SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel and head coach Luchi Gonzalez have been named to Major League Soccer’s Team of the Matchday, formerly known as Team of the Week, for Matchday 16. Daniel made eight heroic saves to earn his first shutout, while Gonzalez guided the Quakes to a 1-0 victory on the road against first-place Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday at Lumen Field.
Goalkeeper Daniel’s eight saves helped the Quakes earn a shutout after Seattle fired a total of 23 shots. His saves on Wednesday are tied for third most in saves made in a single game this season.
Head coach Luchi Gonzalez led the Quakes to earn their first road win of the season. The victory saw the Earthquakes extend their undefeated streak at Lumen Field to three (2-0-1), and marked the Quakes’ seventh win at Seattle, the most road wins against the Sounders in their MLS history.
The MLS Team of the Matchday selection is Daniel’s first of his MLS career and Gonzalez’s second with the Quakes and seventh of his MLS coaching career.
MLS TEAM OF THE MATCHDAY (MATCHDAY 16)
Fowards: Dániel Sallói (SKC), Cucho Hernández (CLB), Sunusi Ibrahim (MTL)
Midfielders: Carles Gil (NE), Gastón Brugman (LA), Lucas Zelarayán (CLB), Julian Gressel (VAN)
Defenders: Álvaro Barreal (CIN), Julio Cascante (ATX), Calegari (LA)
Goalkeeper: Daniel (SJ)
Coach: Luchi Gonzalez (SJ)
Bench: Brad Stuver (ATX), Sean Nealis (RBNY), Thiago Almada (ATL), Riqui Puig (LA), Ryan Gauld (VAN), Gadi Kinda (SKC), Luciano Acosta (CIN), Ariel Lassiter (MTL), Brian White (VAN)
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ
On Wednesday’s win at Seattle:
“It’s important that we take things one moment at a time, stay present. We’ve had these opportunities in stoppage time and we’ve earned those opportunities to get a win or a draw. We’re putting ourselves in good places. Some of the stoppage times were very long, 10-20 minutes, which aren’t typical. It’s about believing in ourselves. The guys continue to train with intensity, focused and being excited for the next moment. We address things that we want to improve. We earned this opportunity to get better. They showed it tonight and I’m really proud of them.”
On goalkeeper Daniel’s outstanding performance:
“Great performance. He’s worked hard to be and stay healthy. He’s had great competition with JT [Marcinkowski]. We have a great goalkeeping crew. That’s going to help us in the long season because there are injuries and ups and downs. Daniel was really important for us tonight, and we’re really proud of him. Great performance.”
