SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza and defenders Miguel Trauco and Rodrigues have been named to Major League Soccer’s Team of the Matchday, formerly known as Team of the Week, for Matchday 25. Espinoza and Trauco both scored, and Rodrigues helped secure a clean sheet in the Quakes 2-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC.
Cristian Espinoza scored a penalty kick and notched his club record-breaking assist in a Man of the Match performance. Espinoza fired from the spot into the bottom left cornerto give San Jose the lead in the 19th minute. In the second half, Espinoza tallied the assist on Trauco’s goal to become the all-time assist leader for the Quakes (51), passing club legend Shea Salinas.
Defender Miguel Trauco struck for his third goal of the season in the 65th minute, striking an incredible full volley from outside the box past Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland. Rodrigues’ defensive performance helped the Quakes earn their seventh shutout of the season.
The MLS Team of the Matchday selection is Espinoza’s sixth of the season and 13th since joining the Quakes in January of 2019. The selection is also Trauco’s second for San Jose, and Rodrigues’ second of the season and third of his career.
MLS TEAM OF THE MATCHDAY (MATCHDAY 25)
Forwards: Cristian Espinoza (SJ), Carlos Vela (LAFC), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (MIN)
Midfielders: José Cifuentes (LAFC), Obinna Nwobodo (CIN), Xherdan Shaqiri (CHI), Dániel Gazdag (PHI)
Defenders: Miguel Trauco (SJ), Jack Elliott (PHI), Ryan Hollingshead (LAFC)
Goalkeeper: Djordje Petrovic (NE)
Coach: Adrian Heath (MIN)
Bench: Dayne St. Clair (MIN), Rodrigues (SJ), Carles Gil (NE), Thiago Almada (ATL), Ryan Gauld (VAN), Johnny Russell (SKC), Maren Haile-Selassie (CHI), Anderson Julio (RSL), Teemu Pukki (MIN)
