AUSTIN, Texas – The San Jose Earthquakes earned a point in a scoreless draw against Austin FC on Saturday evening in the first ever MLS match at Q2 Stadium. The match also marked the first meeting between the two clubs.
Both teams created chances throughout the match, including a blast by Quakes midfielder Cristian Espinoza in the 36th minute that caromed off the post, but neither goalkeeper would concede. San Jose goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski made six saves to keep his first shutout of 2021, while Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver made nine saves.
The Earthquakes will now take on Orlando City SC in their second consecutive road match on Tuesday, June 22. The match kicks off from Exploria Stadium at 4:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on UniMás, Twitter, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
GAME NOTES
The Earthquakes now hold a 3-5-1 record (10 pts.) during the 2021 MLS regular season and are currently in seventh place in the Western Conference.
The Quakes are now 0-0-1 all-time vs. Austin FC.
With the draw, the Quakes snapped their four-match losing streak dating back to May 12.
Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski earned his sixth career shutout and first of 2021. His last shutout came on Oct. 28, 2020 vs. RSL. Marcinkowski made six saves, equaling his career high. His 12 saves over the past two games are the most in consecutive matches in his career (previous high was 10).
Chris Wondolowski made his first start of the 2021 season. It marked his first regular season start since Nov. 8, 2020.
MLS Regular Season
Austin FC 0 – 0 San Jose Earthquakes
June 19, 2021 – Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas
Man of the Match: JT Marcinkowski
Scoring Summary: None.
* Misconduct Summary: *SJ – Florian Jungwirth (caution) 15; SJ – Eric Remedi (caution) 25; ATX – Jared Stroud (caution) 44.
* AUSTIN FC: *Brad Stuver; Matt Besler, Julio Escalante, Zan Kolmanic, Nick Lima; Tomas Pochettino, Alex Ring, Diego Fagundez (Sebastian Berhalter 90+3), Jared Stroud (Manny Perez 71); Cecilio Dominguez, Jon Gallagher (Kekuta Manneh 85).
Substitutes not used:, Hector Jimenez, Freddy Kleeman, Rodney Redes, Jhohan Romana, Aedan Stanley, Andrew Tarbell.
* SHOTS: 19, SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 16; CORNER KICKS: 9.*
* SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: *JT Marcinkowski; Paul Marie (Carlos Fierro 76), Oswaldo Alanis, Florian Jungwirth; Judson, Jackson Yueill, Eric Remedi, Cristian Espinoza, Chofis (Cade Cowell 67); Andy Rios (Shea Salinas 67), Chris Wondolowski (Tommy Thompson 78).
Substitutes not used: Luciano Abecasis, Tanner Beason, Benji Kikanovic, Jack Skahan, Daniel Vega.
SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 9; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 7.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On implementing a new formation and system:
“We were asked what we have been working on during the break. During this time, we were practicing this style of play and method because we thought we should play this way in this match. I am very pleased. I thought the team made a huge effort. We created clear counterattacking opportunities through this system. We still need that last step. We will keep working on that aspect, but overall, the guys were great interpreters.”
On how the team can improve their finishing and if some good luck is needed:
“I don’t believe in luck or bad luck. I believe in hard work and the capacity of our players. When I played soccer, I was aware of my own limitations. They allowed me to have a career because I always looked to improve. That is what I look for from the players. At some moment, this will have to change. It was important to end the losing streak. Overall, we went back to seeing a team that is combative and a team that can control the game, and a team that came to be the protagonist of this event.”
On the team having a more vertical approach:
“In the second half, we made changes to our system again and we had more goal-scoring chances. I think the effort made in changing positions has a risk in tiring out the players. That is why I appreciate the effort they made. I repeat that this is how we thought this match should be played. Within the losses that we had, I looked inward and felt that I had to make effective changes. I think these changes were effective.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES GOALKEEPER JT MARCINKOWSKI
* On keeping his first shutout of 2021:*
“I think it’s a long time coming to be honest. We’ve been playing well in the back, just haven’t found a clean sheet yet. It was a really good night to have our first one and unfortunate not to get more. I thought we deserved a little bit more out of the game, but we’ll take the point and all eyes on Orlando now.”
On having another game Tuesday in Orlando and the recovery process:
“Yeah, a lot of the guys begrudgingly had to get in the ice bath. It’s going to be a lot of that, a lot of recovery tomorrow. We’ll fly to Orlando and have a good session there, have a good session Monday. But it’s going to be a lot of recovery and massages, recovery boots and all the tools that we have. We’ll be prepared. I’m not worried about it. We’re used to playing on three days and we did that a lot last year, so there’s that experience. Orlando’s going to be a really fun game, a great environment and easy to get up for. All eyes on that and the guys will be ready.”
