SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes and FC Dallas played to a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon at Avaya Stadium. The draw extended the Quakes’ unbeaten streak to four and they have dropped just one of their last nine (4-1-4). The result puts San Jose in a tie on points for the seventh and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The Earthquakes overcame an early deficit to take a 2-1 lead in the second half on goals by Chris Wondolowski and Magnus Eriksson. Wondolowski has now tallied eight goals in his last four matches, a feat only three other players have achieved since 2008. FC Dallas was able to equalize in the 65th minute and force the two teams to settle for a point apiece.
The Earthquakes remain in San Jose to face Sacramento Republic FC in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, June 11 (7:15 p.m. PT; ESPN+). San Jose will look to advance to the Round of 16 for the third time in the last five years.
MATCH NOTES:
San Jose is currently on a four-match unbeaten streak (2-0-2) dating back to May 18. It marks their second unbeaten streak of four or more games already this season.
The Earthquakes are 5-2-4 in their last 11 matches, their best 11-match stretch in a single season since Aug. 14 – Oct. 16, 2015 (6-2-3).
The Quakes extended their home unbeaten streak to five matches dating back to April 6.
San Jose’s two goals against FC Dallas brings the club’s all-time scoring record to 100 goals tallied against the Texas side. It is the first time the Earthquakes registered 100+ goals against a single MLS club.
Forward Chris Wondolowski scored his eighth goal of the season and extended his career MLS goals record to 152. He has scored all eight goals in the past four matches and has scored at least one every game.
Midfielder Magnus Eriksson tallied his third goal of the season and eighth of his MLS career. He also tallied an assist on Wondolowski’s goal, his fourth of the season and seventh of his MLS career.
Midfielder Magnus Eriksson tallied a goal and an assist in the same match for the second time this season (vs. SKC on 4-20).
Defender Tommy Thompson was credited with an assist on Eriksson’s goal. It marked his first assist of the season and his fifth of his MLS career.
Defender Marcos Lopez was credited with an assist on Eriksson’s goal. It marked his first career point in MLS.
The Earthquakes now hold a 28-20-16 all-time record against FC Dallas.
San Jose now hold a 16-8-9 all-time record against FC Dallas at home.
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 2 - 2 FC Dallas
June 8, 2019 – Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 16,841
Scoring Summary: FCD – Daniel Vega (own goal) 27; SJ – Chris Wondolowski (Magnus Eriksson) 46; SJ – Magnus Eriksson (Tommy Thompson) 54; FCD – Francis Atuahene (Jacori Hayes) 65.
Misconduct Summary: FCD – Dominique Badji (caution) 13; SJ – Marcos Lopez (caution) 14; FCD – Jesús Ferreira (caution) 90+1.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel Vega; Marcos Lopez (Paul Marie 70), Florian Jungwirth, Francois Affolter, Tommy Thompson; Jackson Yueill, Judson, Vako (Siad Haji 77); Cristian Espinoza, Chris Wondolowski, Magnus Eriksson.
SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON TARGET: 4; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 11; CORNERS: 8; OFFSIDES: 1
FC DALLAS: Jimmy Maurer; Reto Ziegler, Bressan, Matt Hedges, Reggie Cannon; Ryan Hollingshead, Jacori Hayes; Dominique Badji (Bryan Reynolds 84), Thomas Roberts (Ema Twumasi 77), Michael Barrios (Francis Atuahene 64); Jesús Ferreira.
SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON TARGET: 2; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 9; CORNERS: 3; OFFSIDES: 0
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On the result and preparing for U.S. Open Cup:
“I thought the first half was good. We created some chances to score. We put ourselves at a disadvantage because of a mistake we made. Aside from the mistake, the team was patient and relaxed. In the second half, we quickly reversed the situation and we were at an advantage. The match was very even and played well by both teams. I think it was a fair result even though we had many chances in which we could have converted, a bit messy, but there were opportunities. The match was good, and it was even. For today, we will reflect on this match, and starting tomorrow we will begin to think about U.S. Open Cup. We don’t have a deep roster, so we will see who can recover and there may be younger players who get a chance.“
On the squad he had available for the match:
“I congratulated him because Francois [Affolter] had not played a match since October and it’s not easy to fit into the team’s rhythm right away. The others [Marcos Lopez, Judson, Vako] played more than he has, and I think they all performed well. It was a good match. They played well individually, and it makes me happy for them.”
On how the match was played out:
“The first half was lost but we turned it around. Matches last 90 to 95 minutes. Sometimes when we are winning, they last for about 97 minutes and around 93 minutes when we are losing. I think it was good and we are still getting points. I think if we look at how this team is right now in comparison to how it was in the first month, there’s been a big change. We’re doing well, and we will keep going.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On getting back into the match after halftime:
“We have a very positive attitude in this locker room. We knew that we had to come in and regroup, go out there, and execute our game plan. In the first half, we weren’t as sharp as we normally are, especially in the offensive third we were a little bit off. It was good to see that in the second half we were clicking a little bit better.”
On the team’s positive run of matches:
“I think that’s a credit to the team. The team is playing so well, I’ve just been the beneficiary of it. My job is to stay around the six-yard box and score. When you have guys like Magnus [Eriksson] putting the ball in, Cristian [Espinoza], and Shea Salinas, who was missing today but has done a great job in the last couple of games, it makes my job pretty easy.”
On if he’s ready to play against Sacramento on Tuesday:
“I felt well, it was a hot one today. I did cramp the last five or so minutes. But I’m definitely going to hit the ice bath and do what I need to do to be ready. I do love playing. I always joke around if you don’t have muscles you can’t really pull anything so that’s always been my mentality. I love playing games, playing all games if possible. I’m going to push as hard as I can to play on Tuesday.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER JACKSON YUEILL
On the team’s performance:
“I thought it was alright. A draw is alright, we wanted to win but I thought the heat had something to do with it. We had some good moments and bad moments.”
On his role in the match:
“I think whatever players are out on the pitch, we try to play the same, so my role stayed the same, try to get [the ball] and get it to our attackers. I think the pitch was a little hard to play on. It dried out pretty quickly so we weren’t able to play as cleanly as we wanted to, touches kind of went away from us. Our role was kind of the same, try to play the same no matter who’s on the pitch.”
On how the team will approach U.S. Open Cup:
“We want to win it. We got close two years ago and we were out last year in the first round. So this year we’re motivated to go far. So every game, we’re going to take it as best as we can and we’re ready for it.”
