SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Colorado Rapids 3-1 on Saturday night at Avaya Stadium, marking the club's fourth consecutive victory and third straight by the same scoreline. The win extends the Quakes' unbeaten streak at home to nine games (8-0-1) and sees the club jump to fourth place, just one point behind second-place Seattle.
San Jose took a very early lead on an own goal in the second minute. The Quakes then tacked on two more through strong individual efforts by Vako and Shea Salinas before the Rapids pulled one back in the final moments.
The Earthquakes remain at home to face Columbus Crew SC on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 6:45 p.m., presented by Kelly-Moore Paints. The match will be broadcast live on Telemundo 48, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
MATCH NOTES:
San Jose now holds a 11-7-4 record this season and sit in fourth place in the Western Conference, level on points with third-place LA Galaxy and just one point behind second-place Seattle Sounders FC.
The Earthquakes are now 10-2-4 in their last 16 MLS regular season matches. The club is now 6-1-0 in their last seven matches.
The Quakes have won four consecutive matches for just the second time since 2005 (August 2015).
The Earthquakes have a home unbeaten streak of nine matches (8-0-1) dating back to April 6. San Jose has outscored opponents 23-5 in that span, while recording five shutouts.
San Jose has taken 377 shots so far this season, tied for second most by any team in MLS history before the end of July.
An own goal conceded by the Colorado Rapids in one minute and 11 seconds set a new record for fastest Earthquakes goal at Avaya Stadium.
Midfielder Vako recorded his seventh goal of the season and the 22nd of his MLS career. It also marked his third game-winning goal of the season and fourth of his MLS career. Vako now has six goals and two assists in the last seven matches.
Defender Nick Lima was credited with the assist on Vako's goal. It marked his second assist of the season and fifth of his MLS career. It also marked the first game-winning assist of his career.
Midfielder Shea Salinas recorded his sixth goal of the season and 18th of his MLS career. Salinas' previous career-high for goals in a single season was three (2015).
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 3 - 1 Colorado Rapids
July 27, 2019 - Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 17,762
Scoring Summary: SJ - Lalas Abubakar (own goal) 2; SJ - Vako (Nick Lima) 34; SJ - Shea Salinas (unassisted) 83; COL - Diego Rubio (unassisted) 88.
Misconduct Summary: COL - Kei Kamara (caution) 25; SJ - Nick Lima (caution) 51; COL - Jonathan Lewis (caution) 59; SJ - Judson (caution) 66; SJ - Tommy Thompson (caution) 68; COL - Danny Wilson (caution) 70.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel Vega; Tommy Thompson (Shea Salinas 71), Florian Jungwirth, Harold Cummings, Tommy Thompson; Jackson Yueill, Judson; Vako (Marcos Lopez 79), Magnus Eriksson, Cristian Espinoza; Chris Wondolowski (Danny Hoesen 60).
SHOTS: 17; SHOTS ON TARGET: 7; SAVES: 4; FOULS: 18; CORNERS: 7;OFFSIDES: 2
COLORADO RAPIDS: Clint Irwin; Sam Vines, Tommy Smith, Lalas Abubakar, Keegan Rosenberry; Danny Wilson (Jack Price 73); Jonathan Lewis, Kellyn Acosta, Diego Rubio, Sam Nicholson (Nicolás Mezquida 67); Kei Kamara (Andre Shinyashiki HT).
SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON TARGET: 5; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 16; CORNERS: 3;OFFSIDES: 1
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On possessing the ball and creating combinations:
"We knew were facing a difficult opponent. We found out that the match could be played how it was. By fortune and a great game, we were able to take the advantage through combinations and control. From there, the match became different. By controlling the match, being alert on counter attacks, they [Colorado Rapids] can do damage in their aerial play, but we had that under control. I am pleased by the players' performance in their roles."
On how Vako matches up with Carlos Vela:
"I think those are comparisons that don't interest me. They are two great players, and Vako is at the level I expect from him. When I arrived, he was not yet at that level. By training and having conversations, he understood that he needs to play that way to continue playing for me."
On conceding a goal and being denied the shutout:
"The truth is when you concede a goal, it's because of the opponent's virtue, and I respect the opponent. If I analyze the game, there were plays that I liked and plays I didn't like. This lets me know that we need to keep improving."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER TOMMY THOMPSON
On if this is the most fun time of his career:
"Yeah. I've been blessed with the opportunity to play professional soccer since I was 18 years old, but to have this stretch that we've been on, it's been special to be a part of. I think it's a testament to how great Matias is as a head coach and it's also a testament to the quality that we have in this locker room. It's been amazing to be a part of this and I think we're just getting started."
On seeing Avaya Stadium's attendance tonight:
"I mentioned that to a couple guys, that that was the fullest I've seen Avaya Stadium in a long time. To see the community respond to our success, it's all the more motivating because they've been through a lot. They've been right there with us all last year and to give them what they deserve is a special feeling. I'm excited for this entire city."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER SHEA SALINAS
On if he thought San Jose would be tied for third at this point in the season:
"Preseason, we had a lot of confidence. After those first four games, I don't know if we did, but what hasn't changed is our coaching staff's belief in us. Our staff seemed to always know that we were going to turn this around. It just took us to start believing it. I think now we do and we just want to keep climbing, we just want to keep catching the teams in front of us. We don't even really think about the teams behind us."
