San Jose Earthquakes 1, Philadelphia Union 2 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

Jose Romero

With leading scorer Chris Wondolowski in the supporters end at Avaya Stadium due to a red-card suspension, the San Jose Earthquakes took a one-goal lead, lost it, and left their home pitch downtrodden after a controversial overturn of a penalty call in the 81st minute meant the Philadelphia Union took home a 2-1 win.

The Union stunned the Wondo-charged crowd on goals by Alejandro Bedoya and Kacper Przybylko in the 70th and 76th minutes. Then came a foul in the box by the Union's Aurelien Collin on Andres Rios that after Video Review was deemed not a penalty, and San Jose couldn't come up with an equalizer despite seven minutes of stoppage time.

The Quakes had chances for more than one earlier after Danny Hoesen set up Jackson Yueill with a pass from the endline for the game's opening goal in the 35th minute. The Wondolowski celebration of the goal was priceless.

San Jose's Carlos Fierro almost scored in the 42nd minute but the rebound was cleared off the line. The Earthquakes lost what was ruled a goal seconds into the second half on a Video Review-assisted offside call.

The Union moved into second place in the East with the win, while San Jose dropped below the playoff line in the West in eighth place.

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Goals

35' – SJ – Jackson Yueill | WATCH
70' – PHI – Alejandro Bedoya | WATCH
76' – PHI – Kacper Przybylko | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: This match meant so much more to the Earthquakes, as Philadelphia is already assured of hosting an Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoff game. A game the Quakes could easily have led by more than one early in the second half changed with Bedoya's goal, and the crushing blow was the overturned penalty. The loss leaves San Jose a point behind the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas, and the Quakes trail both teams in goal differential — a key tiebreaker. San Jose also has the more difficult games remaining, with Seattle at home and the Timbers away.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH: With Portland having lost a 2-0 lead and settling for a draw earlier in the evening, the Earthquakes could have kept pace even after losing their lead. But referee Baldomero Toledo's decision to overturn a penalty call left the Quakes without a golden opportunity to equalize.

MAN OF THE MATCH:
It's Przybylko, who scored his team-leading 15th goal of the season that ended up winning the match, and who did a lot less-noticed things from box to box.