Earthquakes fall short of an upset victory vs. Sporting KC
Top-seeded Sporting Kansas City survived a penalty shootout against the eighth-seeded San Jose Earthquakes to advance to the MLS Cup Playoffs’ semifinals.
After the game finished 3-3, Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia saved all three San Jose penalty kicks in the shootout while Kansas City didn’t miss. Defender and Mextranjero Oswaldo Alanis was the first Earthquakes player to have his penalty saved in the shootout.
Sporting KC seemed to have won the game late in regular time after a 91st-minute goal from midfielder Gianluca Busio, but MLS all-time scorer Chris Wondolowksi equalized in the 97th minute to force extra time. Wondolowski headed in a cross by midfielder Cristian Espinoza to tie the game at three goals each.
The game not only had late drama, but had the goals coming fast early on.
Kansas City capitalized on its corner kicks as midfielder Roger Espinoza headed in a cross by midfielder Johnny Rusell to make 1-0 four minutes into the game.
Another Sporting KC corner kick was scored in the 47th minute, this time midfielder Ilie Sanchez finished it. The goal tied the game at 2 goals apiece.
As for San Jose, forward and Mextranjero Carlos Fierro equalized the game at 1-1 in the 22nd minute after his shot was deflected off Kansas City defender Roberto Puncec and went into the net.
The Earthquakes then took the lead in the 34th minute when midfielder Shea Salinas put away an Espinoza cross to make 2-1 to the visitors. The goal marked Salinas’s first playoff goal in his 11th season in the MLS.
Sporting KC ultimately eliminated the Earthquakes after a 3-0 penalty shootout win and will play Minnesota United in the semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs. With the win, Kansas City gives forward and Mextranjero Alan Pulido more time to possibly return from his knee injury.
After nearly pulling off the upset win by channelling head coach Matias Almeyda’s “Never die” attitude, the Earthquakes head home after their first playoff appearance since 2017.
