SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes were riding high after an inspiring comeback against Toronto FC on opening day, but they were brought back down to earth in stunning fashion Saturday by a thoroughly dominant Minnesota United.
Ike Opara scored twice for the Loons, while MLS newcomer Luis Amarilla added a goal and an assist as Minnesota (2-0-0, six points) won 5-2 at Earthquakes Stadium. Magnus Eriksson and Vako scored for San Jose (0-1-1, one point) in the defeat, their third in a row to the Loons stretching back to last season, but mistakes on defense and an inability to stop Minnesota on set pieces played a big role in the defeat.
“The result was extremely fair,” Earthquakes head coach Matias Almeyda said. “A football team that wants to fight for important things cannot give away so many defensive mistakes. Today, Minnesota deserved the victory.”
The five goals allowed by the Quakes matched a club record for futility, last set in 2019 when LAFC won 5-0. Overall, San Jose, dating back to 1996, has conceded five goals six times. This loss will sting, and losing at home in such a manner is inexcusable, but the Earthquakes expect better performances will come.
“Tonight Minnesota took it to us and played well,” Chris Wondolowski said. “They took advantage, not of our mistakes, but their strengths and some things we worked on but didn’t take care of. That being said, we look at last year and after four games we had zero points, so we are way ahead of that pace now.”
For the Loons, who like they did last season, start their 2020 campaign with two wins, the lopsided result was just rewards for a tough week of training. Following his team’s 3-1 win against the Portland Timbers in its season opener, head coach Adrian Heath saw a team eager to continue its run of form, especially against such a challenging team as the Earthquakes.
“It’s not an easy place to come here,” Heath said. “Everyone knows they play a little bit different than most teams, and they make it tough on you. If you look at the scoreline, we could conceivably had two or three more as well. I thought we were worthy winners.”
Man of the match honors went to Opara, whose two goals were instrumental in the victory, as were his efforts on the defensive side of the play. He always enjoys playing against the Quakes, the team that drafted him out of college in 2010, and the 5-2 result simply felt right for the reigning MLS Defender of the Year.
“It was just one of those games where everything was clicking,” Opara said. “Unfortunately, we gave up two goals, and I am not happy about that, but we can take a lot of positives out of this one tonight.”
For the Quakes, who featured the same starting eleven that earned a 2-2 draw in its season opener, they remained sanguine despite the record matching scoreline. In year two with Almeyda in charge, the improvements are tangible, and more consistency in results is expected.
“It’s a loss, but it’s only the second game of the year,” Quakes midfielder Jackson Yueill said. “And I think we’re much better than we were at this time last year. We were getting destroyed and we were able to turn it around. I take this as something to learn from and improve, and we have a lot of games left to play.”
Yueill will miss the next two games for San Jose as he joins the U.S. men’s national team U-23 squad ahead of the Concacaf Olympic qualification tournament later this month. The remainder of the Quakes turn their attention to a road game against the Philadelphia Union.
The Loons, winners of two road games of their own, return to Minnesota for four straight home games at Allianz Stadium. Opara knows the confidence built up in the season’s early weeks will serve as a springboard for a successful homestand, and he’s excited for the opportunity to show the team’s supporters what their made of.
“We have a great group of guys in our locker room that believe and love each other and enjoy being around each other,” Opara said. “We just got to keep our head down and keep working because, obviously, we are not a complete product, no one really is this time of year, but I believe we are off to a really good start.”
The game at Earthquakes Stadium was played in front of a sparse crowd amid fears surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. A steady rain fall before the game didn’t help matters either, and the stadium looked less than half full by the opening whistle.
Minnesota started on the front foot and took an early lead when Opara, the former Earthquakes top draft pick, sent a powerful header past goalkeeper Daniel Vega to open the scoring in the 13th minute. The center back, always a presence on set pieces, expertly stepped in front of Oswaldo Alanis to complete the corner kick delivery by Jan Gregus to make it 1-0.
The Quakes clawed one back when, after a lengthy VAR review, they were awarded a penalty kick after Tommy Thompson was tripped in the box by Chase Gasper in the 16th minute. Eriksson converted the PK for his first goal of the season, increasing his productivity from the spot to 5-for-5 in his two-plus MLS seasons.
The equalizer briefly gave the hosts momentum. In the 23rd minute, Alanis nearly scored from a corner kick, but the Mexican international’s shot flashed just wide of the post. Cristian Espinoza was next to give it a go, hitting side netting in the 25th minute after eluding Gasper just inside the box.
From that point until the halftime whistle, it was all Loons. Gregus regained the lead for Minnesota in the 26th minute after hitting a rocket to the near post that had Vega waving at air. His well-timed run from the midfield was rewarded with a beautiful pass from Amarilla, letting Gregus do the rest before enjoying his second career MLS goal.
Amarilla went from provider to finisher in the 32nd minute, as the Paraguayan forward got loose in the box for a simple header. Kevin Molino delivered the perfect pass and the Loons doubled their lead.
Molino exited the game with a hamstring injury in the 42nd minute, replaced by Hassani Dotson, but Minnesota (2-0-0, 6 points) looked no worse for the substitution. When the visitors were awarded a penalty kick in first half stoppage time, it looked like a win was in the bag.
Guram Kashia, who came up short in defending Amarilla on the third MNUFC goal, was adjudged to have fouled Opara on a corner kick, prompting referee Baldomero Toledo to point to the spot. Amarilla’s kick was saved by Vega, but Robin Lod was the first to the rebound and smashed in goal to make it 4-1.
The stunned Earthquakes made their way to their locker room at halftime having been thoroughly outplayed. Almeyda, looking to energize the squad, made two subs ahead of the second half restart, bringing in Shea Salinas for Nick Lima and Cade Cowell for Danny Hoesen. Cowell, at 16 years, 150 days old, became the youngest player to ever take the field for San Jose in club history.
The fresh legs provided a boost for the Earthquakes, and in the 53rd minute, they were able to cut the deficit back to two goals. Vako, taking advantage of a loose ball in the box after a failed corner kick, lashed a low shot that took a deflection and wrong footed goalkeeper Tyler Miller to make the score 4-2 in favor of the visitors.
Flush with enthusiasm, the Quakes made their third sub looking to complete an epic comeback. Wondolowski, the MLS all-time leader in goals, entered the match for Kashia in the 63rd minute, and San Jose shifted to an all-out offensive set-up.
But Wondo could do nothing to prevent Opara from scoring his second goal of the game, again off a corner kick delivery, as he was out jumped by the reigning MLS Defender of the Year. Opara’s goal in the 71st minute put the Loons up 5-2 and sucked the air out of San Jose’s attempt to get back into the game.
The Earthquakes will not prepare to hit the road for the first time this season to play the Philadelphia Union next Saturday. The Loons, after picking up maximum points from back-to-back road games, meet the New York Red Bulls in their home opener next Sunday.