SAN JOSE — The San Jose Earthquakes hadn’t won a game in regulation since defeating the Chicago Fire 1-0 on July 7.
They won one in 35 minutes against Mexican club Club Necaxa on Thursday night at PayPal Park. The Earthquakes exploded out of the starting gate with the first goal of the season by captain Jackson Yueill, then doubled the lead with Hernan Lopez’s opportunistic left-footed strike in the 17th minute.
Jeremy Ebobisse added a brace of goals in the 29th and 35th minutes, and the game was on. San Jose punched their ticket to the Leagues Cup Round of 16 with a 5-0 win over their Aguascalientes-based opposition.
Substitute Paul Marie added some icing on the Earthquakes’ cake with an insurance goal after a Necaxa turnover in the 88th minute.
Thursday marked the first time the Earthquakes have scored four goals in a half of an MLS or Leagues Cup game since Oct. 20, 2021, against Austin FC. It was the first time they had done so in the first half since a tilt with FC Dallas on October 22, 2011. It was also San Jose’s first time advancing to the Leagues Cup Round of 16.
The reward for their productive offensive night? The Earthquakes will return to face Los Angeles FC on August 13 in Los Angeles. San Jose has split with LAFC this season, defeating the Angelenos 3-1 on May 4 at PayPal Park and losing 6-2 on June 22 at BMO Stadium. The latter match was Luchi Gonzalez’s last as coach before he was fired on June 24.
Thursday’s win is interim coach Ian Russell’s third in nine games in charge of San Jose and second in regulation.
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