San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United, August 31, 2024

MEDIA ADVISORY:                            

Aug. 31, 2024 

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 1, Minnesota United FC 2

Bouda equalizes for San Jose but Loons edge Quakes in second half; Black and Blue now head into international break before resuming MLS play Sept. 14 on road vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Minnesota United FC 2-1 on Saturday night at PayPal Park in front of 15,122 fans.

The visitors got on the board in the ninth minute when Robin Lod controlled a loose ball and found Bongokuhle Hlongwane on a diagonal run for the one-timed finish. But the Earthquakes would answer in the 33rd minute when Amahl Pellegrino headed an aerial ball in the box toward a charging Ousseni Bouda, whose left-footed strike beat goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. Bouda almost had a second off a header but St. Clair made a spectacular save to keep the score level. The half ended 1-1.

MNUFC regained the lead in the 63rd minute when off a long throw-in, the Quakes cleared two point-blank attempts by Hlongwane in the box, but not a third, as the Loons forward’s industriousness paid off for his second goal of the match. San Jose pushed for an equalizer but could not get one before time expired.

The Quakes will now head into the international break before resuming MLS regular-season play on Saturday, Sept. 14, when they travel north of the Canadian border to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Kickoff from BC Place is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as on local radio AM 810 The Spread (English) and AM 1370 La Kaliente (Spanish).

GAME NOTES

The Quakes move to 5-6-4 (21 GF, 26 GA) in the all-time series against Minnesota United FC and 3-3-2 at home (13 GF, 16 GA). Not counting the two clubs’ clash in the 2020 MLS Is Back Tournament where San Jose was technically the home team but the match was held at a neutral site in Florida, tonight’s loss snapped the Quakes’ home unbeaten streak over MNUFC in San Jose at three games (1-0-2).

Forward Ousseni Bouda’s 33rd-minute goal was his first of the MLS season and second in all competitions. His other goal was a May 7 game-winner over Oakland Roots SC in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32.

Per the Apple TV telecast, Bouda was also the fastest player on the field tonight, reaching a top speed of 21.2 miles per hour.

Forward Amahl Pellegrino stayed hot, notching his second assist of the MLS season on Bouda’s goal. The play also marked his 10th goal contribution across all competitions and fourth in as many total games.

Forward Cristian Espinoza extended his run of consecutive MLS regular-season games played to a current league-high of 102 with his start tonight (Oct. 2, 2021 – present). The streak is not only a Quakes record but the seventh-longest in MLS history. Luis Robles holds the league record with 183 straight appearances (Sept. 29, 2012 – May 12, 2018).

MATCH INFORMATION

San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 Minnesota United FC

Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 — PayPal Park; San Jose, Calif.

Weather: 68°F Clear

Attendance: 15,122

Match Officials: 

Referee: Sergii Demianchuk

AR1: Stefan Tanaka-Freundt

AR2: Eduardo Jeff

4th Official: Tim Ford

VAR: Edvin Jurisevic

AVAR: Tom Supple

Scoring Summary:

MIN (0-1) – Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Robin Lod) 9’

SJ (1-1) – Ousseni Bouda (Amahl Pellegrino) 33’

MIN (1-2) – Bongokuhle Hlongwane (unassisted) 63’

Misconduct Summary:

MIN – Jefferson Diaz (caution) 79’

SJ – Carlos Gruezo (caution) 87’

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel; Vítor Costa (Paul Marie 72’), Rodrigues, Daniel Munie, Benji Kikanović (Tanner Beason 77’); Carlos Gruezo, Jackson Yueill (C) (Niko Tsakiris 72’), Hernán López; Amahl Pellegrino (Jack Skahan 72’), Cristian Espinoza, Ousseni Bouda (Preston Judd 77’).

Substitutes not used: William Yarbrough (GK), Alfredo Morales, Tommy Thompson, Oscar Verhoeven.

POSS.: 54.1%; SHOTS: 5; SOG: 2; CORNERS: 3; OFFSIDES: 1; SAVES: 4; FOULS: 7; xG: 1.1

MINNESOTA UNITED FC: Dayne St. Clair; Miguel Tapias, Michael Boxall (C), Jefferson Diaz; Joseph Rosales ( DJ Taylor 71’), Robin Lod (Carlos Harvey 90+2’) , Wil Trapp, Hassani Dotson; Kelvin Yeboah, San Bin Jeong (Tani Oluwaseyi 63’), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Devin Padelford 71’).

Substitutes not used: Alec Smir (GK), Franco Fragapane, Matúš Kmet, Teemu Pukki, Samuel Shashoua.

