SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the LA Galaxy 3-2 on Wednesday night at PayPal Park in a back-and-forth match. The Quakes scored two goals just two minutes apart to take a first half lead, but conceded twice in the second half to drop just their second home game of the year.
After conceding early in the first half, the Quakes netted back-to-back goals before halftime with big plays from their top two goalscorers this year. Cristian Espinoza forced an own goal after a set piece in the 29th minute. Two minutes later, Jeremy Ebobisse fired home a cross from Jamiro Monteiro to give San Jose the lead in the 31st minute.
The Galaxy would pull ahead with two goals of their own in the second half, first finding the net in the 50th minute and then successfully converting a penalty kick 11 minutes later for the game winner.
The Earthquakes will now prepare for their second home match of the week against Minnesota United FC on Saturday, Sept. 2, presented by Habbas Law. 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 an 9-9-8 record (35 pts.) during the 2023 MLS regular season and currently sit in eighth place in the 14-team Western Conference, but only three points from fourth place.
Jeremy Ebobisse scored his eighth goal of the season and 52nd of his MLS career. He is now tied with Vako for sixth most goals in club history with 26 for San Jose.
Jamiro Monteiro tallied his fifth assist of the season and 33rd of his MLS career.
MATCH INFORMATION
San Jose earthquakes 2 – 3 LA Galaxy
Wednesday, August 30, 2023 – PayPal Park, San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 16,224
Scoring Summary:
LA (1-0) – Tyler Boyd (Raheem Edwards) 16’
SJ (1-1) – Calegari (Own Goal) 29’
SJ (2-1) – Jeremy Ebobisse (Jamiro Monteiro) 31’
LA (2-2) – Riqui Puig (Edwin Cerillo) 50’
LA (3-2) –Dejan Joveljic (Penalty) 61’
Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Rodrigues (caution) 19’
SJ – Carlos Akapo (caution) 43’
SJ – Miguel Trauco (caution) 65’
SJ – Carlos Gruezo (caution) 75’
LA – Edwin Cerillo (caution) 83’
SJ – Paul Marie (caution) 90 + 2’
LA – Julián Aude (caution) 90 + 9’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel; Miguel Trauco (Paul Marie 81’), Rodrigues, Jonathan Mensah, Carlos Akapo (Tommy Thompson 84’); Carlos Gruezo (Ayo Akinola 81’), Jackson Yueill (C), Jamiro Monteiro (Niko Tsakiris 81’); Cade Cowell (Matthew Hoppe 71’), Jeremy Ebobisse, Cristian Espinoza
Substitutes not used: JT Marcinkowski (GK), Michael Baldisimo, Tanner Beason, Benji Kikanović
SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 13; CORNER KICKS: 11; SAVES: 2
LA GALAXY: Jonathan Bond; Raheem Edwards (Julian Aude 72’), Maya Yoshida, Eriq Zavaleta; Uri Rosell (Mark Delgado 46’), Edwin Cerillo, Tyler Boyd, Riqui Puig (Daniel Aguirre 80’); Douglas Costa, Dejan Joveljic (Billy Sharp 72’)
Substitutes not used: Novak Micovic (GK), Michael Barrios, Diego Fagundez, Kelvin Lerrdam, Chris Mavinga
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ
On the performance leading into the second half:
“I thought first half that we were compact. We forced them to try to play outside, less inside and if they did play inside then collapse, try to back press, win the ball and create offensive transitions. Overall, pretty satisfied with the adjustment of the guys first half. We spoke about even having more compactness to get more pressure on them. There’s a ten-minute moment at the start of the second half where we were really disappointed because we weren’t as compact. We weren’t as together, and they created that space between lines. We are a group that doesn’t give up and we’re going to keep trying to respond, but we’re disappointed with the ten minutes that turned the game around.”
On the values from tonight that will continue into the next matchup:
“I believe from minute one to minute 98 or 97, one of our biggest values is believing. We believe. I thought we pushed the game in the end we put crosses in the box, it was unlucky not to get in the end on one of those, the one we scored was offsides. The guys that came in pushed offensively for us. It was good to see that. We believe until the end no matter what and we’re going to believe in the next moment, and we’re going to believe in our approach against Minnesota [United FC].”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER TOMMY THOMPSON
On tonight’s result against the LA Galaxy:
“It’s disappointing. It hurts to lose to the Galaxy under any circumstance, but to lose at home makes it worse. It was a difficult feeling when the final whistle blew. I thought we were putting the heat on them, and I thought we had a couple good chances at the end. Disappointed to drop three points at home.”
On preparing for Saturday’s match against Minnesota United FC:
“We’ve got to get back how we were playing before the break. We’ve shown what we can do in this league, and throughout the season we have shown we are very strong at home. We need to have a quick memory. Tonight’s performance wasn’t what we were hoping for. The good news for us, and what we’re excited about, is that we have an opportunity on Saturday against a team that’s right above us in the standings. It’s a huge opportunity, and we’re going to focus on that. This team is talented, and tonight we didn’t show our potential. We’ve been able to respond all year to adversity, so I’m confident this group will get it done on Saturday.”
