SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City played to a 1-1 on Sunday afternoon at PayPal Park. The Quakes extended their unbeaten streak to four matches (2-0-2), tied for the second longest active streak in MLS. San Jose also extended their unbeaten streak at PayPal Park to seven regular season matches (3-0-4) and eight matches in all competitions (4-0-4).
Following a Sporting Kansas City goal one minute before halftime, San Jose equalized less than a minute into the second half on a header Jackson Yueill. It marked Yueill’s second consecutive match with a headed goal, the first time in his career he has scored in back-to-back games.
Despite taking 18 shots, tied for their second most in a match this season, the Earthquakes could not find a winner.
The Earthquakes will now prepare to face Sacramento Republic FC in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday, May 25. The match will kick off from Heart Health Park at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
GAME NOTES
The Earthquakes currently hold a 3-5-5 record (14 pts.) during the 2022 MLS regular season.
San Jose is now 5-1-2 in all competitions under interim head coach Alex Covelo, including a 3-1-2 record in MLS play.
San Jose is now 25-28-10 all-time vs. Sporting KC in MLS play, including a 17-7-8 record at home.
Midfielder Jackson Yueill scored his third goal of the season and 10th of his MLS career. With the goal, Yueill matched his single-season career-high in goals (2019, 2021). He has now scored in back-to-back games for the first time in his MLS career.
Midfielder Jamiro Monteiro tallied an assist on Yueill’s goal. It marked his fourth assist of the season and 25th of his MLS career. He has tallied three goals and four assists in his last six games.
Defender Francisco Calvo tallied an assist on Yueill’s goal. It marked his first assist of the season and 10th of his MLS career.
Rookie defender Oskar Ågren made his MLS debut, starting and playing 90 minutes.
Midfielder Eric Remedi made his 100th MLS appearance, starting and playing 80 minutes.
Midfielder Chofis made his first appearance since March 12, playing 22 minutes as a substitute.
MATCH INFORMATION
2022 MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 1 – 1 Sporting Kansas City
Sunday, May 22, 2022 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 14,233
Man of the Match: Jackson Yueill
Scoring Summary:
SKC (1-0) – Johnny Russell (Cam Duke, Roger Espinoza) 45’
SJ (1-1) – Jackson Yueill (Jamiro Monteiro, Francisco Calvo) 46’
Misconduct Summary:
SKC – Roger Espinoza (caution) 58’
SKC – Uri Rosell (caution) 74’
SJ – Paul Marie (caution) 88’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Tanner Beason, Oskar Ågren, Francisco Calvo, Paul Marie; Eric Remedi (Judson 80), Cade Cowell, Jackson Yueill © (Jan Gregus 68), Jamiro Monteiro (Chofis 68), Cristian Espinoza; Jeremy Ebobisse.
Substitutes not used: Ousseni Bouda, Matt Bersano, Benji Kikanovic, Shea Salinas, Jack Skahan, Tommy Thompson.
SHOTS: 18; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 11; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 1
SPORTING KANSAS CITY: Tim Melia; Ben Sweat, Robert Voloder, Kortne Ford, Logan Ndenbe, Uri Rosell, Roger Espinoza (Marinos Tzionis 64), Felipe Hernandez, Cam Duke, Remi Walter, Johnny Russell (C).
Substitutes not used: Jake Davis, Kendall McIntosh, Kayden Pierre, Kaveh Rad, Julian Vazquez.
SHOTS: 6; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 7; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 4
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH ALEX COVELO
On his thoughts on the match:
“I think Sporting Kansas City came and showed a very defensive formation, a 4-5-1 which was very difficult to break. I think in the first half, we didn’t occupy the right spaces to advance. We were trying to find Jamiro [Monteiro] and Jackson [Yueill]. We didn’t need them falling back as we saw. We knew we needed to fix something in the second half. But at the end of the first half, we committed a mistake that cost us a lot. In the second half, Jackson was tired and felt something in his leg, so we tried to put [Jan] Gregus and Chofis to find more in between lines and create more chances because we were very low. That’s why we made those substitutions.”
On Oskar Ågren’s MLS debut and his performance today:
“It’s not easy to have your first MLS game here, against Sporting Kansas City, after being selected in the MLS SuperDraft. I think overall he did well. Any young player that comes through the draft needs to improve, but he did well.”
On the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 match vs. Sacramento Republic FC on Wednesday:
“The approach will be to try to win the game. I don’t think it’s going to be an easy game there in Sacramento with the way that they play. There’s a big rivalry, but we will prepare well. We’ll put on the field the best players that we have.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER OSKAR ÅGREN
On his debut:
“It felt good to be out there and get the debut. I’m very appreciative for that. The game was pretty calm, I thought overall. We had the ball a lot and I think we controlled it, conceded a goal that was a bit unfortunate right at the end of the first half. But the second half started off well and we got that goal back. We felt that we were right back in it, and I think we had enough chances to win the game.”
On team chemistry:
“I think the chemistry on the field was good and I think that comes from good chemistry outside the field. I think both in the locker room and on the field, we always try to help each other on the back line and give tips and advice. [Francisco] Calvo is a great guy to help me with that and Tanner [Beason] and Paul [Marie] and other guys too.”
On how his opportunities in MLS NEXT Pro prepared him for his MLS debut:
“Those have been good for sure. I’m not the only one that played there. Everyone that has played there is happy to get minutes there and the quality is good too. I’m happy to do that in the future if I have to.”
