PORTLAND, Ore. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Portland Timbers 2-0 on Wednesday evening at Providence Park. The result eliminates the Earthquakes from postseason contention.
Portland took a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute. Felipe Mora played a low pass across the front of goal and Diego Chara poked it past goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski.
Marcinkowski made several important saves to keep the deficit at one, but the Timbers were eventually able to double their lead in the 55th minute. A long through ball was intercepted by Marcinkowski near the edge of the penalty area but he could not corral the loose ball. Portland forward Dairon Asprilla sent a bicycle kick goalward, beating a retreating Marcinkowski to the goal line.
The Quakes will now return to San Jose to prepare for their next road match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, Oct. 30. The match will kick off at 12:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast nationally on Univision, TUDN, Twitter (English audio), KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
GAME NOTES
The Earthquakes now hold a 9-13-10 record (37 pts.) during the 2021 MLS regular season and are currently in 10th place in the Western Conference. San Jose has been eliminated from postseason contention with tonight’s result.
San Jose is now 5-15-9 all-time vs. Portland, including a 0-11-4 record on the road.
Earthquakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski made 10 saves, a new single-game career high.
MATCH INFORMATION
MLS Regular Season
Portland Timbers 2 – 0 San Jose Earthquakes
Oct. 27, 2021 – Providence Park in Portland, Ore.
Attendance: 16,086
Scoring Summary:
POR (1-0) – Diego Chara (Felipe Mora, Santiago Moreno) 34’
POR (2-0) – Dairon Asprilla (unassisted) 55’
Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Chofis (caution) 19’
POR – Cristhian Paredes (caution) 20’
POR – Diego Chara (caution) 27’
SJ – Eric Remedi (caution) 50’
POR – Dairon Asprilla (caution) 57’
PORTLAND TIMBERS: Steve Clark; Josecarlos Van Rankin, Dario Zuparic, Bill Tuiloma, Pablo Bonilla; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes (George Fochive 68), Yimmi Chara, Dairon Asprilla (Marvin Loria 85); Felipe Mora (Jaroslaw Niezgoda 78), Santiago Moreno (Sebastian Blanco 78).
Substitutes not used: Blake Bodily, Aljaz Ivacic, Larrys Mabiala, Diego Valeri, Renzo Zambrano.
SHOTS: 23; SHOTS ON GOAL: 12; FOULS: 12; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 3
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Tanner Beason, Jackson Yueill, Nathan, Tommy Thompson (Marcos Lopez 46); Eric Remedi (Chris Wondolowski 60), Chofis; Benji Kikanovic (Cade Cowell 60), Andy Rios (Paul Marie 46), Cristian Espinoza (Carlos Fierro 60); Jeremy Ebobisse.
Substitutes not used: Oswaldo Alanis, Judson, Jack Skahan, Daniel Vega.
SHOTS: 17; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 13; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 0
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On the result:
“I think many dreams came to an end today — the sporting dreams that we had. Looking at the first half, we had some chances to open the scoring. The first half was under control, it was even. They hurt us at the right time. In the second half, we were looking for the result because we needed to win. We knew spaces would open up. The team made a huge effort, but we were outplayed by the opponent. We repeated what we had been practicing but we weren’t able to finish our chances. Individual mistakes are possible. We were up against a great team that scores many goals and possesses important players in their offense. Even if we have two matches left, we need to finish the best way possible, but this is the end of what we were preparing for.”
On goals set for the final two matches:
“We have to finish the season in the best possible way. There’s a week and a half left. We have to try to leave a good image. That’s all I’m thinking about today.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD JEREMY EBOBISSE
On his return to Providence Park:
“I think there was more anticipation than I actually felt in the moment. in the moment, it just felt like another game with guys I spent a lot of years with. Some good and not so good memories. When you’re on the field, it’s all about business. This time around, we did not get the job done which is disappointing, but it was really just another game.”
On how the match played out:
“Watching it back with a different vantage point, I might see a little bit more of a different perspective but on the field, it presents similar challenges to what we’ve had in previous games. I think there were moments where we were able to solve the type of blocks Portland presented; other moments where we weren’t. That’s on us to find the consistency with the personnel on the field and make it work. I think we had some good looks on goal, they also had some good looks. So ultimately it was a pretty back and forth game from my vantage point and they capitalized on two chances.”
