SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the New York Red Bulls 3-1 Saturday night at Avaya Stadium. Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski scored San Jose’s lone goal – the 144th of his career – and he is now just one goal shy of tying the all-time MLS record.
Wondolowski’s tally also marked his 10th of the season, extending his own record for consecutive MLS seasons of 10+ goals to nine (2010-18).
The match also saw the MLS debut of 20-year-old Earthquakes midfielder Eric Calvillo, who entered as a substitute in the 74th minute.
Alex Muyl, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Aaron Long each scored for the Red Bulls to secure three points for the visitors and keep their battle for the Supporters’ Shield alive.
The Quakes will host Mexican side Cruz Azul in an international friendly at Avaya Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 13. San Jose’s next MLS match is against the Colorado Rapids at Avaya Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 21, with kickoff set for 1:45 p.m.
Click here for photos from the match
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 1-3 New York Red Bulls
Oct. 6, 2018 – Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 17,241
Scoring Summary: NY – Alex Muyl (unassisted) 29; NY – Bradley Wright-Phillips (unassisted) 32; NY – Aaron Long (Tim Parker, Marc Rzatkowski) 50; SJ – Chris Wondolowski (Florian Jungwirth) 83.
Misconduct Summary: NY – Cristian Casseres Jr. (caution) 80.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Florian Jungwirth, Harold Cummings, Jimmy Ockford, Nick Lima; Magnus Eriksson (Dominic Oduro 81), Jackson Yueill (Eric Calvillo 74), Anibal Godoy; Vako (Chris Wondolowski 54), Danny Hoesen, Tommy Thompson.
SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON TARGET: 2; SAVES: 4; FOULS: 8; CORNER KICKS: 8; OFFSIDES: 3.
NEW YORK RED BULLS: Luis Robles; Michael Murillo, Aaron Long, Tim Parker; Marc Rzatkowski (Connor Lade 81), Kemar Lawrence, Kaku, Sean Davis, Derrick Etienne (Andreas Ivan 67); Bradley Wright-Phillips, Alex Muyl (Cristian Casseres Jr. 76).
SHOTS: 19; SHOTS ON TARGET: 7; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 17; CORNER KICKS: 7; OFFSIDES: 2.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH STEVE RALSTON
On the match:
“They are a very good team. They are in the Supporters’ Shield race for a reason: they are really good. They were better than us tonight. They were better on the field and better coaching. Obviously, I think I could have done some things differently. We should not have been surprised. We talked about it all week that they were going to press, and we played right into it. We didn’t turn around enough and we have got to do better.”
On what went wrong:
“Early on, we tried to play too many short balls through the midfield. They are really good at high pressing and we played right into their hands. I felt that we could have turned them around more. Maybe we could have gone with two forwards. In the second half we did that, and we played much better.”
On the set piece goals:
“First of all, maybe on the first one, I don’t know if we have to foul there to give them that opportunity. We have conceded four or five in the last three games I think. Five goals in the last three games have been set pieces, and that’s a problem. Obviously, we have to do better. We play a bit of a zone, so it’s maybe guys not attacking the ball well enough, or guys on the outside of the zone not blocking guys and giving them a free run. It’s a problem. It’s hard enough in this league to win games, and when you give up set pieces like this in every game, it’s hard. On saying that, we scored on a set piece as well.”
On starting Danny Hoesen over Chris Wondolowski:
“I want him to get the record, but I also have to coach the team and try to juggle and balance 20-something guys. I wanted to play the same shape we have been playing recently, and I wanted to give Danny [Hoesen] a game because I felt that they were going to high press. I thought with Danny’s speed that maybe he could get in behind them a little bit better. Wondo [Chris Wondolowksi] is going to play again in these next couple of games and get more chances to score.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On getting closer to the MLS goal-scoring record:
“Yeah, it’s cool just because it’s there, it’s tangible, but it’s so frustrating losing these games, especially at home in front of these fans. To hear them all night, still cheering, still backing us is pretty special and they deserve better right now.”
On the difficulty of coming in as a substitute:
“I think that it’s a role that I’m starting to be better at. I’m used to playing 90 minutes and going for that marathon and sometimes when you come on as a sub, you fit the 90 minutes in those five minutes and you get more tired than the guys. It’s more spacing yourself out, but still using energy, wanting to bring energy off the bench.”
On goal No. 144:
“What a ball by Flo [Florian Jungwirth]. I thought Florian served in a great ball, good service. I believe [Anibal] Godoy got fouled. Good build-up to get there. It was something that we’ve been working on. Me and Godoy had different runs and he helped me out and I was able to finish it.”
On nine straight seasons of 10+ goals:
“To be honest, I know there’s that big number that everyone keeps asking about, but to be honest, this is the one I really wanted. Obviously, I want to get a couple more, but to have double-digit goals means a lot right now and I’m hoping to have one again next year. It’s pretty cool. It shows how good my teammates have been and also a little luck to stay healthy, but I appreciate the many teammates I’ve had through those nine years.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER ERIC CALVILLO
On making his MLS debut:
“It’s a dream come true of course. I’ve been waiting the whole year for the opportunity and I’m glad I got it. Hopefully I did my part and proved to the coaches that I deserve to continue playing and hopefully by next season, I’ll take my opportunity again and continue on from there.”
On whether he felt he acclimated quickly to the pace of play:
“Yeah. Honestly, I went in with a lot of confidence, not really thinking too much about it. I had some butterflies here and there, but I just knew I needed to get on the ball as quick as possible and play a simple pass to build my confidence up. I’ve done it in the past and I’m going to continue doing that and hopefully I can continue striving.”
