Earthquakes settle for scoreless draw despite man advantage

Colorado Rapid’s Cole Bassett battles against by San Jose Earthquake’s Jackson Yueill at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday JUN 3, 2023. (Colorado Rapids)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Earthquakes weren’t able to take advantage of being a man up throughout the majority of the second half in a scoreless 0-0 draw with the Colorado Rapids on Saturday evening at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

San Jose has earned points in consecutive games. Colorado snapped its five-match losing streak but are winless in their last six and are still winless at home this season.

It was a disappointing result for Quake’s head coach Luchi Gonzalez as his team had a man advantage for the final 39 minutes of the second half when Colorado’s Moïse Bombito received his second yellow card in the 51st minute off of a bad foul which resulted in automatic red card and ejection from the match.

San Jose (6-5-5) came close to breaking the ice in the 63rd minute when Jeremy Ebobisse’s header attempt clanked off the post away from Rapid’s goalkeeper Marko Ilic.

Colorado (2-8-7) had a golden opportunity to take the lead despite only playing with 10 men. San Jose’s defender Rodriguez conceded a penalty, after a VAR review, in the 66th minute when he fouled Michael Barrios inside the box.

The Rapids weren’t able to capitalize as Quake’s goalkeeper Daniel stoned away Connor Ronan’s penalty kick in the 70th minute to keep the match evened at zero.

The Earthquakes offense looked stale and out of sync throughout the match as they weren’t able to connect with each other despite controlling the majority of the possession in the second half against a Rapids defense that had conceded 12 goals in its last five matches. They weren’t able to generate a shot on target during the match.

Ilic earned a clean sheet despite not having to make a save. Daniel stopped all five shots, including the penalty, in earning his first clean sheet of the season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished seven corner kicks. Colorado had eight.

San Jose leads the all time series versus Colorado 32-15-19, including 13-16-10 on the road.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host the Philadelphia Union on Saturday 6/10 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

Earthquakes hold down the fort with 1-0 shutout victory over Sounders, snap road winless streak

San Jose Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse celebrates his goal with his teammates during his team’s 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field on Wednesday MAY 31, 2023. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Earthquakes flirted with danger for all of the second half in a hostile environment as they held on for dear life in 1-0 shutout victory over the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday evening at Lumen Field.

San Jose snapped its 14-road match winless streak, with its first road win of 2023, that carried over from last season. The Western Conference leaders have lost three of its past four matches.

The last road win for San Jose was a 3-2 against the Los Angeles Galaxy back on July 13th, 2022.

Seattle (8-6-2-26 points) controlled most of the possession in the opening 45 minutes as they played in the ‘Quakes zone for the majority of the half. The Sounders best scoring chances came in the 35th minute, when Héber’s chance from point blank range was stopped by ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel.

San Jose (6-5-4-22 points) had their best scoring chance in the scoreless first half just before halftime in the 45th minute. Jeremy Ebobisse’s free kick from inside the D sailed high and wide over the net. Both teams had two shots on target.

The Earthquakes drew first blood early in the second half on a set piece in the 48th minute. Cristian Espinoza’s corner kicked was headed toward the middle of the box by Rodriguez. Ebobisse got loose and directed the ball past Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei with his left foot for his sixth goal of the season.

Seattle responded immediately with constant pressure inside the ‘Quakes zone for the next 20 minutes with multiple scoring chances, but San Jose’s defense bent but did not break with help from Daniel.

Raúl Ruidíaz had a golden chance to even the score in the 79th minute after a ball centered into the middle by Reed Baker-Whiting, but he shanked his attempt wide left of the net.

San Jose survived the final 15 minutes, including a point-blank header attempt by Léo Chú in the third minute of stoppage time, without conceding a goal to escape the Pacific Northwest with three points.

Daniel was perfect in stopping all eight shots on target to earn his first clean sheet of the season as well as his first win. Frei made two saves on three shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with two corner kicks. Seattle had 10.

San Jose is now 13-15-9 overall against Seattle, including 7-10-3 on the road.

The ‘Quakes went 2-2-1 in the month of May.

The Vancouver Whitecaps currently have the longest winless streak on the road with 15.

UP NEXT: San Jose close out its two-game road trip against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday 6/3 at 6:30pm at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Late penalty gives LAFC a 2-1 win over Earthquakes

LAFC’s Stipe Biuk celebrates with his first half goal with teammate Diego Palalcios during LAFC’s 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes at BMO Stadium on Saturday MAY 20, 2023. (LAFC)

by Marko Ukalovic

It was not the ending either team had envisioned during a tough fought match.

