It’s a whole new day in San Jose.
After parting ways with longtime coach Matias Almeyda on Monday, the San Jose Earthquakes earned a comeback victory thanks to a hat trick from Cristian Espinoza to defeat the Seattle Sounders 4-3 on Saturday night at Pay Pal Park.
It was the first MLS game for the Quakes under interim head coach Alex Covelo.
“First of all, I think we need to congratulate the guys,” said Covelo after the game. “They gave a great effort. It wasn’t easy to be down 3-1 and get back into the game.”
The game did not start well for the new head coach as he watched his team fall behind by two goals within the first twenty minutes from Seattle’s Nicolas Lodeiro and Cristian Roldan. San Jose got a goal from Cristian Espinoza right before the break to bring the Quakes back into striking distance.
However, a Jordan Morris goal in the 57th minute once again gave the visitors a two-goal cushion.
Seven minutes later, Esponiza scored his second of the match. One minute later, Jackson Yueill struck back, and the Quakes had tied the game.
San Jose won when Espinoza stepped up to the spot to convert a penalty kick in the 94th minute.
“It’s a very happy feeling because I like to score goals,” said Espinoza. “I think that the best thing that can happen to a player is that unique feeling, and I was able to feel that three different times today. Hopefully, I can continue to help the team with goals or assists.”
San Jose now travels across the county to face NYCFC next Sunday, May 1.
