Another last-second reprieve
Hyka scores seconds before time expires to salvage a point
SAN JOSE — The comeback Earthquakes are giving their fans late-game heart failure.
For the second consecutive match San Jose scored a last-minute goal to pull out a draw just when defeat looked certain.
The Quakes waited until seconds before the final whistle Friday night to gain a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas in front of 18,000 fans at Avaya Stadium.
The crowd-pleasing goal came from Jahmir Hyka, the new Albanian midfielder who was lured to America for moments like these.
“I didn’t hit it so well,” he said of his first Major League Soccer goal. “Thank God it went in.”
The stunner came on the heels of Chris Wondolowski’s 90th minute score that allowed San Jose to earn a 1-1 tie against Seattle Sounders FC last weekend.
As much as San Jose (2-2-2) can celebrate lategame heroics, the players were not feeling overjoyed.
“On one side, we’re happy,” defender Florian Jungwirth said. “On the other we’re angry — we lost too many balls.”
Indeed, San Jose heads into a crucible-like threegame trip after netting just two of a possible six points at home.
Like against Seattle, the Earthquakes looked dangerous in the first half before the level of play slipped dramatically. While the rallies leave fans jazzed, they also underscore the team’s failings.
“It’s not good enough,” said Hyka, who has taken over a starting role in the midfield. “We have to do it all game.”
Although Dallas’ talented defense held San Jose out of the net until the bitter end, Hyka had a positive influence on the left flank with winger Simon Dawkins sidelined with a knee injury.
The Earthquakes opened the second half with a good chance after Chris Wondolowski’s high header tipped the crossbar and squirted out to Hyka.
But Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez recovered to handle the 5-foot-7 winger’s 55th-minute header.
Maxi Urruti’s deft ball control near the penalty area led to Dallas’ score in the 79th minute. The Argentine striker held off Jungwirth before finding onrushing Kellyn Acosta, who avoided Fatai Alashe’s sliding tackle to score.
All seemed lost until the late goal that allowed San Jose to avoid its first shutout of an uneven season.
But it might give the team a boost as Dallas (30-2) has been one of the league’s hottest teams.
FCD extended its undefeated streak to 10 MLS regular-season games dating to Sept. 17. It also is 1-03 at Avaya Stadium and has not lost to San Jose since 2014.
But coach Oscar Pareja wasn’t feeling great about losing three points, particularly after designated player Cristian Colman had the game’s biggest flub in the 27th minute. The Paraguayan let a ball that rolled past goalkeeper David Bingham dribble off the left post before he reached it in what looked to be a sure goal.
Now San Jose plays its final three games of April on the road. A continual theme this year will be measuring the Quakes’ success away from Avaya Stadium, starting Wednesday at New England.
The drumbeat will get louder the longer a road winless streak grows, having reached nine games dating to last season. San Jose has been abysmal with just one away victory in the past year.
“We have to work to make the most of them,” Wondolowski said of the upcoming trip.