A hand ball inside the box by Tanner Beason in the final minute of stoppage time set up the heroics of Carlos Vela as he converted the game winning penalty kick to give LAFC a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday evening at BMO Stadium.

San Jose has lost two matches in a row after earning points in seven straight matches. LAFC has won two matches in a row after suffering its first loss of the season to the ‘Quakes two weeks ago at Levi’s Stadium.

During the fifth minute of stoppage time, a ball deflected off the hand of Beason while he was just inside the box. Referee Ismail Elfath had originally ruled for play to keep going. However, a VAR review called the play correctly and a penalty kick was awarded to LAFC.

Vela, the former MLS MVP who now is a substitute off the bench, made ‘Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski guess left while he calmly buried the kick into the lower right of the net for his fourth goal of the season much to the delight of the 22,030 in attendance.

It was a difficult pill to swallow to San Jose who were just seconds away from earning a point against its SoCal rival.

LAFC (7-1-4) drew first blood early three minutes into the match. José Cifuentes set up Stipe Biuk on the left side of the box. Biuk cut in and fired a shot past Marcinkowski for his second goal of the season.

LAFC controlled the first 30 minutes of the first half, but San Jose gained momentum with scoring chances from Paul Marie and Cristian Espinoza in the final 15 minutes of the opening 45 minutes.

“I thought our preparation was good. We were up for this one. It was definitely not the start we wanted. I thought that we got into the game at the 20th minute controlling their momentum and creating our own. I liked the way few finished the first half in terms of creating chances, getting pressure on the ball, creating turnovers, and leading to offensive transitions, and a little bit more bite and connection defensively,” ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez said.

San Jose (5-5-3) carried that momentum into the second half when they finally broke through with the equalizer in the 52nd minute.

Espinoza’s attempted cross from the left wing was blocked by Biuk. Fullback Miguel Trauco one touched the ball out of the air and sent in a floater toward the middle where the ball seemed to fool LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy, as it snuck past him into the back of the net for Trauco’s first goal of the season.

“Happy for scoring my first goal, although it was a weird one. It wasn’t that pretty, but what’s important is that it motivated us to go out and try to win the match. It helped us in the moment, unfortunately things didn’t turn out in our favor but I’m happy for my first goal and I hope that it leads to a win next time,” Trauco said.

LAFC shifted the momentum in the final 30 minutes with counter attacks that led to numerous corner kicks as they had San Jose back on their heels as the ‘Quakes spent the final third of the match defending inside of its own zone.

“Second half, I thought we were fantastic, we created chances, we pushed the lines up, and the guys showed great energy and protagonism to push to tie the game and we earned that. As the game went on and after they conceded at home, they started to commit their numbers. But I thought we absorbed it well. We were very solid defensively. I was very confident we would get one point out of the game and even potentially create a chance in transition that could lead to a win, but it didn’t happen,” Gonzalez said.

McCarthy finished with two saves on three shots on target to earn the win. Marcinkowski made five saves on six shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with seven corner kicks. LAFC had 15.

The Quakes are now 6-8-0 all-time against LAFC, including a 1-6-0 record on the road.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host FC Dallas on Saturday 5/27 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

Mariners beat A’s 5-3 to sweep three game series at Coliseum

Oakland Athletics pitcher Drew Rucinski works against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Thu May 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Seattle Mariners won Thursday’s game 5-3 to sweep the three-game series with The A’s. Oakland’s starter Drew Rucinski did well in the first two innings, throwing just 17 pitches. Things started to go south in the third and fourth innings.

In the third, he gave a two-run blast to Taylor Trammel. He worked 2/3rd of an inning in the fourth. Rucinski walked four batters and allowed two hits as the Mariners took advantage of Rucinski’s loss of command. They put three runs on the board to lead 5-3. The A’s bullpen stopped the M’s offense as they held Seattle scoreless for the last five innings of the game.

With one out in the bottom of the second, A’s right fielder JJ Bleday blasted his first home run as a member of the Oakland A’s. The A’s lead 1-0

The lead didn’t last long. in the top of the third, A’s starter Drew Rucinski walked the leadoff hitter, J.P. Crawford. The next hitter, Mariners left fielder, Taylor Trammel, belted his second home run of 2023 to give Seattle a 2-1 advantage. The A’s answered in the half of the inning with two runs to take a 3-2 lead after three complete. A’s shortstop Nick Allen, leading off the frame, walked. A’s centerfielder Esteury Ruiz tripled to deep right-centerfield to drive in Allen. Ruiz scored on Teny Kemp’s ground out.