POSS.: 45.9%; SHOTS: 13; SOG: 6; CORNERS: 8; OFFSIDES: 1; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 18; xG: 2.7

EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH IAN RUSSELL

On Ousseni Bouda’s performance and return from his loan spell with Monterey Bay FC:

“I thought we didn’t start great. It’s good for [Ousseni] Bouda to get that goal. Bouda’s been a really bright spot these last two games. I thought he played well in Salt Lake [City] and played well tonight. Glad he got rewarded. But again, we have to be consistent right from the start of the first whistle. We had some moments, but I think it wasn’t our best game tonight.”

“Bouda played two games with Monterey Bay, and in both games he did really well, scored a goal and was just a handful. He’s a tough player to play against —  he’s strong, physical, wants to run, looks to running behind. We liked what we saw and we’re going to look to get [Bouda] some minutes here. He’s taken that and done really well.”

On the lead-up to tonight’s match:

“We had a really good week of training. The start of the half, or end of this first half, I thought we started getting control of the game and created some chances. We didn’t capitalize, and they did. They had a long throw, they flicked it in and got it to go that way. It’s just been trying to be consistent. I think over the last seven games, we’ve been pretty good in every game. This is a game that we could have tied at the end, so we’re making progress, but it’s frustrating to lose.”

On Minnesota United FC’s second goal:

“We scored, and they come back and capitalize on a long throw, a set piece, basically. So it’s frustrating. But again, I felt like the players didn’t quit. We tried to get that second goal. We almost did with [Daniel] Munie, actually who was really injured at the time. As long as we’re fighting and trying to equalize late, that’s all we can do.”

On the team’s continued improvement:

“It’s been getting consistently better defensively. Starting with our front three pressing. We’ve been winning a lot of balls high at the field. We created turnovers against [Real] Salt Lake that led to two goals. It’s about being consistently good at doing that, but just limiting chances. I think as the season has gone, we’ve gotten gradually better at that. So I’m happy with that.”

EARTHQUAKES FORWARD OUSSENI BOUDA

On scoring the first-half equalizer:

“For me, I’m happy with the goal for sure. I thought I was going to get a second one. I think there is overall a lot of things in the game that I have to keep working on, trying to get better at. Link the game, do the running for the team and all of that. I look forward to keep progressing.”

On tonight’s game:

“I think we could have done better in this game; we could have won it. We could have started better. I think we weren’t necessarily on the front foot to begin the game. That’s what we need to correct and keep pushing. Obviously, not to concede off a long throw for example, to lose a game like that, especially when we work so hard to get back in the game and we are at home and towards the end, we know that we could grab a winner. I think we need to start better.”

On returning from his brief loan stint with Monterey Bay FC:

“When I came back, it was right before Leagues Cup. Ian [Russell] told me that he was happy with what he saw at Monterey. It was a short time, but he recalled me back and was like, ‘Keep pushing, work hard, then we’ll see what happens because there might be opportunities.’ I was excited to be back for sure.”

On making the most of his opportunities on the field:

“For me, regardless of whether it’s one minute or 90 minutes, this is what I love to do. This is my dream. I love playing for the Quakes. I just want to just give it my all, all of the time, because that’s really all I can control. Whether I miss a chance, or whether I’m in for five minutes and maybe I don’t touch the ball, just always control whatever you control. And I hope that I continue to do that, and then just keep my head down whether I’m scoring hat tricks in games or not, that’s just the mentality I aspire to have.”

Earthquakes Communications Contacts:

Ryan Maquiñana – Director, Communications

rmaquinana@sjearthquakes.com

C: 650.243.8523

Jake Jansing – Coordinator, Communications

jjansing@sjearthquakes.com

C: 408.425.1329

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United, September 2, 2023

MEDIA RELEASE: 
Sept 2, 2023     

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 1, Minnesota United FC 1
San Jose draw at home, prepare for D.C. United next week

 SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes and Minnesota United FC played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday night at PayPal Park. Forward Cade Cowell netted his first of the season to tie the match after Minnesota scored the opening goal.

The Quakes conceded an early goal but rallied with a 17th minute equalizer from Cowell. Jackson Yueill collected the ball at the top of the box after a corner kick to find Cowell on the left, whose shot deflected into the bottom corner of the net . The goal was his first of the season and 10th of his MLS career. Cowell is now the 11th teenager in MLS history to reach 10 regular season goals. 

