SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Inter Miami CF 1-0 on Wednesday night at PayPal Park.
Inter Miami CF got out to an early lead when Jean Mota scored on a long-distance shot in the 12th minute.
The Quakes were dealt a blow when starting goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski exited the match at halftime due to injury. Backup goalkeeper Matt Bersano, in his sixth year with the club, came on to make his MLS debut and kept a clean sheet in the second half.
Despite taking 22 shots, tied for their second most in a game this season, San Jose couldn’t find the equalizer.
The Earthquakes will now travel to Austin for their second match of the week on Saturday, Aug. 6. The match will kick off from Q2 Stadium at 6 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports California Plus, KNBR 1050 (English), and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).
GAME NOTES
The Earthquakes currently hold a 5-10-8 record (23 pts.) during the 2022 MLS regular season.
San Jose is now 0-1-0 all-time vs. Inter Miami CF, including a 0-1-0 record at home.
The Earthquakes are now 5-5-5 in MLS play under interim head coach Alex Covelo.
Goalkeeper Matt Bersano made his MLS debut coming on as a substitute for JT Marcinkowski at halftime.
Seventeen-year-old Homegrown midfielder Niko Tsakiris made his first MLS appearance since April 2.
Rookie defender Oskar Ågren made his second career start.
MATCH INFORMATION
2022 MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 0 – 1 Inter Miami CF
Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 11,806
Scoring Summary:
MIA (1-0) – Jean Mota (unassisted) 12’
Misconduct Summary:
MIA – DeAndre Yedlin (caution) 73’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski (Matt Bersano 46); Nathan, Tanner Beason, Tommy Thompson, Oskar Ågren (Shea Salinas 70); Jackson Yueill ©, Jamiro Monteiro, Judson (Niko Tsakiris 71); Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse, Benji Kikanović (Cade Cowell 70).
Substitutes not used: Ousseni Bouda, Jan Gregus, Jack Skahan, Casey Walls.
SHOTS: 22; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 3; CORNER KICKS: 13; SAVES: 4
INTER MIAMI CF: Drake Callender; DeAndre Yedlin, Kieran Gibbs (Ryan Sailor 88), Christopher McVey, Damian Lowe; Jean Mota (Victor Ulloa 80), Alejandro Pozuelo, Gregore Silva ©; Leo Campana (Ariel Lassiter 22, Bryce Duke 79), Gonzalo Higuain (Emerson Rodriguez 72), Robert Taylor (Joevin Jones 88).
Substitutes not used: Aime Mabika, Nick Marsman (GK), Indiana Vassilev.
SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 13; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 5
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH ALEX COVELO
On thoughts of the players who got minutes and a chance to prove themselves:
“I think that the guys who had an opportunity to play today, they gave their best individually. Oskar [Ågren] is a center back who has a very clean build up when he is with the ball. He’s a serious guy and is young, his first year in MLS after the draft which is not easy to step up in a moment like that. We put him in though because we trust him the same way we trust the whole roster; you’ve seen how many players we have used. For Matt Bersano, it is not the best moment to play in MLS, and also because of JT [Marcinkowski]. You were asking about JT, and it looks like he has a concussion which will be difficult for him to play in the next games. We have to wait for the definitive report from the medical department. Niko Tsakiris is always training well, and we know Niko very well. It is not easy to put a player of his age out on the field and he stepped up in a difficult moment. He did very well, very well in a moment that was not easy to play because we were losing and [Inter Miami CF] put a low block but that is why he played because he’s good during those situations.”
On the team’s lack of energy at the beginning of the game vs. the second half:
“It’s right, in the first half overall. The second was a little bit different but the first half we started with low energy, and it was something that we were trying to address at halftime. In the second half we started a bit more aggressive, we recovered balls, we were able to do transitions and be a little bit more dangerous. Obviously when they are winning, they dropped back their lines and to get in was difficult, even if we had some good opportunities.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES GOALKEEPER MATT BERSANO
On making his MLS debut and doing so under difficult circumstances:
“Yeah, I don’t really think there’s a perfect way to make the first appearance, so obviously I’m thankful to get out there and get some minutes. I think it was a bunch of years in the making. But to absorb the way we did and keep pressing and get so close, it’s definitely a bittersweet feeling. I’m so thankful for finally getting some MLS minutes, but above all else, I want to win, we want to win these games, and it’s definitely a sour taste in the mouth at the end of the day.”
On potentially needing to start on Saturday in Austin:
“I haven’t been able to speak with JT [Marcinkowski] or any of the medical staff or anything so I don’t know too much about the situation. But this is years and years in the making. Like I said, I’ve played 60-something professional games prior to this. It’s just business as usual. I’ve been here with the club for five and a half years, would have loved to make my debut sooner, but it just kind of is what it is at that point. If I get to go in as the starter against Austin, what a place to play. Amazing atmosphere and I’ll definitely look forward to it. If JT is feeling good, I have to deal with whatever situation comes my way. That’s just the life it’s been as a backup in this league.”
