KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Sporting Kansas City 3-2 Saturday night at Children's Mercy Park in their first road game of 2018, with Quakes midfielder Vako and forward Chris Wondolowski each finding the back of the net.
With his stoppage-time goal, Wondolowski moved into sole possession of second place in MLS all-time goals with 135, surpassing Jeff Cunningham (134). The Quakes' captain is now just 11 goals shy of becoming the league's all-time leader for goals, and is 10 away from tying current leader Landon Donovan (145).
The Quakes will take on Donovan and Club Leon in an international friendly on March 24 at 7:15 p.m. at Avaya Stadium. They will return to MLS action on March 31 at 4:45 p.m. when they host New York City FC, presented by Valley Health Plan. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN 2, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
MLS Regular Season
Sporting Kansas City 3 - 2 San Jose Earthquakes
March 17, 2018 - Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.
Attendance: 18,868
Scoring Summary: SKC - Illie Sanchez (penalty) 25; SJ - Vako 34; SKC - Graham Zusi (Roger Espinoza) 56; SKC - Felipe Gutierrez (Daniel Salloi, Johnny Russell) 68; SJ - Chris Wondolowski (Magnus Eriksson) 90+1.
Misconduct Summary: SKC - Daniel Salloi (caution) 21; SJ - Yeferson Quintana (caution) 39.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Andrew Tarbell; Shea Salinas (Fatai Alashe 82), Harold Cummings, Yeferson Quintana, Nick Lima; Vako, Anibal Godoy, Florian Jungwirth (Jackson Yueill 74), Magnus Eriksson; Chris Wondolowski, Danny Hoesen (Quincy Amarikwa 82).
SHOTS: 11, SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 8; CORNER KICKS: 3, OFFSIDES: 4.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY: Tim Melia; Seth Sinovic, Matt Besler, Ike Opara, Graham Zusi; Felipe Gutierrez, Illie Sanchez, Roger Espinoza (Jimmy Medranda 90+2); Johnny Russell, Khiry Shelton (Yohan Croizet 82), Daniel Salloi (Gerso Fernandes 88).
SHOTS: 13, SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 9; CORNER KICKS: 12, OFFSIDES: 0.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MIKAEL STAHRE
On the game:
"First of all, I think we handled the game well in the first half. It was an equal game for sure, and I think we handled the pressure from Sporting Kansas City in a good way. I think we created some really good chances. Then, of course, I am really disappointed we conceded that second goal at that point in the game. I think we controlled the game really well in that moment, and just a few minutes before they scored we had a great chance. Then we lost the momentum when we conceded the second goal. Then, the score became 3-1 and in that part of the match they controlled the game totally. We made some changes and we also changed the shape, and we scored a goal from Wondo [Chris Wondolowski] in stoppage time and put some pressure on them. Of course, I am disappointed to be leaving here without points, but especially because in the first half and then in the first 15 minutes of the second we played really well."
On the late push:
"We came here with ambition to win the game, or second best to leave with a point. We fought until the end and it was really important for us to score the second goal, but I felt at halftime that we could have won the game. Then we conceded the second goal and we lost the momentum. They are a good team, but I think we can take some positive things with us."
EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On his goal and moving to second place in all-time scoring:
"I wish we could have won, but credit to our team and Magnus [Eriksson] for putting that ball in there. To finish it was pretty cool, but hopefully we will get a couple more wins."
On the missed chance at the beginning of the second half:
"It is a big shot that is still weighing on my mind and will give me some trouble sleeping tonight. I was a good cross by Magnus [Eriksson], Matt Besler took a little deflection and it put it a little behind me, and it got a little swivel and I missed it. That was a big one."
On the game:
"I thought it showed a lot of the character of this team and a lot of the things we have been working on and instilled in this mentality. I thought that when it was 1-1 and we came out in the first 10 minutes it was pretty positive, then I missed that chance to score and it is a pretty fickle game. That is how it goes."
