The 10-man San Jose Earthquakes held on for a 1-1 draw against Minnesota United FC in a battle between two Western Conference playoff hopefuls at PayPal Park on Tuesday evening.
A 21st-minute red card to Earthquakes defender Nathan canceled out a positive start for the hosts, enabling the Loons to score 60 seconds later. However, despite holding a man advantage for the final 70 minutes of the match, Minnesota failed to claim three points on the road.
It was nearly a picture-perfect start for the Earthquakes after Cristian Espinoza found himself in a shooting position outside the box. The forward ripped an effort from distance but got unlucky, hitting the post with the ball bouncing out just two minutes in.
It didn't take long for the hosts to find their opener, though. In the 12th minute, Espinoza accelerated into the Loons' box and his low ball into the center deflected off defender Bakaye Dibassy's leg for an own goal.
Yet San Jose's early celebrations were quickly quieted in the 18th minute when referee Victor Rivas issued a yellow card to Earthquakes defender Nathan. After a Video Review, Rivas changed the call to a straight red card. The Brazilian slid studs-up into Dibassy's calf.
Minnesota took advantage of the situation almost immediately, leveling the score in the 22nd minute through midfielder Wil Trapp. Striker Adrien Hunou found Trapp near the top of the box and Trapp fired into the lower-left corner, evening things up.
Despite the man advantage, Minnesota failed to capitalize or seriously threaten the Earthquakes come the second half. The visitors struggled to gather any momentum going forward, even with attacking substitutions making their way onto the pitch.
In an attempt to squeeze a winner out late, the Earthquakes brought on MLS all-time leading goalscorer Chris Wondolowski, who made his 400th MLS appearance in the process.
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: This will be a disappointing result for the Loons, who held a man advantage for 70-plus minutes and failed to capitalize. With every point crucial as they look to nail down a playoff berth and perhaps even chase a top-four spot, Minnesota could look back with regret at this night come the end of the season. For San Jose, it's another impressive result following Nathan’s sending off. The result means it's now nine games unbeaten for Matias Almeyda's team.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Nathan’s 21st-minute red card. The defender being sent off gave the Loons confidence, with the guests finding the back of the net just 60 seconds later.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Judson. The San Jose midfielder showed off his versatility in moving to central defense when Nathan was sent off and he put on a clinic, denying Minnesota's attack for the game's final 70 minutes.
Next Up
- SJ: Friday, August 20 at LA Galaxy | 10:30 pm ET | ESPN2
- MIN : Saturday, August 21 vs Sporting Kansas City | 3:30 pm ET | ESPN and ESPN Deportes
