
Earthquakes Forward Cristian Espinoza and Defenders Miguel Trauco and Rodrigues Selected to MLS Team of the Matchday
July 13, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza and defenders Miguel Trauco and Rodrigues have been named to Major League Soccer's Team of the Matchday, formerly known as Team of the Week, for Matchday 25. Espinoza and Trauco both scored, and Rodrigues helped secure a clean sheet in the Quakes 2-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC.
Click here to download media assets from Saturday's match
Cristian Espinoza scored a penalty kick and notched his club record-breaking assist in a Man of the Match performance. Espinoza fired from the spot into the bottom left corner to give San Jose the lead in the 19th minute. In the second half, Espinoza tallied the assist on Trauco's goal to become the all-time assist leader for the Quakes (51), passing club legend Shea Salinas.
Defender Miguel Trauco struck for his third goal of the season in the 65th minute, striking an incredible full volley from outside the box past Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland. Rodrigues' defensive performance helped the Quakes earn their seventh shutout of the season.
The MLS Team of the Matchday selection is Espinoza's sixth of the season and 13th since joining the Quakes in January of 2019. The selection is also Trauco's second for San Jose, and Rodrigues' second of the season and third of his career.
MLS TEAM OF THE MATCHDAY (MATCHDAY 25)
Forwards: Cristian Espinoza (SJ), Carlos Vela (LAFC), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (MIN)
Midfielders: José Cifuentes (LAFC), Obinna Nwobodo (CIN), Xherdan Shaqiri (CHI), Dániel Gazdag (PHI)
Defenders: Miguel Trauco (SJ), Jack Elliott (PHI), Ryan Hollingshead (LAFC)
Goalkeeper: Djordje Petrovic (NE)
Coach: Adrian Heath (MIN)
Bench: Dayne St. Clair (MIN), Rodrigues (SJ), Carles Gil (NE), Thiago Almada (ATL), Ryan Gauld (VAN), Johnny Russell (SKC), Maren Haile-Selassie (CHI), Anderson Julio (RSL), Teemu Pukki (MIN)
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Major League Soccer Stories from July 13, 2023
- MATCH Preview: Inter Miami CF to Face St. Louis CITY SC for the First Time Ever this Saturday - Inter Miami CF
- News & Notes for Matchday 25: Transfer Window News, Preparing for Houston - Colorado Rapids
- Colorado Rapids President Padraig Smith Addresses Media: Summer Transfer Window, Women's Soccer in Colorado - Colorado Rapids
- LAFC and BMO Team up to Provide LA Active Sports with $15,000 Grant to Launch New Summer Futsal League in South Los Angeles - Los Angeles FC
- Philadelphia Union Midfielder Dániel Gazdag Voted MLS Player of the Matchday Presented by Continental Tire for Matchday 25 - MLS
- Toronto FC Acquire Latif Blessing and an International Slot in Exchange for Mark-Anthony Kaye - Toronto FC
- Revolution Acquire Midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye in Trade with Toronto FC - New England Revolution
- Sporting KC Launches Fully-Integrated Spanish-Language Website - Sporting Kansas City
- Houston Dynamo FC Exercise Option to Purchase U-22 Initiative Player Nelson Quiñónes - Houston Dynamo FC
- Xherdan Shaqiri Selected to MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 25 - Chicago Fire FC
- Obinna Nwobodo Named to MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 25 - FC Cincinnati
- Earthquakes Forward Cristian Espinoza and Defenders Miguel Trauco and Rodrigues Selected to MLS Team of the Matchday - San Jose Earthquakes
- Charlotte FC Sign Midfielder Brecht Dejaegere - Charlotte FC
- Moments of Matchday 25 - MLS
- FC Cincinnati Flips the Script, Scores Late Twice to Mount First Ever Second-Half Comeback Victory - FC Cincinnati
- MLS and Partner Organizations to Positively Impact Nation's Capital Ahead of MLS All-Star Game - MLS
- Quakes Victorious at Home, Espinoza Breaks All-Time Club Assist Record - San Jose Earthquakes
- LAFC Knock off First Place St. Louis City 3-0 - Los Angeles FC
- Sounders FC Falls 2-0 on the Road in San Jose - Seattle Sounders FC
- Austin FC Falls to Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 2-1 - Austin FC
- Levonte Johnson Earned His Second Straight Start After Signing an MLS Contract on June 30 - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- St. Louis CITY SC Falls to LAFC at BMO Stadium - St. Louis City SC
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