PORTLAND, Ore. – Ike Opara’s header in the 120th minute broke a scoreless deadlock to give the San Jose Earthquakes a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers in a second-round play-in game of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
The win breaks San Jose’s three-game losing streak in all competitions. Portland, meanwhile, dropped their first match at newly renovated JELD-WEN Field.
For more than two hours, chippy play gave way to offensive creativity, as the ref blew the whistle 45 times and dished out eight yellow cards issued over the course of the rugged game.
San Jose, who have eight days before their next match, started six players who have made four or more MLS starts this season. That lineup included starting forwards Ryan Johnson and Chris Wondolowski.
In contrast, Portland decided to rest most of their regulars for Friday’s nationally televised home contest against the Philadelphia Union. The only Timbers player who started in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake and returned to start against San Jose was goalkeeper Troy Perkins. Steve Purdy (six starts) and James Marcelin (four) led a Timbers side made up mostly of reserves.
Nevertheless, it was the home side who would fire the first warning when, in the 15th minute, Marcelin tried his luck from distance. His effort, however, was stopped by Quakes ‘keeper Andrew Weber.
Twelve minutes later, Opara threatened the Timbers when he got past the defense and collided with Perkins as they both went in search of the ball.
Just before the whistle signaling the end of the first half, San Jose midfielder Khari Stephenson missed out on a great opportunity, failing to connect the ball to send it into the net despite being unmarked.
The slow first half gave way to a more action- and foul-packed second 45 as each team struggled to control the match and not give their opponents too much space.
The most noteworthy chance happened in the 75th minute, when San Jose’s Johnson tested Perkins, who passed with flying colors by tipping the forward’s shot over the crossbar.
Unable to break through in regulation, the teams entered overtime still scoreless. Then, near the end of the first 15-minute overtime period, Quakes striker Steven Lenhart appeared to nod a goal into the Timbers net. However, officials ruled he used his hand to score, the goal was waived off, and Lenhart was issued a yellow card.
When it appeared the defensive tug-of-war battle was headed to penalty kicks, Opara came through for San Jose. Midfielder Sam Cronin, who had collected a cleared corner kick, crossed the ball into the box, where Opara flicked it past Perkins for the winner.
The Timbers mounted a late attack but failed to find the equalizer.
With the win, San Jose go on to face the Chicago Fire in a third-round play-in match later this month.
San Jose Earthquakes at Portland Timbers
U.S. Open Cup Play-in Match
May 3, 2011 – JELD-WEN Field
Attendance: 11,412
Scoring Summary: SJ – Ike Opara (Sam Cronin) 120.
Misconduct Summary: SJ – Brad Ring (caution) 7; POR – Ryan Pore (caution) 50; SJ – Ramiro Corrales (caution) 62; SJ – Sam Cronin (caution) 80; SJ – Ryan Johnson (caution) 91+; SJ – Steven Lenhart (caution) 104; POR – James Marcelin (caution) ; SJ – Ike Opara (caution) 120.
Portland Timbers – Troy Perkins, Freddie Braun, Kevin Goldthwaite (Mamadou Danso 98), David Horst, Steve Purdy, Sal Zizzo (Darlington Nagbe 111), James Marcelin, Adam Moffat, Rodrigo Lopez (Jeremy Hall 110), Ryan Pore, Spencer Thompson.
Statistics: Shots: 8; Shots on Goal: 3; Saves: 3; Fouls: 22; Offsides: 2; Corners: 6.
San Jose Earthquakes – Andrew Weber, Steven Beitashour, Bobby Burling, Ike Opara, Ramiro Corrales, Khari Stephenson (Steven Lenhart 83), Sam Cronin, Brad Ring, Bobby Convey (Justin Morrow 94), Ryan Johnson (Ellis McLoughlin 111), Chris Wondolowski.
Statistics: Shots: 9; Shots on Goal: 4; Saves: 3; Fouls: 23; Offsides: 0; Corners: 7.
QUOTES
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH FRANK YALLOP
On the game:
“I was very happy with the performance tonight. We possessed the ball very well and really controlled the game. I am glad that we got the goal at the end because if it goes to penalties anything can happen. I feel that we deserved the win tonight.”
On clean sheet:
“We defended very well last weekend against Philadelphia and were a little unlucky to concede a goal and tonight we had another good performance defensively. I think we are back to doing the right things defensively and that is a positive.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER SAM CRONIN
On the match:
"It was definitely a battle. It was a tight field, but I think from 60 minutes onwards, we were the ones chasing the goal. We thought that if anyone was going to get the goal, it was going to be us. I thought we were on the front foot and we are happy to leave here with a win."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER IKE OPARA
On his goal:
"On set pieces all night we were dangerous and we just couldn't put one in the back of the net. I had a couple good chances, and actually I said to Wondo (Chris Wondolowski) that if I get one more chance, and just make contact with the ball, it’s going in. I finally got free again and got the opportunity and was able to get it into the back of the net - slowly, but it got there."
On shutout:
"We've been aiming for clean sheets all year long, and I think everyone from the front two forwards to (Andrew) Weber in goal was working hard, tracking back and following runners. It was a great team effort to have a clean sheet for 120 minutes. We have a hard game next week in Vancouver, but if we put that kind of effort in again, we will give ourselves a good chance.”