Photo: San Jose Earthquakes
SAN JOSE, Calif. — It’s very difficult to win matches when you don’t record a single shot on goal.
Not only did the San Jose Earthquakes (4-18-2, 14 points) accomplish this feat, but they only controlled possession for a measly 36% of the time against Houston Dynamo FC (9-7-7, 34 points) on Wednesday at PayPal Park. A defensive miscue in the waning moments allowed Houston to take a 1-0 advantage which it rode the rest of the way.
“Overall, it was a pretty even game,” said head coach Ian Russell postgame. “The guys came out, connected passes, created some chances, defended really well … I thought we limited a lot of [the Dynamo’s] chances, but unfortunately, they scored late in the game and that was it.”
With defender Vitor Costa sidelined with a lower-body injury, Russell fielded four players in the back instead of five, the method he had executed in the previous two matches.
The Quakes’ defense managed to halt all of Houston’s chances in the first half despite some close calls, but offensively, San Jose could only generate life off set pieces. The Quakes’ lone big chance came off a 31st-minute free kick from midfielder Cristian Espinoza to Benji Kikanović that was headed up and out of play.
Forward Jeremy Ebobisse — who didn’t generate a single shot in Saturday’s match — appeared more involved, placing himself in position to make an attacking effort on a few occasions. But San Jose’s offensive woes, partly caused by a clear disconnect on the attacking front, led to limited transition rushes and scoring opportunities.
“We missed some passes that would have created some really big chances on goal,” Russell said. “We did create a little bit, but it’s got to be better.”
The Earthquakes thought they had caught a break in the 50th minute, when Espinoza looked to have been tripped up inside the Dynamo’s 18-yard box, presumably giving San Jose a clear chance to take the lead with a penalty kick. But video review overturned the call, erasing the potentially momentum-shifting moment.
Houston would find its breakthrough chance in the 86th minute, ending the dull stalemate that saw it control the game’s pace and force the Quakes to play on their back foot. Forward Amine Bassi found an uncovered Daniel Steres in the middle of the box, who used his touch to beat the reach of goalkeeper Jacob Jackson. The volley — San Jose’s 59th conceded goal of the year — would be enough for the Dynamo to sneak out of PayPal Park with a victory.
The Quakes couldn’t respond to the goal and went on to lose their ninth home match of the season. Jackson made six saves and seemed more comfortable in net following his last outing, the blunderous match against LAFC in which he surrendered six goals. But despite his efforts against Houston, and San Jose’s overall improved defensive scheme, it wasn’t enough.
“We brought a lot of energy, brought a lot of fight. And when you do that, you usually win those games, especially at home,” Russell said. “Continue to do that, and we’ll be fine.”
The field still appeared to be weathered from the team’s 50th Anniversary Gala held on June 28, frustratingly causing players to slip and miss out on chances.
“If we put our chances away, it’s a different game,” Kikanović said. “Not giving up goals is nice, but you need to score to win.”
The game was captain and midfielder Jackson Yueill’s 200th career MLS match.
With the MLS transfer window opening on Thursday, the Quakes might have some decisions to make. Amid a lost season, general manager Chris Leitch will presumably scan his options and discuss changes as players shift around the league.
The Earthquakes will next venture northeast to face Minnesota United FC (8-10-6, 30 points), their last match before commencing Leagues Cup play. While currently in playoff position, Minnesota has not won a game since June 1, so San Jose will look to find the win column against a fellow struggling side.
The match will be the Quakes’ final league game until August 24. San Jose will take on Club Deportivo Guadalajara and the LA Galaxy in Leagues Cup after the Minnesota United match, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at Allianz Field.
Kasey Kazliner is an undergraduate sports broadcaster at USC. He covers a variety of sports, but particularly loves analyzing the Quakes’ prospect pipeline. He is The Town FC’s official beat writer and covers every match for the club. You can follow him on Twitter here.
