TORONTO, Ont. – The San Jose Earthquakes defeated Toronto FC 2-1 at BMO Field on Sunday evening. The Earthquakes are now 5-2-2 in their last nine games, their best nine-match stretch since 2015 (8/14/15 – 9/27/15; 5-2-2), while dropping just one of their last seven (4-1-2).
Chris Wondolowski, who tallied four goals last weekend to break Major League Soccer’s all-time scoring record, scored both goals for San Jose. Wondolowski’s second goal of the match was the eventual game-winner. It marked the 42nd game-winning goal of his career, breaking Landon Donovan’s MLS record (41).
Earthquakes midfielder Cristian Espinoza was credited with the assist on both of Wondolowski’s goals. He now has six assists this season, including five in his last five appearances, and three game-winning assists.
The Earthquakes will continue on the road versus D.C. United on Saturday, June 1 (5 p.m. PT; NBCSBA/KNBR 1050/1370 KZSF).
MLS Regular Season
Toronto FC 1 – 2 San Jose Earthquakes
May 26, 2019 – BMO Field in Toronto, ON
Attendance: 23,524
Scoring Summary: TOR – Richie Laryea (Jozy Altidore, Marco Delgado) 28; Chris Wondolowski (Cristian Espinoza) 37; SJ – Chris Wondolowski (Cristian Espinoza) 81.
Misconduct Summary: SJ – Tommy Thompson (caution) 34; TOR – Liam Fraser (caution) 61; SJ – Cristian Espinoza (caution) 64; SJ – Magnus Eriksson (caution) 69.
TORONTO FC: Quentin Westberg; Justin Morrow (Terrence Boyd 61), Ashtone Morgan, Chris Mavinga. Drew Moor, Auro (Jay Chapman 73); Liam Fraser, Richie Laryea, Marco Delgado, Nick DeLeon (Jordan Hamilton 82); Jozy Altidore
SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON TARGET: 3; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 11; CORNERS: 8; OFFSIDES: 0
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Daniel Vega; Nick Lima, Florian Jungwirth, Harold Cummings (Guram Kashia 84), Tommy Thompson; Anibal Godoy Jackson Yueill; Cristian Espinoza, Magnus Eriksson (Danny Hoesen 73), Shea Salinas; Chris Wondolowski (Vako 84).
SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON TARGET: 3; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 19 CORNERS: 0; OFFSIDES: 0
MATCH NOTES:
The San Jose Earthquakes earned their first road win since Aug. 4, 2018 against FC Dallas.
The Earthquakes earned their first comeback victory on the road since March 14, 2015, when they erased an early 1-0 deficit to defeat Seattle 3-2. Chris Wondolowski scored twice in that match as well.
Wondolowski has scored six goals in his last two matches, extending his own all-time MLS goal-scoring record to 150.
Wondolowski has now tallied 42 game-winning goals, breaking Landon Donovan’s all-time MLS record (41).
Midfielder Cristian Espinoza tallied his fifth and sixth assists of the season. He has tallied five assists in his last five appearances.
The Earthquakes now hold a 6-5-5 all-time record against Toronto FC.
San Jose now hold a 3-3-3 all-time record against Toronto FC on the road.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MATIAS ALMEYDA
On the match:
“We were familiar with [Toronto FC], we faced them with Chivas. They are a tough opponent, well coached, with very good players. I think today we played a great match. We controlled it, especially when we were down a goal. We were able to tie it and from there, as the match went on, we got better.”
On what was said to the team at halftime:
“In reality we always try to correct mistakes and point out any advantages we can capitalize on during the match. The team were great at understanding how to win today’s match.”
On adapting to the MLS:
“I think it’s a special league. It’s a very even league where the results seem to vary often. The road games are a bit tough because the travel can be very long. We have to train differently in situations when we play on the road compared to when we are at home. I do think it’s a growing league, a special league with a lot of great players and coaches and very well organized.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On the team’s motivation:
“I think there is a lot of confidence in this locker room. I think we are starting to play a lot better and understand the system that coach Matias Almeyda has instilled in us. To be honest, I think we caught TFC on a good night. They were out with a few injuries unfortunately for them but it was nice that we could take advantage of it.”
On his two goals tonight:
“It’s been fun. Goal scoring comes in bunches, whether good or bad, and right now they’re coming so I’m trying to take advantage of it. To be honest it was a great play by Cristian Espinoza, the way he was able to fly down that flank tonight, he sent in a few good balls and I was just happy to find myself on the end of a couple of them.”
On setting the record for most game winning goals:
“It’s a true honor. I’m very fortunate again just to have that record. I think it’s very important. If you have game winning goals, then that’s a big thing. I’m very fortunate thanks to our team’s good defense.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER CRISTIAN ESPINOZA
On the match:
“I think we controlled the match for almost the full 90 minutes. We knew that they’re a great team with great players. We knew how to get back from going down a goal and winning the match which is pretty tough to do especially on the road.”
On assisting both of Wondolowski’s goals tonight:
I’m happy for him as he continues scoring goals which is important for his career and obviously very important for us. Especially since it encourages us to keep fighting.
On working with head coach Matias Almeyda:
“I’m really happy with Almeyda’s work. Everybody feels very comfortable and I think it shows on the pitch.”
