Bauer 88’), Anibal Godoy, Brian Anunga (Sean Davis 79’); Fafa Picault (Randall Leal 67’)
Substitutes not used: Joe Willis (GK), Dax McCarty, Jacob Shaffelburg, Luke Haakenson, Taylor Washington
SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 9; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 4
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ
On tonight’s result against Nashville SC:
“We are still in a position to control our destiny, as much as possible. We’ve got to find a way to get more points on the road against Minnesota [United FC]. I know their home form is different than their away but they area a very good team and they have very good players. We have to be ready to show our best. We’ve put ourselves in a position to do this, and now home or away it is up to us to get it done, with no regrets. We’ve got to rest now and build momentum in the week to do better.”
On forward Matthew Hoppe’s performance tonight:
“He’s got versatility, he can play wide, he can play inside. He can play in the last line. He’s got combinations. He drives at the back line. Gets in the box. Almost scores another rebound tonight. He has a lot of anticipation and double movements in his game. I think that’s great and will continue to help us.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER JACKSON YUEILL
On the team’s performance throughout the game:
“First I think that Nashville is a really good team. They had a lot of possession, and it was hard for us to give pressure in the first half but in our block and our shape we didn’t give up a lot of chances. I think the first half was really disciplined by us. It was good to go in 0-0. We weren’t playing our best but I think the second half we turned it around. The guys that came in gave us a bit of a spark. We were able to go forward a little more, connect better passes, and get better combinations in and around the box. I think we can build on that to keep going in the game and have a little bit more urgency. We wanted to start that way the whole game but it’s something to build on to go to Minnesota with.”
On finishing the rest of the regular season strong:
“With the few games that we have left we know that we have to maximize the points. We have two road games coming up and we have to find a way to win and we want to take the offensive good points and keep highlighting those and keep utilizing that. The subs that came in did a really good job and we’re going to need them again. We need the whole team, the whole roster to come and give us energy and we’ll build on that and keep forming relationships with some of the guys who came in the summertime and keep using their strengths and go to Minnesota and get those three points.”
