HARRISON, N.J. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the New York Red Bulls 5-1 Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena. Earthquakes new Designated Player Vako made his MLS debut after entering the match as a halftime substitute and scored in the 88th minute. Forward Quincy Amarikwa made his 2017 MLS season debut.
The Quakes will now face Seattle Sounders FC in their third consecutive road match in MLS play on Sunday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. PT. The game will be televised on NBC Sports California, KNBR 1050 AM and KZSF 1370 AM.
MLS Regular Season
New York Red Bulls 5 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes
July 19, 2017 – Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.
Attendance: 17,392
Scoring Summary: NY – Sean Davis (Connor Lade, Sacha Kljestan) 38; NY – Sacha Kljestan (unassisted) 73; NY – Felipe (Sacha Kljestan) 75; SJ – Vako (Jahmir Hyka) 88; NY – Daniel Royer (Derrick Etienne) 90; NY – Daniel Royer (Gonzalo Veron) 90+1.
Misconduct Summary: NY – Daniel Royer (caution) 24; SJ – Andres Imperiale (caution) 63.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: David Bingham; Cordell Cato (Quincy Amarikwa 76), Andres Imperiale, Florian Jungwirth, Nick Lima; Tommy Thompson (Simon Dawkins 66), Jahmir Hyka, Jackson Yueill, Shea Salinas; Danny Hoesen (Vako 45), Chris Wondolowski.
SHOTS: 12, SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; SAVES: 6; FOULS: 9; CORNER KICKS: 4; OFFSIDES: 3.
NEW YORK RED BULLS: Luis Robles; Sal Zizzo, Connor Lade (Alex Muyl 44), Aaron Long, Damien Perrinelle; Daniel Royer, Felipe; Tyler Adams, Sean Davis, Sacha Kljestan (Derrick Etienne 79); Bradley Wright-Phillips (Gonzalo Veron 68).
SHOTS: 19; SHOTS ON GOAL: 11; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 6; OFFSIDES: 3.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH CHRIS LEITCH
On the game:
“New York did a good job at coming out early and pressing us. We got a little bit away from what we wanted to do from the start.
Some people are bothered that maybe it is five goals, that we could have shortened it up, put an extra guy back there and maybe it was 3-1. I would rather try to get back into a game, try to stay on the front foot and try to challenge them than I would just close up shop and stop another goal or two from going in.”
On the team missing a few players:
“There are a lot of guys that are gone for this game, but I think most teams at this stage have guys that are gone. Those guys make a difference for sure.”
On Vako’s debut:
“It is a tough game for him to come into for a new guy that we have good expectations on. It is really tough for him to come on in this kind of game away, down and after the stretch that we’ve had. You have to give him a couple of games, but I thought when he went in there he showed some good quality and he is only going to get better.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On the match:
“It is a difficult result to swallow. Credit to the Red Bulls they played an excellent game and stuck to a great game plan. We ran out of gas and deservedly got punished for it. To be honest, that doesn’t change our mindset or mentality. We have a game on Sunday, four days away now, and we will be ready to go then.”
On Vako’s performance:
“It was nice. I thought it was a breath of fresh air. It was great to see him score a goal and that provides a bit of a spark, which is something we didn’t necessarily have.”
On facing Seattle:
“Seattle is definitely a tough place, tough team to play against but I believe that we need to play our game. I think at times, you know again credit to New York because we did have to influence our game plan because of them, because they are such a good squad. I think now we need to work on ourselves and make sure that we play to the best of our abilities and worry about ourselves a little more.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD VAKO
On his debut:
“I made my debut. It was the first game for me, but it was not a good game for us so we need to forget as soon as possible and think about Sunday’s game.”
On his adjustment to America:
“It is really nice. Nice people and everything is fine for me.”
On MLS Compared to other leagues:
“It was my first game so I can’t say a lot, but compared to where I was playing, it’s more or less the same.”
