San Jose Earthquakes 4, FC Dallas 3 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

Jose Romero

After almost six months without a home victory, the San Jose Earthquakes ended their slump in a big way with an offensive explosion.

The Quakes stunned Western Conference-leading FC Dallas 4-3, on the strength of two goals from Vako and Chris Wondolowski's 142nd of his illustrious career. Wondo's goal in the 62nd minute proved to be the game winner as San Jose held on for three points.

The Earthquakes lost leads of 2-1 and 3-2 on second-half goals by Santiago Mosquera and Dominique Badji before Wondolowski found the net for what would the game's final goal. San Jose remains far back in last place, but kept FCD from building on their one-point lead over Sporting Kansas City in the West.

Maximiliano Urruti scored the game's first goal and added two assists for Dallas in defeat. Vako and Wondolowski had an assist each, Magnus Eriksson scored the Quakes' third goal with a beautiful curler, and Nick Lima cleared a dangerous cross in the closing seconds to preserve San Jose's win.

Goals

8' – DAL – Maximiliano Urruti | WATCH
15' – SJ – Vako | WATCH
42' – SJ – Vako | WATCH
51' – DAL – Santiago Mosquera | WATCH
54' – SJ – Magnus Eriksson | WATCH
58 – DAL – Dominique Badji | WATCH
62' – SJ – Chris Wondolowski | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: Not since the season opener on March 3 did the Quakes have an MLS win at Avaya Stadium, but they broke their slump in style. Dallas will see the Quakes in their nightmares, as San Jose won in Texas and in the Bay Area in the two meetings this season and scored a combined seven goals. There should be some concern about how porous their defense was as they look to capture El Capitan at home on Saturday.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Wondolowski moved within three goals of Landon Donovan for the all-time MLS lead , and after missing a chance earlier with his head, made the most of his next big opportunity the way he has throughout his career. He also tallied his 40th game-winning goal.

142.

4 away from history.#WondoWatch 👀 pic.twitter.com/JutsVynXl8
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) August 30, 2018

MAN OF THE MATCH: Vako's first-half exploits put his team in position to win a big one, and his strength and resolve in dribbling around and through the FC Dallas defense was most noteworthy. Once he got the ball in the box, he simply wouldn't be denied, and his work with Wondo provided the lead-up to the game-winner.