Quakes fall in opener in Houston
The Dynamo’s Memo Rodriguez scored the opening goal of the Major League Soccer season, Chris Wondolowski’s opennet tapin opportunity to tie the game late went wide, and the Earthquakes dropped their season opener 21 on a rainy Friday night in Houston.
“Because we’re in a pandemic, we weren’t able to play many friendlies,” Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda said. “So we have to build our rhythm in season; that is the reality. We hope to get there fast. In the first half, we saw a team that was out of rhythm, but we improved in the second half.”
Rodriguez raced to Joe Corona’s through ball in the 39th minute and bent a shot around Quakes goaltender JT Marcinkowski.
Maximiliano Urruti was left wide open at the penalty spot in the 56th and easily slotted home Tyler Pasher’s cross to make it 20 before Paul Marie scored in the 74th on a curling shot from distance to pull San Jose within 21.
Marcinkowski, a 23yearold from Alamo who is the Earthquakes’ third signed homegrown player in franchise history, kept the Quakes close by making a diving save in the 80th on Urruti minutes before Wondolowski’s missed chance.
Houston announced tickets, approximately 6,500, were sold out with 30% capacity.
Sounders 4, Minnesota 0:
Joao Paulo scored a goal of the season candidate early in the second half, Raul Ruidiaz added two goals three minutes apart, and host Seattle welcomed back fans back with a rout of United.