SAN JOSE, CA (July 29, 2017) – The San Jose Earthquakes push for the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs carries on. Thanks to a Nick Lima golazo in the 59th minute, the Quakes beat the Colorado Rapids 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Colorado were looking to build off of their first road point of the season. San Jose struggled in their last game, losing 3-0 to Seattle Sounders FC. They were looking to pick up a win at home and put in a good performance with their new look 3-5-2 system.
San Jose Starting XI (3-5-2): Bingham/Imperiale, Bernardez, Jungwirth/Lima, Dawkins, Yueill, Ceren, Salinas/Urena, Wondolowski
Colorado Starting XI (4-4-2): MacMath/da Fonte, Sjoberg, Watts, Miller/Serna, Saeid, Azira, Hairston/Doyle, Badji
Nick Lima Golazo Lifts Quakes To 1-0 Win Over Colorado Rapids
The first half wasn’t very eventful, save for a few chances. Kevin Doyle got a good chance on a header just mintes into the game, but Quakes GK David Bingham was well positioned to make the save. Chris Wondolowski had several chances in the game. just 10 minutes in, he ran onto a long ball in the box, but was bodied and grabbed by Jared Watts. Rapids GK Zac MacMath came out to collect the ball, but he bubbled it and Axel Sjoberg had to clear it.
10′ – Can’t stop. Won’t stop. ?#ForwardAsOne | #SJvCOL pic.twitter.com/rMkvh5ERZZ
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) July 30, 2017
Wondolowski had a chance on a direct free kick just outside the box in the 43rd minute. It was well hit but appeared to go off defender Mike Da Fonte’s arm and out for a corner. The handball was not called.
43′ – ???
Wondo’s free kick is deflected over the bar!#ForwardAsOne | #SJvCOL pic.twitter.com/RRfzRCooPy
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) July 30, 2017
Colorado’s best chance came 25 minutes in when Sjoberg got his head to a second chance on a corner. The half ended 0-0 with Mike Da Fonte on a yellow card.
25′ – Best chance for the #Rapids96 as @SjobergAxel has his header saved after the set piece. Still scoreless.
0-0 | #SJvCOL pic.twitter.com/AMMHM8yzya
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) July 30, 2017
The game opened up in the second half, leading to chances in transition and restarts for both sides. Nick Lima broke the deadlock on the hour mark. Shea Salinas delivered an outswinging cross on a corner. It fell to Lima, who took a touch to control, then fired a shot from 30 yards out into the top corner. MacMath had no chance at it.
Striker Marco Urena had several chances in the minutes that followed, but he couldn’t finish. The Costa Rican even had a golden chance in the 71st minute, but missed a wide open goal. Colorado pushed in the final minutes to get a point, but couldn’t find one. The match ended 1-0.
Scoring Summary:
59′ San Jose – Nick Lima, assisted by Darwin Ceren and Shea Salinas
Final Thoughts:
This was a big must win game for the Earthquakes. They were clearly the better team over the 90 minutes. The defense didn’t let Colorado create much and they had a bunch of chances themselves, outshooting Colorado 15-8. San Jose deserved to win this game 2-0, possibly 3-0.
On the other side, the Rapids continue to struggle on the road. They are now 0-8-1 away from Commerce City in 2017. Chance creation continues to come at a premium. Their defense is not the impenitrable wall it was last year. Things need to change quickly if they’re going to make the playoffs.
