February 24, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – San Jose Earthquakes News Release
FRISCO, TX – The San Jose Earthquakes fell 2-1 to FC Dallas on Saturday evening at a sold-out Toyota Stadium to open the 2024 Major League Soccer season.
The Earthquakes jumped ahead early in the sixth minute when forward Benji Kikanović tapped in the rebound past Maarten Paes after the Dallas goalkeeper deflected a Jack Skahan shot in the box. The hosts equalized in the 26th minute following a corner kick when midfielder Asier Illarramendi’s left-footed attempt from outside the box found the back of the net.
Kikanović continued to threaten the net in the second half and almost made it a brace with three shots on target between the 48th and 53th minutes, but Paes denied him each time. In the 73rd minute, Logan Farrington’s deep attempt for Dallas was batted away by a diving Daniel, who made seven saves on the night for San Jose.
The final moments were a back-and-forth affair. In the 87th minute, San Jose debutant Amahl Pellegrino sailed a shot from the left wing just outside the far post. However, FC Dallas would come up with the game-winner when in the 94th minute, a deflection in the box fortuitously bounced to an opportunistic Dante Sealy, who scored the final goal.
The Quakes will now return to San Jose in preparation for their first ever California Clásico home opener at PayPal Park on Saturday, March 2. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as well as on local radio via KTCT 1050 AM (English) and KZSF 1370 AM (Spanish).
GAME NOTES
San Jose now holds a 29-22-22 record against FC Dallas, including a 12-14-10 record away.
After netting twice in the preseason, forward Benji Kikanović stayed hot with his sixth-minute goal – the 12th of his young MLS career.
Dating back to last regular season and Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, head coach Luchi Gonzalez’s first campaign at the helm in San Jose, a whopping 29 out of 36 games during his tenure have been decided by one goal or less.
Defender Vítor Costa (66th minute) and forward Amahl Pellegrino (74th minute) made their MLS and Earthquakes debuts tonight. Forward Preston Judd (66th minute) and midfielder Alfredo Morales (73rd minute) made their Quakes debuts.
MATCH INFORMATION
FC Dallas 2 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes
Saturday, February 24, 2024 – Toyota Stadium; Frisco, TX
Attendance: 19,096
Scoring Summary:
SJ – Benji Kikanović (unassisted) 6′
DAL – Asier Illarramendi (unassisted)…
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