San Jose Earthquakes Vs Chicago Fire: Winners and losers – Wondolowski breaks record

Loser: Veljko Paunovic

Ahead of Saturday’s clash, San Jose had won each of their last three home games, scoring eight goals and conceding just once. The Fire, meanwhile, went into the game in California without a road win in the whole of 2019 so far, scoring just three goals away from home – the joint-lowest record in MLS.

One plus two equals three, right? Well, in this case, it certainly means three points for San Jose.

From start to finish, the Chicago Fire were totally outplayed, taking just a 38 per cent share of possession and registering just three shots on target during the entire game. Even Aleksandar Katai’s late consolation goal was more down to the deflection rather than the quality of the strike. But in fairness to Veljko Paunovic, what could he really do?

Having no Bastian Schweinsteiger and Nico Gaitan available was the tip of the iceberg for the Serbian tactician who was probably hoping to grind out a draw and make the long trip back home with pride and performance intact.

Alas, it was simply never going to happen as the Fire were crushed. It’s early days but given that New York Red Bulls are yet to hit true form and other sides initially struggling in the Eastern Conference now look to be hitting form, that playoff dream is starting to look like a big ask for Paunovic and his side.