HARRISON, N.J. – The San Jose Earthquakes and the New York Red Bulls played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. The Quakes extended their unbeaten streak to three with the result (1-0-2).
Neither team was able to break the deadlock in the first half. The best chance for San Jose came in the 43rd minute when midfielder Jackson Yueill attempted an audacious chip from long range that beat goalkeeper Carlos Coronel but caromed off the crossbar.
An on-field incident occurred early in the second half that caused the match to be halted for 15 minutes. A Red Bulls player was alleged to have used language that violates league policy. Major League Soccer has begun an investigation and will provide more information at the completion.
Less than 10 minutes after the restart, San Jose took the lead through Cristian Espinoza. A long ball by Carlos Gruezo set up a one-on-one opportunity for Espinoza, who beat his defender and scored on a low left-footed shot from close range. Espinoza has now scored San Jose’s last four goals including three in the last two matches.
With 21 minutes of second-half stoppage time, New York eventually broke through to equalize in the 107th minute.
The Earthquakes will now return to San Jose to host Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, April 15, presented by Mission College. The match will kick off from PayPal Park at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be streamed globally on MLS Season Pass(Apple TV), as well as on local radio via 810 AM The Spread (English) and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).
GAME NOTES
The Earthquakes hold a 3-2-2 record (11 pts.) during the 2023 regular season and currently sit in sixth place in the 14-team Western Conference.
The Quakes are now 17-15-10 all-time vs. the New York Red Bulls, including an 4-11-7 record on the road. The result snaps a four-match losing streak against the club.
Forward Cristian Espinoza scored his fourth goal of the season and 19th of his MLS career. He has scored each of San Jose’s last four goals this season.
Midfielder Carlos Gruezo tallied an assist on Espinoza. It marked his first assist of the season, and with the Quakes, and eighth of his MLS career.
MATCH INFORMATION
2023 MLS Regular Season
New York Red Bulls 1 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes
Saturday, April 8, 2023 – Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.
Attendance: 15,939
Scoring Summary:
SJ (1-0) – Cristian Espinoza (Carlos Gruezo) 80’
RBNY (1-1) – Tom Barlow (unassisted) 90+17’
Misconduct Summary:
RBNY – Omir Fernandez (caution) 11’
SJ – Rodrigues (caution) 24’
RBNY – Sean Nealis (caution) 54’
SJ – Judson (caution) 56’
RBNY – Paul Marie (caution) 90+14’
NEW YORK RED BULLS: Carlos Coronel; Andres Reyes, Kyle Duncan, Dylan Nealis (Wikelman Carmona 90+10), Sean Nealis (C); Frankie Amaya (Peter Stroud 86’), Cameron Harper, Omir Fernandez, Cristian Casseres Jr.; Cory Burke (Tom Barlow 90+1’), Dante Vanzier (Elias Manoel 86’).
Substitutes not used: Jaydan Reid, Dru Yearwood, Ryan Meara (GK), Daniel Edelman, Hassan Ndam.
SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 13; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 2
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Paul Marie, Rodrigues, Jonathan Mensah, Carlos Akapo; Judson (Carlos Gruezo 58'), Jackson Yueill (C), Jamiro Monteiro (Michael Baldisimo 90+8’); Cade Cowell (Benji Kikanović 90+8), Jeremy Ebobisse (Ousseni Bouda 90+18’), Cristian Espinoza.
Substitutes not used: Tanner Beason, Emi Ochoa (GK), Jack Skahan, Tommy Thompson, Miguel Trauco.
SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 13; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 4
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ
Statement following tonight’s incident:
“It’s unfortunate that the players and people near and on the field had to experience a 20-minute moment where, I can’t speak factually, but when I listen to my players in terms of what was said or not said, or who it was directed to, there are things that are unacceptable and very unfortunate, very disappointing, that take precedent over the game we play. I have to be really proud of our players to be together in solidarity, to talk, to decide and to obviously not accept what they heard. I don’t know what the next step is. I would hope the league will take this serious to the max degree in terms of an investigation and there being consequences, potentially indefinite consequences if the investigation supports what are players understood as being true. We as a club, myself as the head coach, and the staff are going to support the players, any step moving forward that the players want to act on, and we hope and count on the league, and the referee crew as well, in terms of investigating, coming down to the truth so that there can be actions that, don’t make it right, that’s for sure, but at least show that it's unacceptable and the league will act on that based on our standard as a society and as being a top professional league in this country. Unfortunately, the game is in a shadow because of that situation because it’s less important.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD JEREMY EBOBISSE
Statement following tonight’s incident:
“First of all, it’s a difficult game when we play the Red Bulls. We have a lot of respect for their style of play. We understand there is going to be a lot of duels and they go strong into the duels. At times, that results in late tackles on our end, and then on their end. That’s all part of the game. What we saw tonight should not be part of the game. I can’t correlate the various actions or the timeline that I’m going to lay out, but with what started with a foul that was being committed by Judson, fast forward a few minutes, seconds, and it ended with a racial epithet being used. Now, I understand there is going to be an investigation. I’ve been a part of those. I’ve had to support teammates through them. I have seen them, so I want to be mindful of that even as I share. I think what’s important for me to share is that I know what I heard. And the reason why I felt, after a lengthy conversation, that we should continue with the game is because the player who said the word claimed that it was not aimed at any of us. Whether that is a good faith comment or not, again, we’ll see how the investigation goes on. It’s just a difficult moment. Once again, players being put in charge, forced to make a decision, manage all sorts of emotions because the system is not robust enough to capture moments and gain clarity within a matter of minutes, seconds that these actions happen. I think what’s important is that the team was united in whichever step we move forward with. And that goes top to bottom, from coaches to players."
