SAN JOSE, Calif. - It’s back on the MLS march for the Earthquakes after a 1-0 loss to the LA Galaxy in the round-of-16 in the U.S. Open Cup, in which the Quakes were a little unlucky not to score.
San Jose will vie for a third consecutive win in Western Conference play against the Portland Timbers on Sunday at Providence Park, before hosting Houston on July 10 at Avaya Stadium.
During a positive stretch, the Quakes have a seven-game unbeaten streak in the conference.
“We've got to keep our heads up, we have a big game this weekend against Portland and have to move on from here,” said Tommy Thompson, who played 90 minutes in Wednesday’s loss, marking his first start of the season.
Backup goalkeeper Bryan Meredith had another strong effort in the Open Cup with two first-rate saves. He made a diving stop across the goal line to deny ex-Quake Alan Gordon in the 82nd minute.
“He's played well. I think he's also learned a little bit along the way,” Quakes coach Dominic Kinnear said of Meredith.
Four days after the Quakes’ 3-1 win over the Galaxy in the California Clasico, both teams rested most of their starters in the midweek meeting.
An early breakdown proved to seal San Jose’s fate.
Kenny Walker sent a long ball over the top, and Jose Villareal raced through the defense and hit a low shot past Meredith to give the Galaxy a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute.
“You start the game slow, you can get punished for it and now you’re chasing the game,” Kinnear said. “And it doesn't matter how many chances you get, or if you think you're the better team, you need to start off the game correctly."
The 19-year-old Thompson had an active performance and sent in some tantalizing corner kicks. In the 51st minute, midfielder JJ Koval hit a header off Thompson corner kick, but Galaxy keeper Brian Rowe was able to fall on it.
The Quakes' equalizer appeared to come in textbook fashion in the 30th minute. Mark Sherrod headed home a free kick by midfielder Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi, but the play was waved off by an offside call.
Meredith also made a big save in the 73rd minute, turning back LA midfielder Raul Mendiola on a 1-on-1 break.
Overall, the Quakes' backups appreciated getting time on the field.
"It was a great opportunity for me and some of the other guys to get some significant minutes,” Thompson said. “We're disappointed with the result. We thought one was going to go in by the end of it, because we were knocking on the door that whole second half. To have nothing to show for it is difficult to swallow.”
Versatile midfielder Cordell Cato continued his excellent form.
"He's definitely one of the bright spots of the team this year and he's earned every single minute that he’s been given and he's made the most of his opportunities,” Kinnear said of Cato, who added the insurance goal against the Galaxy in the Clasico.
Kinnear said he changed the formation a “tiny bit” heading into the second half, and thought the team was more aggressive, passed better and had better movement in the final 45 minutes, winning second balls.
“I thought in the first half all second balls fell to them and they obviously got some chances out of it and got some possession,” Kinnear said. “Where I thought in the second half we were around the ball a heck of a lot more and that's the reason why we were knocking on the door for as long as we were.”
