CARSON, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes defeated the LA Galaxy 3-0 Sunday night at the StubHub Center to take the 2017 MLS regular season series against LA (2-1) and move into the sixth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Earthquakes Marco Ureña, Vako and Chris Wondowloski all found the back of the net to secure the victory.
With his tally, Wondolowski took sole possession of the MLS record for road goals with 64, which was previously held by Landon Donovan (63).
Jackson Yueill’s assist on Marco Ureña’s goal marked his first for the Quakes and goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell earned his first shutout for the team.
The Quakes will now face Toronto FC at BMO Field on Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. PT in their last of three consecutive road contests. The match will be televised on NBC Sports California Plus, KNBR 1050 and KZSF 1370. In the next week, seven Earthquakes will join their respective national teams for 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
MLS Regular Season
LA Galaxy 0 – 3 San Jose Earthquakes
Aug. 27, 2017 – StubHub Center in Carson, CA.
Attendance: 19,237
Scoring Summary: SJ – Vako (Shea Salinas) 40+3; SJ – Marco Ureña (Jackson Yueill) 80; SJ – Chris Wondolowski (unassisted) 90+2.
Misconduct Summary: SJ – Fatai Alashe (caution) 20; LA – Bradley Diallo (caution) 45; LA – Nathan Smith (ejection) 57; SJ – Danny Hoesen (caution) 87.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Andrew Tarbell; Shea Salinas, Andres Imperiale, Fatai Alashe, Kofi Sarkodie; Tommy Thompson (Jahmir Hyka 76), Darwin Ceren, Jackson Yueill, Vako (Danny Hoesen 71); Chris Wondolowski, Marco Ureña (Quincy Amarikwa 90+2).
SHOTS: 19, SHOTS ON GOAL: 11; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 14; CORNER KICKS: 9; OFFSIDES: 1.
LA GALAXY: Jon Kempin; Pele van Anholt (Nathan Smith 26), Daniel Steres, Dave Romney, Bradley Diallo; Jonathan dos Santos, João Pedro; Bradford Jamieson IV (Ariel Lassiter 63), Giovani dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng (Jose Villarreal 70); Gyasi Zardes.
SHOTS: 14; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; SAVES: 8; FOULS: 13; CORNER KICKS: 4; OFFSIDES: 0.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH CHRIS LEITCH
On the victory:
“I think it was just the grit that we had and the unwillingness to step back or lay off. I think that we wanted it. I think we wanted to outwork them and out battle them. It was a really good effort and I could tell this team wanted to dig in a fight tonight, which is what you need to do on the road.”
On the playoff race:
“The playoff race is really tight. You have a lot of good teams vying for it. We still have enough games that lie ahead. We have to maximize our points and have some road games still. Do I like our chances? Yes. We are going to give it our go that is for sure.”
On the importance of Wondolowski:
“He means so much. His determination on the road and at home, he didn’t play traditionally up high today, and the amount of work that he put into it was phenomenal. Even in the biggest moments he steps up and comes through. Even in the smallest little details, he excels at them. To beat Landon Donovan in an statistical category is pretty darn hard, so for Chris to do it, he keeps track of that and I know he is aware of those things, I’m sure he is proud of it as is this club.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On the win:
“It’s a big point in the season for us. I think that especially in rivalry game, it’s a bit of a statement game. We had a long week. I think that is kind of the reason behind the excitement in this win.”
On the goal:
“I would be lying if I didn’t say it was a little special scoring against LA. There is a big rivalry and to be able to seal the game in that fashion it was nice.”
On his call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team:
“I am excited and a bit surprised. It is one of those things where I really wanted to take the opportunity and I relish it and I am hoping for the best.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES GOALKEEPER ANDREW TARBELL
On the team performance:
“The past couple of weeks we have took a dip with the results, but this team has always been a close-knit group, and we just needed to find ourselves again and our fighting mentality. That is what we do. We fought as a team today and we were the better team.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER SHEA SALINAS
On the team’s mentality:
“Today we had the mentality that we weren’t going to let any obstacle set us back. We were going to overcome anything. I think in the past we have allowed for some different circumstances to affect the way we’ve played, and tonight we just had a bigger desire to win than they did. I think that is what made the biggest difference.”
