San Jose Earthquakes and LAFC Power to Quarterfinals

BAY LAKE – A stunning second-half performance from the San Jose Earthquakes saw them power past Real Salt Lake 5-2 on Monday night to advance to the MLS is Back quarterfinals.

San Jose originally opened the scoring in the 21^st minute, after Vako found Cristian Espinoza to score the opener. That lead only lasted one minute when Douglas Martinez got on the end of a long-ball and buried it to make it 1-1, and the score would remain that until halftime.

The second half was all Earthquakes. Four minutes into the half, they earned a penalty after Alvin Jones tripped Tommy Thompson. That allowed Magnus Eriksson to step up and score from the spot, restoring San Jose’s lead.

An error from Zac McMath allowed Vako to pounce and make it three. A poor ball out allowed Vako and Andres Rios to pass the ball around, eventually resulting in Vako’s goal.

In the 75^th minute RSL pulled one back, Marcelo Silva played through Damir Kreliach to score. Nine minutes later, Silva turned villain as he was shown a red card for his tackle on Jackson Yueill.

Four minutes from time, the win was sealed as Chris Wondolowski got lucky, redirecting a ball into the back of the net. The penalty spot provided another goal in the 96^th minute, with Eriksson scoring it again.

It got even worse for RSL in the 97^th minute as Kyle Beckerman inexplicably kicked the ball at the referee earning himself a straight red card and a disciplinary committee appointment.

Los Angeles FC also managed a dominant win, beating the Seattle Sounders 4-1 to set up a match with Orlando City SC in the Friday Quarterfinal.

A penalty to Diego Rossi gave LAFC the lead in the 14^th minute. He also drew the foul, having been tripped by Xavier Arreaga.

It became 2-0 in the 39^th minute as Latif Blessing hit an excellent curling shot which deflected off the arm of Shane O’Neil. The score would remain that way until halftime.

Things seemed to be all-LA, but in the 75^th minute, the Sounders made things interesting. Joevin Jones drove in a cross to the far post to find Will Bruin, who sent it home.

All hope of a Seattle comeback expired in the 82^nd minute when Rossi scored his second, capitalizing on a turnover. One minute from time, Brian Rodriguez wrapped it up as he shifted the ball to his left and slammed it past the keeper.

Photo Courtesy: Katie Cahalin