KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The San Jose Earthquakes tied Sporting Kansas City 1-1 on Wednesday evening at Children’s Mercy Park, extending their unbeaten streak to three matches. The Quakes have now earned three straight road draws against three of the top six teams in the Western Conference.
After a scoreless first half, San Jose jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute. Cristian Espinoza centered a corner kick, which Nathan headed into the back of Tim Melia’s net. It marked Nathan’s first career MLS goal in his third appearance.
The Quakes held the one-goal lead for more than 40 minutes before conceding in second-half stoppage time. A free kick by Johnny Russell caromed off the crossbar before hitting the back of the leaping goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski. The loose ball remained on the goal line before Daniel Salloi finished the tap-in.
Quakes midfielder Judson received his second yellow card moments after the goal, but San Jose was able to play out the remaining few minutes with 10 men.
The Earthquakes will now return to San Jose to host Houston Dynamo FC this Saturday, July 24, presented by Coca-Cola. The match kicks off from PayPal Park at 7:00 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Bay Area Plus, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
GAME NOTES
The Earthquakes now hold a 3-7-4 record (13 pts.) during the 2021 MLS regular season and are currently in 11th place in the Western Conference.
San Jose extended their unbeaten streak to three matches, all of which have taken place on the road.
The Quakes are now 25-28-9 all-time vs. Sporting Kansas City.
Defender Nathan scored his first MLS goal in his third career appearance.
Cristian Espinoza tallied an assist on Nathan’s goal, marking his fourth assist of the season and 26th of his MLS career. He is now tied with Cade Cowell for most assists on the team this season.
Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski made six saves, equaling his career high.
Midfielder Carlos Fierro entered the match as a substitute in the 76th minute, marking his first appearance since May 29.
MLS Regular Season
Sporting KC 1 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes
July 21, 2021 – Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.
Attendance: 17,872
Michelob Man of the Match: Nathan
* Scoring Summary: *SJ – Nathan (Cristian Espinoza) 53; SKC – Daniel Salloi (unassisted) 90+4.
* Misconduct Summary: *SJ – Chofis (caution) 40; SJ – Judson (caution) 49; SKC – Jaylin Lindsey (caution) 57; SJ – Cristian Espinoza (caution) 82; SKC – Graham Zusi (caution) 85; SJ – Nathan (caution) 86; SJ – Judson (ejection) 90+5.
* SPORTING KC: *Tim Melia; Andreu Fontas, Nicolas Isimat, Graham Zusi, Luis Martins; Gadi Kinda (Roger Espinoza 60), Cameron Duke, Remi Walter (Jaylin Lindsey 46); Johnny Russell, Daniel Salloi, Wilson Harris (Khiry Shelton 60).
Substitutes not used: Grayson Barber, Amadou Dia, Kayden Pierre, John Pulskamp, Kaveh Rad, Graham Smith.
SHOTS: 18; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 16; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 2
* SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: *JT Marcinkowski; Oswaldo Alanis, Nathan, Tanner Beason, Marcos Lopez (Luciano Abecasis 64); Eric Remedi, Judson, Shea Salinas, Chofis (Carlos Fierro 76), Cristian Espinoza; Chris Wondolowski (Andy Rios 69).
Substitutes not used: Jacob Akanyirige, Siad Haji, Florian Jungwirth, Paul Marie, Jack Skahan, Daniel Vega.
SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 19; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 6
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On how the team’s formation is decided:
“Sometimes I make changes because we might have injuries. Sometimes I am obligated to make changes. We are practicing a system that is different from what we usually practice, but this is another tool that we can give to the players.”
On being without forwards Cade Cowell and Benji Kikanovic:
“That is the generosity that we have in reinforcing the United States Men’s National Team. I would never force a player that was called up to their national team to not go, even knowing that I might be gambling my job. I want the best for the players. In this case, it gives me great pleasure that a young player like Cade is included in the senior national team.”
On Nathan’s integration in the team and his acclimation to MLS:
“I think he can give a lot. He makes a difference because he has experience in Europe and many other reasons that include technique, fitness and physique. I think that is the type of reinforcement that we needed.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER NATHAN
On the team’s progression since his arrival:
“I think we are making progress in every match. It does not matter if we are making little or big progress. The important thing is that we make that progress. You can see that in the last three matches that the team is playing with confidence and getting better. We are more secure and that gives us confidence to keep pushing. Playing as the away team is never easy and we should be pleased with these last three games in which we earned three points.”
On playing in front of home supporters for the first time on Saturday:
“I am excited because I was on the bench in the match against the LA Galaxy. The atmosphere at PayPal Park is amazing. I am excited to play. I am very energetic and if I can contribute to the energy from the supporters, it should be a great time.”
