San Jose Earthquakes 0–1 Minnesota United: First Setback in the Bruce Arena Era
“Everybody has a plan, until they get punched in the face”-Mike Tyson
I thought that “punched in the face” moment came when Hernan López picked up his second yellow card and was sent off in the second half against Sporting Kansas City last weekend. Instead, the San Jose Earthquakes persevered and held on for a 2–1 win at Children’s Mercy Park.
Minnesota United’s formidable defense and attacking unit led by the electric Kelvin Yeboah would be the first knockdown of the season for the Quakes.
Bruce Arena opted to start Amahl Pellegrino for the suspended Hernan López. Pellegrino usually operates as a winger, whereas the more natural replacement in Niko Tsakiris remained on the bench until second half stoppage time.
The second half is also when Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair had to make his first save of the 2025 MLS season, but he was never really tested throughout this game. Likewise, the San Jose Earthquakes defended effectively with another solid showing from the Bruno Wilson, Dave Romney, and Rodrigues back three. Daniel made some great saves, but the defense in front of him helped him out throughout the night.
The exception was the lone goal of this game that came in the 32nd minute.
Kelvin Yeboah has taken the MLS by storm since arriving at Minnesota United at the end of last season, and he came into this game in good form scoring the game winner against Montreal. He already has a claim to be one of the best strikers in the league, and the best strikers pounce on mistakes.
A failed clearance went directly up in the air, and Minnesota United recovered the ball. The captain Michael Boxall set up Kelvin Yeboah for the decisive finish.
The theme for the San Jose Earthquakes offense was “so close, yet so far”. Cristian Espinoza had a great chance directly from a free kick in the second half that curled just over. The passing and build up play from Espinoza and Jamar Ricketts in the wing back positions was a little off on the night. The Quakes just couldn’t generate enough chances to trouble Minnesota often.
In the press conference, both Bruce Arena and Cristian Espinoza called for perspective in analyzing the first three games of the season.
“They defended very well. Physically big back line and dealt with crossed quite well. We made a mistake not clearing the goal well. I’m not concerned about the chances they got as we opened ourselves up to equalize”, Bruce Arena on the challenge Minnesota United posed and how San Jose Earthquakes performed.
“It’s important to keep a balanced mindset as a team. We weren’t the best team when we won, and we weren’t the worst team when we lost”, Cristian Espinoza’s reflection on the season so far.
While this game’s performance wasn’t enough to get a point or three, six points in their first three games is still a commendable haul. There will be more growing for the San Jose Earthquakes to achieve under Bruce Arena. Their chance to react to this first setback of the season will come Saturday, March 15 when Colorado Rapids come to the Bay Area. The Rapids beat Austin FC 1–0, so it’ll be another strong defensive team with a good goalkeeper in Zach Steffen capable of grinding a result like Minnesota United did.
With a recharged Hernan López available for that one, there should be confidence in this San Jose Earthquakes side to make amends. I look forward to seeing what happens.
