Earthquakes Edged by Sporting Kansas City, 2-1

March 17, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – San Jose Earthquakes News Release

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night at Children’s Mercy Park in front of 18,219 spectators.

San Jose took the early lead in the 11th minute when a Cristian Espinoza corner kick found Vítor Costa, who promptly swept the ball through traffic into the back of the net. However, SKC returned the favor seven minutes later when Dany Rosero scored on a corner kick. The Quakes continued to create chances, but Alan Pulido netted in the 29th minute to give the hosts the lead to end the first-half scoring.

After intermission, San Jose continued to apply pressure until the final whistle, but an 83rd-minute equalizer from Rodrigues off a set piece came off the board when the VAR booth ruled a handball had occurred before the goal.

The Quakes will return home to take on Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, March 23. Kickoff from PayPal Park 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 AM 810 The Spread (English) and AM 1370 La Kaliente (Spanish).

GAME NOTES

The Quakes now hold a 26-31-10 record against Sporting Kansas City in MLS regular season play, including an 8-24-2 record on the road.

Vítor Costa scored his first goal with San Jose; the newly signed outside back was also making his second start for the Quakes since joining the squad.

Cristian Espinoza notched his first assist of the season and fourth overall against SKC in regular season play. The career assist leader in Quakes history, Espinoza’s total now stands at 58.

For the third straight game, the Quakes out-shot their opponent (13-5) but were unlucky in front of net once again. Combined, San Jose has out-shot their last three foes, 35-19.

MATCH INFORMATION

Sporting Kansas City 2 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes

Saturday, March 16, 2024 – Children’s Mercy Park; Kansas City, Kan.

Attendance: 18,219

Scoring Summary:

SJ – Vítor Costa (Cristian Espinoza) 11′

SKC – Dany Rosero (Memo Rodríguez) 18′

SKC – Alan Pulido (Johnny Russell) 30′

Misconduct Summary:

SKC – Dany Rosero (caution) 35′

SJ – Ousseni Bouda (caution) 66′

SJ – Cristian Espinoza (caution) 80′

SKC – Daniel Salloi (caution) 82′

SKC – Erik Thommy (caution) 90+1′

SJ – Luchi Gonzalez (caution) 90+3′

SPORTING KANSAS CITY: Tim Melia; Robert Voloder, Dany Rosero, Tim Leibold, Jake Davis; Nemanja Radoja, Memo Rodríguez (Remi Walter 46′), Erik Thommy; Johnny Russell (C) (Stephen…