The San Jose Earthquakes tied 1-1 against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Paypal Park Saturday night.
This game honored the 20th anniversary of the Earthquakes’ first Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup championship title.
The Earthquakes are currently 10th in the MLS Western Conference standings, however, with only four games remaining time is running out for the team to make the MLS playoffs.
“We wanted a triumphant game,” head coach Matias Almeyda said during a postgame conference. “Despite that, this was a well-played game. We need to fine-tune our touches but their goalie’s performance was outstanding as well.”
The Earthquakes had over 50% possession of the ball and 10 shots inside the box during the first half, according to match statistics.
Despite their efforts, the score remained stagnant at 0-0.
The game quickly became heated as players from both teams dove, tackled and slid to take possession of the ball and drive up the score.
A ball-to-face collision occurred at minute 30 of the first half when Earthquakes’ attacker Andres Rios high-kicked the ball directly into Whitecaps’ midfielder Leonard Owusu’s face.
At halftime, the team commemorated the Earthquakes’ 20th anniversary and honored players from the 2001 team’s roster in a short ceremony. Some celebrated champions included goalkeeper Joe Cannon and defenders Jeff Agoos and Wade Barrett.
The Earthquakes also celebrated by distributing 10,000 commemorative rings to fans before the match and unveiling a mural in honor of the 2001 championship at Lux Bus America earlier this month, according to the MLS official page.
The Whitecaps opened the scoring to begin the second half as defender Bruno Gaspar scored. The ball bounced inches away from goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski’s hands while he was trying to stop a powerful kick by Whitecaps’ attacker Brian White.
“We planned out a defensive strategy,” Almeyda said. “What happened here tonight was primarily my fault. I introduced defensive players to midfield positions which threw off the players’ vision of the game.”
San Jose quickly equalized seven minutes after Vancouver scored.
Earthquakes’ forward Cristian Espinoza crossed the ball to forward and San Jose native Benji Kikanovic who hit a rocket to the corner of the net to tie the game.
“It is so disappointing not getting those three points,” Kikanovic said at a postgame conference. “I am happy to be here, I try to attack and score a goal every time. Our experience here leaves us thinking that we need to try to touch more and score.”
After the game the Earthquakes remained 10th in the Western Conference and out of the playoffs, yet the San Jose community still continues to show support.
“I am satisfied with today’s performance,” Earthquakes fan Amanda Brasher said. “I traveled from Reno to see the game and support the team. Although they struggled to win, their game effort is something to admire.”
The Earthquakes are expected to play against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Oct. 30 at 12:30 p.m. and return home to PayPal Park Nov. 7 to play against FC Dallas at 3 p.m.