Both sides traded blows in the second half but neither team could find the winning goal. The Earthquakes nearly converted a diving header from Jamiro Monteiro in the 56th minute and Minnesota had a goal called back after video review for a handball four minutes later. 

The Earthquakes will now prepare to travel to face D.C. United on Saturday, Sept. 9. Kickoff from Audi Field is slated for 4:30 p.m. PT and will be streamed globally on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app, as well as on local radio via 810 AM The Spread (English) and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).

GAME NOTESThe Earthquakes now hold an 9-9-9 record (36 pts.) during the 2023 MLS regular season and currently sit in eighth place in the 14-team Western Conference, but only four points from third place.

The Quakes hold a 5-4-3 record against Minnesota United FC, including a 3-2-2 record at home.

Midfielder Jackson Yueill tallied his fourth assist of the season and 16th of his MLS career.

Jackson Yueill made his 171st appearance for the Quakes, tied for fifth most appearances in club history with Joe Cannon. 

MATCH INFORMATION
San Jose Earthquakes 1 – 1 Minnesota United FC
Saturday, September 2, 2023 – PayPal Park, San Jose, Calif.
Attendance: 16,151
Man of the Match: Cade Cowell

Scoring Summary:
MIN (1-0) – Teemu Pukki (Emanuel Reynoso) 4’
SJ (1-1) – Cade Cowell (Jackson Yueill) 16’

Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Carlos Gruezo (caution) 31’
MIN – Emanuel Reynoso (caution) 40’
MIN – Michael Boxall (caution) 85’

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel; Miguel Trauco, Tanner Beason, Rodrigues, Carlos Akapo; Carlos Gruezo, Jackson Yueill (C) (Michael Baldisimo 90+3’), Jamiro Monteiro (Niko Tsakiris 81’); Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse, Cade Cowell (Benji Kikanović 90+3’)

Substitutes not used: JT Marcinkowski (GK), Ayo Akinola, Matthew Hoppe, Jonathan Mensah, Tommy Thompson

SHOTS: 18; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 5; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 6

MINNESOTA UNITED FC: Dayne St. Clair; Miguel Tapias, Michael Boxall, Zarek Valentin; Joseph Rosales, Jan Gregus, Hassani Dotson, Emanuel Reynoso, Wil Trapp (C); Teemu Pukki (Mender Garcia 81’), Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (Ethan Bristow 64’)
 
Substitutes not used: Eric Dick (GK), Bakaye Dibassy, Franco Fragapane, Mender Garcia, Emmanuel Iwe, Sang Bin Jeong, Brent Kallman, Devin Padelford

SHOTS: 14; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 12; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 5

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ

On tonight’s performance against Minnesota United FC:
“I thought we had much better positions while attacking in the second half, to neutralize [Emanuel] Reynoso, compared to the first half. The first goal came from poor positions while attacking, where we were on the wrong side of [Reynoso] and he was able to thread a pass into [Teemu] Pukki. I thought we had better positions while attacking in the second half.”

On Cade Cowell’s performance tonight and callup to the U.S. National Team:
“Cade is a player that can vertically hurt anybody. We’ll miss his verticality, and we’ll miss speed. I am really happy for him to get his goal tonight, really proud of him. He’s wanted it really bad. Anything can happen when you are shooting on frame, and a goal is a goal.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES CAPTAIN JACKSON YUEILL

On tonight’s performance and goals:
“I think we came out with the right urgency. I think that built up throughout the game. Our message at halftime was to be a little bit more aggressive, get more runs in behind, get more balls in behind and open up the field a little more. I think we did a good job of recovering more balls in their half and in the midfield and transitioning quick. I think we were unlucky to not get a goal but that we’re moving in the right direction still. Just looking to be more clinical in and around the box.”

On the end of season playoff push:
“We’ve started the season well and have been playing well the whole year. We’re going to keep doing what we’ve been doing and keep trying the things that we’ve been trying. We dominate, we create chances, we create opportunities and it’s about finishing those chances. Our conversations and mentality in the locker room is not if we make playoffs, it’s when. We go into each game ready to fight and ready to win. These last seven games will be our test but we have full faith in the group that we are going to accomplish our goals.”
Earthquakes Communications Contacts:
Ryan Negrette – Coordinator, Communications
rnegrette@sjearthquakes.com
C: 408.489.8891

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United FC (MNUFC), August 17, 2021

MEDIA RELEASE:
Aug. 17, 2021

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 1, Minnesota United FC 1
Quakes extend unbeaten streak to nine; Wondo makes 400th MLS appearance

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes and Minnesota United FC played to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night at PayPal Park. The draw extends the Quakes’ unbeaten streak to a league-best nine matches and sees them climb to ninth place in the Western Conference, level on points with seventh place Portland and eighth place LAFC. Chris Wondolowski made his 400th MLS appearance in the match, entering as a second-half substitute.

