SANDY, Utah – The San Jose Earthquakes earned a road point with a 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday night. Forward Danny Hoesen scored his team-leading 10th goal of the season, tied for third most in MLS, and has now found the back of the net eight times in the last 10 games.
The Earthquakes cooled off a red-hot RSL side that had won six consecutive home games entering Saturday night, scoring at least two goals in each of the last five.
After a goal by RSL midfielder Damir Kreilach in the 54th minute, Hoesen equalized 10 minutes later, cleaning up a rebound in front of goalkeeper Nick Rimando’s net. With the strike, he became the first Earthquakes player other than Chris Wondolowski to tally 10 goals in a season since 2012 (Alan Gordon – 13, Steven Lenhart – 10).
Goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell’s heroics in net kept San Jose in the match through spells of pressure. He made seven saves, including a crucial diving effort three minutes into stoppage time, to equal his career high.
Kevin Partida made his second start for San Jose, and first on the road, since joining on loan from USL side Reno 1868 FC.
The Quakes return home to face the LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium on Saturday, June 30, presented by Sutter Health. There will be the Bay Area’s largest fireworks show postgame and the first 10,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a #BeatLA hat. For more information on one of Major League Soccer’s premier regular season events, click here. Kickoff is set for 6:45 p.m.
MLS Regular Season
Real Salt Lake 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes
June 23, 2018 – Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 18,472
Scoring Summary: RSL – Damir Kreilach (Corey Baird, Albert Rusnak) 54; SJ – Danny Hoesen (unassisted) 64.
Misconduct Summary: RSL – Damir Kreilach (caution) 12.
REAL SALT LAKE: Nick Rimando; Justen Glad (Nick Besler 31), Marcelo Silva, Danilo Acosta, Brooks Lennon; Kyle Beckerman, Damir Kreilach, Albert Rusnak; Jefferson Savarino, Corey Baird (Luis Silva 80), Sebastian Saucedo (Joao Plata 73).
SHOTS: 28; SHOTS ON GOAL: 8; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 9; CORNER KICKS: 7, OFFSIDES: 2.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Andrew Tarbell; Kevin Partida (Yeferson Quintana 88), Francois Affolter, Jimmy Ockford, Nick Lima; Vako, Florian Jungwirth, Jackson Yueill (Fatai Alashe 71), Magnus Eriksson (Jahmir Hyka 78); Chris Wondolowski, Danny Hoesen.
SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; SAVES: 7; FOULS: 13; CORNER KICKS: 6, OFFSIDES: 1.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MIKAEL STAHRE
On the team’s performance:
“It was a pretty okay result for us. Salt Lake possessed the ball better than us, especially in the first half and also created more chances. We stepped up a little bit in the second half and after we conceded a goal, we also stepped up a little bit and created chances. I think it was quite an equal game.”
On San Jose’s response after first goal:
“We are in a bad situation in this league. We are struggling results-wise so that’s why I’m really happy the guys came back and scored a goal. It’s still one point on the road and I’m pretty happy with the result.”
On San Jose’s defensive performance:
“I have to say Salt Lake has some really good players. They are really quick and really technical. We lost the ball too many times, especially in the beginning of the second half and the first half we had a little bit of problem with the switches side to side. A little bit better in the defense for sure.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD DANNY HOESEN
On the team’s performance:
“It was just a lot of fight. Coming here with the altitude and the heat was not easy. They have some good players and had some nice possession game, but I think we stayed in the game for the full 90 minutes. I had a chance to make the winner, but they also had chances. I think we can be happy with the 1-1.”
On his scoring streak:
“As a striker, people look at goals and assists. I’m having a good season numbers-wise. Ten is a good number. I don’t think my performance was any good today, but I scored again so for me, that’s a good moment.”
On his goal:
“[Vako] took the shot and I learned as a striker you have to go for the rebound. The goalie dropped it and I only saw one way to score and that was to chip it over.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES GOALKEEPER ANDREW TARBELL
On the pressure:
“Defense did a good job at the end of the game. We had a lot of pressure on us so we were able to make a couple of plays, a couple of clearances to keep it a draw. It was good concentration by everybody in the back.”
On RSL’s chances:
“Our defense did a really good job of making them shoot from distance so all the chances weren’t clear on goal so I had the opportunity to know which side they were going, which helps me a lot. Our defense did a really good job of not giving them clear opportunities.”
On defensive improvement:
“We’re just focused on improving every day, not worrying too much about the results, just focusing on having good performances and going out every day and trying to improve. We had a decent night tonight.”
