VANCOUVER, B.C. – The San Jose Earthquakes defeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1-0 on Sunday night at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C. Forward Cristian Espinoza scored his 12th goal of the season as the Quakes extended their unbeaten run to four matches in MLS play.
In a defensive start to the game, Goalkeeper Daniel stopped three consecutive shots in the 15th minute to keep the game level.
Cristian Espinoza opened the scoring in the 43rd minute on a counterattack to end the half 1-0. Jamiro Monteiro played through the back line to a charging Jeremy Ebobisse, who centered the ball for Espinoza to fire into the bottom corner. The Quakes would hold onto the lead to win 1-0 for their second road win this season.
The Earthquakes play their second consecutive road match on Saturday, August 26 against Sporting Kansas City. Kickoff from Children’s Mercy Park 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 9-7-8 record (35 pts.) during the 2023 MLS regular season and currently sit in fifth place in the 14-team Western Conference, but are only two points from second place.
San Jose currently holds an 11-10-12 record against the Whitecaps, including a 3-9-4 record on the road.
In his first season with the Quakes, head coach Luchi Gonzalez has guided the Quakes to nine wins and 35 points in 24 matches, surpassing the number of wins earned last season through all 34 matches.
Midfielder Michael Baldisimo made his first appearance against his former club after starting in tonight’s match. Baldisimo was a part of the Whitecaps FC organization from 2011-22.
Forward Cristian Espinoza scored his 12th goal of the season and 27th of his MLS career. He is now tied with Dwayne De Rosario for fourth most goals in Quakes history.
Forward Jeremy Ebobisse tallied his third assist of the season and 15th of his MLS career.
Goalkeeper Daniel earned his fourth shutout of the season and of his MLS career.
MATCH INFORMATION
Vancouver Whitecaps 0 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes
Sunday, August 20, 2023 – BC Place, Vancouver, B.C.
Attendance: 16,765
Man of the Match: Daniel
Scoring Summary:
SJ (1-0) – Cristian Espinoza (Jeremy Ebobisse) 43’
Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Jamiro Monteiro (caution) 39’
SJ – Carlos Gruezo (caution) 62’
SJ – Niko Tsakiris (caution) 79’
SJ – Daniel (caution) 82’
SJ – Paul Marie (caution) 89’
SJ – Rodrigues (caution) 90’
VAN – Ryan Gauld (caution) 90’
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC: Yohei Takaoka; Mathias Laborada (Levonte Johnson 81’), Ranko Veselinovic (C), Tristan Blackman; Richie Laryea (Sam Adekugbe 46’), Alessandro Schopf (Ali Ahmed 70’), Andres Cubas, Ryan Raposo (Ryan Gauld 59’), Pedro Vite (Jean-Claude Ngando 81’); Sergio Cordova, Brian White.
Substitutes not used: Isaac Boehmer (GK), Sebastian Berhalter, Javain Brown, Russell Teibert
SHOTS: 19; SHOTS ON GOAL: 8; FOULS: 10; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 0
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel; Miguel Trauco, Tanner Beason, Rodrigues, Carlos Akapo; Carlos Gruezo, Michael Baldisimo (Niko Tsakiris 64’), Jamiro Monteiro (Jonathan Mensah 73’); Cristian Espinoza (C), Jeremy Ebobisse (Ayo Akinola 85’), Cade Cowell (Paul Marie 73’)
Substitutes not used: JT Marcinkowski (GK), Matthew Hoppe, Benji Kikanović, Daniel Munie, Tommy Thompson
SHOTS: 3; SHOTS ON GOAL: 1; FOULS: 8; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 7
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ
On tonight’s victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC:
“Credit to Daniel and our defense for finding a way. This is a hard place to play. Vancouver has a high xG in the league, and they showed it. To get a shutout here is super difficult. I have to be really proud of our guys. It was a beautiful counter with Jebo [Jeremy Ebobisse] connecting with Cristian [Espinoza]. Cristian is continuing to be dangerous.”
On midfielder Michael Baldisimo’s performance tonight:
“Baldisimo is a really good footballer. He is confident on the ball, and he connects his passes. He has courage to play and connect. He had a lot of work to do defensively. He left everything on the field physically and mentally. I thought he did a solid job. He has a lot of experience in this stadium. He knows [the Whitecaps, his former team] better than any of our players.”
