WELCOME ABOARD
Quakes’ defender Alani scores equalizer in his first game with team
SAN JOSE >> The Earthquakes’ biggest offseason signing made an immediate impact.
Defender Oswaldo Alanis scored on a free kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time, giving the Earthquakes a 2-2 tie against reigning Eastern Conference champion Toronto FC at Earthquakes Stadium.
Alanis’s goal on the final possession capped a two-goal comeback for the Quakes, who ended last season on a sixgame losing streak to fall out of playoff contention in coach Matias Almeyda’s first year at the helm.
Here were the three biggest takeaways from the season opener Saturday, which took place in front of an announced sellout of 18,000.
NEW ADDITION >> The Quakes returned about 90% of their non-keeper minutes
from last year. The only new player in the starting lineup was Alanis, who played under Almeyda at Mexico’s Chivas de Guadalajara and came to the Quakes on a one-year transfer in January.
Throughout the game, the 30-yearold Mexican seemed like the most composed player on the team. The final free kick, which was curled into the upper left corner from the right side of the field, just added to a stellar debut.
“I think he did 95 good minutes with a certain personality and he was enthusiastic and was showing why we brought him on,” Almeyda said through a translator. “I think the beginning for
any player at any club, like the one that he had to today, players dream of that.” BIG COMEBACK >> Despite having so much continuity from last season, the Quakes didn’t look sharp early. They recorded just one shot on target in the first half, a 25-yard attempt from Nick Lima on the left wing. But after falling behind 2-0, the Quakes came alive. Just two minutes after Toronto’s second goal, Andres Rios slid into a cross by Cristian Espinoza and deflected the ball into the net.
“I thought it was great character to show some fight, especially the response right after the second goal,” captain Chris Wondolowski said.
Just one game into 2020, the Quakes did something they never managed in 2019 — get at least a point from a two-goal deficit.
“Overcoming a 2-0 result in modern football is not easy,” said Almeyda, who took over after the Quakes had the worst record in the league in 2018. “I can’t forget what this team was like a year and a half ago and also I can’t forget the beginning of last season. This marks to me that the team has improved. What I like the most is that they never give up.”
It was the second MLS goal for Rios, who played 10 games and made one start last year for the Quakes after coming from Argentina in July. Espinoza led the team with 13 assists last year.
Espinoza later drew the foul deep in stoppage time that led to Alanis’s free kick.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT >> Alanis’s golazo covered up some big mistakes for the Quakes. Rios took down Toronto captain Jozy Altidore in the box on a corner kick late in the first half, allowing Alajandro Pozuelo to score on a penalty kick. And Toronto took advantage of a turnover in the San Jose end early in the second half when Toronto native Richie Laryea scored on a rebound.
“It’s hard to start off the season and do everything to perfection,” Almeyda said.
Still, the Quakes will need to tighten up and win their home games if they hope to make a playoffs this season. They continue their season-opening homestand against Minnesota next Saturday.
“It’s hard to be resultsoriented right now,” said Wondolowski, who entered in the 66th minute to begin what is expected to be the final season for MLS’S alltime leading scorer. “We played well at times, but we also got punished and rightfully so at times. A little bit of relief to get the point but we want three points.”