In the fourth, A’s starter Drew Rucinski couldn’t find the strike zone. With two outs, Ruciski walked M’s catcher Cal Raleigh. Teoscar Hernandez doubled, sending Raleigh to third. Rucinski walked the next two hitters, J.P. Crawford and Taylor Trammel.

The walk to Trammel forced in Raleigh with the M’s third run. The M’s ninth hitter in the lineup, Kolton Wong, singled to drive in Hernandez and Crawford. The M’s now lead 5-3 and have men at first and third with two out. Rucinski walked M’s DH Julio Rodriguez to load the base for the second time in the inning.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay brought in Austin Pruitt to pitch. Pruitt retired Ty France for the third out. The M’s lead 5-3 midway through the fourth. Both teams failed to score after the fourth inning. The M’s win 5-3.

Game Notes: The A’s announced they designated pitchers Jeurys Familia and Domingo Acevedo for assignment. The A’s have seven days to trade them or give them unconditional release. Austin Pruitt, Spencer Patton, and Rico Garcia were called up from the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators before Thursday’s game. All three pitched against Seattle. 

With the loss, the ‘s record is an abysmal 6-26. The A’s have gone 32 games without a starting pitcher getting a win. The Mariners improved to 15-16. The line score for Oakland was three runs, eight hits, and no errors. Seattle’s line was five runs, seven hits, and no errors.

Drew Rucinski was the losing pitcher. He has lost both of his starts for the A’s. His line was three and 2/3rds innings of work. He allowed five runs, four hits, five walks, three strikeouts, and one home run. Seattle’s George Kirby won his third game of the year and is now 3-2. Paul Seward earned his ninth save.

The A’s JJ Bleday hit his first home run as an Oakland Athletic. The A’s used five relievers. Austin Pruitt, Sam Long, Spencer Patton. Richard Lovelady and Rico Garcia all did well.

The A’s are going to Kansas City to play three games against the Royals this weekend. Lefty Kyle Muller I0-2 ERA 6.28) will go for Oakland. Kansas City will counter with righty Brad Keller(2-2 ERA 3.56). The game will start at 5:10 pm.

The time of the game was 2:24. 13, 025 were on hand to watch the A’s lose their 26th game of the year.

Earthquakes battle to 2-2 draw with Austin FC

San Jose Earthquakes Cade Cowell positions for the ball against Austin FC’s Nick Lima in a 2-2 draw at Q2 Stadium on Saturday APR 29, 2023. (Major League Soccer)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Earthquakes played to a hard fought 2-2 draw with Austin FC on Saturday evening at Q2 Stadium.

San Jose has points in five of its past six matches. Austin FC is winless in its past six matches (0-3-3).

The Earthquakes drew first blood in the 21st minute. Carlos Akapo slipped a pass inside the box to Jackson Yuell. The ‘Quakes captain turned around a fired a curling left footed shot from 15 yards out for his first goal of the season.

Austin FC scored the equalizer in the 40th minute. A long ball into the box was headed back into the middle by Rodney Redes and Emiliano Rigoni blasted a one-timer into the upper corner of the net for his first goal of the season.

San Jose regained late in the second half. Christian Espinoza centered the ball into the middle where an unmarked Jeremy Ebobisse headed the ball just underneath the cross bar and over the goal line for his fifth goal of the season in the 75th minute.

Espinoza recorded his 49th assist, one shy of tying Shea Salinas’ club record of 50.

“Christian (Espinoza) is going to become the all time (assist) leader (of San Jose) and he’s not going to need me for that. We can be appreciative of the moment tonight. We have to be hungry…we have to demand more of ourselves to be more lethal,” Ebobisse said.

Austin FC evened the score three minutes later. Fullback Nick Lima sent a ball into the box from 25 yards out where Sebastian Driussi headed the ball into the back of the net for his second goal of the season.

Things got chippy in the final minute of stoppage time when Yueill and Daniel Pereira were issued yellow cards for a bad foul and unsportsmanlike conduct.

‘Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski finished the match with two saves on four shots on target. Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver made one save on three shots on target.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with 12 corner kicks. Austin FC has nine.

San Jose remains unbeaten in six all time meetings against Austin FC 2-0-4.

