On Wednesday evening, the San Jose Earthquakes fought back from 3-1 down to defeat the Vancouver Whitecaps in a wild affair. Here are three things we learned.
The Vancouver Whitecaps made their MLS is Back debut on Wednesday night in Orlando. They faced the San Jose Earthquakes, who were coming off a 0-0 draw against defending MLS Cup champions and Group B favorites, the Seattle Sounders. Despite the scheduling seeming to favor the Quakes, the Whitecaps led both by 2-0 and 3-1 scorelines. Several setbacks looked like they would haunt San Jose, but a big comeback resulted in a 4-3 win to put them top of the group with four points from two games and unbeaten thus far.
Here are three things we learned.
3. San Jose get in their own way
In four games in 2020, the San Jose Earthquakes have conceded two or more goals in three of them. Whether it’s a standard MLS season or a shorter tournament format, you will not do well in any competition with that record.
The first goal they conceded was well crafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps. Both Oswaldo Alanis and Daniel Vega got close to preventing the move, but some clever interplay in midfield released Ali Adnan down the left flank, who brilliantly cut inside and curled a low finish into the far corner.
But while that goal was somewhat excusable, there is no reason for conceding an own goal off your own corner kick. The same can be said for Vega’s mistake — an under-hit pass that was easily intercepted — that led to the third goal. San Jose may have dug themselves out of the hole, but they cannot rely on such late-game heroics.