SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza has been named to Major League Soccer’s Team of the Matchday, formerly known as Team of the Week, for Matchday 6. Espinoza scored two goals, both via penalty kick, to lift San Jose to a 2-1 win over Houston on Saturday at PayPal Park.
Saturday was the second multi-goal game of Espinoza’s career and first since April 23, 2022 (3 vs. SEA). He is now tied for fourth in MLS with three goals and is one of six players in MLS with 3+ goals and 2+ assists in 2023. He also leads the league in both key passes and chances created this season.
The MLS Team of the Matchday selection is Espinoza’s second of the season and ninth since joining the Earthquakes in January 2019.
MLS TEAM OF THE MATCHDAY (MATCHDAY 6)
Forwards: Léo Chú (SEA), Simon Becher (VAN), Cristian Espinoza (SJ)
Midfielders: Lucas Zelarayán (CLB), Aidan Morris (CLB), Hany Mukhtar (NSH), Kamil Jozwiak (CLT)
Defenders: Yerson Mosquera (CIN), Jakob Glesnes (PHI), Walker Zimmerman (NSH)
Goalkeeper: Dayne St. Clair (MIN)
Coach: Wilfried Nancy (CLB)
Bench: Stefan Frei (SEA), Michael Boxall (MIN), Álvaro Barreal (CIN), Ali Ahmed (VAN), Carles Gil (NE), Federico Bernardeschi (TOR), Jordan Morris (SEA), Franck Boli (POR), Giorgos Giakoumakis (ATL)
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ (4/1)
On Cristian Espinoza’s performance on Saturday:
“Cristian stepped up and put two penalty kicks away. It’s never easy to score a second penalty kick after the first because it ends up being that dual with the keeper. But he showed great confidence to step up and to put it away. He trains that. He’s always prepared. In training he’s putting high level work rate, concentration, great mentality. He doesn’t show a lot of emotion, just wants to work and stay in the moment and he shows that weekly in training. So, we are not surprised by him grabbing opportunities and showing a performance like tonight on the field. He’s a great example to our team, all ages, and experiences. So, happy and proud for Cristian. Very valuable for the club and hopefully for seasons to come and him helping us reach our potential as a team as we continue to compete this season. Cristian is a player that will obviously put in maximum effort but also has technique, quality, creativity, creating shots, setting up and combing to set up crosses with his full back, with his interior players, and always with a smile on his face. It’s just a big pleasure to coach him and we want to continue to support him so he can keep helping us perform.”