In the ‘Quakes past 22 matches they have suffered back-to-back losses only once.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts LAFC on Saturday 5/6 at 4:30pm at Levi’s Stadium.

Real Salt Lake’s two goals in the second half bury Earthquakes 3-1

Real Salt Lake celebrate their win over the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 at America First Field on Saturday APR 22, 2023. (Major League Soccer)

by Marko Ukalovic

Real Salt Lake scored two goals in the second half to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 on Saturday evening at America First Field.

San Jose had its four-match unbeaten streak snapped with the loss and are winless on the road this season (0-3-1). Real Salt Lake has won two of its past three matches.

RSL (3-5-0) drew first blood in the 39th minute. Danny Musovski led a three-on-one odd man counterattack. He found Jasper Löffelsend who beat ‘Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski with a shot just underneath the crossbar for his first goal of the season.

San Jose (4-3-2) scored the equalizer early in the second half off a set piece. A free kick by Christian Espinoza in the 49th minute deflected off Rubio Rubin just inside the left post for team-leading sixth goal of the season.

“I thought we were in it,” said ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez about the match. “I thought we responded well the second half getting the early goal. For moments, I thought they showed some moments of quality and were putting away their chances, whereas we didn’t.”

Real Salt Lake regained the lead five minutes later. Andrés Gómez found Jefferson Savarino along the left wing. Savarino made a move inside before firing a shot to the far corner of the net for his team-leading third goal of the season in the 54th minute.

RSL put the game away in the 80th minute with an insurance goal. Bryan Oviedo centered a ball into the middle where Gómez made one touch before firing a shot past Marcinkowski for his first goal of the season.

“We pride ourselves on being a compact team, a team that doesn’t allow chances to be created through those this year, but they were able to find a way to do it. I think it’s about keep doing what we’ve been doing. I know it was a little bit too spacious. We could’ve been tighter between our lines and maybe could’ve prevented it, but I think they have fast players and good players that can hurt you in those moments,” ‘Quakes captain Jackson Yueill said.

Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Zac MacMath made two saves on three shots on target to earn the victory. Marcinkowski made three saves on six shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with one corner kick. RSL had three.

The Quakes are now 14-14-12 all-time vs. Real Salt Lake, including a 5-8-7 record on the road.

UP NEXT:

Earthquakes dominate at home over Kansas City 3-0

Photo courtesy of San Jose Earthquakes. The Earthquakes celebrate a goal at home.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- In what was a very strong performance at home the Earthquakes came out and got the win over Kansas City 3-0.

JT Marcinkowski got the start for San Jose while Tim Melia was in between the pipes for Kansas City.

The match saw a quick strike from the quakes as Cristian Espinoza just nine minutes in scored on a beautiful cross from Cade Cowell.

Just before the end of the first half Jeremy Ebobisse scored on a penalty as Robert Castellanos was given a red card for a professional foul.

The second match started with more offense as Paul Marie found Ebobisse in the box who quickly deposited the ball in the net extending their lead to 3-0.

That goal ended up being the last of the match as the Earthquakes got a convincing home win.

With that win San Jose now finds themselves fifth in the western conference with four wins.

There were three yellow cards given out during the match with all three against San Jose. Possession also favored San Jose at 53.9% to 46.1%.

The final shots favored the Earthquakes 10-9 while shots on goal finished at 6-3 in favor of San Jose as well.

The Earthquakes next game will be against Salt Lake next Saturday on the road at 6:30 p.m.

Barracuda win season finale 4-2 over the Roadrunners, sweep final series

The San Jose Barracuda enjoy their final game of the season with a 4-2 win over the Tucson Roadrunners at Tucson Convention Center Arena on Saturday APR 15, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Ending the season on a positive note is always good thing despite not accomplishing their main goal.

The San Jose Barracuda barely missed out on reaching the AHL Playoffs this season, but they went out with high hopes for next season with a 4-2 victory over the Tucson Roadrunners in their season finale on Saturday evening at the Tucson Convention Center Arena.

San Jose ended the 2022-23 season with a record of 31-34-2-5 to finish the year with 69 points in eighth place in the Pacific Division under first year head coach John McCarthy. It was quite the improvement from last season where the ‘Cuda finished dead last in the AHL with just 46 points.

The Barracuda drew first blood 57 seconds into the second period when Danil Gushchin, who had a hot final two weeks of the season, scored an unassisted goal, his 22nd of the season. Gushchin finished the game with three points (1G, 2A).

