San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JUDSON (93) dribbles away from Real Salt Lake Midfielder DAMIR KREILACH (8) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder MAIKEL CHANG (16) tries to catch San Jose Earthquakes Defender MARCOS LÓPEZ (27) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder MAIKEL CHANG (16) dribbles with San Jose Earthquakes Defender MARCOS LÓPEZ (27) defending and San Jose Earthquakes Head Coach MATIAS ALMEYDA giving his team instruction behind during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder ALBERT RUSNÁK (11) dribbles across the field with San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder ERIC REMEDI (5) and San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JAVIER “CHOFIS” LÓPEZ (9) trying to catch him during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JAVIER “CHOFIS” LÓPEZ (9) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JAVIER “CHOFIS” LÓPEZ (9) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JAVIER “CHOFIS” LÓPEZ (9) and Real Salt Lake Midfielder NICK BESLER (13) battle for the ball with Real Salt Lake Forward JUSTIN MERAM (9) and San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder ERIC REMEDI (5) trying to anticipate the play during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California The San Jose Earthquakes pre-game huddle before the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder ERIC REMEDI (5) cuts his dribble away from Real Salt Lake Midfielder ALBERT RUSNÁK (11) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JAVIER “CHOFIS” LÓPEZ (9) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CARLOS FIERRO (7) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder ALBERT RUSNÁK (11) passes the ball with San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder ERIC REMEDI (5) giving pressure during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Defender JUSTEN GLAD (15) fouls San Jose Earthquakes Forward CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI (8) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JAVIER “CHOFIS” LÓPEZ (9) dribbles in the midfield with Real Salt Lake Defender MARCELO SILVA (30) and Real Salt Lake Forward JUSTIN MERAM (9) trying to apply pressure during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JAVIER “CHOFIS” LÓPEZ (9) dribbles into a sea of Real Salt Lake players during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JAVIER “CHOFIS” LÓPEZ (9) dribbles against several Real Salt Lake players during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JAVIER “CHOFIS” LÓPEZ (9) and Real Salt Lake Midfielder NICK BESLER (13) battle for the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JAVIER “CHOFIS” LÓPEZ (9) and Real Salt Lake Midfielder NICK BESLER (13) battle for the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Forward RUBIO RUBÍN (14) drives to the middle of the field against San Jose Earthquakes Defender OSWALDO ALANIS (4) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Forward RUBIO RUBÍN (14) drives to the middle of the field against San Jose Earthquakes Defender OSWALDO ALANIS (4) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Defender JUSTEN GLAD (15) dribbles out of pressure from San Jose Earthquakes Forward CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI (8) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Defender JUSTEN GLAD (15) passes the ball with San Jose Earthquakes Forward CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI (8) giving chase during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JACKSON YUEILL (14) controls the ball against Real Salt Lake Forward JONATHAN MENÉNDEZ (10) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Forward CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI (8) cuts back against Real Salt Lake Defender JUSTEN GLAD (15) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Defender MARCOS LÓPEZ (27) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Defender MARCOS LÓPEZ (27) dribbles upfield against Real Salt Lake Midfielder NICK BESLER (13) and Real Salt Lake Defender MARCELO SILVA (30) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Defender MARCOS LÓPEZ (27) dribbles between Real Salt Lake Midfielder DAMIR KREILACH (8) and Real Salt Lake Midfielder MAIKEL CHANG (16) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Defender MARCOS LÓPEZ (27) falls to the ground against Real Salt Lake Midfielder DAMIR KREILACH (8) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Defender LUCIANO ABECASIS (2) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JUDSON (93) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Defender MARCOS LÓPEZ (27) explains his case to Referee NIMA SAGHAFI with San Jose Earthquakes Captain CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI (8) coming for clarification during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder ERIC REMEDI (5) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder ERIC REMEDI (5) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CARLOS FIERRO (7) dribbles against Real Salt Lake Defender JUSTEN GLAD (15) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Defender MARCOS LÓPEZ (27) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JUDSON (93) dribbles away from Real Salt Lake Forward JUSTIN MERAM (9) with Real Salt Lake Midfielder NICK BESLER (13) applying pressure