SAN JOSE, Calf. – The San Jose Earthquakes (4-16-8) continue their losing woes by dropping another match at Avaya Stadium, 5-1, Saturday Night, to Sporting Kansas City (15-7-6).
“First of all, congratulations to Sporting Kansas City. I think they are a really good team so in my perspective I think they’re the best team we have played against this season. They are organized and they have good players so they’re doing a really good job over there. We came out without energy. You can talk about game plans, structure and these kinds of things but we’re playing at home, so we at least expect some energy. Everything went wrong in the first half, no energy, poor quality with the ball and we possessed the ball way too slow. We also conceded the goals too easily.” Former San Jose Head Coach, Mikael Stahre comments on subsequently his last game.
Kansas City got things going rather quickly, as midfielder, Felipe Gutierrez scored (18’) on a short kick, from a great dribble and assist from teammate and fellow midfielder, Gerso Fernandez, within the first 20 minutes of the contest.
Gutierrez returned the favor, five minutes later, as he provided a helper for Fernandes’ goal (23’), also in nice fashion.
Sporting KC’s head coach, Peter Vermes, liked the way his team passed to each other:
“It’s a big part in who we are. The buildup play for us was fantastic! There was real purpose and intent to the way we were trying to approach the goal. Tonight we were good, very confident, and very technical. I’m very proud of the guys from that point of view.”
Shortly before halftime, Kansas City defenseman, and former Earthquake, defenseman, Ike Opara, converted a netter (42’) off of a rebound, to put his team up 3-0.
The second stanza initiated with the Earthquakes earning two yellow cards minutes apart (Anibal Godoy 50’ & Magnus Eriksson 57’), seemingly trying to provide better efforts for the next 45.
“I do think that we were a lot better in the second half. We’re well past the silver linings and glimpses here and there. We have another game in four days, so that’s all of our concentration now. We’ll definitely watch film and learn from our mistakes.” SJ Forward/Captain Chris Wondolowski not happy with any moral victory.
The onslaught continued when Sporting KC midfielder, Krisztian Nemeth, footed another score in the back of the net on a fast break, by another great assist by Fernandez, giving the visitors an insurmountable 4-0 advantage at the 62’ mark of the match.
San Jose did show an ample amount of pride, when forward, and leading goal scorer (11), Danny Hoesen, chipped in a shot (80’) after begrudgingly coming into the contest off of the bench, ending any shutout opportunity for the guys from the “Show Me State.” (4-1)
“A loss is a loss, and this was a big one. Of course, if I come in I want to give energy and at least get a goal for myself and for the team as well. I think today we faced a very, very good team. Quality-wise they are up there with the top. At this point we’re not good enough to get a result against this team.” Hoesen, expresses disappointment about yet another loss.
However, the West Missouri footballers weren’t finished scoring, as the ubiquitous, Gerso Fernandes, was at it again, by booting in his second goal of the night (85’) and the essential putting the last nail in the coffin for the Silicon Valley faithful (5-1).
Fernandes had the equivalence of a basketball double-double, with two goals and two assists, and appreciated the comparison:
“I like basketball! Especially because the whole team helped me with scoring and assisting. They had to be there to score. I’m happy we got the ‘3’ points.”
The Earthquakes will next be in action, Wednesday, September 19, back at Avaya, hosting Atlanta United FC, under the tutelage of Interim Head Coach, Steve Ralston.
Sporting Kansas City heads to the City of Brotherly Love, to take on Philadelphia Union, Sunday, September 23.
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