SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes defeated Real Salt Lake 2-1 Saturday night at Avaya Stadium. With the win, the Quakes jumped both Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the LA Galaxy in the standings and now sit in fifth place in the Western Conference, just two points shy of second.
Danny Hoesen and Marco Ureña both scored their second goals of the season to secure the Quakes three points. Hoesen also earned his second assist of the season on Ureña’s tally.
The Quakes have only lost one game at Avaya Stadium in the 2017 season (4-1-4) and with the result, extended their undefeated streak against Salt Lake to five dating back to May 1, 2015.
The Earthquakes will have two home matches next week, including Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 contest against Seattle Sounders FC, presented by Honda, and Saturday night’s California Clasico against the LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium, presented by Sutter Health. Both matches will kick off at 7:15 p.m.
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 2 – 1 Real Salt Lake
June 24, 2017 – Avaya Stadium in San Jose, CA.
Attendance: 18,000
Scoring Summary: SJ – Danny Hoesen (unassisted) 13; SJ – Marco Ureña (Danny Hoesen) 68; RSL – Jose Hernandez (Sebastian Saucedo, Luke Mulholland) 90+4.
Misconduct Summary: SJ – Andres Imperiale (caution) 50; SJ – Nick Lima (caution) 67; SJ – Nick Lima (ejection) 71; RSL – Sebastian Saucedo (caution) 89.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: David Bingham; Nick Lima, Andres Imperiale, Victor Bernardez, Cordell Cato; Jahmir Hyka (Tommy Thompson 87), Anibal Godoy, Darwin Ceren, Danny Hoesen (Shea Salinas 74); Marco Ureña (Kofi Sarkodie 73), Chris Wondolowski.
SHOTS: 17,SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 10; CORNER KICKS: 4; OFFSIDES: 6.
REAL SALT LAKE: Nick Rimando; Aaron Maund, Justen Glad, Chris Wingert (Sebastian Saucedo 74), Danilo Acosta; Joao Plata, Jefferson Savarino (Ricardo Velazco 81); Luis Silva (Jose Hernandez 85), Brooks Lennon, Luke Mulholland; Yura Movsisyan.
SHOTS: 11;SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; SAVES: 4; FOULS: 9; CORNER KICKS: 9; OFFSIDES: 1.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR
Overall thoughts on the game:
“We spoke about yesterday and today about wanting to step forward with aggression and trying to create some chances, which I think we did. I think we had a couple of looks before [the goal], as well. I think after the goal, we kind of, wouldn't say we took our foot off the pedal going forward, but I thought defensively we were getting a little bit stretched. I thought the second half we played well. Marco Ureña's pace gave them some problems and good getting the second goal from him. Obviously, the last little bit there, you just want to make sure you're organized and you try to keep the ball as much as you can. It's an important three points. Good first goal. I thought we created some good chances tonight. Loved to have more, but we got the win, which is the most important thing.”
On forward Danny Hoesen's performance:
“We were hoping for more goals and I think he's got more goals in him. I think sometimes he's looking like he's really aggressive going forward toward goal, and sometimes he's looking a bit unselfish and that may be a confidence thing on his part, but great finish. I think he has good ability. We try to get him in positions to face the goal because that's when we think he's very good, so yeah, he was a threat tonight, which is nice to see.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DANNY HOESEN
On getting more acclimated playing with the Earthquakes:
“I’m feeling good. The team is making it easy for me. Of course you practice all week and get to know the players better and their qualities. At the moment I’m feeling confident. I just try to help the team, and that worked today.”
On the team ending a two-match MLS scoreless streak:
“We always want to start the game well. Obviously it’s a tough league. You always try to score the first goal to make it easy for yourself. We were frustrated with the last couple of games. We just stick together every time, and today it helped us a lot.”
On what the team would like to improve:
“Today we could have created more chances. We should have scored more as well. I’m just happy that we were positive today, kept attacking and kept trying to score more. That’s what this team should do.”
On his ball to assist Marco Urena’s goal:
“I got a short ball from Anibal Godoy. As soon as I looked up, we know Marco has great runs because he’s quick. He was quicker than the defenders today as well. He pointed where he wanted it and I just thought to play him and he finished it well.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On the team’s performance:
“We feel very confident with our whole group. As you can see, we’re not at our healthiest so it’s really nice to see guys step in and play really well and play a game and style that we’re capable of playing.”
On San Jose Earthquakes forward Danny Hoesen:
“He does really well out there. Just kind of the way we play, we have an open style where we can transition into each other’s positions. We see a lot of ball in different areas. He does a great job of picking the ball up in dangerous areas, and he has a great shot. I’m surprised any keepers can save them."
