Earthquakes’ Comeback Falls Short in 2-1 Defeat against Sporting KC

Earthquakes’ Comeback Falls Short in 2-1 Defeat against Sporting KC

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Trailing 2-0 at halftime, the San Jose Earthquakes nearly made their second comeback of the week on the road, but their second half rally came up just short as they fell 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City at Livestrong Sporting Park on Sunday. Simon Dawkins scored in the 72nd minute and despite holding 61 percent of the possession in the second half, the Quakes could not find the equalizer.

Sporting KC came out strong in the first half, scoring just five minutes into the game. Kei Kamara found C.J. Sapong with a cross to the back post and Sapong powered a volley past Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch.

Just minutes before halftime, Kamara was involved again, as he rose high to drive home a header from eight yards out. Michael Harrington picked out Kamara with a cross and he finished to make it 2-0 heading into intermission.

San Jose’s strong second half culminated in Dawkins’ goal with under 20 minutes to go. Ramiro Corrales knocked a header down to Dawkins, who took a touch around a defender, before curling a shot to the far post over a diving Jimmy Nielsen.

Despite some late pressure, San Jose could not replicate their late comeback from Wednesday night in Los Angeles against the Galaxy. The Quakes scored three times in the final 15 minutes to beat the Galaxy 3-2 at The Home Depot Center on May 23.

The Earthquakes return to play in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, May 29 against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League. The game kicks off at Cagan Stadium at Stanford University at 7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets are now available at sjearthquakes.com at $15 for the general public and $10 for Quakes season ticket holders.

San Jose Earthquakes at Sporting Kansas City

Livestrong Sporting Park

Attendance: 19,974

Scoring Summary: SKC – C.J. Sapong (Kei Kamara, Graham Zusi) 5; SKC – Kei Kamara (Michael Harrington, Chance Myers) 39; SJ – Simon Dawkins (Ramiro Corrales) 72.

Misconduct Summary: SKC – Roger Espinoza (caution) 29; SJ– Alan Gordon (caution) 45; SJ – Jason Hernandez (caution) 61; SKC – Lawrence Olum (caution) 79; SKC – Jimmy Nielsen (caution) 93+.

San Jose Earthquakes – Jon Busch, Steven Beitashour, Jason Hernandez, Justin Morrow, Ramiro Corrales, Rafael Baca (Ike Opara 65), Brad Ring (Tressor Moreno 71), Khari Stephenson, Marvin Chavez, Simon Dawkins, Alan Gordon (Cesar Diaz Pizarro 61).

TOTAL SHOTS: 7; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 13; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 1.

Sporting Kansas City – Jimmy Nielsen, Chance Myers, Aurelien Collin, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic (Michael Harrington 23), Julio Cesar (Lawrence Olum 74), Graham Zusi, Roger Espinoza (Paulo Nagamura 92+), Kei Kamara, Teal Bunbury, C.J. Sapong.

TOTAL SHOTS: 20; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 13; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 4.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH FRANK YALLOP

On game:

“You have to give Kansas City credit. They came out flying in the first half and put us under a lot of pressure. They dominated the first half and we were a bit lucky to be down only 2-0, but I think this game was really a tale of two halves. We got our legs a little bit under us and created some good chances and could have equalized in the end.”

On team’s spirit:

“Despite a difficult first half, we still had that fight in us and we didn’t feel that we were out of it. That is a great trait to have and helped us in this difficult stretch. We have scored a lot of late goals this year and we really felt like we were going to get something out of the game at the end. It didn’t happen tonight, but I am proud of the effort to get back in it.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES CAPTAIN RAMIRO CORRALES

On game:

“They did a very good job of pressing us high right from the start and they were winning all the second balls. It was not a good start for us, but you have to give them credit. They had a good game plan and we struggled to move the ball and we were not finding any space.”

On second half:

“When Simon (Dawkins) scored, I thought that we were going to come back and get a result again. They have some big defenders though and they did a good job of seeing the game out at the end. We had them on their heels during the second half a bit, but it was too little too late.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD SIMON DAWKINS

On goal:

“I picked up the ball on a knockdown and took a touch. I saw some space at the far post and I hit it. I thought at that point that we had enough to get back in it, but they did a good job of holding us off.”

On game:

“The heat was a bit of a factor for both teams today, but we all pushed through it. We got stronger as the game went on and again showed our character. It is important to have a strong mentality at all times and we definitely have that. We didn’t quite get back in it today, but our character will get us results in the future.”