Earthquakes Win In Seattle For Second Time In 2015

Photo credit: Jennifer Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The San Jose Earthquakes won for the second time in 2015 at CenturyLink Field, beating Seattle Sounders FC 2-0 in a Western Conference battle.

Matias Perez Garcia set up Sanna Nyassi for the first goal in the 28^th minute. The Argentinian then scored his 1st goal of the year in the 73^rd minute of the game to seal the victory for San Jose. Quakes goalkeeper David Bingham made 3 saves as the Quakes earned their 4th shutout in the past 7 games.

It’s an ill wind and all that guff, that saw Seattle start the game against San Jose without 4 of their regular starters. During last week’s Sounders US Open Cup loss to the Portland Timbers Brad Evans, Micheal Azira, and Clint Dempsey were all sent off and Obafemi Martins was stretchered off.

But don’t let the referee’s insanely bad handling of that Sounders vs. Timbers game dilute San Jose’s achievement in going to CenturyLink Field and beating Seattle.

You don’t think every time that ref hoisted one of those three red cards a Sounder bench player, who has been busting his chops on the training ground and in the gym, wasn’t thinking he might get a start next week, a chance to stake his claim on a first team place?

So don’t blame the result on missing Seattle players, recognize that the victory was earned by the San Jose players who were on the field.

San Jose heads back home next weekend for the California Clasico with the Quakes hosting the rival LA Galaxy on Saturday, June 27 at Stanford Stadium, presented by PG&E. The match is expected to sellout for the fourth straight year with 50,000 fans. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and the game will air live on Comcast SportsNet California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.

MLS Regular Season

San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 Seattle Sounders FC

June 20, 2015 - CenturyLink Field

Attendance: 39,971

Scoring Summary: SJ - Sanna Nyassi (Matias Perez Garcia) 28; SJ - Matias Perez Garcia (Cordell Cato) 73.

Misconduct Summary: SJ - Sanna Nyassi (caution) 23; SEA - Thomas (caution) 59; SEA - Zach Scott (caution) 87.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: David Bingham, Marvell Wynne (Cordell Cato 45), Victor Bernardez, Clarence Goodson, Jordan Stewart, Fatai Alashe, Sanna Nyassi, Chris Wondolowski, Matias Perez Garcia (Tommy Thompson 78), Shea Salinas (Shaun Francis 90+1), Adam Jahn.

SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 4; OFFSIDES: 1.

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC: Stefan Frei, Tyrone Mears, Brad Evans (Zach Scott 45), Chad Marshall, Dylan Remick, Michael Azira, Cristian Roldan, Thomas (Aaron Kovar 60), Andy Rose (Victor Mansaray 78), Marco Pappa, Lamar Neagle.

SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 9; CORNER KICKS: 5; OFFSIDES: 1.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR

On the win:

"Really happy. It was a good week for us with the Open Cup win and then to come in here and get the full three points. If you looked at the standings before the game, we were kind of on the outside looking in, so for us to get this win will help us catch up to some teams."

On goals:

"Both goals were good. It has happened a lot this year that we have sat on a 1-0 lead and it becomes finger-nail biting time. Matias' goal was beautiful. Cordell's run to get up the field and get his some territory was great and obviously Matias was fantastic in tight space on the goal."

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER MATIAS PEREZ GARCIA

On scoring first goal:

"I am happy to get the first one. I knew that if I stayed relaxed that the goal would come this year. I am glad that I was able to score today in a big win for the team."

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER SANNA NYASSI

On Quakes scoring first:

"It feels great to score against your former club. It was important for us to score the first goal. There was a lot of pressure on us right before that, but we stayed compact defensively. When we scored that goal, it changed everything. We have a lot of respect for Seattle and we matched their intensity today and hit them well on the counter. Today was an important win for us."