SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Minnesota United FC 3-1 on Wednesday night at Allianz Field. The loss snaps a six-match unbeaten streak for San Jose, now 6-2-4 in their last 12 matches.
Defender Tommy Thompson scored the lone goal for the Quakes, his second of the season, third of his MLS career. Thompson also scored in back-to-back matches for the first time in his career.
The Earthquakes will head back to Avaya Stadium to face Real Salt Lake on Saturday, July 6 (7:15 p.m. PT; Univision/KNBR 1050/1370 KZSF), presented by Chevron. San Jose will be seeking their third consecutive home victory.
MATCH NOTES:
The Earthquakes are now 6-2-4 in their last 12 matches.
The Earthquakes are now 2-1-0 on the road against Minnesota United FC.
The Quakes are now 4-2-0 all-time against Minnesota United FC.
The Earthquakes have recorded 25+ shots in back-to-back for the first time in club history.
The Quakes have tallied 20+ shots in five of their last seven matches.
The Quakes amassed 27 shots, their most in a single game since Aug. 16, 2014 and last week in the California Clasico (25).
Defender Tommy Thompson scored his second goal of the season, the third of his MLS career.
MLS Regular Season
Minnesota United FC 3 - 1 San Jose Earthquakes
July 3, 2019 - Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Attendance: 19,653
Scoring Summary: MNU - Darwin Quintero (Ethan Finlay) 5; SJ - Tommy Thompson (unassisted) 45+2; MNU - Michael Boxall (unassisted) 52; Kevin Molinaro (Ike Opara, Mason Toye) 90+2
Misconduct Summary: SJ - Marcos Lopez (caution) 30; MNU - Ethan Finlay (caution) 45+1; SJ - Chris Wondolowski (caution) 55; MNU - Jan Gregus (caution) 76; MNU - Darwin Quintero (caution) 78: MNU - Osvaldo Alonso (caution) 90+1; MNU - Kevin Molino (caution) 90+3
MINNESOTA UNITED FC: Vito Mannone; Chase Gasper, Michael Boxall, Ike Opara, Hassani Dotson; Osvaldo Alonso, Jan Gregus; Miguel Ibarra (Kevin Molinaro 83), Darwin Quintero (Lawrence Olum 83), Ethan Finlay; Angelo Rodriguez (Mason Toye 75).
SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON TARGET: 8; SAVES: 7; FOULS: 14; CORNERS: 3;OFFSIDES: 0
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel Vega; Marcos Lopez (Shea Salinas 66), Florian Jungwirth, Guram Kashia, Tommy Thompson; Jackson Yueill, Judson (Paul Marie 76); Vako, Magnus Eriksson, Cristian Espinoza; Chris Wondolowski (Danny Hoesen 61).
SHOTS: 27; SHOTS ON TARGET: 4; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 10; CORNERS: 7;OFFSIDES: 2
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On facing a tough Minnesota United team on the road:
"I don't think it's a lack of creativity, we had 15 shots and we couldn't finish. And then their goals were great plays from them and errors on our part, but, in my opinion, I liked the team we put out - I'm liking this team a lot. At the start of the season we were the team everyone wanted to play, now no one wants to play against us. We're growing."
On whether he thought it was a tough match:
"I was expecting a tough match. We studied our opponent, knowing they beat us at home, they have great players, great system of play. We knew it would be a match to fight for in the midfield and that's where we lost. Then we had a great effort by our players and I'm very proud of them."
On the tough start for San Jose this season and the recent run of results:
"Since the start of the season, I've noticed a great change. We had 80 percent of the original roster. We keep working, we keep correcting but we're doing well. We're doing very well, and the important thing is this team has an identity of play and that's very difficult to achieve in soccer."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER MAGNUS ERIKSSON
On the game overall:
"Nothing to be ashamed of. We controlled the whole second half and we are proud of the way we executed this game, but of course we wanted three points and we didn't succeed with that, but otherwise we were happy with the performance."
On the atmosphere in the stadium:
"It's going to be like that on the road. They have their home fans in the stands, that's normal. We try to do everything we can to win the game, but as I said we have nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to how we executed the game. We wanted three points."
On your preparation moving forward:
"We are working hard every week. The way we are playing at the moment we are causing a lot of problems for our opponents. We feel confident in the way we play and hopefully we can bounce back and take three points on Saturday."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER TOMMY THOMPSON
On his goal:
"We have a couple different set pieces that we work on; Magnus [Eriksson] and Cristian [Espinoza] can both whip a great ball in. We get a lot of guys in the box for a reason and I'm glad it payed off on that play."
On the team's consistency in attack:
"That's what I love about this team this year, whether we are at home or away, we want to put teams on the back foot. That showed today. We were unfortunate not to get a couple more goals there, but that's soccer. We put this one in the back pocket and we move on. We have an important game against Real Salt Lake in a couple days."
On comparing today's result with the reverse result:
"You can see the difference in the team. Every week we are growing and it shows on the field. Especially if you track all the way back to the beginning of the season, games against New York, Minnesota, LAFC - you can see the growth each week. We understand the system more and more and we've got a full roster that can play. I've said it many times this year, but I'm excited for what's to come."
