COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Colorado Rapids 2-1 on Thursday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Chris Wondolowski buried his 12th goal of the season, but a pair of goals by Rapids midfielder Kevin Doyle were the difference on the night.
The Quakes and Rapids spent the better part of the first half feeling each other out, with the first shot on goal not coming until the 21st minute. Wondolowski created space on the edge of the penalty area before driving a low left-footed blast towards goal. Rapids keeper Tim Howard was able to make a clean save with several Quakes attackers looming.
In the 34th minute, the Rapids nearly took a 1-0 lead on a corner kick, but defender Jared Watts’ close-range header sailed over the crossbar.
Five minutes later, Colorado broke the deadlock. Defender Marc Burch sent a pacey cross into the box where Doyle met it with a diving header, sending the ball into the top corner of the net.
Quakes defender Victor Bernardez did his part to keep San Jose within one just before the break. Rapids forward Dominique Badji dribbled past keeper David Bingham before sending a shot into a seemingly open net, but Bernardez tracked back to control and clear the ball off the line.
San Jose nearly found an equalizer in the opening few minutes of the second half. Wondolowski’s curling free kick was parried but not corralled by Howard, leaving an open rebound just yards from net. Halftime substitute Henok Goitom was the first to the ball, but sent his first-timed shot over the crossbar.
Wondolowski leveled the score for the Quakes in the 57th minute. After he drew a penalty kick, Wondolowski calmly drilled the ball past his fellow United States international and into the back of the net.
The Rapids took the lead back in the 73rd minute when Doyle converted a penalty kick of his own for his second goal of the game.
San Jose bombarded the Rapids net with chances late in the match in search of an equalizer, earning several corners and dangerous free kicks, but were unable to convert. The loss eliminates the Quakes from playoff contention with two games remaining.
The Quakes return home to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. PT, presented by Sutter Health. The match is Fan Appreciation Day and 10,000 fans will be given a Quakes T-shirt along will many other unique opportunities, including a player meet-and-greet postgame. The club’s final home game of the season will be broadcast live on CSN California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.
Notes:
- San Jose is now 8-11-13 on the season and 1-8-7 on the road.
- San Jose now has a 28-19-15 all-time record against Colorado, including a 13-11-8 record on the road.
- The loss snaps a 14-game unbeaten streak for the Quakes against the Rapids, who were previously 7-0-7 against the side since Sept. 24, 2011.
- The Quakes allowed multiple goals to the Rapids for just the second time in their last 31 meetings.
- Chris Wondolowski scored his 12th goal of the season. It marked his 11th career goal against the Rapids, tied for fourth most among all players in league history (Brian Ching – 13, Landon Donovan – 13, Cobi Jones – 12, Raul Diaz Arce – 11).
- With the loss, San Jose has been eliminated from playoff contention.
MLS Regular Season
Colorado Rapids 2 – San Jose Earthquakes 1
Oct. 13, 2016 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.
Attendance: 13,516
Scoring Summary: COL – Kevin Doyle (Marc Burch) 38; SJ – Chris Wondolowski (penalty) 57; COL – Kevin Doyle (penalty) 73.
Misconduct Summary: COL – Kevin Doyle (caution) 84; SJ – Victor Bernardez (caution) 86.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: David Bingham; Jordan Stewart, Victor Bernardez, Marvell Wynne, Kofi Sarkodie (Cordell Cato 75); Alberto Quintero (Shea Salinas 62), Anibal Godoy, Fatai Alashe, Tommy Thompson (Henok Goitom 46); Simon Dawkins, Chris Wondolowski.
SHOTS: 11, SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 9; CORNER KICKS: 7; OFFSIDES: 1.
COLORADO RAPIDS: Tim Howard; Eric Miller, Jared Watts, Axel Sjoberg, Marc Burch; Kevin Doyle (Dennis Castillo 90+1), Micheal Azira, Shkelzen Gashi (Caleb Calvert 69), Dillon Powers, Sebastien Le Toux; Dominique Badji.
SHOTS: 14; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 11; CORNER KICKS: 7; OFFSIDES: 1.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR
On the difference in the second half:
“Getting more guys in the attack. In the first half, we were just kind of passing it around to pass it around. Weren’t doing a lot of things in front of them.”
On if it was space opening up or making more attempts in second half:
“We had a talk at halftime and we said we have to get something out of this game. We had to go and search for goals without being completely desperate. We just played with more confidence and more aggression.”
On how disappointing the loss was:
“We didn't win, so we're officially eliminated and that hurts.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On San Jose's performance in the first half:
“I think there were some ebbs and flows. I think that at times we could have been a little better, a little sharper, and a little tougher – we lacked that. I don't think that we were outplayed the first half. I thought we created some chances but it wasn't as consistent as we would have liked.”
On the Rapids' penalty kick:
“It was very disappointing. From the start of the second half we were starting to press them. We knew that it was do or die for us. It was nice to finally get rewarded and tie it up but it was disappointing on the penalty kick.”
On his chance to tie it late in the game:
“I was trying to put it back across the far post and the defender turned around and unfortunately it hit him.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER FATAI ALASHE
On if it's surprising San Jose came out flat due to the magnitude of the game:
“A little bit. I think with any game it's surprising when you do that.”
On the penalty kick for the Rapids:
“The ref called a foul and they got a PK – which they scored and won. It's a soccer play. It happens in the box every game and the ref chose to call a foul. That's that – they got a PK.”
On upcoming games not having a meaning for a playoff push:
“It's pretty disappointing. We obviously wanted to have an opportunity to make it to the playoffs but we'll still try to win these next two games."
