The Earthquakes had most of the chances on the night, outshooting their guests 20-10 with a 12-3 advantage in shots-on-goal. However, it was Toluca FC who found the scoreboard first thanks to mis-clear in the back by San Jose in the 67th minute. Toluca FC appeared as if they would take a 1-0 lead into the second leg, but Gordon broke free on a set piece from Shea Salinas, snapping his header into the ground and past Diablos Rojos goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera.
San Jose nearly opened the scoring midway through the first half when Steven Lenhart sent a powerful header on target after a Salinas corner. His shot was destined for the net, but a Toluca FC defender cleared it off the line.
Chris Wondolowski had a golden chance in the 55th minute when Cordell Cato targeted him on a counter attack. Cato stole the ball near midfield, dribbled into the attacking third and looped a cross that Wondolowski volleyed on the run, but Toluca FC goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera came off his line to make a diving save.
Toluca FC broke the deadlock in the 68th minute after a turnover sprung Raul Nava free on goal. Nava didn’t hesitate, firing off the bounce to beat Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch with a brilliant finish to the far upper corner.
Lenhart almost tied the game late, pounding a Salinas pass into the crossbar in the closing minutes. The Quakes fired twice more from point-blank range only to have the first shot deflect off a Toluca defender and the next batted away from the ground by Talavera.
Gordon provided the dramatic finish five minutes into second-half stoppage time, nodding home his first career CONCACAF Champions League goal. His tally extended the club’s home-unbeaten streak to 20 games in all competitions.
The Earthquakes will complete their series against Toluca FC on Wednesday, March 19 at Nemesio Diez Stadium. Kickoff is 5 p.m. PT on FOX Sports 2 and Univision Deportes Network. In order to advance, San Jose will need to win or draw by a score of at least 2-2. They can also tie Toluca FC 1-1 to force overtime and penalty kicks, if necessary.
The Earthquakes open their MLS regular season on Saturday, March 15 against Real Salt Lake at Buck Shaw Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF. The match is presented by Visa with 10,000 fans receiving a special “For Club and Country” poster.
San Jose Earthquakes 1:1 Deportivo Toluca FC
Buck Shaw Stadium – Santa Clara, Calif.
March 11, 2014 – Attendance: 10,525
Scoring Summary: TOL – Raul Nava (unassisted) 67; SJ – Alan Gordon (Shea Salinas) 90+5.
Misconduct Summary: SJ – Victor Bernardez (caution) 31; TOL – Erbin Trejo (caution) 53; TOL – Aaron Galindo (caution) 85; SJ – Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi (caution) 90+1; SJ – Shea Salinas (caution) 90+1.
San Jose Earthquakes: Jon Busch, Brandon Barklage, Victor Bernardez, Jason Hernandez (JJ Koval 73), Jordan Stewart, Cordell Cato (Atiba Harris 86), Sam Cronin (Alan Gordon 73), Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi, Shea Salinas, Chris Wondolowski, Steven Lenhart.
Toluca FC – Alfredo Talavera, Francisco Gamboa, Aaron Galindo, Edgar Duenas, Edgar Benitez (Isaac Brizuela 59), Wilson Tiago, Carlos Esquivel, Gabriel Velasco, Juan Manuel Salgueiro (Paulo Cesar Da Silva 83), Erbin Trejo (Miguel Ponce 71), Raul Nava.
The Earthquakes open their MLS regular season on Saturday, March 15 against Real Salt Lake at Buck Shaw Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF. The match is presented by Visa with 10,000 fans receiving a special “For Club and Country” poster.
San Jose Earthquakes 1:1 Deportivo Toluca FC
Buck Shaw Stadium – Santa Clara, Calif.
March 11, 2014 – Attendance: 10,525
Misconduct Summary: SJ – Victor Bernardez (caution) 31; TOL – Erbin Trejo (caution) 53; TOL – Aaron Galindo (caution) 85; SJ – Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi (caution) 90+1; SJ – Shea Salinas (caution) 90+1.
San Jose Earthquakes: Jon Busch, Brandon Barklage, Victor Bernardez, Jason Hernandez (JJ Koval 73), Jordan Stewart, Cordell Cato (Atiba Harris 86), Sam Cronin (Alan Gordon 73), Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi, Shea Salinas, Chris Wondolowski, Steven Lenhart.
