PORTLAND, Ore. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Portland Timbers 3-1 at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon. Needing a win in the season finale to reach the 2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, the loss sees the Quakes’ season come to an end.
After falling behind in the first half, forward Chris Wondolowski scored an equalizer 10 minutes later. Portland then scored a pair of unassisted goals in the second half to seal the result.
While falling just short of the postseason, San Jose more than doubled their points (44 to 21) and more than tripled their wins total (13 to 4) from 2018. The Earthquakes also set club records in shots (595), shots on target (203) and corner kicks (227) this season.
MATCH NOTES:
The Quakes finished the season with a 13-16-5 record, eighth place in the Western Conference.
Forward Chris Wondolowski tallied his 15th goal of season and MLS-record 159th goal of his career. Wondolowski’s 15 goals are his fifth most in a single season and most since 2015 (16). His scoring tally ranks tied for fifth in Major League Soccer in 2019 and most among Americans. Wondolowski now has 11 career goals against the Portland Timbers, most among all players in MLS history.
Midfielder Cristian Espinoza was credited with an assist on Wondolowski’s goal, his 13th of the season. His 13 assists are the most by a Quakes player since 2012 (Marvin Chavez – 13) and finishes sixth in MLS in 2019.
The Earthquakes scored 52 goals as a team in 2019, their most in a single season since 2012 (72) and fourth most in club history.
San Jose recorded a total of 595 shots in 2019, setting a new single-season club record. The total ranks second in MLS history behind only LAFC’s 621 (2019). The club also set a club record with 227 corner kicks, most in MLS this season.
The Quakes were awarded just one penalty kick in 2019, fewest in MLS. No other team attempted fewer than three penalty kicks.
MLS Regular Season
Portland Timbers 3 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes
Oct. 6, 2019 – Providence Park in Portland, Ore.
Attendance: 25,218
Scoring Summary: POR – Larrys Mabiala (Jorge Villafana) 29; SJ – Chris Wondolowski (Cristian Espinoza) 39; POR – Dairon Asprilla (unassisted) 59; POR – Sebastian Blanco (unassisted) 75.
Misconduct Summary: SJ – Florian Jungwirth (caution) 43; SJ – Judson (caution) 51; POR – Diego Chara (caution) 65; SJ – Guram Kashia (caution) 74; POR – Jorge Moreira (caution) 79; POR – Marvin Loria (caution) 85; SJ – Andy Rios (caution) 90+3.
PORTLAND TIMBERS: Steve Clark; Jorge Villafana, Bill Tuiloma, Larrys Mabiala (Claude Dielna 89), Jorge Moreira (Zarek Valentin 81); Christhian Paredes, Diego Chara; Andy Polo, Sebastian Blanco, Dairon Asprilla; Jeremy Ebobisse (Marvin Loria 81).
SHOTS: 17, SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 19; CORNER KICKS: 7, OFFSIDES: 5.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel Vega; Marcos Lopez (Danny Hoesen 66), Florian Jungwirth (Andres Rios 61), Guram Kashia, Nick Lima, Cristian Espinoza, Jackson Yueill, Judson, Magnus Eriksson, Vako (Shea Salinas 61); Chris Wondolowski.
SHOTS: 12, SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; SAVES: 5; FOULS: 13; CORNER KICKS: 3, OFFSIDES: 0.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On Portland’s performance:
“We studied them, and we knew their important players and they had an excellent system of play. They became a stronger team at home. We knew the precautions we had to take in respect to their attack, which was their most dangerous attribute. They were very mobile, and they had players that know how to define a match. In the match, we lost our virtue when it got to 3-1 but the match was even in their first half. When we tried to take control, as we’re accustomed to, we tied the match and even dominated for a bit. It was an even match and you win by scoring goals. I congratulate the opponent. The team had a great season from my point of view, and we got to this point. We need to be objective, and if you only won two of the last 11 matches, it’s because something was missing.”
On takeaways from his first season in MLS:
“I really enjoyed it. I like the different propositions by the coaching staff. This league is growing fast and it’s filled with great players. It taught me a valuable lesson about life and sports and I feel that I got a year back in my life.”
On facing the Timbers in Portland:
“From what I’ve seen in this league, every team suffers when they play on the road. Teams accustomed to playing on artificial turf play a certain way. Those that aren’t used to turf, they feel it and it takes a while for them to adapt to it. Being here with the fans was a great spectacle, it was nice to feel it, experience and take part in it. When you think about it, they experienced the same thing when we faced them at home; we also scored three goals, so there is something extraordinary about playing on the road which is something we must improve on.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On the team’s growth from 2018:
“I think that it’s always disappointing not making the playoffs, it’s always your final goal and something that you want, but at the same time I felt that we built a foundation where we’re not bailing out water anymore. We finally have a secure foundation, know what to do, know our identity and can really build on that and go forward. Two years ago, we made the playoffs, but didn’t quite have this foundation. On that side, it is a good silver lining. I’ll probably be more excited about it next week rather than right now.”
On his record-breaking season:
“It was an amazing season in that sense. It was something that I’ll always remember. It’s great with the accolades and to become the all-time [leading] scorer, but to be honest, it was kind of the memories in this locker room. This is a great group of guys. I enjoy going in there every day. I enjoy practice. I do need to reflect on this year and then decide my future; talk with the family, talk with the wife and decide where to go from here. At the same time, I had an absolute blast so I wouldn’t mind it.”
On plans for his future:
“I can’t thank Matias [Almeyda] and his staff enough for reigniting the love and passion for this game for me. Last year took a lot out of me both mentally and physically. I was pretty sure that this was going to be the last one coming into the season. That being said, I had a lot of fun. I was thinking it was going to be, ‘Oh this is a job. I’m done now,’ but I do love it. Like I said, I’m going to talk to the family, talk to the wife, and see where to go from here.”