Tucson (30-33-8-1-69 points) answered back less than six minutes later with an even strength goal. Michael Kesselring scored 15th goal of the season at the 6:13 mark. Milos Keleman recorded the only assist on the play.

San Jose regained the lead with 50 seconds left in the middle frame with an even strength goal. Kyle Criscuolo netted his 17th goal of the season. ‘Cuda captain Andrew Agozzino and Gushchin set up Criscuolo’s goal.

The Roadrunners scored the equalizer early in the third perido when Michael Lomabardi scored his first goal in a Roadrunners uniform at the 4:28 mark. Micah Miller recorded his first point for Tuscon with the lone assist.

Nick Cicek scored the eventual game winning goal for San Jose with 40 seconds left in the final frame. Criscuolo and Guschin recorded assists on the game winner from Cicek.

CJ Suess completed the scoring with an empty net goal, his 10th of the season, with four seconds left in the game to seal the deal for San Jose.

‘Cuda goalie Strauss Mann, who made his second consecutive start, finished the night stopping 22 of the 24 shots to earn back to back wins for the first time this season. Mann finished with a record of 8-7. Roadrunners goalie Tyler Parks was once again on the losing end as he made 32 saves on 35 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Tuscon was 0-for-6.

With the sweep of the series, San Jose won the season series over Tucson 5-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gushchin 2) Cicek 3) Lombardi.

Sports Radio Service thanks the readership for checking out our coverage of the San Jose Barracuda this season and we look forward to providing coverage of the 2023-24 season that will include the AHL All-Star Weekend which will happen the weekend of February 4-5, 2024, in San Jose, California.

Gushchin’s two goals propel Barracuda to 4-3 win over Roadrunners

San Jose’s Strauss Mann makes a save against the Tucson Roadrunners in his team’s 4-3 win at the Tucson Convention Center Arena on Friday APR 14, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

Danil Gushchin scored two goals, including the eventual game-winner as the San Jose Barracuda defeated the Tucson Roadrunners 4-3 on Friday evening at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

San Jose snapped its two-game losing streak with one more game remaining in the regular season. Tucson has lost six in a row earning just three points in their last six games (0-3-2-1).

What was supposed to be a battle for the seventh and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division between the two teams, turned out to be meaningless games for both teams at the opening faceoff with Tucson clinching seventh place last weekend when it picked up a point in an overtime loss against the Texas Stars. It held the tiebreaker over San Jose with more regulation wins (25-22).

Tucson (30-32-8-1-69 points) drew first blood in the first period when Nathan Smith was left all alone in front of the crease where he used a forehand to backhand move to beat ‘Cuda goalie Strauss Mann with a shot from point blank range. Smith’s 12th goal of the season came at the 7:45 mark.

San Jose (30-34-2-5-67 points) evened the score on the power play late in the opening frame. Gushchin found ‘Cuda captain Andrew Agozzino with a back door pass that Agozzino tapped home into an empty net for his team leading 26th goal of the season at the 14:51 mark. By doing so, Agozzino set a new franchise record for the most goals in a regular season as he eclipsed the mark set by Barclay Goodrow during the 2015-16 season.

The Barracuda gained its first lead just under four minutes later with an even strength goal. This time Agozzino returned the favor as he set up Gushchin who skated in from the left wing and beat Roadrunners goalie Tyler Parks with a low wrist shot to the short side for his 20th goal of the season at the 18:38 mark.

Both teams played a tight checking second period as only a total of 13 shots were produced with each goaltender keeping the puck of its own respective nets.

Tucson evened the game 80 seconds into the third period. A giveaway by the ‘Cuda led to Josh Doan beating Mann with a wrist shot from close range for his third goal of the season.

San Jose regained the lead at the 7:52 mark with an even strength goal. Moments after their fifth power play ended a shot from the right slot by CJ Suess caromed off the end boards and deflected into the back off the net off a Roadrunner player’s stick that was camped out in front of the crease. It was Suess’s ninth goal of the season.

Gushchin scored his second goal of the game with the ‘Cuda on the man advantage just past the halfway mark of the final frame. Agozzino centered a pass out the faceoff circles where Gushchin blasted a slapshot past Parks for his 21st goal of the season at the 10:27 mark to give San Jose a much needed insurance goal.

Cameron Hebig gave the Roadrunners hope of a comeback when he scored a shorthanded goal at the 15:03 mark. Hebig cleaned up a big rebound off of a shot by Vladislav Kolyachonok for his ninth goal of the season.

