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San Jose Earthquakes

Quakes Eliminated From Postseason Contention

September 15, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


San Jose Earthquakes versus Colorado Rapids
San Jose Earthquakes versus Colorado Rapids
(San Jose Earthquakes)

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Colorado Rapids 2-1 on Wednesday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. The result eliminates the Earthquakes from postseason contention.

Colorado opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Diego Rubio. San Jose later found the equalizer in the 37th minute. Cristian Espinoza took a corner kick towards the box and Nathan redirected the ball with his head, sending it between goalkeeper William Yarbrough's legs and into his goal net.

The Rapids scored the game-winning goal in the second half by a shot from Keegan Rosenberry in the 77th minute.

The Earthquakes will now return to San Jose to host FC Dallas on Saturday, Sept. 17, presented by Valley Health Plan. The match will kick off from PayPal Park at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports California, KNBR 1050 (English), and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).

GAME NOTES

The Earthquakes currently hold a 7-14-9 record (30 pts.) during the 2022 MLS regular season. San Jose has been eliminated from postseason contention with tonight's result.

San Jose is now 31-25-18 all-time vs. the Colorado Rapids, including a 13-16-9 record on the road.

The Earthquakes are now 7-10-6 in MLS play under interim head coach Alex Covelo.

Defender Nathan scored his second goal of the season and fourth of his MLS career.

Midfielder Cristian Espinoza tallied an assist on Nathan's goal, marking his 13th assist of the season and 43rd of his MLS career. He is now one assist away from tying Eddie Lewis for the most assists in a single season in club history. Espinoza is also now one assist away from tying Richard Mulrooney for the second most assists in club history.

Nathan and Espinoza connected to score and assist, respectively, against Colorado at PayPal Park earlier this season (W 1-0 on May 7, 2022).

MATCH INFORMATION

2022 MLS Regular Season

Colorado Rapids 2 - 1 San Jose Earthquakes

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 - Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.

Attendance: 11,938

Scoring Summary:

COL (1-0) - Diego Rubio (unassisted) 21'

SJ (1-1) - Nathan (Cristian Espinoza) 37'

COL (2-1) - Keegan Rosenberry (Max) 77'

Misconduct Summary:

SJ - Eric Remedi (caution) 48'

SJ - Judson (caution) 90'

COL - Collen Warner (caution) 90+4'

COLORADO RAPIDS: William Yarbrough; Keegan Rosenberry, Danny Wilson, Lalas Abubakar, Lucas Esteves; Felipe Gutierrez (Max 66), Bryan Acosta (Jack Price 54); Jonathan Lewis, Diego Rubio (C) (Collen Warner 90+1), Michael Barrios (Sam Nicholson 66), Gyasi Zardes.

Substitutes not used: Clint Irwin (GK), Anthony Markanich, Ralph Priso, Gustavo Vallecilla, Darren Yapi.

SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 7; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 2

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Tanner Beason, Nathan, Rodrigues, Paul Marie (Benji Kikanović 86); Eric Remedi (Judson 72), Jamiro Monteiro, Jackson Yueill (C) (Jan Gregus 62); Cade Cowell, Jeremy Ebobisse, Cristian Espinoza.

Substitutes not used: Oskar Ågren, Matt Bersano (GK), Shea Salinas, Jack Skahan, Niko Tsakiris, Tommy Thompson.

SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 13; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 1

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH ALEX COVELO

On being eliminated from playoff contention and the remaining matches:

"You do not need words to mention that to them. I told them in the last game [against Cincinnati] that it was difficult to accept the 6-0 score. I remember that in the game against LAFC [earlier this season], I told them that I am very proud to have spent this time coaching them and with the rest of the staff. Today I feel very proud of them, I feel we deserved to win, and it hurts. The guys know, but right now what we need to do is keep playing and finish as high as possible in the standings. That's the main objective right now. I do not know if it's because I come from a country where there is regulation, so I do not want to see the team in a position like that. We need to keep fighting to finish well."

On his thoughts about tonight's match:

"Difficult, it's very difficult when you play like that, when you create chances to win against Colorado here. After the defeat at Cincinnati, playing how we played tonight, it is very difficult. They scored that second goal, and if they shoot one million shots again maybe they'll score again. But it is difficult."

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER JACKSON YUEILL

On what needs to be accomplished by the team for the rest of the season:

"I think this team is a really strong team, with great players and great mentality, and a great kind of unity with everyone. The results this year are unfortunate and haven't always gone our way, but I think the team has shown really good faces in difficult moments. You're going to continue to see that. For me and for us it's about continuing to show up. We still have a job to do and games to play and a season to see what we can end it with. We've had good moments this year, we've had bad moments, but we don't want to end on a bad moment. We want to end still playing, still competing, and showing why we do this line of work and why we like showing up for this club and for each other. We always harp that we are a family, and that is the whole organization, so until the end of the year we are going to keep doing that and try to compete and win games. That's all I'm hoping for the rest of the year, that the guys continue doing what they have to do and compete. Show up for each other, show up for the Quakes, and show up for the fans, and we'll see what happens."

On his thoughts about lineup experimentation for the remaining matches:

"I think you can add different players [to the next matches]. I'd love to see Niko [Tsakiris] in the team. Maybe we can get some of the younger guys who haven't gotten minutes opportunities to see the field, showcase their talents, try to bring them up to speed and bring them opportunities. I think you can always add players or detract players. I think we have really good depth in the midfield. It's always easy to take people out and plug people in and there's not a change at all. We all love playing for each other, we love showing up for the Quakes. If there is experimentation going on in the last games, no matter what it is or if something happens, the guys will try to do it to their best abilities and be competitive in it. If there is something like that where we're still motivated and excited to try it, then we'll end the year on a good note."

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San Jose Earthquakes versus Colorado Rapids
San Jose Earthquakes versus Colorado Rapids
   

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