San Jose opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Cristian Espinoza received a long switch from Marcos Lopez and sent a low cross across the six-yard box, deflecting off a back-tracking defender and into his own net.
The Quakes dropped to 10 men in the 21st minute after Nathan was shown a straight red card. Minnesota capitalized on the man advantage immediately, finding the equalizer one minute later through Wil Trapp.
San Jose played nearly 70 minutes plus stoppage time with 10 men and were able to secure a point.
The Earthquakes will now travel to southern California to face the LA Galaxy in the third California Clasico of the season. The match kicks off from Dignity Health Sports Park at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, and via radio on KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.


GAME NOTES
The Earthquakes now hold a 5-7-8 record (23 pts.) during the 2021 MLS regular season and are currently in ninth place in the Western Conference.
The Quakes extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches (2-0-7). It marks the club’s first unbeaten stretch of 9+ matches in a single season since the final nine matches of 2012 (5-0-4).
San Jose is now 4-3-2 all-time against Minnesota, including a 2-2-1 record at PayPal Park.
The Quakes have now allowed one or fewer goals in eight consecutive matches.
Forward Chris Wondolowski made his 400th MLS appearance, entering the match in the 86th minute. He became just the seventh player, fifth non-goalkeeper, and first forward to reach the milestone.

MLS Regular SeasonSan Jose Earthquakes 1 – 1 Minnesota United FCAug. 17, 2021 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.Attendance: 10,353Michelob Man of the Match: Judson

Scoring Summary: SJ – Bakaye Dibassy (own goal) 12; MIN – Wil Trapp (Adrien Hunou, Ethan Finlay) 22.
Misconduct Summary: SJ – Nathan (ejection) 21; MIN – DJ Taylor (caution) 82; MIN – Bakaye Dibassy (caution) 89; SJ – Marcos Lopez (caution) 90+4.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Marcos Lopez, Tanner Beason, Nathan, Luciano Abecasis (Carlos Fierro 74); Shea Salinas (Paul Marie 55), Judson, Eric Remedi (Chris Wondolowski 86), Jackson Yueill, Cristian Espinoza (Cade Cowell 55); Jeremy Ebobisse.
Substitutes not used : Oswaldo Alanis, Siad Haji, Andy Rios, Jack Skahan, Daniel Vega

SHOTS: 4; SHOTS ON GOAL: 1; FOULS: 11; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 2

MINNESOTA UNITED FC: Tyler Miller; Bakaye Dibassy, Brent Kallman, Romain Metanire; Jan Gregus (Justin McMaster 64), Emanuel Reynoso, Ethan Finlay, Wil Trapp, DJ Taylor, Hassani Dotson; Adrien Hunou (Juan Agudelo 79).
Substitutes not used: Osvaldo Alonso, Michael Boxall, Fred Emmings, Jukka Raitala, Patrick Weah, Adrian Zendejas.

SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 12; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 1

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On tactical decisions made after the red card:“When I make substitutions, I am sending a message. The message is that I want to win. It’s simple. The players were great interpreters and we corrected things during halftime. Defensively, the players executed perfectly. We had our chances to score from counterattacks.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER LUCIANO ABECASIS
On the team’s mindset after Nathan’s ejection:“It was a valuable point with how the match turned out in the end and the fact that we were playing for a long time with one less player. It was clear by the team’s ambition that we wanted the three points because we needed them. The red card limited us a lot, but it forced the best out of each of us and we were able to hold onto the game and create chances on top of that. I think that the draw was fair given we were one man down. They had their chances and we had ours. We spoke in the locker room about staying focused, that we needed everyone’s maximum effort. That’s what we did, and I think we left a really good image with one less player.”
On giving advice to his substitute Carlos Fierro:“I didn’t speak much with him because we had already chatted in the locker room during halftime. Matias spoke to us, went over the changes we had to make for those of us playing outside, and for those that were going in to play in those positions, Matias asked them to pay attention. Carlos was one of them, so I think it was a credit to him for understanding it fast and credit to the coach for letting him know and preparing the moves beforehand because we knew that the game could happen that way.”

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Contact:
Jake Pisani – 408-556-7774 – jpisani@sjearthquakes.com
Pedro Ortiz – 408-556-3415 – portiz@sjearthquakes.com