Tucson’s had a chance at the end with a power play opportunity and Parks pulled for an extra attacker but their bid for the equalizer was thwarted when Steven Kampfer was called for a tripping penalty with 28 seconds remaining.

Mann (7-7) finished the game stopping 34 of the 37 shots to earn the victory. Parks (8-8-2) made 25 saves on 29 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-6 on the power play. Tucson was 0-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gushchin 2) Agozzino 3) Ethan Frisch.

UP NEXT: San Jose play their season finale against Tucson on Saturday 4/15 at 7:00pm at Tucson Convention Center Arena.

Racial slur accusation overshadows Earthquakes and Red Bulls 1-1 draw

San Jose Earthquakes celebrate Christian Espinoza’s goal in the second half against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on Saturday APR 7, 2023. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

An alleged racial slur used by one of the New York Red Bulls marred the match between the San Jose Earthquakes and the New York Red Bulls that ended in a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening at Red Bull Arena.

After a foul by Judson on Dylan Nealis in the 54^th minute, the game was delayed by 18 minutes after a incident between Dante Vanzeir and Jeremy Ebobbise took place. Vanzeir was the player who allegedly used the racial slur toward one of the Quakes players.

Played resumed in the 72^nd minute without any further disciplinary action by the officials.

San Jose (3-2-2) scored in the 80^th minute when Carlos Gruezo sent in a long ball over to Christian Espinoza along the right wing. Espinoza made one move to the inside before firing a shot into the back of the net for his team-leading fourth goal of the season.

Espinoza has scored the last four goals for the ‘Quakes.

Due to the long delay, 21 minutes was added to the end of the second half.

The Red Bulls scored the equalizer in the 17^th minute of stoppage when Tom Barlow cleaned up a rebound from close range for his first goal of the season.

Ebobbise was emotional after the game regarding the incident on the field.

“First of all, it’s a difficult game when we play the Red Bulls. We have a lot of respect for their style of play. We understand there is going to be a lot of duels and they go strong into the duels. At times, that results in late tackles on our end, and then on their end. That’s all part of the game. What we saw tonight should not be part of the game. I can’t correlate the various actions or the timeline that I’m going to lay out, but with what started with a foul that was being committed by Judson, fast forward a few minutes, seconds, and it ended with a racial epithet being used. Now, I understand there is going to be an investigation. I’ve been a part of those. I’ve had to support teammates through them. I have seen them, so I want to be mindful of that even as I share. I think what’s important for me to share is that I know what I heard. And the reason why I felt, after a lengthy conversation, that we should continue with the game is because the player who said the word claimed that it was not aimed at any of us. Whether that is a good faith comment or not, again, we’ll see how the investigation goes on. It’s just a difficult moment. Once again, players being put in charge, forced to make a decision, manage all sorts of emotions because the system is not robust enough to capture moments and gain clarity within a matter of minutes, seconds that these actions happen. I think what’s important is that the team was united in whichever step we move forward with. And that goes top to bottom, from coaches to players,” Ebobbise said.

‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez praised his team for how they handled themselves during and after the alleged incident.

“It’s unfortunate that the players and people near and on the field had to experience a 20-minute moment where, I can’t speak factually, but when I listen to my players in terms of what was said or not said, or who it was directed to, there are things that are unacceptable and very unfortunate, very disappointing, that take precedent over the game we play. I have to be really proud of our players to be together in solidarity, to talk, to decide and to obviously not accept what they heard. I don’t know what the next step is. I would hope the league will take this serious to the max degree in terms of an investigation and there being consequences, potentially indefinite consequences if the investigation supports what are players understood as being true. We as a club, myself as the head coach, and the staff are going to support the players, any step moving forward that the players want to act on, and we hope and count on the league, and the referee crew as well, in terms of investigating, coming down to the truth so that there can be actions that, don’t make it right, that’s for sure, but at least show that it’s unacceptable and the league will act on that based on our standard as a society and as being a top professional league in this country. Unfortunately, the game is in a shadow because of that situation because it’s less important.”

Both teams and MLS are aware of the incident that took place, and the league said in a statement that it will launch an investigation into the matter.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with four corner kicks. New York had five.

The Quakes are now 17-15-10 all-time vs. the New York Red Bulls, including an 4-11-7 record on the road. The result snaps a four-match losing streak against the club.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host Sporting Kansas City on Saturday 4/15 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.