SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Sporting Kansas City at Avaya Stadium Saturday night, losing 5-1. Quakes forward Danny Hoesen scored the team’s lone goal, his 11th of the season. Midfielder Luis Felipe earned his first MLS assist on the goal.
The Quakes will now host Atlanta United FC on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 7:45 p.m., broadcast live on UniMás, KNBR 1050, KZSF 1370. As part of September’s Kick Childhood Cancer campaign, 10-year-old Destinee Coronado will serve as the honorary captain for the match. More information on Coronado will be announced Monday.
The Quakes will celebrate Mexican Heritage Night, presented by PG&E, on Wednesday, featuring a Lucha Libre, traditional dance performances and an autograph session with former Quakes and Mexican National Team midfielder Missael Espinoza.
Click here for photos of the match
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 1-5 Sporting Kansas City
Sept. 15, 2018 – Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 16,682
Scoring Summary: KC – Felipe Gutierrez (Gerso Fernandes) 18; KC – Gerso Fernandes (Felipe Gutierrez) 23; KC – Ike Opara (unassisted) 42; KC – Krisztian Nemeth (Gerso Fernandes, Felipe Gutierrez) 67; SJ – Danny Hoesen (Luis Felipe) 80; KC – Gerso Fernandes (Diego Rubio 86).
Misconduct Summary: SJ – Anibal Godoy (caution) 50; SJ – Magnus Eriksson (caution) 57; SJ – Luis Felipe (caution) 89.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Andrew Tarbell; Shea Salinas, Florian Jungwirth, Guram Kashia, Nick Lima; Anibal Godoy (Jackson Yueill 73), Luis Felipe; Jahmir Hyka, Vako (Danny Hoesen 73), Magnus Eriksson (Dominic Oduro 79); Chris Wondolowski.
SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON TARGET: 5; SAVES: 5; FOULS: 7; CORNER KICKS: 10; OFFSIDES: 1.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY: Tim Melia; Ike Opara, Seth Sinovic, Matt Besler, Graham Zusi; Felipe Gutierrez (Gianluca Busio 83); Ilie Sanchez, Roger Espinoza; Gerso Fernandes, Yohan Croizet (Johnny Russell 65), Krisztian Nemeth (Diego Rubio 70).
SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON TARGET: 10; SAVES: 4; FOULS: 4; CORNER KICKS: 4; OFFSIDES: 0.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MIKAEL STAHRE
Overall thoughts on the loss:
“First of all, congratulations to Sporting Kansas City. I think they are a really good team so in my perspective I think they’re the best team we have played against this season. They are organized and they have good players so they’re doing a really good job over there. We came out without energy. You can talk about game plans, structure and these kinds of things but we’re playing at home, so we at least expect some energy. Everything went wrong in the first half, no energy, poor quality with the ball and we possessed the ball way too slow. We also conceded the goals too easily.”
On how the team performed in the second half:
“Obviously, we came out in the second half much better with more energy from a physical standpoint. You’re facing a good team as well, so it was hard for us to get pressure on the ball but then we had some possession and we were too static. I have to analyze that, and we have to talk to the players about that. In the second half we came out with more energy and more commitment. We put some pressure on them. We created some chances and took risks in the second half and we conceded goals. It was a really bad game for almost the whole game.”
On if the lineup should change:
“Well, with this lineup, we beat FC Dallas at home with almost the same idea. You can always discuss lineups and game plans but obviously we conceded five goals. From my perspective, it was the worst home performance this season. For about 15 to 20 minutes in the start of the second half it was okay, the spirit was much better but at that moment we were down 3-0.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On what went wrong in the game:
“We came out very flat in the first half. You can dig yourself a hole that is insurmountable. We showed better fight in the second half, but it still wasn’t good enough across the 90 minutes. Anytime you come out with no energy and lackadaisical you get punished.”
On what needs to change in the team:
“I would like to change our mentality. We need to come out a lot sharper and ready to play. Sporting KC is a great team, but we need to be sharper all across the board.”
On coming out of the international break:
“You have a break but you’re still trying to work hard. We had a lot of guys traveling that went over to Europe to play some international games. That’s not an excuse, but that all factors into it. We just sometimes come out flat, and today we came out very flat.”
On if the team has accepted these performances:
“There’s still a sense that we should do more. We’re all playing for literally our contracts and our livelihoods. We all know that it needs to be better and we need to be sharper. I think sometimes when you get beaten down so many times you start looking forward. We need to show more resilience.”
On the second half:
“I do think that we were a lot better in the second half. We’re well past the silver linings and glimpses here and there. We have another game in four days, so that’s all of our concentration now. We’ll definitely watch film and learn from our mistakes.”
On the message to the Earthquakes fans:
“We’re just so thankful to have them. They are some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable fans. They don’t deserve this. I just feel so bad for them because they deserve a lot better and they’re not getting it. It hurts us, but I feel for them as well because they do deserve better and should get better.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD DANNY HOESEN
Overall thoughts on the game:
“A loss is a loss, and this was a big one. Of course, if I come in I want to give energy and at least get a goal for myself and for the team as well. I think today we faced a very, very good team. Quality-wise they are up there with the top. At this point we’re not good enough to get a result against this team.”
On coming on as a substitute:
“Obviously, I wasn’t happy that I’m not starting. I want to start every game. If you can do two things, you can be mad and not work, or try to show the coaches wrong. That’s what I try to do. I just give energy and try to get something for the team.”
On if coming on as a substitute changes the mentality:
“It shouldn’t. We’re all professional. Maybe it helps a little bit that the defenders are a little bit tired and you’re fresh, but at the end you normally want to come on and change the game a little bit.”
On what needs to improve to get results:
“We need to play better. It’s simple. We’re still making mistakes. It’s harder than people might think. Obviously, the confidence isn’t high at the moment and we don’t have much to play for, but we want to get out of last place. That’s the biggest embarrassment you can have in a season. That’s the only goal we have.”
On if there is still fight with just six games remaining:
“There’s still energy. In the second half we kept trying and kept going. You should be professional enough to keep fighting until the last game.”
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