during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JAVIER “CHOFIS” LÓPEZ (9) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Forward JUSTIN MERAM (9) heads the ball with San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JAVIER “CHOFIS” LÓPEZ (9), Real Salt Lake Defender DONNY TOIA (4) and San Jose Earthquakes Defender PAUL MARIE (3) anticipating where the ball will go during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Forward JUSTIN MERAM (9) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Forward JUSTIN MERAM (9) dribbles away from San Jose Earthquakes Defender LUCIANO ABECASIS (2) and San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder ERIC REMEDI (5) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Forward CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI (8) and Real Salt Lake Defender ERIK HOLT (20) battle for the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Defender PAUL MARIE (3) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Forward CADE COWELL (44) dribbles toward the goal against Real Salt Lake Midfielder MAIKEL CHANG (16)(left) and Real Salt Lake Defender JUSTEN GLAD (15)(right) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Forward CADE COWELL (44) shields the ball from Real Salt Lake Defender JUSTEN GLAD (15) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder ALBERT RUSNÁK (11) dribbles with San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder ERIC REMEDI (5) applying pressure during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Forward BENJI KIKANOVIC (28) dribbles away from a challenge from Real Salt Lake Midfielder NICK BESLER (13) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder ANDERSON JULIO (29) drives toward the goal against San Jose Earthquakes Defender TANNER BEASON (15) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Goalkeeper DAVID OCHOA (1) narrowly deflects the shot from San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JACKSON YUEILL (14) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder CRISTIAN ESPINOZA (10) dribbles away from Real Salt Lake Midfielder PABLO RUIZ (6) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder ANDERSON JULIO (29) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder ANDERSON JULIO (29) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder DAMIR KREILACH (8) dribbles against pressure from San Jose Earthquakes Defender PAUL MARIE (3) and San Jose Earthquakes Forward ANDY RÍOS (25) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Defender ASHTONE MORGAN (3) and San Jose Earthquakes Defender PAUL MARIE (3) battle for the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Forward ANDY RÍOS (25) dribbles near the penalty box against Real Salt Lake Midfielder PABLO RUIZ (6) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California In extra time, Real Salt Lake Goalkeeper DAVID OCHOA (1) catches a cross during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Forward BENJI KIKANOVIC (28) jumps for a header against Real Salt Lake Defender DONNY TOIA (4) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder NICK BESLER (13) and San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JACKSON YUEILL (14) battle for the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder NICK BESLER (13) and San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JACKSON YUEILL (14) battle for the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Defender TANNER BEASON (15) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Defender TANNER BEASON (15) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Defender DONNY TOIA (4) crosses the ball during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder ALBERT RUSNÁK (11) dribbles across the field away from San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JAVIER “CHOFIS” LÓPEZ (9) and San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder JUDSON (93) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Defender JUSTEN GLAD (15) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder ALBERT RUSNÁK (11) fires a shot into the goal during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California San Jose Earthquakes Goalkeeper JT MARCINKOWSKI (1) jumps over Real Salt Lake Midfielder DAMIR KREILACH (8) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Captain Midfielder ALBERT RUSNÁK (11) discusses the situation of Real Salt Lake Midfielder DAMIR KREILACH’S (8) injury with Referee NIMA SAGHAFI during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder DAMIR KREILACH (8) takes the concussion protocol on field test from the Real Salt Lake Medical staff during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Referee NIMA SAGHAFI reviews his on field decision to issue a red card to Real Salt Lake Midfielder DAMIR KREILACH (8) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California Real Salt Lake Midfielder DAMIR KREILACH (8) controls the ball with pressure from San Jose Earthquakes Defender OSWALDO ALANIS (4) and San Jose Earthquakes Defender PAUL MARIE (3) during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake at PayPal Park in San Jose, California
