The San Jose Earthquakes might be bad but at least they’re not the worst team in Major League Soccer. With a convincing 3-0 victory, the Quakes secured their first win of the season and, in doing so, traded places with the Portland Timbers at the bottom of the league table.
“It feels good not being last, putting the Wooden Spoon in another city,” smiled center-back Florian Jungwirth.
Forward Danny Hoesen led the Quakes with a dynamic offensive performance in his first start of the season, notching a first-half goal. The Dutchman created chances with stellar hold-up play and darting runs in behind, combining with Shea Salinas and Cristian Espinoza in a new-look front-line.
“We knew we could hurt them,” said Hoesen. “They were in a tough spot as well, so we attacked with a lot of positive energy and went after them. Sometimes it just clicks.”
The Quakes were the aggressors from the opening whistle, pressing Portland’s sluggish back-line high up the pitch. Salinas opened San Jose’s account just fourteen minutes in when Espinoza beat his man down the wing and cut the ball back into the middle — the sort of incisive play that had been lacking in previous outings.
Hoesen and Jungwirth both tested Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella as San Jose continued to dominate and Hoesen converted their second from Magnus Eriksson’s low cross in the thirty-second minute. Immediately from kickoff, Espinoza jumped on a loose ball, drove through the middle, and powered a low effort into the bottom corner to notch a third.
On the sideline, coach Matias Almeyda leaped into the arms of his coaching staff in celebration. “It was like a breath of fresh air,” said the Argentine. “I believe in this type of football.”
At least as important as their offensive success was San Jose’s defensive resolve. Although Portland struggled to create through the run of play, they had the Quakes sweating bullets when they won a penalty for handball early in the second half.
“When they had their penalty, I couldn’t believe it,” said Almeyda. “I said: ‘Oh my god, not again!’”
However, goalkeeper Daniel Vega came to the rescue with a kick-save from Diego Valeri and the Quakes held on to the three points.
Said Hoesen: “We were waiting for this one.”
