SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes shutout Sporting Kansas City Saturday night at Avaya Stadium, playing to a scoreless draw. Despite missing seven players to injury, two to suspension and another to international duty, the Earthquakes secured a point at home against the Western Conference leaders. The result marks just the second time that the Quakes and Sporting KC have tied since 2005.
After making his Quakes debut in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, June 14 against the San Francisco Deltas, Earthquakes' first-round SuperDraft pick Jackson Yueill made his first MLS appearance, entering the match in the 75th minute. Goalkeeper David Bingham earned his sixth shutout of the season, and defender Andres Imperiale made his first MLS appearance of 2017.
The Earthquakes remain at home to take on Real Salt Lake on Saturday, June 24 at Avaya Stadium, presented by PG&E. The match kicks off at 7:15 p.m. PT and will air live on NBC Sports California, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 0 - 0 Sporting Kansas City
June 17, 2017 - Avaya Stadium in San Jose, CA. Attendance: 18,000
Scoring Summary: N/A
Misconduct Summary: SJ - Anibal Godoy (caution) 73; SJ - Chris Wondolowski (caution) 74; SKC - Matt Besler (caution) 78; SKC - Roger Espinoza (caution) 86.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: David Bingham; Nick Lima, Andres Imperiale, Victor Bernardez, Kofi Sarkodie; Jahmir Hyka, Anibal Godoy, Cordell Cato (Shea Salinas 70), Tommy Thompson (Jackson Yueill 75); Danny Hoesen, Chris Wondolowski.
SHOTS: 5, SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 7; CORNER KICKS: 2; OFFSIDES: 2.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY: Tim Melia; Seth Sinovic, Matt Besler, Ike Opara, Graham Zusi; Illie Sanchez, Benny Feilhaber, Roger Espinoza, Gerso Fernandes, Latif Blessing (Jimmy Medranda 69); Dom Dwyer (Diego Rubio 76).
SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 6; OFFSIDES: 3.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR
On earning a point against the Western Conference leaders:
"[Sporting Kansas City] probably had the better chances overall through the game. We had some good moments. I think our final ball was off today and our crossing and shot selection. Let's give them credit, they're a good team. They had their best lineup out there today. I don't know that anybody was missing for them. We went with a lot of guys who haven't been starting a lot of minutes. It's difficult. Not only are they putting out their best lineup, they're a good team."
On Jackson Yueill's MLS debut:
"He's been good. He's a good soccer player. The timing of the sub was good because the game kind of slowed down, and he's a good passer of the ball. We saw that today. The great thing was that he was confident coming onto the field. I don't think he hid from the ball. That's what we needed in there today. I'm happy for him. He's a nice young man and a nice soccer player. I think the more minutes he gets, the better he's going to get."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER JACKSON YUEILL
On earning his first career MLS appearance:
"It was awesome. I've been waiting for it for a while, so it was cool stepping out on the field against a top team like that. Getting a point is really good for us. I'm excited about that and will keep moving on."
On coming on as a substitute:
"With the weather, for me to come in was the perfect time. Both teams were lulling a little bit. They had more possession as well throughout the game, so for me and Shea Salinas to come on and bring a spark to the game was the main thing that helped us. Watching the game, they were possessing, but when we came in we changed the dynamics a little bit."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER ANDRES IMPERIALE
On making his debut against Sporting Kansas City:
"It was a tough game. We didn't play our best game. We didn't clear a lot of chances, but we played against the best team in the league. We have to move on. We have two games ahead at home and we have to collect points because we need to step up in the standings."
