SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Portland Timbers 1-0 Saturday night at Avaya Stadium. Portland’s Diego Valeri scored the match’s lone goal in the 88th minute from a free kick.
Earthquakes midfielder and 2017 USL Rookie of the Year Chris Wehan made his MLS debut, entering as a substitute in the 71st minute.
Quakes legend Chris Dangerfield was inducted into the Quakes Hall of Fame during a ceremony at halftime. Dangerfield played for the Earthquakes in 1982, 1983, 1985 and 1988, and currently serves as the color commentator in the Quakes’ television broadcasts.
The Quakes hit the road to take on Minnesota United FC at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, May 12. The match kicks off at 11 a.m. PT and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Bay Area, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 0-1 Portland Timbers
May 5, 2018 – Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 17,850
Scoring Summary: POR – Diego Valeri (unassisted) 88.
Misconduct Summary: POR – Cristhian Paredes (caution) 45+1; POR – Diego Chara (caution) 53; SJ – Anibal Godoy (caution) 69; POR – Larrys Mabiala (caution) 77; POR – Liam Ridgewell (caution) 90+2, POR – Andy Polo (caution) 90+4, SJ – Quincy Amarikwa (caution) 90+6.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Andrew Tarbell; Shea Salinas (Jahmir Hyka 90+1), Florian Jungwirth, Harold Cummings, Nick Lima; Vako, Anibal Godoy, Jackson Yueill, Magnus Eriksson; Danny Hoesen (Quincy Amarikwa 75), Chris Wondolowski (Chris Wehan 71).
SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 12; CORNER KICKS: 7, OFFSIDES: 1.
PORTLAND TIMBERS: Jeff Attinella; Alvas Powell, Larrys Mabiala, Liam Ridgewell, Zarek Valentin; Diego Chara, Cristhian Paredes (Andres Flores 80), Andy Polo, Sebastian Blanco; Diego Valeri (Lawrence Olum 90+5); Fanendo Adi (Samuel Armenteros 79).
SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; SAVES: 4; FOULS: 16; CORNER KICKS: 3, OFFSIDES: 1.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MIKAEL STAHRE
On how it felt to give up a late goal:
“What do you think? Of course it’s really hard to concede a late goal. We were unlucky. The players and the coaching staff have to be really strong at this point. Actually I think the players were really focused on the play today. I think we struggled in the first 15 minutes of the game. For the rest of the half I think we controlled the game quite well. In the second half we hardly conceded any chances at all so I felt that we were going to score really soon and then we conceded a free kick five yards outside the box. Hard to handle the situation for sure.”
On how the team played in the first half:
“We had a lot of plays in the midfield. It took us around 15 to 20 minutes in the game to find space, especially wide. For example, from Florian [Jungwirth] to the wingback to the midfield in two versus one situations. Sometimes a little bit sloppy. I think both Godoy and Jackson were better and better. In the second half, we possessed the ball much better and we also made changes a little bit. We put Vako as a 10 and at that point we combined and played better and better. Today we lost quality in the box actually. We created some opportunities, but not big chances.”
On keeping the team motivated after a loss:
“It’s hard, but for me it’s really important as a head coach to also show them that the results can influence the mind, but you have to keep all this noise out, focus on what really happens on the field. Obviously we conceded a free kick from 25 yards out with five minutes left, but the rest of the first half and in the second half we handled it quite well and we possessed the ball well so we got closer and closer. What I am saying is that I need to show them the reality. After a game like this when you’re losing and have a negative feeling it is really important for me to show them the reality.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER FLORIAN JUNGWIRTH
On the role of the fans in tonight’s game:
“Our fans gave their best like always, but it’s on us. Sometimes it’s good if you have the fans and sometimes you get more nervous. It’s on us, not on the fans.”
On creating chances:
“Our offense was our strength. This was the first (MLS) game this season that we didn’t score. If we see our game, that’s not enough to compete in MLS. We played a little to the left and to the right. That’s not enough. We have to be smart. If we play like this, it’s going to be hard.”
On staying motivated:
“You have to. It’s our job. It’s our duty to go out and fight for the club, to fight for the fans, and most importantly to fight for ourselves. I can’t look in the mirror if I don’t give 100 percent. I think everyone thinks like that too.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER SHEA SALINAS
On coming out on the wrong end tonight:
“It’s definitely frustrating to not get a victory after so long. We’ve been in the games. We’ve played inconsistently, but when we’ve played well it’s been good. We hae to look at the things we’re doing well and try to be more consistent with it.”
On Portland’s late goal:
“It’s frustrating. The second half they had hardly any chances. A free kick at the top of the box and we know [Diego] Valeri’s good at those. You just hope he mishits it, and he didn’t. It’s frustrating that we were scoreless tonight, but we did have a lot of positive things. We kept the ball really well tonight. We built up out of the back very well. We just weren’t able to finish our chances tonight, which we’ve been able to do most of the season. That happens sometimes.”
On how the team can improve moving forward:
“It’s just one of those nights where we couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. It’s not time to panic and start changing things. We have 26 games left. That’s a lot of soccer left in the season, so it’s time to just put our heads down, keep working hard, look at what we’ve done well and correcting our mistakes.”
