SAN JOSE, CA – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (10W-9L-7D) scored three unanswered goals in the second half to claim a vital 3-2 victory against San Jose Earthquakes (3W-14L-8D) on Saturday night at Avaya Stadium.
Trailing 2-0, the ‘Caps made a double sub early in the second half and proceeded to erase the deficit with three goals in the span of nine minutes. Yordy Reyna and Kei Kamara led the way for Vancouver, each recording a goal and an assist. Cristian Techera also found the back of the net.
It was Vancouver’s first-ever win in San Jose and it extended their unbeaten run to five matches in Major League Soccer competition, including three straight results on the road.
This was a wild one from the get go.
San Jose took an early lead in the seventh minute, when Jahmir Hyka collected a ‘Caps clearance at the top of the box and fired a half-volley into the bottom left corner.
And they doubled their lead through a Magnus Eriksson penalty kick in the 18th minute after Marcel de Jong clipped Danny Hoesen just inside the area, with referee Baldomero Toledo pointing to the spot following video review.
It was a disappointing first half for Vancouver, but the tables turned after the break.
The ‘Caps scored three straight goals following the introduction of midfielders Aly Ghazal and Nicolas Mezquida early in the second half. First, Reyna curled in a free kick from 25 yards in the 59th minute after drawing the foul himself.
Then, Kamara played a ball in behind to Techera, who cut back onto his right foot and finished calmly to level the score just two minutes later.
And finally, in the 68th minute, the ‘Caps got in behind again thanks to a long ball from Aaron Maund and this time Reyna played a ball across the face of goal to Kamara, who tapped in the eventual game-winner from close range.
There were some nervy moments in the dying stages but the ‘Caps defended with their lives, including an acrobatic clearance from Alphonso Davies, to secure the three points.
The ‘Caps and Quakes will meet again next Saturday at BC Place, kicking off a three-match home stand for Whitecaps FC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT (TV: TSN, RADIO: TSN 1040, TICKETS: whitecapsfc.com/tickets).
NEWS AND NOTES
Doneil Henry, who underwent right hand surgery earlier this week, and Brek Shea (back tightness) were both ruled out for Saturday’s match, joining José Aja (left quad) and Jordon Mutch (right foot) on Vancouver’s injury list … Kamara has now scored six goals in his last seven matches across all competitions … The ‘Caps remain unbeaten (25W-0L-9D) whenever Techera records a goal or an assist.
MATCH DETAILS
Budweiser Man of the Match: Yordy Reyna
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Attendance: 16,326
Scoring Summary
7’ – SJ – Jahmir Hyka
18’ – SJ – Magnus Eriksson (penalty kick)
59’ – VAN – Yordy Reyna
61’ – VAN – Cristian Techera (Kei Kamara)
68’ – VAN – Kei Kamara (Yordy Reyna, Aaron Maund)
Statistics
Possession: SJ 53.3% – VAN 46.7%
Shots: SJ 15 – VAN 12
Shots on Goal: SJ 3 – VAN 7
Saves: SJ 4 – VAN 1
Fouls: SJ 14 – VAN 16
Offsides: SJ 0 – VAN 2
Corners: SJ 7 – VAN 9
Duels won: SJ 55 – VAN 58
Tackles won: SJ 10 – VAN 15
Cautions
29’ – SJ – Anibal Godoy
51’ – VAN – Yordy Reyna
52’ – VAN – Felipe
52’ – VAN – Marcel de Jong
San Jose Earthquakes
28.Andrew Tarbell ©; 24.Nick Lima, 37.Guram Kashia, 23.Florian Jungwirth, 2.Joel Qwiberg (13.Dominic Oduro 82’); 7.Magnus Eriksson (8.Chris Wondolowski 69’), 20.Anibal Godoy, 96.Luis Felipe Fernandes, 10.Jahmir Hyka (16.Chris Wehan 65’), 11.Valeri Qazaishvili; 9.Danny Hoesen
Substitutes not used
12.Matt Bersano, 14.Jackson Yueill, 15.Jimmy Ockford, 30.Yeferson Quintana
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Stefan Marinović; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 4.Kendall Waston ©, 22.Aaron Maund, 17.Marcel de Jong (11.Nicolás Mezquida 56’); 13.Cristian Techera, 8.Felipe (66.Aly Ghazal 55’), 31.Russell Teibert, 67.Alphonso Davies; 23.Kei Kamara (19.Erik Hurtado 72’), 29.Yordy Reyna
Substitutes not used
12.Brian Rowe, 3.Sean Franklin, 6.EfraÃn Juárez, 9.Anthony Blondell
