The San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers met for their second-round qualifying match for the U.S. Open Cup, and it took extra time to eventually decide a winner.
San Jose’s Ike Opara headed in a goal in the 120th minute of play to give the Quakes a 1-0 victory, effectively ending their 3 match winless streak. It was a hard fought match throughout that saw many yellow cards and chippy play, but eventually Opara landed the winning streak for the Quakes. Here is Opara after the match:
“On set pieces all night we were dangerous and we just couldn’t put one in the back of the net. I had a couple good chances, and actually I said to Wondo (Chris Wondolowski) that if I get one more chance, and just make contact with the ball, it’s going in. I finally got free again and got the opportunity and was able to get it into the back of the net – slowly, but it got there.”
Opara was assisted by Sam Cronin on the cross.
It was the first loss suffered by Portland at their newly renovated JELD-WEN field, even though many of their regular starters sat as they played two matches that week already.
Next for the Quakes is a showdown with the Vancouver Whitecap on Wednesday May 11th at 7:00 p.m. PT, and will be televised on CSN California.
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