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Earthquakes Defender Rodrigues and Forward Cristian Espinoza Selected to MLS Team of the Matchday

September 18, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - San Jose Earthquakes News Release


SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose Earthquakes defender Rodrigues and forward Cristian Espinoza have been named to Major League Soccer's Team of the Matchday, formerly known as Team of the Week, for Matchday 32. A game-winning goal for Rodrigues and two assists from Espinoza helped lead the Quakes to a crucial win in their playoff push.

Defender Rodrigues scored his first career MLS goal in the 15th minute, successfully redirecting a cross from Espinoza to find the game winner. He has started in all 29 MLS matches for San Jose this season and is ranked third in the league in interceptions (54).

Cristian Espinoza notched two assists Saturday night to reach double digits in assists for the third time in his MLS career. He is now the first Quakes player since 1998 to record double digits in both goals and assists in the same season. Espinoza is the all-time leader in assists in Quakes history with 54 and is one of the top contenders for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award this year.

The MLS Team of the Matchday selection is the fifth of the season for Rodrigues. The selection is Espinoza's seventh of the season and 14th since joining the club in January of 2019. The Quakes have now earned 2+ TOTM selections in a single match for the seventh time this season.

MLS TEAM OF THE MATCHDAY (MATCHDAY 32)

Forwards: Aaron Boupendza (CIN), Ramiro Enrique (ORL), Felipe Mora (POR)

Midfielders: Dénis Bouanga (LAFC), Ryan Gauld (VAN), Gadi Kinda (SKC), Martín Ojeda (ORL)

Defenders: Reed Baker-Whiting (SEA), Rodrigues (SJ), Brooks Lennon (ATL)

Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (CHI)

Coach: Gonzalo Pineda (ATL)

Bench: Kristijan Kahlina (CLT), Donovan Pines (DC), Ryan Hollingshead (LAFC), Tristan Muyumba (ATL), Cole Bassett (COL), Cristian Espinoza (SJ), João Klauss (STL), Leonardo Campana (MIA), Cucho Hernández (CLB)

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