Earthquakes Edge Past Whitecaps in Thrilling 2-1 Victory
San Jose, California – Preston judds’ goal in the 49th minute propelled the san Jose Earthquakes to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night at paypal Park.The win marks a meaningful step for the Earthquakes in their quest for a playoff berth under first-year coach Bruce Arena.
Judds, who entered the match as a substitute for Joseph Martínez in the 81st minute, capitalized on a defensive lapse, scoring his fourth goal of the season. Assists came from defenders Dean Jones and Jamar Ricketts. Jones’ assist was a career milestone, his fifth in 157 appearances, while Ricketts secured his third assist of the season for San Jose (8-10-8).
The match saw a dramatic shift in momentum when Vancouver’s Brian White equalized in the 88th minute, bringing the score to 1-1.However, the Whitecaps had been playing shorthanded for much of the contest after defender Édier Ocampo received two yellow cards within eight minutes, leading to his ejection in the 27th minute. Vancouver defender Tristan Blecmon also recorded his first assist of the season and the second of his 169-game career.
San Jose initially took the lead through a penalty kick converted by Martínez in the 54th minute. The penalty was awarded after Vancouver’s vitor Costa committed a foul on Blackmon.This was Martínez’s 11th goal of the season and his 127th career goal. He now needs just six more goals to tie Jamie Moreno for fifth place on the all-time Major League Soccer scoring list.
Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel de Sousa Britto made two crucial saves, maintaining San Jose’s advantage. Vancouver’s Yohei Takaoka also showcased his skills, recording three saves, including a key stop in the first half to deny the Earthquakes an early lead.
This victory elevates the Earthquakes to eighth place in the Western Conference, positioning them favorably as nine teams from each conference qualify for the postseason. The team’s current record stands at 8 wins, 10 losses, and 8 draws, accumulating 32 points.
Vancouver’s road record now falls to 6-4-4 for the season. The Whitecaps will look to rebound when they host the Houston Dynamo on august 17th at BC Place. The Earthquakes will simultaneously host San Diego FC at PayPal park on the same date. tickets for the Earthquakes’ match are currently available on their official website, with prices ranging from $35 to $150.
Disclaimer: This article contains details related to sports. It is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.
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