SAN JOSE Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes and Austin FC played to a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon at PayPal Park. Jeremy Ebobisse and Cade Cowell scored their first goals of the season in the comeback.
Following a long-range goal by Maxi Urruti and a penalty kick by Sebastian Driussi, Austin FC took a two-goal lead into the 70th minute. Ebobisse (PK) and Cowell then scored two minutes apart, in the 70th and 72nd minute, respectively, to equalize (highlights).
The Earthquakes will now hit the road to face Houston Dynamo FC on Saturday, April 9. Kickoff from PNC Stadium is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PT and the match will be broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area Plus, KNBR 1050, and 1370 KZSF.
GAME NOTES
The Earthquakes currently hold a 0-3-2 record (2 pts.) during the 2022 MLS regular season.
The Quakes now hold a 2-0-2 all-time record against Austin FC, including a 1-0-1 record at PayPal Park.
San Jose had 11 shots on goal, their most in a single match since May 29, 2021, at LA (12).
Forward Jeremy Ebobisse scored his first goal of the season and 28th of his MLS career.
Forward Cade Cowell scored his first goal of the season and seventh of his MLS career.
Midfielder Jan Gregus tallied an assist on Cowell’s goal. It marked his first assist of the season and 22nd of his MLS career.
Rookies Ousseni Bouda and 16-year-old Niko Tsakiris each made their second appearance of the season, entering as substitutes in the 62nd minute. Tsakiris played the cross that earned the Quakes their penalty kick.
MATCH INFORMATION
2022 MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 2 – 2 Austin FC
Saturday, April 2, 2022 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 13,062
Man of the Match: Cade Cowell
Scoring Summary:
ATX (1-0) – Maxi Urruti (Julio Cascante) 11’
ATX (2-0) – Sebastian Driussi (penalty) 52’
SJ (2-1) – Jeremy Ebobisse (penalty) 70’
SJ (2-2) – Cade Cowell (Jan Gregus) 72’
Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Paul Marie (caution) 31’
ATX – Diego Fagundez (caution) 42’
ATX – Dani Pereira (caution) 71’
ATX – Rodney Reyes (caution) 77’
SJ – Francisco Calvo (caution) 79’
SJ – Ousseni Bouda (caution) 85’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Marcos Lopez, Francisco Calvo, Tanner Beason (Ousseni Bouda 62), Paul Marie (Tommy Thompson 62); Jan Gregus, Jackson Yueill; Cade Cowell (Eric Remedi 90), Jamiro Monteiro, Cristian Espinoza (Niko Tsakiris 62); Jeremy Ebobisse.
Substitutes not used: Oskar Ågren, Matt Bersano, Siad Haji, Judson, Will Richmond.
SHOTS: 17; SHOTS ON GOAL: 11; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 3
AUSTIN FC: Brad Stuver; Ruben Gabrielson, Julio Cascante, Zan Kolmanic (Jhojan Valencia 80), Nick Lima; Dani Pereira (Jon Gallagher 80), Sebastian Driussi, Alex Ring; Ethan Finley (Jared Stroud 68), Diego Fagundez (Rodney Redes 68), Maxi Urruti (Felipe 61).
Substitutes not used: Moussa Djitte, Hector Jimenez, Andrew Tarbell.
SHOTS: 9; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 20; CORNER KICKS: 0; SAVES: 3
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On his team’s defensive performance today:
“I think there were some good actions and some actions we took too long to resolve. We studied the opponent well. Everything we studied we ended up seeing on the field, we corrected it at halftime. They attack one meter away than where we should be, and that’s giving too much to the opponent. In the defensive phase, when we did things the right way, many times we won the ball back. And I think every goal we conceded, we could’ve avoided from our own mistakes. We always correct things, work on it, and talk about it, but that’s football.”
On if there’s an opportunity for his younger players to gain more minutes:
“I previously spoke about being a former player. When I left River Plate, which is a club that develops players, I can assure you that there were many players that ended up getting burned out because it wasn’t the right time to play them. I try to manage that with great care. That’s why the kids must constantly get developed.”
On how the team has adjusted for Chofis’ absence:
“Chofis is a really important player. He’s a player that scored 12 goals last year. He made other guys score. He’s a dangerous player. Many types of injuries take longer than they should because a protocol has to be respected. We have three important players that are out. They are Nathan, Chofis, and Benji [Kikanovic]. Shea Salinas has been injured for a long time as well. And for us, many of those players are experienced players and they’re players that have done important things when it was their turn to play. I’m never making these details a justification, but there are realities that have to be known.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER JAMIRO MONTEIRO
On what they can take away from the match:
“I think this game will give us a lot of confidence. I think if we start the game like we played in the second half, it would be a different game. I think if we played 10 more minutes, we would win the game for sure.”
On the team’s young players:
“Yeah, when they came in, I feel that the game changed with the speed of [Ousseni] Bouda and the action he has. That made a lot of impact in the game. The same thing with Niko [Tsakiris]. He’s a midfielder. He sees the game. He makes good passes. They need to continue like this. I think this will give them a lot of trust so they need to continue like this, and the minutes will come. It’s just the beginning; they need to have trust in themselves and keep going like this.”
