Jeremy Ebobisse scored two goals, and Cristian Espinoza added another as the San Jose Earthquakes cruised past Sporting Kansas City at PayPal Park.
Espinoza’s fifth goal of the season, only nine minutes into the game, allowed the Quakes to take the early lead.
Sporting Kansas City’s Robert Castellanos was ejected with a red card in the 38th minute, which opened the game up for the home side.
In the 40th minute, Ebobisse converted a penalty kick. Six minutes into the second half, Ebobbisse put the game to bed with his second of the match.
“I’m really proud of the group to have a performance like that,” noted Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez after the game. “I know the early red card does make it difficult for the opponent, but look, I think [Borussia] Dortmund played today, and they were up a man, but the game is unpredictable. Sometimes you can get casual or loose, and I am proud of our guys to have a mature performance in the second half and also show that same determination in attack and press to score the third goal, which I thought was really important.”
Next Saturday, the Quakes hit the road to take on Real Salt Lake.
