HOUSTON, Texas. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell 2-0 to the Houston Dynamo Saturday afternoon at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Quakes battled through hot conditions, but were unable to find the back of the net in a match that saw chances from both teams.
Houston took an early lead in the ninth minute when Erick Torres capitalized on a penalty conceded from Fatai Alashe’s foul in the box. The home side doubled their lead in the 72nd minute after Alberth Elis scored from a corner kick.
The Earthquakes will make the last stop in their three-game road trip on Saturday, April 29 against expansion side Minnesota United FC at TCF Bank Stadium. The game kicks off at 5 p.m. PT and will air live on NBC Sports Bay Area Plus, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 0 – 2 Houston Dynamo
April 22, 2017 – BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX
Attendance: 16,918
Scoring Summary: HOU – Erick Torres (penalty) 9; HOU – Alberth Elis (Eric Alexander) 72.
Misconduct Summary: HOU – Joe Willis (caution) 32; HOU – Alberth Elis (caution) 34; SJ – Florian Jungwirth (caution) 35; SJ – Shaun Francis (caution) 46; HOU – Romell Quioto (caution) 90+4.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: David Bingham; Shaun Francis (Tommy Thompson 73), Florian Jungwirth, Fatai Alashe, Nick Lima; Shea Salinas (Jahmir Hyka 46), Anibal Godoy, Darwin Ceren, Cordell Cato; Marco Ureña (Danny Hoesen 64), Chris Wondolowski.
SHOTS: 9, SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 9; CORNER KICKS: 4; OFFSIDES: 3.
HOUSTON DYNAMO: Joe Willis; Kevin Garcia, DaMarcus Beasley, Leonardo, Adolfo Machado; Juan Cabezas, Boniek Garcia, Eric Alexander, Alex (Andrew Wenger 85); Alberth Elis (Mauro Manotas 77), Erick Torres (Romell Quioto 75).
SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 7; CORNER KICKS: 2; OFFSIDES: 0.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR
On the penalty:
“Playing from behind nine minutes in makes it more difficult. It is tough to play in MLS on the road in these conditions, and to go a goal down early makes the task taller.”
On taking advantage of opportunities on goal:
“We need to make the most of our opportunities going forward. We made some bad decisions in and around the area that cost us.”
On playing on Wednesday and again on Saturday:
“We made some tired decisions out there with the ball. It is a difficult day and a difficult road trip, and we are all disappointed. I don’t think the Dynamo overwhelmed us. I think we made some mistakes and made it easier for them.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
Overall thoughts on the game:
“It’s definitely tough conceding that early goal, but I thought we played well. It is very frustrating and a tough place to play. Houston had a very good game plan and executed it well and got the goal early. They kept good shape throughout most of the game.”
On playing multiple games on the road:
“It is not easy to go cross country and then down to Houston to play a Saturday midday game. It’s a game that we needed a win from and we have to move on from here.”
