SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes defeated Real Salt Lake 5-2 in the MLS is Back Tournament Round of 16 to advance to the competition’s Quarterfinals. The Quakes will now face the winner of tomorrow’s Round-of-16 match between Columbus Crew SC and Minnesota United FC on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 5 p.m. PT (ESPN2).
The Earthquakes jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Cristian Espinoza’s goal in the 21st minute, but Real Salt Lake responded with a goal of their own soon after the ensuing kickoff. The two teams went into halftime deadlocked at 1-1.
San Jose regained the lead just four minutes into the second half on a Magnus Eriksson penalty kick before Vako doubled the team’s advantage 12 minutes after that. RSL cut the deficit to one, but Chris Wondolowski and Magnus Eriksson each scored late to extend the lead to the eventual final score of 5-2.
Wondolowski has now scored in each of the last three matches despite playing a total of just 45 minutes between them.
TEAM NOTES
Please note that stats and standings from the Knockout Stage do not count towards the MLS regular season
The Quakes clinched their spot in the MLS is Back Tournament Quarterfinals after defeating Real Salt Lake 5-2.
San Jose had five different players tally either a goal or an assist and two players that recorded both a goal and an assist.
The Earthquakes have now scored 11 goals in their last three matches of the MLS is Back Tournament, including at least four in two of the three games. The club has now outscored its opponents 11-5 in the competition and 10-2 over its last 210 minutes.
San Jose has held >60% possession in all four matches to date of the MLS is Back Tournament.
The Quakes have taken more than twice the number of shots as their opponents in the MLS is Back Tournament (76 to 37).
PLAYER NOTES
Please note that stats and standings from the Knockout Stage do not count towards the MLS regular season
Midfielder Magnus Eriksson scored two penalty kicks, marking his first and second goals of the MLS is Back Tournament and second and third goals in all competitions this year. He has now successfully converted each of his seven penalty kicks in all competitions since joining the Quakes. Eriksson also tallied an assist on Espinoza’s goal, his second assist of the MLS is Back Tournament and second of the year in all competitions.
Midfielder Cristian Espinoza scored his second goal of the MLS is Back Tournament and second of the year in all competitions. He has scored in back-to-back matches.
Midfielder Vako scored his first goal, and game-winning goal, of the MLS is Back Tournament and second of the year in all competitions. Vako also tallied his first assist of the MLS is Back Tournament and first of the year in all competitions.
Forward Chris Wondolowski scored his third goal of the MLS is Back Tournament and third of the year in all competitions. He has scored in three consecutive matches, all as a substitute.
Midfielder Andy Rios tallied his first assist of the MLS is Back Tournament and first of the year in all competitions.
Sixteen-year-old Cade Cowell made his second appearance of the MLS is Back Tournament, entering as a substitute in the 81st minute.
MLS is Back Tournament – Round of 16
San Jose Earthquakes 5 – 2 Real Salt Lake
July 27, 2020 – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla.
Man of the Match: Magnus Eriksson
Scoring Summary: SJ – Cristian Espinoza (Magnus Eriksson, Vako) 21; RSL – Douglas Martinez (Corey Baird) 22; SJ – Magnus Eriksson (penalty) 49; SJ – Vako (Andy Rios) 61; RSL – Damir Kreilach (Marcelo Silva) 75; SJ – Chris Wondolowski (unassisted) 86; SJ – Magnus Eriksson (penalty) 90+6.
Misconduct Summary: RSL – Ander Herrera (caution) 29; SJ – Cristian Espinoza (caution) 31; RSL – Corey Baird (caution) 37; RSL – Justin Glad (caution) 66; RSL – Marcelo Silva (ejection) 84; RSL – Kyle Beckerman (ejection) 90+7.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel Vega; Nick Lima, Oswaldo Alanis, Guram Kashia, Tommy Thompson (Shea Salinas 81), Jackson Yueill, Magnus Eriksson, Judson (Florian Jungwirth 90+2); Cristian Espinoza (Carlos Fierro 75), Vako (Cade Cowell 81); Andy Rios (Chris Wondolowski 81).
Substitutes not used: Tanner Beason, Matt Bersano, Eric Calvillo, Danny Hoesen, Florian Jungwirth, Marcos Lopez, Paul Marie, Jack Skahan.
SHOTS: 19, SHOTS ON GOAL: 8; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 9; CORNER KICKS: 6, OFFSIDES: 1.
REAL SALT LAKE: Zac Macmath; Donny Toia (Alvin Jones 45), Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera, Marcelo Silva; Pablo Ruiz, Damir Kreilach, Corey Baird (Justin Meram 68), Albert Rusnak, Everton Luiz (Kyle Beckerman 68); Douglas Martinez.
Substitutes not used: Nick Besler, Maikel Chang, Erik Holt, Milan Iloski, Sam Johnson, Justin Portillo, Andrew Putna, Giuseppe Rossi, Tate Schmitt.
SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 19; CORNER KICKS: 4, OFFSIDES: 0.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On the team’s growth over the tournament:
“I think the team keeps growing game after game. It keeps showing a very positive attitude. In unity, in sacrifice, but more than anything in how they play. The best thing for a coach is to get the maximum level out of each player because that will allow us to have growth. Once again, I am grateful to each player and for the work they have put in.”
On how the team’s growth has propelled them onto the Quarterfinals:
“I think that the work you put in allows you to improve. The humbleness and sacrifice that each once of us has had to come here two weeks prior to the tournament in Orlando and leave our families behind. There are lots of other extra-football things going on that are fundamental for our group. We do not only train football players but also value the human aspect that each one of them have. We try to have a unity and conviction, and I think that every victory we have is very gratifying because we work a lot for it. We make a great sacrifice, and that’s the happiness that I have for them, for our executives, for ownership, and for our families who have been waiting for us for over a month now. Those that are from other countries are also waiting with lots of uncertainty on the ongoing pandemic. We’re not only playing a football tournament; we’re playing a lot more than that.”
On the team’s leadership:
“The person that knows me knows that I am not for having one or two leaders. Leadership comes out by all the players, from the one that plays and the one that does not have the opportunity to. The treatment is that same and the best thing that a player can get is that your coach treats you the same way. I know Oswaldo [Alanis], Andy [Rios], [Carlos] Fierro, [Daniel] Vega from a while back. I know them, and with respect to Magnus [Eriksson], they have the same treatment as everyone else. We prioritize the group a lot and I know each one of them contributes with their own grain of sand.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER MAGNUS ERIKSSON
On his confidence shooting both penalty kicks:
“We have been shooting penalties during the week and I felt pretty confident. I had a really great feeling before both penalty kicks. There was no doubt from my side. I am really happy with the performance tonight with the boys and everybody around the team, so it is a great evening for us.”
On the team’s togetherness during this tournament:
“I think at this time, every one of us enjoys being here. That was actually one of the things that we said before the game on the field, that we had been here for almost five weeks so we can stay two more and go all the way through the final. That’s our goal. We enjoy it here. We play great as a team and enjoy every minute together, so I am really happy being here. I think a lot of guys are very happy to be here so we make the best out of the situation and we’ll try to go as far as we can.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD ANDY RIOS
On his comfortability on the field:
“I do think that my growth is shaping up on how the team is training game by game. That makes me feel more comfortable, on what I can give and can continue to provide. There is more for us to give and I am just happy for this moment we are going through, not just for the individual but also as a group.”
