With two outside-the-box goals from Jeremy Ebobisse and Miguel Trauco, the San Jose Earthquakes convincingly took down one of the top teams in the East.
San Jose solidified themselves as one of the best teams in the Western Conference. The Bay Area team sits in 5th place following their 2-1 win against last year’s runner-ups Philadelphia Union.
The Quakes are in one of their best forms all season as they came from their most successful road trip this season. They earned their first road win against the Seattle Sounders two weeks ago, which preceded their draw at Colorado.
“Every game is going to be a little bit different… we have to be ready to adapt,” said Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez. “I am proud of our guys.”
Starting XI
San Jose Earthquakes 4-3-3: Daniel; Trauco, Beason, Rodrigues, Akap; Monteiro Gruezo, Yueill; Espinoza, Ebobisse, Cowell
Subs: Kikanovic for Cowell 73’, Marie for Akapo 81’, Judson for Yueill 82’, Mensah for Monteiro 86’
Philadelphia Union 3-4-1-2: Blake; Lowe, Elliot, Glesnes; Wagner, Flach, Bueno, Harriel, Gazdag; Uhre, Carranza
Subs: McGlynn for Lowe 24’, Sullivan for Bueno 76’, Torres for Uhre 76’, Donovan for Flach 87’
Opening Whistle
The Quakes took their first possession to the Union’s goal, pressuring the away side early. Back from the U-20 World Cup with the U.S., Cade Cowell dominated the left flank with his dribbling and speed.
Cowell assisted the first goal, engineered from midfield by Jeremy Ebobisse. After a stellar through-ball from Ebobisse to Cowell, the latter found the former just outside the penalty box, who placed the ball out of reach from Andre Blake in the eighth minute.
However, it took Philadelphia one corner kick to rid San Jose of the upper hand. In the 17th minute, amid protest from Rodrigues who claimed the corner kick should have been a goal kick, Kai Wagner delivered a cross to Damion Lowe who headered in the equalizer.
Daniel got a hand to the ball, but it wasn’t enough to keep it out, ending his two-game run with a clean sheet. Near the end of the first half, San Jose lost any domination they had over the Union. The game evened out to somewhat match the 1-1 score.
By the 35th minute, Cowell was less active in the attack, the Quakes’ midfield connected fewer key passes, and Daniel and the defense found themselves busier than at the start of the game.
The Earthquakes recovered lost possessions and kept their shape to close out the half, but they almost lost control of the match in stoppage time. The Union built up the field to hand Julian Carranza a clear opportunity in the box, but he skied the ball over the bar.
Just like the first half, the Quakes started off hot in the second. This time, Cristian Espinoza, who had a quiet first half, had a couple of involvements in the first ten minutes sending crosses into the box. They continued to press the Union defense– and it paid off.
After Carlos Gruezo received the ball following a giveaway from the Union defense, he made the quick decision to play Miguel Trauco. The latter was inspired to rip it from far outside the box and shot an unreachable bullet to the top right corner to give San Jose a 2-1 lead in the 57th.
“Those decisions come in the spirit of the moment. I try to take a shot whenever I have a ball in front of me and in front of the net,” said Trauco. “I had good control of the ball and I didn’t think about it twice.
This time, after gaining momentum, the Quakes pressed on rather than allowing Philadelphia to attack. Continuing in his good form, Daniel took care of any ball that was coming his way. This only complicated the game for the away side.
San Jose closed out the game similarly to the first half– doing their best to avoid yet another stoppage-time goal like in their last home game against Dallas. In the end, they earned the three points at home. “These are not easy games; you have to grind through them and find a way,” said Gonzalez. “I’m proud that we put away our chances.”
The Earthquakes face the Portland Timbers at home next Saturday, June 17.
Picture from Jose Rocha
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