VANCOUVER, B.C. - San Jose has always been a challenging place for Whitecaps FC to earn results. Vancouver had never beaten the Earthquakes in San Jose, but that all changed thanks to a monumental second half comeback and 3-2 win at Avaya Stadium in front of 16,326 spectators.
Jahmir Hyka, and Magnus Eriksson scored early first half goals, but Whitecaps FC turned up, and scored three unanswered after halftime. Yordy Reyna, Cristian Techera, and Kei Kamara made sure Vancouver earned all three points after San Jose had en epic collapse.
"You know, sometimes mangers don’t play the game, the players play the game." Coach Carl Robinson reflected post-match. "2-0 is a horrible score line. We’ve been here before, we’ve been two goals up and you know sometimes you have to do the basic fundamentals and hang on. We got into our groove. We got a goal with Jordy’s free kick and you since the confidence rise and three goals in nine minutes shows how dangerous we can be on the road as well. We’re really pleased. Obviously I’m sure (Stahre) will be disappointed in there but they played really well in the first 25 minutes. They deservedly were two goals ahead but it was probably an entertaining game for a neutral if there were any neutrals out there."
Vancouver Whitecaps improve to 10-9-7 on the season, and are momentarily tied with Portland Timbers FC for the 6th and final playoff spot in the western conference.
"It’s brilliant in Vancouver because they keep reminding you of things you haven’t done," Robinson pointed out. "Not things that you have done, which is great and it puts a smile on my face. I have a little bit of fun with people but nine attempts I think we’ve been down here and we’ve lost every time. I think we were even two-zero up once here in a league game two years ago. And then my goalkeeper got sent off for a wrong decision and we lose 3-2. So roles reversed in that one but eventually we managed to get that monkey off our back and win the game against a really good team. They have good players, it will take time for the manager to implement his style and people will probably get a little restless but they got good players and he knows what he’s doing so they’ll be fine."
San Jose suffer another shocking defeat. Coach Mikael Stahre sees his side drop to 3-14-8.
"We played really well," Stahre said. "Especially in the first 30 minutes and we took control of the game. We talked in the locker room at halftime about continuing to score and get a third one. When we conceded the first goal, I think we lost everything, actually. We lost the shape, the power and the will to play. We lost everything in seven minutes or something like that. Crazy defeat."
Moments of the Match
San Jose opened their scoring account in the 7' minute. Jahmir Hyka capitalized on a poor clearing attempt from Aaron Maund. Hyka was unmarked, and in prime position as his shot somehow found its way through three Whitecaps FC players before curling inside the near post.
The Earthquakes weren't finished, and they quickly doubled their lead ten minutes later. Marcel de Jong took down Danny Hoesen just inside the Vancouver box. Referee Baldermero Toledo consulted VAR and it was determined that San Jose had earned a penalty.
Swedish international, Magnus Eriksson stepped up and slotted the ball to the right of Marinovic. The Caps keeper guessed right, but he was unable to deny Eriksson. San Jose were off, and it was Vancouver who were clearly rattled and far too slow to react.
Frustrations were coming through as Whitecaps FC picked up a trio of yellow cards after the interval. Felipe, Yordy Reyna, and de Jong went into the pocket-book of Toledo. In an effort to shake up his lineup. Carl Robinson made a double substitution in the 55' minute. Felipe, and de Jong made way for Nicolas Mezquida and Aly Ghazal.
The Caps in match alteration proved to be just what they needed to get their offence going. Yordy Reyna sent a free kick through a disjointed San Jose wall. The ball skipped in front of Andrew Tarbell and found a way into the back of the net in the 59' minute.
Momentum had clearly shifted towards Whitecaps FC, and they wasted no time in levelling the match at 2-2 in the 61' minute. Cristian Techera dribbled into the Quakes box and around a falling Kashia. El Bicho calmly slotted the ball past Tarbell.
San Jose's defence proved to be smoke and mirrors because they had no defensive posture in the second half. Whitecaps FC could smell blood, and they made sure they completed their comeback by taking the lead in the 68' minute. Reyna broke past the Quakes and found Kei Kamara for an unselfish tap in-goal with Tarbell out of position.
Whitecaps FC could have collapsed and been blown out by the Earthquakes, but they took another path to earn a much-needed three points. Vancouver showed heart and determination and picked up their first win in San Jose in 17 previous matches. As the Caps look to the playoffs, they'll have to beat San Jose all over again on Saturday at home.
"Devastating." Chris Wondolowki told reporters. "I don’t think words can quite describe it right now. Just a gut punch. I think we played so well for so long and then 15 minutes of just complete let downs. Again, we’re trying to fix it, trying to work on things that led to it, but all in all, from top to bottom, our mentality is just not strong enough right now."
Man of the Match
Yordy Reyna picked up a yellow card for slamming the ball down after a foul. In a moment where he could have gone rogue, and really hurt the Caps. He really regained his composure. Moments later Reyna scored his 5th goal of the season, and he would eventually setup the match-winner for Kei Kamara. Reyna showed that he is a different footballer from earlier in the season when he far too often lost his cool. If Whitecaps FC are going to make the playoffs they're going to need Reyna contributing on offence and keeping his emotions in check, just like he did against San Jose.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Starting XI: Stefan Marinovic; Marcel de Jong, 55 (Nicolas Mezqudia), Aaron Maund, Kendall Waston(C), Jake Nerwinski; Alphonso Davies, Russell Teibert, Felipe, 55 (Aly Ghazal), Cristian Techera; Yordy Reyna, Kei Kamara, 72 (Erik Hurtado). 4-4-2
San Jose Starting XI: Andrew Tarbell(C); Joel Qwiberg, 82 (Dominic Oduro) Florian Jungwirth, Kashia, Nick Lima; Anibal Godoy, Felipe; Jahmir Hyka, 65 (Christopher Wehan) Valerie Qazaishvili, Magnus Eriksson, 69 (Chris Wondolowski); Danny Hoesen. 4-2-3-1
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