The San Jose Earthquakes defeated Western Conference leaders Seattle Sounders FC 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at Lumen Field, extending their unbeaten streak to five (1-0-4). Cristian Espinoza scored his second goal of the season, while JT Marcinkowski made three saves to secure a shutout and earn Team of the Week honors.
The Earthquakes are now preparing for two matches this week, first traveling to Oregon to face the Portland Timbers on Wednesday, Aug. 4, before returning to San Jose to host LAFC on Sunday, Aug. 8, presented by Unilever.
Wednesday’s match will kick off from Providence Park at 7:30 p.m. PT, while Sunday’s match at PayPal Park is slated for 4:00 p.m. PT. The games will be broadcast on NBC Sports California and NBC Sports Bay Area, respectively, and aired via radio on KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
OPPONENT INFORMATION
Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 5-14-8
Home: 5-4-5 (19 GF, 19 GA)
Away: 0-10-3 (9 GF, 26 GA)
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 28, Seattle – 45
Last Game vs. Portland
San Jose Earthquakes 0 – 2 Portland Timbers; May 15, 2021; PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
Earthquakes vs. LAFC All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 2-5-0
Home: 1-2-0 (6 GF, 11 GA)
Away: 1-3-0 (3 GF, 12 GA)
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 9, LAFC – 23
Last Game vs. LAFC
San Jose Earthquakes 3 – 2 LAFC; Nov. 4, 2020; PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
EARTHQUAKES NOTES
LAST GAME VS. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC (7/31)
Defying the Odds
Saturday’s win was the first at Lumen Field since June 20, 2015, where San Jose was winless in their last seven (0-5-2).
Important Win
San Jose earned their first victory since May 7, snapping an 11-game winless run (0-6-5).
For San Jose
Midfielder Cristian Espinoza scored his second goal of the season and seventh of his MLS career.
Getting Involved
Defender Florian Jungwirth tallied an assist on Espinoza’s goal, marking his first assist of the season and 10th of his MLS career.
Second Shutout
Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski made three saves to record his second shutout of the season and seventh of his MLS career.
NEXT GAME VS. PORTLAND TIMBERS (8/4)
Record vs. Portland
The Earthquakes hold a 5-14-8 all-time record against the Portland Timbers.
Keep it Going
San Jose is currently on a five-match unbeaten streak (1-0-4) and have conceded one or fewer goals in four straight.
At Providence Park
The Quakes are in search of their first-ever win at Providence Park, holding a 0-10-3 record when facing Portland on the road. San Jose’s last win against Portland was in 2019 in a 3-0 victory at PayPal Park on April 6.
Last Five
Portland have yielded a 2-3-0 record since July 1, getting outscored 11-6. The Oregon-side most recently fell 4-1 against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park last Saturday.
Second Meeting
Wednesday’s match will mark the second meeting between San Jose and Portland in 2021. The Quakes hosted the Timbers at PayPal Park on May 15, falling 2-0.
Concacaf Champion
Midfielder Jackson Yueill is available for selection for Wednesday’s match. Yueill has not made a Quakes appearance since July 3 due to international duty with the United States during the 2021 Gold Cup.
NEXT GAME VS. LAFC (8/8)
Top-Six Team
LAFC are 6-5-5 ahead of a midweek match against Sporting Kansas City at Banc of California Stadium, currently occupying fifth in the Western Conference standings.
First Meeting in 2021
The Earthquakes will face LAFC in the first meeting between both clubs in 2021.
Last Encounter
San Jose last faced Los Angeles FC on Nov. 4, 2020 at PayPal Park, defeating the SoCal-side 3-2.
Overall Record
The Quakes are 2-5-0 in matchups against LAFC, holding an active winning streak of two against them.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Earthquakes Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski Named to MLS Team of the Week
San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski was named to the Major League Soccer Team of the Week for Week 16. Marcinkowski made three saves to help San Jose prevail 1-0 over first-place Seattle Sounders FC and the league’s top scorer Raul Ruidiaz on Saturday afternoon.
Earthquakes Announce 2021 Promotional Calendar
The San Jose Earthquakes announced on Thursday the promotional calendar and theme night schedule for remainder of the 2021 MLS regular season. This season’s promotional calendar will see the return of fan favorite Heritage Nights with Vietnamese Heritage Night on Sunday, Aug. 8, Mexican Heritage Night on Saturday, Sept. 4, and Portuguese Heritage Night on Saturday, Sept. 25. Many of the Heritage Nights include exclusive giveaways, which can be viewed by clicking here.
QUAKES ON LOAN
Gilbert Fuentes, Casey Walls at Austin Bold FC
Casey Walls made his second appearance for Austin Bold FC in a 3-0 defeat against San Antonio FC at Bold Stadium on Saturday. Walls entered the match as a substitute in the 46th minute, while Gilbert Fuentes is yet to make an appearance. Austin is currently sixth (5-4-5) in the USL Championship Mountain Division.
Thomas Williamson at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Thomas Williamson made his 12th appearance for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday as they defeated Hartfield Athletic 3-1 at Highmark Stadium. Williamson entered the match as a substitute in the 62nd minute, tallying his second assist of the year. Saturday’s victory extends Riverhounds SC’s unbeaten run to five (4-0-1) and sees them jump into first (9-4-3) in the USL Championship Atlantic Division.
Eric Calvillo at Orange County SC
Calvillo made his eighth and ninth start for Orange County SC in a 3-1 loss against the Las Vegas Lights on Tuesday and a 3-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC on Saturday, respectively. Calvillo tallied his first assist since joining Orange County SC, helping his side jump to a 2-0 lead in the 36th minute. Orange County SC remain in second in the USL Championship Pacific Division.
