SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes tied the Colorado Rapids 1-1 on Saturday night at Earthquakes Stadium in the first live sporting event in Santa Clara County since the onset of COVID-19. Forward Chris Wondolowski scored his third goal of the season and 162nd of his MLS career, extending his own MLS record.
The Earthquakes made six changes to the starting XI from the team that faced LAFC on Wednesday night, with three players making their first starts of the season.
After a scoreless first half, which saw Earthquakes forward Danny Hoesen depart to injury, the Quakes got on the board in the 59th minute through a successful Wondolowski penalty kick. Colorado would then tie the match in the 81st minute when Kei Kamara headed home a corner kick.
The Quakes will now travel north to face the reigning MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders FC next Thursday, Sept. 10, presented by Estrella Jalisco. The match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT will be broadcast live on NBC Sports California, KNBR 1050 and1370 KZSF.
GAME NOTES
San Jose now holds a 2-3-3 record (9 pts.) this season.
Saturday’s match marked the Quakes’ first at Earthquakes Stadium since March 7, a span of nearly six months.
Defender Marcos Lopez, midfielder Shea Salinas and forward Chris Wondolowski each made their first starts of the season.
Wondolowski scored his third goal of the season and 162nd of his MLS career, extending his own league record. He has now scored 26 of his 32 penalty kick attempts in regular season play. Tonight was Wondolowski’s first PK attempt since Sept. 29, 2018.
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 1 – 1 Colorado Rapids
Sept. 5, 2020 – Earthquakes Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
Scoring Summary: SJ – Chris Wondolowski (penalty) 59; COL – Kei Kamara (Cole Bassett) 81.
Misconduct Summary: SJ – Paul Marie (caution) 1; SJ – Oswaldo Alanis (caution) 38; COL – Kellyn Acosta (caution) 45; SJ – Florian Jungwirth (caution) 50; SJ – Cristian Espinoza (caution) 57; COL – Cole Bassett (caution) 83; COL – Lalas Abubakar (caution) 90.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel Vega; Paul Marie (Tommy Thompson 70), Oswaldo Alanis, Florian Jungwirth, Marcos Lopez; Jackson Yueill, Judson, Shea Salinas (Vako 80), Cristian Espinoza (Cade Cowell 70); Chris Wondolowski, Danny Hoesen (Andy Rios 35).
Substitutes not used: Tanner Beason, Eric Calvillo, Guram Kashia, Nick Lima, JT Marcinkowski.
SHOTS: 14, SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; SAVES: 6; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 7, OFFSIDES: 0.
Colorado Rapids: William Yarbrough, Keegan Rosenberry, Danny Wilson, Lalas Abubakar, Sam Vines, Kellyn Acosta, Younes Namli (Braian Galvan 75), Cole Bassett (Jeremy Kelly 89), Collen Warner, Diego Rubio (Kei Kamara 64), Andre Shinyashiki (Jonathan Lewis 64).
Substitutes not used: Clint Irwin, Drew Moor, Jack Price, Auston Trusty, Deklan Wynne.
SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 8, OFFSIDES: 2.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On the numerous changes to the starting lineup:
“We prepared differently because we had little time to train. Little by little, the team is picking up the rhythm again. We started training as a team where everyone has the opportunity to play. Today we saw a different team compared to the other games. Where we have to improve ourselves is set pieces, but when you have a player like [Kei] Kamara who jumps more than two meters, it may be that he beats you.”
On starting Marco Lopez and his positive performance:
“I think many players have raised the bar. In the case of Marcos Lopez and Paul Marie, they haven't played minutes for a long time. They were at the level. The changes are not because some players are at a higher level than others, but because we are not fit physically like we were in Orlando. To play this game, we just had one day to practice. We are beginning to find heart, passion, and trying to finish good on paper. It was difficult because we are playing every two or three days. Now, it will be the first time that we will have three days of training. Today, I am more confident because I saw a stronger response from the team. Today, we recovered well in many aspects of the game and we take many positives from it.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On playing at Earthquakes Stadium without fans:
“It’s different. I think that’s the biggest thing for me. It’s just a little different, but I think that it was awesome to hear the horns honking, especially before the game, to be able to provide any sort of atmosphere. I think it was nice. I think that we came ready and energetic, so we were talkative and out there on the front foot. I do think that we hit our wall towards the end, but I think that we have to make sure to keep our energy up throughout the whole 90 [minutes]. That’s important for us.”
On getting back into the starting XI after not playing against LAFC:
“The game on Wednesday was very frustrating. Whether I played 90 minutes or played zero minutes, it always hurts to lose. LAFC is a great team, but it hurts to lose 5-1. It doesn’t matter if you're playing Bayern Munich. It’s going to hurt, so it did sting. I am very grateful that Matias [Almeyda] gave me a shot. I think that we needed to right the ship, and I think he wanted to use Shea [Salinas], myself, some other guys, and use some leadership. I think he wanted to sprinkle in some of the youth. We have amazing young guys. I was extremely proud of guys like Paul Marie and Marcos Lopez today, but especially Paul. I thought he stepped in and always got minutes, especially last year. I think this year he’s worked his tail off, and he earned that penalty kick for me. I’m very grateful to him and the team for the work they have done and continue to do. Can we be better? Absolutely. Will we be better? Yes. Our job is not done, and we need to continue. I do think that we took a step in the right direction. The key is continuing in the right direction.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER FLORIAN JUNGWIRTH
On playing at Earthquakes Stadium without fans:
“Obviously, it’s a weird feeling when you play in an empty stadium. Nevertheless, it was really good to come home tonight. I think last Wednesday we were ready to go, but today was a special feeling for everyone. It’s a really strange and tough time, so you’re really happy for the little things in life. That was definitely something that gave me a lot of joy.”
On the Quakes next match against Seattle Sounders FC:
“Of course, when you play against the current champions, you need a really, really great game to beat them because I think they are the best team in the league. It’s going to be a really tough one. I think today we saw some sparks. Of course, the fans and everyone wanted the win, but I think when you get slapped, like we did on Wednesday against LAFC, you don’t have a lot of confidence. We found our way back playing as unit and keeping a fighting spirit. That’s what we have to do. We still have to find our movement. We lost Magnus [Eriksson] now. He’s also a player that’s really hard to replace. He was our most important player, and that takes a while obviously. I think everyone did a great job to fit into his number ‘10’ spot. I think tonight, with Danny [Hoesen] and [Chris] Wondolowski, we were looking good through the first 30 minutes. Unfortunately, Danny got injured, and then Andy [Rios] and Wondo played up top. I still think we need to find our rhythm for the next game, but we will definitely get that.”