Toluca FC – Alfredo Talavera, Francisco Gamboa, Aaron Galindo, Edgar Duenas, Edgar Benitez (Isaac Brizuela 59), Wilson Tiago, Carlos Esquivel, Gabriel Velasco, Juan Manuel Salgueiro (Paulo Cesar Da Silva 83), Erbin Trejo (Miguel Ponce 71), Raul Nava.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MARK WATSON
On positives from the result:
“I thought overall it was a good performance. I thought overall we deserved more after 90 minutes and the chances that we created. I think there are a ton of positives that we can take forward into Saturday’s [home opener against Real Salt Lake].”
On Alan Gordon:
“He had offseason surgery so he got started late and he’s still not fully match fit, but Alan’s the type of guy who can join the game at any moment and have an impact. He did just that tonight. He’s a strong player, holds the ball up well, he’s smart, and allows us to attack the final third. I thought he had a great impact on the game when he came on.
On chances created:
“We’re playing against a very good team tonight. They possessed the ball well, they have technical players, so we knew it was going to be a challenge. We knew that we were going to have to take the opportunities that we created. It was just one of those nights. I felt bad for the guys because I thought we deserved more.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER JASON HERNANDEZ
On result:
“We had a lot of chances, but the ball just wouldn’t go in. We were very fortunate to have Alan [Gordon] back and healthy to get us the draw. It feels like they [Toluca FC] only had one dangerous chance all night and it was when they scored. Most teams would feel defeated after giving up that goal, but we never quit. We have to dust ourselves off, believe that we can compete with this team and get ready for the next leg in Toluca.”
On second leg:
“If we are organized and disciplined, it gives us a better chance to keep them from scoring. Moving forward we need to continue to create chances; that’s our best bet to win. Hopefully we are a little more fortunate in their final third [in Toluca] than we were tonight.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD ALAN GORDON
On equalizer:
“I made a play on a great ball by Shea [Salinas]. I kept my eye on the ball and as it got closer I knew I had a chance to win it in the air and put it on frame. They are a tough team to break down and so many other guys should have scored. I was just lucky to get enough on the ball for the goal.”
On team’s scoring chances:
“We had our opportunities tonight which, were lacking last season. On another night, those maybe go in and you have a good cushion and the lead at home. Our offensive performance tonight usually results in a win. If those chances can carry over in the second leg, we have a reasonable chance to advance.”
“I thought overall it was a good performance. I thought overall we deserved more after 90 minutes and the chances that we created. I think there are a ton of positives that we can take forward into Saturday’s [home opener against Real Salt Lake].”
On Alan Gordon:
“He had offseason surgery so he got started late and he’s still not fully match fit, but Alan’s the type of guy who can join the game at any moment and have an impact. He did just that tonight. He’s a strong player, holds the ball up well, he’s smart, and allows us to attack the final third. I thought he had a great impact on the game when he came on.
On chances created:
“We’re playing against a very good team tonight. They possessed the ball well, they have technical players, so we knew it was going to be a challenge. We knew that we were going to have to take the opportunities that we created. It was just one of those nights. I felt bad for the guys because I thought we deserved more.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER JASON HERNANDEZ
On result:
“We had a lot of chances, but the ball just wouldn’t go in. We were very fortunate to have Alan [Gordon] back and healthy to get us the draw. It feels like they [Toluca FC] only had one dangerous chance all night and it was when they scored. Most teams would feel defeated after giving up that goal, but we never quit. We have to dust ourselves off, believe that we can compete with this team and get ready for the next leg in Toluca.”
On second leg:
“If we are organized and disciplined, it gives us a better chance to keep them from scoring. Moving forward we need to continue to create chances; that’s our best bet to win. Hopefully we are a little more fortunate in their final third [in Toluca] than we were tonight.”
On equalizer:
“I made a play on a great ball by Shea [Salinas]. I kept my eye on the ball and as it got closer I knew I had a chance to win it in the air and put it on frame. They are a tough team to break down and so many other guys should have scored. I was just lucky to get enough on the ball for the goal.”
On team’s scoring chances:
“We had our opportunities tonight which, were lacking last season. On another night, those maybe go in and you have a good cushion and the lead at home. Our offensive performance tonight usually results in a win. If those chances can carry over in the second leg, we have a reasonable chance to advance.”
Fotos: Luis Alberto Torres -ISC@
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