SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto FC played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday evening at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. With the result, San Jose remains unbeaten at home in 2023 (2-0-1). The Quakes have conceded one total goal across the three home matches and have an active 253-minute shutout streak at PayPal Park.
Both teams featured heavily rotated squads due to various injuries and national team call-ups. Toronto was without Designated Player Lorenzo Insigne and four players called to the Canada National Team, while San Jose was missing Designated Player Carlos Gruezo, midfielder Jamiro Monteiro, defender Miguel Trauco, and goalkeeper Daniel, among others.
Neither side were able to break the deadlock, with each keeper forced to make two saves throughout the match.
The Earthquakes will now host Houston Dynamo FC on Saturday, April 1. 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 currently hold a 2-2-1 record (7 pts.) in the 2023 MLS regular season, including a 2-0-1 record at home.
San Jose has earned 7+ points from their first three home matches for the first time since 2017.
The Quakes have conceded one total goal across the three home matches and have an active 253-minute shutout streak at PayPal Park.
San Jose is now 6-5-8 all-time vs. Toronto FC, including a 3-2-4 record at home. With the draw, the Quakes extended their unbeaten streak against Toronto to five matches (1-0-4) dating back to 2018. San Jose’s last home loss vs. Toronto came in 2010.
Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski recorded his second shutout in his third start of the season.
Midfielder Michael Baldisimo made his first start for the Earthquakes.
Midfielder Judson entered the match as a substitute in the 76th minute, making his first appearance of the season.
MATCH INFORMATION
2023 MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 0 – 0 Toronto FC
Saturday, March 25, 2023 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 12,434
Scoring Summary:
N/A
Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Paul Marie (caution) 30’
TOR – Federico Bernardeschi (caution) 77’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Paul Marie, Rodrigues, Jonathan Mensah, Carlos Akapo; Cade Cowell (Ousseni Bouda 76’), Michael Baldisimo (Judson 76’), Jackson Yueill ©; Cristian Espinoza; Benji Kikanović (Tommy Thompson 59’), Jeremy Ebobisse.
Substitutes not used: Oskar Ågren, Tanner Beason, Daniel Munie, Emi Ochoa (GK), Will Richmond, Jack Skahan.
SHOTS: 14; SHOTS ON GOAL: 1; FOULS: 10; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 2
TORONTO FC: Sean Johnson; Matt Hedges, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Sigurd Rosted, Raoul Petretta (Kobe Franklin 45’); Michael Bradley ©, Victor Vázquez (Kosi Thompson 73’), Brandon Servania, Alonso Coello; Federico Bernardeschi, Deandre Kerr (Hugo Mbongue 81’).
Substitutes not used: Lukas MacNaughton, Greg Ranjitsingh (GK), Shane O’Neill, Markus Cimermancic, Jordan Perruzza, Themi Antonoglou.
SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 10; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 2
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ
On tonight’s match vs. Toronto FC:
“I mean we’ve had our challenges with injuries and also missing guys. So definitely both Toronto and us had challenges in that regard. But I am happy with some of the things we created in terms of our expected goals. We definitely created enough chances to score at least a goal. We defended very well collectively and individually, shutting down a few of their key guys and that’s important. If we can have an effort like that, consistently, defensively, things will bounce our way offensively I believe in our process. And it did not, so we are disappointed not to have scored and put one of those chances away to win the game and get the maximum three points. We at home expect that. But look, it was there, it was close, and we have to keep pushing. We have to analyze it and see what little details to improve so that it would have bounced our way and maximize the points. But we’ll rest, we’ll regroup, and we have a great opportunity to make up those points against Houston [Dynamo FC] next week and prepare for that.”
On Toronto’s head coach Bob Bradley:
“I have had quite a few games against him over the years when he was at LAFC and now with Toronto and preseason and this game tonight. But utmost respect for Bob. He’s a legend. The national team and [Major League Soccer]. He’s someone that I have been in touch with personally and through my journey he’s had a connection with me, and he’s been a mentor to me. I appreciate the relationship and it’s a big honor every time I get to coach against him. And in my competitive nature I want to beat him every time, and I’m sure he wants to do the same. But nothing but respect. I’m always excited to coach against a legend like Bob. And then tactically, he puts a lot of like footballers together in terms of the technical side. He had some false wingers or midfielders together and they make it difficult when they connect passes and put a sequence together that you have to defend and shift and get pressure on the ball and if they break it, repress. So, he knows to put good technical smart players together and controlling the game that way. I thought it was back and forth in terms of possession and so obviously I give them credit for that.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CRISTIAN ESPINOZA
On drawing with Toronto FC at home:
“We are always working to prepare for different situations, not only when the teams come and press high but also when the teams defend almost the entire game and try to find counter attacks. Today, as with the Colorado Rapids game, Toronto dropped the defensive line deep and that was difficult to break that line. I think that we managed the ball very well and created a couple of chances to score. I think that wasn’t a bad game for us. It was a good point and I as said before we have to keep going.”
On the offensive struggles against Toronto FC:
“In the first half we couldn’t connect with each other, but I think that was because in the first half teams normally come with a lot of energy. We knew that in the second half they were going to drop that energy, so that we could create more chances to score. That is what happened on the field, but today we couldn’t connect on a couple of crosses and the chances that we had. But we are happy with this point and clean sheet, and we have to keep going.”
