Almeyda’s Quakes Stumble Again After KC Snatches All Three Points
With both sides coming into this Western Conference clash with a disappointing loss in their previous match, three crucial points were up for the taking as the Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City met at the Children’s Mercy Park. KC lost to Orlando City 1-0 and was looking to continue their late playoff push with a vital season-saving win against Matías Almeyda’s Quakes. As for San Jose, a 2-1 defeat to the hands of the Colorado Rapids saw the momentum of the team stuttered. Three points against Western Conference bottom-feeders KC was exactly what Matías Almeyda was looking for to return to winning form.
Right away the game kicked off with a chance for the Quakes to take the lead in the 2nd minute with Cristian Espinoza, who was making his return from injury, bursting down the field shooting a dangerous strike that would be saved by Tim Melia. From that point on San Jose took the game by the scruff of the neck controlling possession and putting all the pressure on the KC defense. Espinoza would hit the side netting in the 22nd minute giving warning signs of an
In the 25th minute, all-time MLS goal scorer Chris Wondolowski broke the deadlock with an unmarked header in the box off a corner. The San Jose captain was completely left unchecked and KC paid the price going down 1-0 early in the first half at home. This marked Wondo’s 10th goal of the season making it 10 seasons of 10+ goals and Espinoza’s 10th assist of the season as well.
KC looked to equalize immediately sending dangerous crosses in the box and even testing the Quakes’ keeper from long range. Roger Espinoza tried curling one from 30 yards but Daniel Vega sprung into action saving the San Jose lead and that wouldn’t be the last of his saves on the day.
A late run by Quakes midfielder Vako, toward the end of the half, would cap off with Vako taking on the entire KC defense and nearly scoring off a decisive deflection. The Quakes would take the lead into the half looking the better side.
As the second half started, KC’s dangerous marksman Johnny Russell looked to wipe out San Jose’s lead in one kick. Russell struck a swirling rocket off the half volley that looked destined to bulge the back of the net in the 47th minute but Daniel Vega was equally a match to the venomous strike producing a world-class save to maintain the lead.
The Wizards would eventually pull even in the 50th minute through Benny Feilhaber. The defender would catch a sweet volley after KC swarmed the Quakes’ box in numbers. The home side ramped up the pressure nearly scoring after the goal creating chance after chance not letting San Jose clear the ball. Matías Almeyda’s side was on the ropes.
The Quakes looked to respond as Wondo had a clean shot on goal blocked. The game would turn into a back and forth affair from that point on. Vako would constantly be a threat to score attacking the KC defense on one side and on the other side, KC striker Erik Hurtado would have Daniel Vega save his shots on goal. Matías Almeyda saw the game slipping out his control so he would bring on Andy Rios, making his debut in the 67th minute and Danny Hoesen to pair the strikers up top in the attack.
In the 75th minute, however, Johnny Russell won a free kick in a dangerous area after Vako would foul him pursuing the ball. Russell sweetly struck the ball with his left foot hitting the near post. The ball would ricochet to KC’s Graham Smith who was at the right place at the right time snatching the lead for the home side.
KC would almost put the Quakes away in the 84th minute with a long-shot effort that went wide from Dániel Sallói. San Jose would throw caution to the wind at that point throwing numbers forward on the hunt for an equalizer. However, nothing would come about as KC stood their ground and the game would end in favor of the home side 2-1.
With an important 3 points to keep their playoff dreams alive, Sporting Kansas City now play Minnesota United to continue their homestand. San Jose and Matías Almeyda have no time to dwell on the disappointing loss as the Quakes will now play the best team in the MLS as they visit the mighty LAFC and MVP candidate Carlos Vela.
