Quakes’ run halted by K. C. in shootout
Tim Melia stopped all three of San Jose’s shootout attempts and Sporting Kansas City converted its three tries to beat the Earthquakes on Sunday after they finished overtime tied at 3 in the Western Conference semifinals in Kansas City, Kan.
“For moments it seemed like San Jose was dead, but we came back,” Quakes coach Matias Almeyda said. “Football has these things in penalties; sometimes it serves in your favor and sometimes against you because of virtue from the opponent. In this case, with their goalkeeper.”
Topseeded Sporting advances to face No. 4 Minnesota at home in the next round.
Sporting Kansas City took the a lead in the fourth minute, when Johnny Russell sent an inswinging corner kick into the box and Roger Espinoza’s glancing header found the back of the
net.
San Jose responded with an equalizer in the 22nd minute. Cristian Espinoza received a long ball on the right wing and played a low cross in front of goal. Carlos Fierro redirected the ball goalward, and it deflected off a defender and bounced into the net.
The Quakes scored a second goal 12 minutes later. Fierro played a through ball to Espinoza, who carried it down the flank and into the box. Espinoza’s cutback pass found Shea Salinas unmarked near the penalty spot and his low shot caromed off a defender and around Melia.
Sporting pulled even less than two minutes into the second half on another corner kick, the goal scored by Ilie Sanchez. It was the 10th goal off a corner kick by Sporting Kansas City this season, most in MLS.
Gianluca Busio scored in the first minute of stoppage time to give Sporting Kansas City a 32 lead, but Chris Wondolowski scored about six minutes later, heading home a high cross to the far post by Cristian Espinoza to force extra time. It was just the second career playoff goal for Wondolowski, who has an MLS-record 166 goals in the regular season.
“The goal from Wondo there at the end was just insane,” said San Jose’s Salinas. “My heart still hurts a little bit from the game, but it was an awesome experience.”
At 37 years and 299 days, Wondolowski became the oldest player in Earthquakes history and sixth oldest player in MLS history to score in the postseason. His goal, scored with 96: 49 on the clock, was the third-latest non-overtime goal in MLS playoff history.
In the shootout, Russell opened the tiebreaker with a goal, Melia stopped Oswaldo Alanis, and Sanchez connected for Sporting. Jackson Yueill was stopped, Khiry Shelton scored, and Melia stopped Espinoza to end it.
Melia is 60 in shootouts. The 34yearold goalkeeper went into the match allowing goals on just 54% ( 14 of 26) of the penalty kicks he’s faced, the lowest percentage in MLS history.
After the game, Wondolowski said his career wasn’t over. “I want to continue to play. I don’t have anything in mind yet,” he said. “I haven’t discussed any numbers, and I never want to be a burden on the Quakes. I want to make sure to see all the options, see what’s out there.
“You know I love it. I can’t get enough of it. I have a passion. It’s in me. It’s in my blood. I want to continue to play.”
Cade Cowell became the youngest player in Quakes history to make a postseason appearance, at 17 years and 40 days.