The San Jose Earthquakes’ offense has been as cold as the game-time temperature in Philadelphia on Saturday evening, losing to the Union 2-0.
After three games this season, the Quakes have been unable to score any goals from the run of play.
“We tried to create goalscoring opportunities,” noted San Jose head coach Matias Almeyda. “We had control of the match. In the second half, that’s when we had clear goalscoring opportunities. But today, we were lacking the depth to be able to hurt Philadelphia.”
Philadelphia scored a goal in each half. The Union’s Cory Burke opened the scoring in the 23rd minute off a feed from Sergio Santos.
Daniel Gazdag converted a penalty kick in the 58th minute to provide a cushion for the home side.
Three Quakes players made their debut for the first team on Saturday: MLS first-round draft pick Ousseni Bouda, Will Richmond, and 16-year-old Niko Tsakiris.
“Will and Bouda and Niko, all three of them, they were flying up there,” noted Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski. “I’m not really surprised that they got the opportunity tonight, and I think it will be the first of many for them.”
San Jose’s next game is against Minnesota United, also on the road, on March 19.
