The San Jose Earthquakes opened their season with an impressive 4-0 victory against Real Salt Lake, signaling a turnaround from last year's struggles. The team, now featuring new coach Bruce Arena and talented additions like strikers Chicho Arango and Josef Martinez, showcased dominance with an early goal by rookie Jamar Ricketts. Assists from Christian Espinoza were pivotal, helping secure a second goal by Rodrigues and a third by Bouda. This win marks the Earthquakes' first season-opening victory since 2018, reflecting a revitalized squad aiming for improvement.
Ricketts' right-footed blast split two defenders and snuck inside the left post for a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute.
Christian Espinoza also got credited with assisting that opening goal, having fed the ball from the right wing to Leroux.
Goal No. 2 came in the 70th minute, when Rodrigues headed in an Espinoza corner kick for an insurmountable 2-0 lead.
The script had flipped from a year ago, when the Earthquakes produced arguably the worst season in MLS' 30-year history.
Collection
[
|
...
]