New-look Quakes suffer their first setback of surprise start

EARTHQUAKES

Kelvin Yeboah, left, of Minnesota United falls to the ground in front of the Earthquakes’ Rodrigues. BRANDON VALLANCE — GETTY IMAGES

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By Harold Gutmann

Correspondent

SAN JOSE >> The Earthquakes were attempting to win their first three MLS games for the first time in their 28 seasons in the league.

Instead, they were unable to solve Minnesota’s defense and lost 1-0 Saturday night at PayPal Park.

The new-look Quakes dominated possession, controlling the ball for 68.4% of the game, having a 598-250 edge in passes and a 22-3 advantage in crosses.

But San Jose took until the 68th minute to get its first shot on goal — an attempt from well outside the box by midfielder Ian Harkes — against Minnesota’s 5-3-2 formation, which has allowed just one goal this season.

“I think we tried everything to break down the line of five that they put in the back,” Quakes captain Cristian Espinoza said. “I think it’s very difficult to have the opportunities to score when they defend most of the game with nine players in the box. But we need to keep working, keep improving, because probably during this season we’re going to face this situation again and we need to be ready.”

The game’s only goal came on a miscue by centerback Bruno Wilson, whose clearance attempt went straight into the air. The ball reached Minnesota striker Kelvin Yeboah, who was unmarked in front of goal and took advantage in the 32nd minute.

Both teams are now 2-1-0.

The offseason additions of Colombian star striker Chicho Arango and Josef Martinez, who is seventh all-time in MLS in goals, were expected to jump-start the offense in coach Bruce Arena’s first season. But it didn’t help Saturday against Minnesota, which has lost just one of its past 13 matches against San Jose in all competitions.

“Obviously, they defended very well, physically big in their back line and dealt with a lot of crosses quite well,” Arena said. “They have a very good defensive posture and they were hard to break down and we need to be a little bit cleaner technically to create some more chances. Our team played hard, played well, but not well enough to get a goal and at least walk off the field with a point.”

The Quakes were 2-0 for the first time since 2017 after winning their opener 4-0 and then beating host Kansas City despite being down to 10 men for the final 30 minutes.

While it was the Quakes’ first setback of the season, it was still a more hopeful performance than many of the games last season, when San Jose had the worst record in MLS (6-25-3), allowing a league-record 78 goals.