MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 1, Club Tijuana 2

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes fell to LIGA MX’s Club Tijuana 2-1 in an international friendly at PayPal Park on Friday night. 

Club Tijuana struck first in the sixth minute when Adonis Preciado headed in an Ignacio Rivero corner kick to make it 1-0 for the visitors. The Earthquakes almost answered in minute 10 when a Timo Werner cross from the left wing was almost headed home by a surging Jamar Ricketts in the box. San Jose equalized in minute 16 when high pressure resulted in Preston Judd recovering the ball on the right wing and then feeding Beau Leroux in the center of the box. The midfielder took one touch and calmly slotted the ball past Xolos goalkeeper Salím Hernández to make it 1-1. In minute 25, the Quakes had an excellent chance to score when Hernández came off his line and Daniel Munie was point-blank range in front of net but the ball was cleared before he could shoot. In minute 40, Judd had his own chance in the six-yard box, but his backheel for the far post was just wide. Two minutes later, Xolos recaptured the lead when Preciado took the ball on the left wing, cut inside, and uncorked a curler for the far post past Quakes goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. to make it 2-1 to close the first half. 

After intermission, San Jose made wholesale changes, substituting out all 11 starters. The second wave of Quakes created chances almost immediately. In minute 48, Jack Skahan unleashed a long-range attempt from the edge of the box that was deflected over the crossbar. In minute 61, Club Tijuana called on their bench to replace half the lineup. Ramping up their sense of urgency as time wound down, the Black and Blue had their opportunities to equalize once more but could not find the second goal. In minute 89, Paul Marie created space in the box on the middle left channel but his attempt was blocked; the ensuing corner floated dangerously but was punched away. Homegrown midfielder Edwyn Mendoza, making his Quakes debut, had a shot blocked in the first minute of stoppage time. San Jose gave it one last go when Jack Jasinski’s cross from the right wing spun toward net, but Marie’s header landed wide left. 

The Earthquakes return to Major League Soccer play Wednesday, July 22, when they host Orlando City SC. Kickoff from PayPal Park is set for 7:30 p.m. PT, with the match airing on Apple TV (English/Spanish) and via local radio on KSFO 810 AM (English) and La Kaliente 1370 AM (Spanish).