Quakes look for second victory in Minnesota
The slumping Earthquakes haven’t won in nine weeks and hope to finally break through today against a Minnesota United squad it beat in the opener for San Jose’s lone victory of the season.
San Jose is 1-5-2 overall and is riding a seven-game winless streak that started after a 3-2 win over Minnesota to open the season. It’s been a struggle since then. The Quakes are coming off a frustrating 1-0 loss to Portland and has yet to win on the road this season (0-3-1).
Minnesota United (46-0) has been strong at home, winning three of its four matches, but is facing a short turnaround after matches against Vancouver (a 2-1 win on Saturday) and LAFC (a 2-0 loss on Wednesday) and has had to shake things up because of a combination of injuries and a suspension.
Against LAFC, Minnesota United shook up its lineup and started several players for the first time this season.
• The Earthquakes’ emphasis on youth has led to one of Major League Soccer’s smallest budgets, according to salary figures released by the players union this week on the 23 teams. San Jose ranked 18th — and second to last in the Western Division ahead of the Houston Dynamo. It spent a reported $7.78 million on its 29-man roster, a decrease from last year’s reported figure of $8.4 million.
Water polo
STANFORD, CAL MEET IN SEMIFINALS >> The Cal and Stanford women’s teams advanced to the NCAA semifinals with wins Friday at USC. Six players scored twice, and the No. 2 Cardinal (19-3) rolled to a 14-8 win over No. 8 UC Irvine. The No. 3 Bears topped Michigan 13-6. Cal and Stanford play their semifinal today at 5 p.m.
Tennis
STANFORD WOMEN CRUISE >> The Stanford women easily dispatched St. John’s 4-0 in the first round of the NCA A championships at Taube Family Tennis Stadium. Stanford (19-3), making its 37th consecutive postseason appearance, is riding a 15-match winning streak.
Stanford will face No. 17 Michigan, a 4-0 winner over Hawaii, in the second round today with a berth in next weekend’s round of 16 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on the line.
Caroline Lampl, Emily Arbuthnott and Emma Higuchi picked up the singles wins for Stanford.
CAL MEN ADVANCE >> Paul Barretto clinched No. 34 Cal’s 4-1 upset win over No. 24 N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA tournament at the Texas Tennis Center in Austin, as the Bears rallied after dropping the doubles point to dominate in singles. On Saturday, Cal will play host and 12th-ranked Texas in the round of 32.