San Jose Earthquakes 1–2 Portland Timbers: Stuck in Limbo
The victories over LAFC and Colorado Rapids on either side of a US Open Cup win against Oakland Roots feels like a year ago rather than a month prior. Largely due to the six losses in seven games that followed, including elimination from the US Open Cup at the hands of Sacramento Republic.
Only a 1–1 draw against Austin offered a point. Despite the close 2–1 scoreline in the loss on Wednesday, June 20, and the multitude of chances the Earthquakes couldn’t capitalize on, the gap between a playoff team (Portland Timbers) and bottom-dweller status felt palpable.
Before the game, the recently deceased baseball and Bay Area sports legend Willie Mays was honored with a video board tribute.
San Jose Earthquakes Lineup
Coach: Luchi Gonzalez (4–2–3–1): Jackson; Akapo, Beason, Munie, Costa; Yueill (captain), Tsakiris; Espinoza, López, Pellegrino; Ebobisse
Bench: Yarbrough; Marie, Walls, Thompson; Morales, Baldisimo, Skahan; Judd, Kikanovic
Coach: Phil Neville (4–2–3–1): Pantemis; Mosquera, McGraw, Zuparic, Bravo; Chara (captain), Ayala; Moreno, Evander, Rodriguez; Mora
Luchi Gonzalez’s big lineup change came between the goalposts. MLS veteran William Yarbrough had a lot of chances this season due to Daniel and JT Marcinkowski’s long-term injuries, but the team as a whole conceded too many goals. Free agent acquisition, last playing for New England Revolution, Jacob Jackson steps in.
Going into this match, I was looking for Vitor Costa and Carlos Akapo to guide Tanner Beason and Daniel Munie (who, when Bruno Wilson and Rodrigues are healthy, are the backup options) in this match. They have to be the ones to set the tone and build the confidence back up in this poor-performing defense.
That went out the window when Carlos Akapo got injured within the first 2- minutes. As a result, Paul Marie received an early introduction.
Moments after Portland’s star player Evander started getting into dangerous positions, he finished off a goal that was too easily conceded by San Jose. Jackson unfortunately was at fault for this goal.
Vitor Costa had the best chance of the half for the Earthquakes. He cut inside and then his shot was way off the mark. Yueill couldn’t believe a Portland player flew past him but instead of looking forward to attack, he passed it back and the momentum died. Even Espinoza was whiffing easy passes.
At halftime Even though it’s only 1–0, it doesn’t seem like the Quakes have the juice to compete tonight. This team already feels a little checked out and it’s still June.
But then they got a second wind. An instant response coming into the second half! Paul Marie has been one of the few bright spots in the first half and then he provides a banger!
It should’ve been 2–1 4 minutes later but Amahl Pellegrino had a shocking miss.
As if to remind the Earthquakes, who need no reminder of this lesson, of what happens when you miss your chances…
Brian Rodriguez heads home a second goal for Portland that Jackson got a glove on and cartwheels in celebration.
The San Jose Earthquakes had one last opportunity from a free kick. Once again, poor finishing does them in. In a follow-up effort, Espinoza hits side-netting to end the game.
The Earthquakes were much more resilient tonight, but resilience alone doesn’t put points on the board.
Post Game Press Conference Quotes:
“There is no moral victory to conceding fewer goals in this game than in previous ones. Personally, my mindset is to win games”-Paul Marie
“That’s football. Things change at a moment’s notice. We cannot let those moments slip otherwise we can’t change the results.” Luchi Gonzalez
Those moments have piled up and been unleashed as an avalanche on the San Jose Earthquakes all season long, burying them at the bottom of Major League Soccer.
