Cristian Espinoza, JT Marcinkowski lead Earthquakes past Sounders

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Cristian Espinoza scores penalty goal vs. Seattle Sounders FC

Cristian Espinoza scores penalty goal vs. Seattle Sounders FC

Updated: Jul 13, 2023, 06:20 am

Cristian Espinoza had a goal and an assist as the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the visiting Seattle Sounders 2-0 Wednesday night in an MLS match.

Miguel Trauco added a highlight-reel goal as the Earthquakes (8-7-8, 32 points) snapped a five-match winless streak (0-2-3). Backup goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski, playing for the suspended Daniel, made two saves in posting the shutout.

Seattle goalie Stefan Cleveland, getting his second straight start with league shutout leader Stefan Frei in the concussion protocol, was credited with one save. The Sounders (10-8-5, 35 points) had a two-match winning streak come to an end.

Trauco's tally in the 65th minute gave the Earthquakes a two-goal advantage. Espinoza's corner kick from the right wing found an open Trauco just past the semi-circle at the top of the penalty area. Trauco's left-footed volley rocketed into the side netting inside the right post, leaving Cleveland no chance.

Though Seattle held possession for nearly 60 percent of the first half, the Earthquakes took a 1-0 lead.

San Jose's Jeremy Ebobisse took a pass just inside the top of the 18-yard box and was tripped up as he spun back toward the center of the pitch by Sounders defender Yeimar Gomez Andrade. Espinoza hammered the penalty kick into the lower left corner of the net in the 19th minute.

Marcinkowski made both of his saves in the first half. In the seventh minute, he made a diving stop on a 12-yard shot by Heber after Seattle had a swift buildup down the left wing on the counterattack. In the 22nd, Marcinkowski held his position next to the right post to stop a sharp-angled shot from Nouhou Tolo following a corner kick.

Cleveland made his lone save in the 46th minute as Espinoza stole a pass just inside his own half of the field and attempted a shot from the midfield line. Cleveland, who was near the top of the 18-yard box, scrambled back to make the stop.

Jack Skahan appeared to give the Earthquakes a two-goal lead in the 47th minute when he put a 10-yard shot from the right side of the penalty area into the net, but he was ruled offside.

--Field Level Media