KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night at Children’s Mercy Park in front of 18,219 spectators.
San Jose took the early lead in the 11th minute when a Cristian Espinoza corner kick found Vítor Costa, who promptly swept the ball through traffic into the back of the net. However, SKC returned the favor seven minutes later when Dany Rosero scored on a corner kick. The Quakes continued to create chances, but Alan Pulido netted in the 29th minute to give the hosts the lead to end the first-half scoring.
After intermission, San Jose continued to apply pressure until the final whistle, but an 83rd-minute equalizer from Rodrigues off a set piece came off the board when the VAR booth ruled a handball had occurred before the goal.
The Quakes will return home to take on Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, March 23. Kickoff from PayPal Park is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as well as on local radio via AM 810 The Spread (English) and AM 1370 La Kaliente (Spanish).
GAME NOTES
The Quakes now hold a 26-31-10 record against Sporting Kansas City in MLS regular-season play, including an 8-24-2 record on the road.
Vítor Costa scored his first goal with San Jose; the newly signed outside back was also making his second start for the Quakes since joining the squad.
Cristian Espinoza notched his first assist of the season and fourth overall against SKC in regular-season play. The career assist leader in Quakes history, Espinoza’s total now stands at 58.
For the third straight game, the Quakes out-shot their opponent (13-5) but were unlucky in front of net once again. Combined, San Jose has out-shot their last three foes, 35-19.
MATCH INFORMATION
Sporting Kansas City 2 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes
Saturday, March 16, 2024 – Children’s Mercy Park; Kansas City, Kan.
Attendance: 18,219
Scoring Summary:
SJ – Vítor Costa (Cristian Espinoza) 11’
SKC – Dany Rosero (Memo Rodríguez) 18’
SKC – Alan Pulido (Johnny Russell) 30’
Misconduct Summary:
SKC – Dany Rosero (caution) 35’
SJ – Ousseni Bouda (caution) 66’
SJ – Cristian Espinoza (caution) 80’
SKC – Daniel Salloi (caution) 82’
SKC – Erik Thommy (caution) 90+1’
SJ – Luchi Gonzalez (caution) 90+3’
SPORTING KANSAS CITY: Tim Melia; Robert Voloder, Dany Rosero, Tim Leibold, Jake Davis; Nemanja Radoja, Memo Rodríguez (Remi Walter 46’), Erik Thommy; Johnny Russell (C) (Stephen Afrifa 54’), Daniel Salloi (Alenis Vargas 88’), Alan Pulido (Willy Agada 88’).
Substitutes not used: John Pulskamp (GK),, Zorhan Bassong, Robert Castellanos, Felipe Hernandez, Kayden Pierre.
POSSESSION: 51.4%; SHOTS: 5; SHOTS ON GOAL:3; CORNERS: 3; SAVES: 5; FOULS: 11; XG: 0.9
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel; Paul Marie (Tommy Thompson 85’), Bruno Wilson, Rodrigues, Vitor Costa; Cristian Espinoza, Jackson Yueill (C), Carlos Gruezo (Alfredo Morales 72’), Amahl Pellegrino (Jack Skahan 64’); Preston Judd (Ousseni Bouda 64’), Jeremy Ebobisse (Benji Kikanović 64).
Substitutes not used: William Yarbrough (GK), Michael Baldisimo, Tanner Beason, Daniel Munie.
POSSESSION: 48.6%; SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; CORNERS: 5; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 15; XG: 1.3
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ
On tonight’s match:
“I’m proud of the group to push the game and push xG, push shots, push crosses, push intensity, and push the game in a place that’s not easy, in Kansas City… There are key moments where it cost us the game… We did score our own set piece. We were eager to be aggressive in our own. We started the lineup with physicality and bodies that we thought could do that. We were aggressive. We also won a lot of balls in their half that led to our offensive transition and led the chances that we created.”
On the team’s effort this season:
“I’m proud of the guys’ effort. I’m proud of the guys that came in second half that pushed the game and didn’t give up…We are pushing to turn things around. Let’s regroup. Let’s grab the things that we did well tonight. We’ve been in this spot before, this club has, and these fans have. This organization’s been in this spot, and it’s about continuing to believe to turn things around and taking it one step at a time. Now we’ve got to regroup and focus on Seattle.”
