Earthquakes put MLS on Notice with Winning Streak
Coming off a stunning 3-1 road win against MLS powerhouse LA Galaxy; The San Jose Earthquakes looked to show that they are true contenders for the championship this season. After a rough start to their season, the team of Northern California faced off versus the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place. The Whitecaps, being bottom of the Western Conference standings, were on the hunt for an important three points to get their season back on track after four consecutive losses scoring only one goal and conceding 14.
The Whitecaps started off the match very aggressively, pressing the Earthquakes keeping their defense on their toes . Vancouver was rewarded for their early efforts scoring early in the 7th minute off a cross into the box. Whitecaps’ center back Donelli Henry was the first to react to the ball smashing it past Quakes’ keeper Daniel Vega. Momentum looked to be on Vancouver’s side as San Jose looked to rally back.
After only nine minutes of being down in the score board, Quakes found their equalizer. Vako took advantage of a spilled rebound to bring help the road team calm their nerves. The goal was a result of Cristian Espinoza whipping in a low cross looking for Chris Wondolowski. Whitecaps keeper Crepeau kept the initial cross away from Wondo but Vako was at the right place at the right time adding to his impressive form now having five goals and two assists in seven matches with this being his 8th consecutive start.
Almeyda’s men kept on the pressure through the excellent play from midfielder Cristian Espinoza. Creating chance after chance from his dribbling and crosses into the box. Whitecaps seemed to be on the ropes halfway through the first half as they could not keep the Earthquakes out of their own box. The Quakes defense left the team north of the border looking for answers. Vancouver’s attempt to be more physical than the Quakes by pressuring their defense backfired. San Jose showed they wouldn’t shy away from contact winning all of their aerial duels and 1 on 1 battles after the early Vancouver goal.
In the 34th minute San Jose finally got the breakthrough, Vako again was involved this time hitting the post leading to Wondo smashing in the rebound adding to his all-time MLS scoring record with now 153 goals. Quakes held the lead going into the half.
The first half was a tale of two as Whitecaps showed early pressure resulting in a goal, but San Jose quickly responded with two goals off rebounds after they created a surplus amount of chances. Halftime stats told the tape as San Jose had seven shots on target from 15 while Vancouver only had one shot on target off of three.
The second half started off with some controversial officiating as the referees missed a clear handball in the box from Whitecaps defender Doneil Henry. However, Whitecaps looked to be the pushing for the equalizer by being more defensively sound while trying to find the open man with precise passes. The Quakes soon countered, with a couple of dangerous Wondo headers that went nearly missed their target.
As the half carried on, the Whitecaps looked for a spark off the bench bringing on Young Uruguayan striker Joaquin Ardiaz for Lass Bangoura around the 62’ minute. As Marc Dos Santos was looking for a response from his players, San Jose kept the Whitecaps under wraps as a result of a great team defensive effort. Attacking players such as Wondo and Cristian Espinoza tracked back, center-back Florian Jungwirth had an impressive showing by commanding and organizing his backline being a pillar in defense.
The Quakes strongly pushed for their third goal as Vako had his right-footing curling shot saved in the 76’ minute of play. San Jose would eventually find their goal, but at first glance, the ball seemed to hit Magnus Eriksson on the arm as he chested it down on a closer look. Espinoza and Eriksson combined on a play resulting in Eriksson slotting in a dagger for the Quakes essentially putting the game away.
Vancouver would try to rally back with more substitutions from Mac Dos Santos but it was little too late. The game petered out and the Quakes walked away with a third consecutive come from behind road win and third straight road game of 25 shots + on goal.
Although it took time, Matias Almeyda has the Earthquakes clicking on all levels as they keep playing some of the best futbol this season. As Vako continues his excellent form, everyone on the Quakes has showed that this team is not to be taken lightly even with their early-season woes. Now with San Jose looking like a Western Conference contender fans are wondering where will new signing Mexican International Carlos Fierro fit best with this group?