MEDIA RELEASE: Sept. 15, 2021 MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 3, Real Salt Lake 4Quakes midfielder Chofis scores hat-trick SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Real Salt Lake 4-3 on Wednesday night at PayPal Park. The Quakes jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute. After receiving a long ball over the top, Chofis cut onto his left foot and blasted a shot around goalkeeper David Ochoa. Just moments before halftime, Real Salt Lake scored the equalizer. A low header off a corner kick forced a diving save by Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski, but the ball rebounded off Rubio Rubin and into the back of the net. RSL took the lead four minutes into the second half when Albert Rusnak received a pass at the top of the box and sent his low shot just out of reach of Marcinkowski’s outstretched arms. San Jose responded immediately with an equalizer just one minute later. Chofis received a pass from the kickoff and proceeded to dribble half the length of the field, evading multiple defenders before beating Ochoa. Chofis then finished off his hat-trick with a goal in the 65th minute as his curling corner kick beat Ochoa at the near post. RSL equalized once again six minutes later when a free kick into the box glanced off Justin Meram’s head and caromed off Quakes defender Oswaldo Alanis and into the net. The visiting side then took the lead in the 81st minute through a low shot from Rubin. The Earthquakes will now prepare to travel to Texas to face Austin FC on Saturday, Sept. 18. The match kicks off from Q2 Stadium at 5:00 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area Plus, KGO 810 and 1370 KZSF. GAME NOTES The Earthquakes now hold a 6-9-9 record (27 pts.) during the 2021 MLS regular season and are currently in 11th place in the Western Conference. San Jose is now 13-12-11 all-time against Real Salt Lake, including a 9-6-4 record at home. The Quakes have scored first in 10 of their last 13 matches (conceded first twice and had one match finish in a scoreless draw). Midfielder Chofis scored his team-leading sixth, seventh and eighth goals of the season and of his MLS career. It also marked his first multi-goal game since joining the Quakes and the first hat-trick by an Earthquakes player since Chris Wondolowski on May 18, 2019. Chofis is the first player to score 8+ goals in his first season with San Jose since Alejandro Moreno in 2005 (8). Defender Luciano Abecasis tallied the assist on Chofis’ first goal. It marked his third assist of the season and third of his MLS career. Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski made a career-high nine saves. MLS Regular SeasonSan Jose Earthquakes 3 – 4 Real Salt LakeSept. 15, 2021 – PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.Attendance: 9,636Man of the Match: Chofis Scoring Summary: SJ – Chofis (Luciano Abecasis) 26; RSL – Rubio Rubin (unassisted) 45+2; RSL – Albert Rusnak (Pablo Ruiz) 49; SJ – Chofis (unassisted) 50; SJ – Chofis (unassisted) 65; RSL – Justin Meram (Albert Rusnak) 71; RSL – Rubio Rubin (Albert Rusnak) 81. Misconduct Summary: RSL – Nick Besler (caution) 8; SJ – Judson (caution) 59; RSL – Donny Toia (caution) 65; RSL – Pablo Ruiz (caution) 67; SJ – Chofis (caution) 69; SJ – Eric Remedi (caution) 72; RSL – Damir Kreilach (caution) 75. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Marcos Lopez, Tanner Beason, Oswaldo Alanis, Luciano Abecasis (Cristian Espinoza 63); Judson (Paul Marie 63), Eric Remedi; Carlos Fierro (Cade Cowell 64), Jackson Yueill, Chofis (Andy Rios 80); Chris Wondolowski (Benji Kikanovic 63). Substitutes not used: Jack Skahan, Daniel Vega, Tommy Thompson, Jacob Akanyirige. SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 9 REAL SALT LAKE: David Ochoa; Donny Toia, Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva (Erik Holt 22); Justin Meram (Ashtone Morgon 90), Jonathan Menendez (Pablo Ruiz 46), Albert Rusnak, Nick Besler, Maikel Chang (Toni Datkovic 83); Damir Kreilach, Rubio Rubin (Anderson Julio 82). Substitutes not used: Bode Davis, Milan Iloski, Justin Portillo, Andrew Putna. SHOTS: 18; SHOTS ON GOAL: 13; FOULS: 20; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 3 SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER CHOFIS On his emotions during and after the match:“Honestly, I am sadder than I am happy because of the result. We would have liked to win and things would have been very different. I am sad because we didn’t win. My only thoughts are in the 10 matches that are left. I really want to make it to the playoffs. I’ve never had a match as great as today. That doesn’t matter anymore. We will try to turn things around and focus on Saturday. I wish it were Saturday already. I want to play and get the three points that we need, and that is where my thoughts are.” On the decisions going into his substitution:“I was a little sore in the leg. Truthfully, I gave it my all. I tried helping in everything and I became tired. I just want to clarify that we were being precautious. I was tired and had some pain in my leg.” On his future in San Jose:“Yeah, it’s true that I still have a little left in my loan here. The truth is that I’m loving my time here. I love the people, I love the city, I love the environment. Everyone has treated me very well since I arrived, and I would love to continue to be here. Hopefully this team buys my clause and I can stay a lot longer. But it’s true that I belong to another team right now and I still have a lot of respect for them and that’s who I belong to.” #### |
Contact: Jake Pisani – 408-556-7774 – jpisani@sjearthquakes.com Pedro Ortiz – 408-556-3415 – portiz@sjearthquakes.com |