SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes earned a 3-0 victory over Orlando City SC on Saturday night at Avaya Stadium, giving the club its seventh shutout of the season. The win also extends the Quakes’ home unbeaten streak to 12 matches (10-0-2) and sees the club surge to second place in the Western Conference.
Midfielder Magnus Eriksson put the Quakes on the board early, tallying his sixth goal of the season in the third minute of the match. Forward Chris Wondolowski then scored twice in a 13-minute span prior to halftime, earning his 23rd multi-goal match and extending his all-time MLS scoring record to 157 goals.
The Earthquakes now hit the road for three consecutive road matches, beginning Wednesday, Sept. 11 vs. Real Salt Lake (6:30 p.m.; NBC Sports CA+, KNBR 1050, 1370 KZSF).
MATCH NOTES:
San Jose now holds a 13-10-5 record this season and move to second place in the Western Conference.
The Earthquakes are now 13-6-5 since the start of April with a +17 goal-differential.
The Earthquakes earned their first-ever victory over Orlando City SC, who entered MLS as an expansion team in 2015. San Jose is now 1-1-3 all-time against Orlando in regular season play, including a 1-0-2 record at home.
The Quakes extended their unbeaten streak at home to 12 matches (10-0-2). It marks their longest such streak since 2013 (16; 11-0-5).
The Earthquakes recorded their seventh shutout of the season, five of which were recorded at Avaya Stadium.
Midfielder Magnus Eriksson tallied his sixth goal of the season, tying his MLS career high from 2018. It marked the 12th goal of his MLS career.
Midfielder Jackson Yueill was credited was the assist on Eriksson’s goal. It marked Yueill’s fourth assist of the season, setting a new MLS single-season career high, and eighth of his MLS career.
Forward Chris Wondolowski tallied his team-leading 12th and 13th goals of the season, extending his all-time MLS scoring record to 157. Wondolowski’s brace marked his 23rd career multi-goal game, moving him into sole possession of second place among all players in MLS history. His 13 goals this season lead MLS among all American-born players.
Midfielder Vako was credited with the assist on Wondolowski’s first goal. Vako is now at four assists this season and 11 for his MLS career.
Midfielder Cristian Espinoza was credited was the assist on Wondolowski’s second goal. Espinoza is now at 12 assists since joining MLS in January. He is just the sixth Quakes player with 12+ assists in a single season and the first since Marvin Chavez in 2012 (13).
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 3 – 0 Orlando City SC
Aug. 31, 2019 – Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 17,323
Scoring Summary: SJ – Magnus Eriksson (Jackson Yueill) 3; SJ –Chris Wondolowski (Vako) 20; SJ – Chris Wondolowski (Cristian Espinoza) 33.
Misconduct Summary: ORL – Cristian Higuita (caution) 59; SJ – Marcos Lopez (caution) 63; ORL – Dom Dwyer (caution) 65; ORL – Oriol Rosell (caution) 90.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel Vega; Marcos Lopez, Guram Kashia, Florian Jungwirth, Tommy Thompson (Andy Rios 76); Judson, Jackson Yueill; Vako (Carlos Fierro 81), Magnus Eriksson, Cristian Espinoza; Chris Wondolowski (Danny Hoesen 81).
SHOTS: 19, SHOTS ON GOAL: 9; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 10; CORNER KICKS: 10, OFFSIDES: 2.
ORLANDO CITY SC: Brian Rowe; Lamine Sane, Kamal Miller, Robin Jansson; Benji Michel (Tesho Akindele HT), Kyle Smith, Oriol Rosell, Will Johnson, Carlos Ascues (Cristian Higuita HT); Nani (Chris Mueller 71), Dom Dwyer.
SHOTS: 9, SHOTS ON GOAL: 1; SAVES: 6; FOULS: 13; CORNER KICKS: 5, OFFSIDES: 1.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On his role with three goals in the last two games:
“A lot of it has just been from our team play. We’ve been able to possess the ball in a dominant way in a sense where we have possession in their half. That opens it up and creates for myself and the others. You have guys like Cristian Espinoza, who I think is one of the most underrated guys in this league, and guys like Vako who is unreal and makes my job pretty easy.”
On collecting a clean sheet:
“We needed to clean up some mistakes. I thought we’ve played really well defensively but had one or two lapses a game that get punished and rightfully so. It was nice to come out and really get ahold of the game and dictate it from there. I thought our whole defense played amazing. It was pretty cool to see.”
On almost collecting a hat trick with a breakaway attempt:
“It was a bit unlucky. I tried getting a third one but couldn’t do it. I wish I could’ve.”
On the team’s efficiency:
“Last game we created a lot of opportunities and didn’t have that killer instinct, and we weren’t clinical in front of the goal. Today we were a little bit. I thought we took our foot off the gas a little bit and played too safe. We always want to dictate the game and emphasize that. I think we just played a little bit too safe in the second half.”
On the feeling within the team this season compared to last season:
“Night and day. I feel that it’s a joy to come in. I love this team, love this locker room and love these guys. We work hard but we play hard. We have fun and we joke around, but we step between those lines and give our all. It’s great to come in here and enjoy the games, enjoy practices and enjoy each other’s company. It’s pretty fun.”
On keeping the offensive creativity:
“It’s going to be crucial to maintain. Throwing the LA game out – they gave us a good whooping – but we still created a lot of chances there. We created a lot of chances in Colorado and a lot of chances in KC, but again we weren’t clinical. We didn’t have that killer instinct. It’s a funny game. If you’re able to score, and especially in our system, if we have the lead, it’s hard to play against us.”
On team chemistry and spirit:
“It’s been great. Even during the tough times with three losses, we still stuck together. We still had the belief and didn’t waver from anything. I wish we had a cushion, but it’s nice to have big games and see guys step up in important games.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER MARCOS LOPEZ
On the match:
“Thanks to God, we are doing well. Throughout the week, the team prepares for a match in the best possible way, that way we leave everything on the field and that was reflected in these past 90, 95 or 98 minutes that were just played. This team leaves everything; it’s life, it’s soul, just as Matias [Almeyda] asks us to because we are all committed to this team.”
On their preparation for the last two matches:
“I think the effort we put in is the base of the team, our companionship on the field and always fighting for a loose ball, and I think that marks the difference against any opponent.”
On his attitude and development:
“I feel a lot better. As I said since I’ve arrived, it’s going to be a process to improve my performance. Recently, we’ve been improving and the coach is showing confidence in me, and thanks to God I, I can step onto the pitch and do things the right way, and what’s better than the team being at its best and winning.”
