San Jose Earthquake Vako and Toronto FC’s Jason Hernandez battle for a ball in a game on August 18th, 2018 at Avaya Stadium. Photo by Lyndsay Radnedge.
Under normal circumstances, the team in the driver’s seat for the Wooden Spoon Award would be over the moon about taking a point against the defending MLS Cup Champions. But after some missed opportunities left a spirited first half effort with nothing to show for it, the San Jose Earthquakes were left wanting more than just the one point as they settled for a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday Night at Avaya Stadium.
“Our first half is the best 45 minutes we’ve played this season.” said Earthquakes Head Coach Mikael Stahre. “I think we created five really big chances, and from my perspective if we score in the first half, we win the game.”
San Jose’s Magnus Eriksson battles a Toronto defender for the ball during a game on August 18th, 2018 at Avaya Stadium. Photo by Lyndsay Radnedge.
Facing a Toronto team that rested several starters following a midweek domination of Vancouver to win their third straight Canadian Championship, the Quakes pounced on the opportunity, outshooting Toronto 9-1 in the first half, with several looks that forced Alex Bono to come up big. The Quakes also did it to themselves, with several of the open shots that didn’t trouble Bono ending up threatening the beverages of the crowd assembled at the Largest Outdoor Bar in North America.
“Those two chances feels like it reflects our season so far. We’ve started playing better as a team and creating chances, but we missed the three points.” said Eriksson. “We had so many chances we need to score some goals.”
With Toronto facing the reality of points slipping away in their effort get back into the race for the Eastern Conference Playoffs, Toronto Coach Greg Vanney brought in the big guns in Sebastian Giovinco and Greg van der Wiel in the 57th minute. The move paid dividends immediately as Giovinco orchestrated an attack that saw van der Wiel put a lovely worm burner on onto the foot of Lucas Jansen, who slotted it home to get on the score sheet in his Toronto FC debut. Jansen was acquired on loan from Tigre of the Argentine Premier Divison last week,
Facing another frustrating defeat, Coach Stahre countered with some subs of his own, bringing on Chris Wondolowski and Chris Wehan in the 64th minute. The move would pay off in the 77th minute as Nick Lima sent the perfect through ball down the right side that found an open Wondolowski, whose initial shot was saved by Bono but rebounded right to Wondo, who chipped Bono for his 141st MLS goal, pulling him within four of Landon Donovan on the all time MLS Goal Scoring List.
“Nick made a great break on the ball, I saw him take that step and so I started making my run and he played a great ball through.” said Wondolowski. “With my blazing speed, I had to pull up for three, I played it right to the ‘keeper, but he have me a rebound.”
San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski battles Drew Moor for a header in a game against Toronto FC on August 18th, 2018 at Avaya Stadium. Photo by Lyndsay Radnedge.
This season may already be a lost cause for San Jose, but as the season winds down, the team’s performances have shown improvement, even if the wins have been hard to come by.
“Since the friendly against Manchester United I’ve seen a huge improvement. We are much better in possession, we’re more solid on the defensive line, we have conceded less chances and are pressing the ball better.” said Coach Stahre. “These last ten games matter so we can improve and show everyone that we have a future here, and that’s the game right now.”
With “Rivalry Week” coming up next week, the Quakes will be back at Avaya Stadium taking on their designated Western Conference rival Vancouver Whitecaps, while Toronto FC returns home for a huge six point playoff battle against their arch rival, the sixth in the East Montreal Impact.
San Jose Earthquakes
Toronto FC
