The Earthquake’s eight-game unbeaten streak on the road was snapped behind a hat trick from the Vancouver Whitecaps Brian White Saturday night.
“We met a team that has been growing in important ways, with a secure system of play,” said San Jose coach Matias Almeyda after the game. “We knew that if we conceded a goal, it would be hard to turn it around because they are secure on defense.”
In the 29th minute, White scored off a shot initially saved by Quakes keeper JT Marcinkowski.
With San Jose chasing the action more in the second half they conceded a free-kick in the 59th minute. Déiber Caicedo found White on the set-piece to double the lead.
White put the game to bed in the 73rd minute scoring on a corner kick from Ryan Gauld.
“In the second half, we took more risks,” said Almeyda. “The set-piece played a fundamental factor against us.”
“There were two difficult set pieces and we have to be sharper,” added Quakes defender Oswaldo Alanis.
With the loss the Earthquakes enter the international break still in tenth place, five points out of the final playoff position held by Minnesota United. But Alanis noted the team will keep pressing as long as the Earthquakes are mathematically alive in the playoff race.
“This is soccer. We are working hard,” said Alanis. “We have six more games to keep going and improve things.”
San Jose’s next game is Oct. 16 vs Los Angeles FC.