PHOTO: @SJEarthquakes Twitter
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes’ winter acquisitions proved to be the difference in the club’s first showing at Avaya Stadium ahead of the 2018 MLS campaign.
With braces from Danny Hoesen and Designated Player Magnus Eriksson, the Quakes cruised past USL affiliate Reno 1868 FC, 4-0, at Avaya on Saturday.
In the 5th minute, Chris Wondolowski deflected an errant Reno pass towards his partner Danny Hoesen, who curled a weak-footed shot into the back of the net.
With early backline stability led by Yeferson Quintana and Harold Cummings, the Black and Blue were able to continue controlling the tempo of the match and get a number of good looks at goal.
The Quakes added their second in the 20th minute. Nick Lima’s left-footed shot from outside the box was saved by Reno goalkeeper Russ Klabough, but Danny Hoesen was ready to strike when the rebound fell to his feet. It was the second goal of the day for the former FC Groingen man, who the Quakes acquired on permanent transfer in December after a season on loan with San Jose.
Newly acquired designated player Magnus Eriksson tallied his first goal for the Quakes in the 25th minute. Vako played a cross on the ground from the left half-space to the right, where the reigning Allsvenskan scoring champion was waiting.
Eriksson added a fourth for San Jose in the 37th minute. It was, once again, a Nick Lima shot from outside the box that created a goal scoring opportunity. Eriksson cut off Lima’s shot, moved it across the face of the goal, and tapped it in with his right foot.
Both sides made several substitutions in the second half, which took away some of the tempo from the match. No goals were scored following the half time break, but there were still a number of chances for the Quakes, many of which were created by designated player Vako .
Newly signed homegrown players JT Marcinkowski, Gilbert Fuentes, and Jacob Akanyirige did not feature for the Black and Blue. However, current Quakes Academy players Ivan Valencia and JJ Foe Nuphaus saw some time on the pitch for Reno in the second half.
