SJ Earthquakes top Whitecaps in home opener
Spanish born Carlos Akapo celebrates his first goal of the 2023 MLS season. The San Jose Earthquakes top the Vancouver Whitecaps during a 2-1 victory on Saturday March 4, 2023 at PayPal Park. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
2023.03.04 – San Jose Earthquakes with Carlos Akapo’s late goal top the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 at PayPal Park season’s home opener.
Akapo scored the game winning goal in the 77th minute to give the Earthquakes a victory over the Whitecaps on Saturday evening before a sold-out crowd.
Christian Espinoza found Akapo inside the box to the right. The 29-year-old Equatoguinean rifled a laser shot just inside the right post into the upper corner of the net for a first goal of his MLS career.
Vancouver (0-1) drew first blood in the 17th minute as they took advantage of a lackadaisical pass from Jonathan Mensah which created a counter-attack for the Whitecaps. Julian Gressel slid a pass over to Alessandro Schöpf, who got inside position on Paul Marie, and chipped the ball past Quakes goalkeeper Daniel De Sousa Brito for his first goal of the season.
The first 45 minutes for San Jose (0-1) was a half of missed opportunities. They had three shots on target but weren’t able to get the ball past Whitecap’s goalkeeper Yahel Takaoka, including a great individual effort by striker Cade Cowell where he went around three defenders before Takaoka made a save on his left footed attempt. Other opportunities hit the side of the net or sailed wide.
2023.03.04 – (SJ Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps) Full Highlights!
The San Jose Earthquakes striker Cristian Espinoza (center) runs by a Vancouver Whitecaps defender during the match of a 2-1 win by San Jose on Saturday March 4, 2023. (Reuters)
2023.03.04 – (SJ Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps) Full Highlights!
2023.03.04 – (SJ Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps) Full Highlights!
After a lackluster first half on defense as well, the Earthquakes responded with a sounder effort from their line in the second half that allowed the offense to control possession and gain momentum the rest of the match.
“I believe the sense of urgency changed,” said Mensah on the team’s rebound at home. “Of course, we could’ve started better, but being a goal down you need to do anything you can to come back and win the game. We sensed it right away that we needed to change gears and we did.”
The San Jose Quakes scored the equalizer in the 68th minute on a set piece. After a foul by Luis Martins on Espinoza, which resulted in a yellow card, Jamiro Monteiro centered a ball from 30 yards out where Jeremy Ebobisee soared high in the air and headed the ball into the upper left corner of the net for his second goal of the season.
“Set pieces are game changers and we know that. Unfortunately, in Atlanta, it didn’t bounce our way in terms of how we defended set pieces” Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez said. “We know the importance of set pieces. We think we have a team that can defend well and respond.”
2023.03.04 : Behind-the-scenes 2023 Home Opener (QUAKES AXIS)
The San Jose Earthquakes defender Jonathan Mensah (center) clears the ball from Vancouver Whitecaps attackers during the match of a 2-1 win by San Jose on Saturday March 4, 2023. (Reuters)
2023.03.04 : Behind-the-scenes 2023 Home Opener (QUAKES AXIS)
2023.03.04 : Behind-the-scenes 2023 Home Opener (QUAKES AXIS)
Ebobisse has scored in back-to-back games for San Jose.
Vancouver had a chance late in the match when Russell Teibert’s shot in the 86th minute was thwarted away by San Jose’s goalkeeper De Sousa Brito.
De Sousa Brito finished the match with one save on two shots on target for his first win in a Quakes uniform. Takaoka made four saves on six shots on target in the losing effort.
“I thought our players adapted and pushed the game, got pressure on the ball to force them to play direct. Got on the ball and possess and create and we didn’t stop believing. Credit to the guys to not stop, to not give up, to be relentless in their attitudes, their beliefs, their energy, their intensity.” Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez said. “We have to be really proud of them. And for us to come back down one and win 2-1 shows character. It will be a good reference point for us moving forward for the rest of the season.”
2023.03.04 – Earthquakes vs. Whitecaps (The Aftershock Post game)
The San Jose Earthquakes striker Cade Cowell (right) rush to defend a pass by a Vancouver Whitecaps defender during the match of a 2-1 win by San Jose on Saturday March 4, 2023. (Reuters)
2023.03.04 – Earthquakes vs. Whitecaps (The Aftershock Post game)
2023.03.04 – Earthquakes vs. Whitecaps (The Aftershock Post game)
GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with 12 corner kicks. Vancouver had six.
San Jose is now 10-10-12 all-time vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, including a 6-1-8 record at home.
San Jose has won or drawn in 15 of the past 16 home matches against Vancouver (7W-8D).
Forward Jeremy Ebobisse scored his second goal of the season and 46th goal of his MLS career. Ebobisse has now tied Shea Salinas, Steven Lenhart, and Jeff Baicher for ninth most goals in club history (20). Ebobisse also tallied an assist on Akapo’s goal. It marked his first assist of the season and 13th of his MLS career.
Midfielder Jamiro Monteiro tallied an assist on Ebobisse’s goal. It marked his first assist of the season and 29th of his MLS career.
Midfielder Jackson Yueill tallied an assist on Ebobisse’s goal. It marked his first assist of the season and 13th of his MLS career. He also made his 149th MLS appearance for San Jose, 10th most in club history.
Defender Carlos Akapo scored his first goal of the season and of his MLS career.
Forward Cristian Espinoza tallied an assist on Carlos Akapo’s goal. It marked his second assist of the season and 46th of his MLS career. He is now just four assists away from tying Shea Salinas for the club’s all-time record (50).
Midfielder Carlos Gruezo made his 100th MLS appearance. Gruezo made 98 appearances for FC Dallas during 2016-2019.
MATCH INFORMATION
2023 MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 2 – 1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Saturday, March 4, 2023 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 18,000 (sellout)
Scoring Summary:
VAN (1-0) – Alessandro Schöpf (Julian Gressel) 17’
SJ – (1-1) Jeremy Ebobisse (Jamiro Monteiro, Jackson Yueill) 68’
SJ – (2-1) Carlos Akapo (Christian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse) 77’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES ROSTER: Daniel; Miguel Trauco (Carlos Akapo 63’), Rodrigues, Jonathan Mensah, Paul Marie; Jamiro Monteiro, Carlos Gruezo, Jackson Yueill ©; Cade Cowell (Benji Kikanović 78’), Jeremy Ebobisse, Cristian Espinoza.
Substitutes not used: Ousseni Bouda, JT Marcinkowski (GK), Daniel Munie, Tommy Thompson, Tanner Beason, Jack Skahan, Michael Baldisimo.
SHOTS: 20; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 8; CORNER KICKS: 12; SAVES: 1
UP NEXT:
The Earthquakes will remain at home to host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, March 11. The match will kick off from PayPal Park at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be streamed globally on MLS Season Pass (Apple TV), as well as on local radio via 810 AM The Spread (English) and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).
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Read more at: San Jose Earthquakes Media Services / MLS.com /
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