San Jose Fall out of the Playoffs; Almeyda Linked with Move Away
On Decision Day around the MLS, the Portland Timbers secure their ticket to MLS Playoffs as they defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 at Providence Park Sunday afternoon. With the loss, San Jose ultimately fall short of reaching the MLS playoffs and puts doubt around Matías Almeyda’s future at the club. Almeyda is linked with a move to Liga MX side Monterrey which would put an abrupt stop to his MLS tenure.
Portland would open the scoring in the 29th minute through defender Larrys Mabiala. Jorge Villafana would find Mabiala with a low, direct cross in the box where he was left unmarked. Daniel Vega couldn’t react in time and tt was 1-0 for the Timbers and the beginning of the end for the Quakes.
San Jose wouldn’t go home without a fight. Captain, Chris Wondolowski stepped up for San Jose as he equalized in the 39th minute. Teammate Cristian Espinoza delivered a cross into the box that Wondo would pounce on. It was game on again as San Jose had a lifeline going into the half.
To the agony of Almeyda and the Earthquakes, Portland would respond with two goals in the second half. The first coming in the 59th minute as Dairon Asprilla beat defender Florian Jungwirth for pace and put the Timbers back in the lead. Sebastian Blanco would put the final nail in the coffin for San Jose in the 75th minute with a world-class free-kick. Portland would not look back and put the game away winning 3-1 at home.
After looking like a certain playoff team under Matías Almeyda this season, San Jose ultimately crashed out of playoff contention after losing its sixth straight game to end the season. Almeyda is still in the conversation for MLS coach of the year honors, yet the Earthquake and MLS fans alike hold their breath as they wait for Almeyda’s decision on whether he stays or leaves the MLS.
