SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Chicago Fire 4-1 Wednesday night at Avaya Stadium. Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski scored his 133rd career MLS goal and is now tied for third all-time in MLS goals with Jaime Moreno and just one behind Jeff Cunningham for second.
The Quakes now turn their attention to Saturday when they take on the Portland Timbers at Avaya Stadium at 7:15 p.m., presented by Gyft. The match will be broadcast on NBC Sports California Plus, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 1 – 4 Chicago Fire
Sept. 27, 2017 – Avaya Stadium in San Jose, CA
Attendance: 17,256
Scoring Summary: CHI – Djordje Mihailovic (Matt Polster, Michael de Leeuw) 14; CHI – Luis Solignac (Michael de Leeuw, Djordje Mihailovic) 40; CHI – Nemanja Nikolic (Luis Solignac) 48; CHI – Nemanja Nikolic (unassisted) 65; SJ – Chris Wondolowski (Vako) 87.
Misconduct Summary: CHI – Arturo Alvarez (caution) 26; SJ – Florian Jungwirth (caution) 35; SJ – Anibal Godoy (caution) 39; SJ – Jackson Yueill (caution) 67.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Andrew Tarbell; Shea Salinas, Florian Jungwirth, Francois Affolter, Nick Lima (Vako 64); Anibal Godoy, Jackson Yueill; Tommy Thompson (Jahmir Hyka 77), Chris Wondolowski, Danny Hoesen; Marco Ureña (Quincy Amarikwa 72).
SHOTS: 20, SHOTS ON GOAL: 9; SAVES: 6; FOULS: 10; CORNER KICKS: 5, OFFSIDES: 1.
CHICAGO FIRE: Richard Sanchez; Brandon Vincent, Johan Kappelhof, Jonathan Campbell, Matt Polster (Joao Meira 66); Dax McCarty (Brandt Bronico 83), Djordje Mihailovic, Arturo Alvarez, Luis Solignac; Michael de Leeuw, Nemanja Nikolic (Drew Conner 76).
SHOTS: 14; SHOTS ON GOAL: 10; SAVES: 8; FOULS: 16; CORNER KICKS: 3; OFFSIDES: 2.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH CHRIS LEITCH
On the result:
“It was a disappointing result, obviously. We had some really good opportunities and didn’t make the most of them tonight. Last week as well. It’s disappointing not to get more out of the game than we did tonight.”
On Chicago’s strong start:
“Chicago is a good team. Their movement on the ball is pretty darn good. Defensively they put us on our heels a bit. We got too conservative defensively, especially on our back line. I thought that when we had the ball we had opportunities to impose ourselves in that game. With a little more belief in that first half, we would have gotten a few more opportunities but Chicago with the ball is pretty good. They have good players and good movement. It was a little too deep defending on our part. I’d like to see us push up. That’s probably the word I used the most this evening, which is ‘step’ to guys.”
On preparing for Saturday’s match against Portland:
“We definitely have to make some changes. That said, I think everyone has to look at themselves in the mirror. They have to start with themselves before anyone else, and that includes myself. The first thing I’ll do is think about what we can do for Saturday to give ourselves a chance against what’s going to be a really good Portland team coming in here.”
EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On what the Quakes need to do better:
“It’s a lot on myself. If we were to connect the passes and I think our midfield does a good job of looking to open up a play, but we needed myself to hold the ball up and get us involved, creating more chances and more possession on our offensive third rather than sitting too deep.”
On the signs of a good team:
“It’s how you bounce back when you are at your low. To be honest, it’s our low right now. A lot are expecting us to bounce back and play what we are capable of. The way we played against Portland earlier this year, 3-0. That’s the team I’m expecting for us to come out, not that team tonight. Again, I apologize to the fans and I wasn’t good enough and it’s embarrassing.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER FLORIAN JUNGWIRTH
On the importance of the game:
“We knew about importance and I agree the energy wasn’t there. You play a team like Chicago, if they have a good day, they can be a class better than you. We knew that before, I hope we knew that before. Then you know you have to do something better than them.”
