New acquisition Oswaldo Alanis punctuated a two-goal comeback with a curling stoppage-time free kick goal to salvage a draw for the San Jose Earthquakes, 2-2 against Toronto FC.
The Quakes dominated first-half possession and created arguably the best chance of the first half via a Nick Lima shot midway through, but TFC were able to get on the board near halftime via an Alejandro Pozuelo penalty kick. Jozy Altidore tangled with Andres Rios and went down in the box on a corner kick, TFC was awarded the PK, and Pozuelo was easily able to score from the spot.
Just over five minutes into the second half, Toronto's Tsubasa Endoh tested goalkeeper Daniel Vega, and though he was able to parry the shot, Richie Laryea was there for the opportunistic putback.
But then the Quakes began the comeback nearly right away, with Rios stretching to redirect a well-delivered Cristian Espinoza pass from the right flank.
Head coach Matias Almeyda subbed in all-time leading MLS goal scorer Chris Wondolowski as part of the effort to find a second goal to equalize. While Wondo couldn't make Wondo magic happen, the newly-acquired Chivas center back found a way. Setting up on the free kick deep into stoppage time, Alanis sent a blistering ball through a maze of teammates and past outstretched goalkeeper Quentin Westberg to score the elusive equalizer and eke out the result.
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Goals
- 40' - TOR - Alejandro Pozuelo (PK) | WATCH
- 51' - TOR - Richie Laryea | WATCH
- 53' - SJ - Andres Rios | WATCH
- 90' + 5' - SJ - Oswaldo Alanis | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Up until the last-gasp goal, it looked like TFC would begin its Eastern Conference championship title defense with a solid road win against a tough-defending team no one wanted any part of for much of last year. Instead, the Reds will have to settle for the point and gear up for a tough home opener against NYCFC. While the Quakes have to contend against a lot of teams in the West that improved in the offseason, this was a result worthy of a team that's joyfully adopted the motto "Never Say Die" for much of its history.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It was pretty much the last moment. Alanis's free kick not only was big on drama, it was also a well-executed set-piece goal that is surely an AT&T Goal of the Week contender.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Alanis had the game-winning goal and did a lot of work out of the back to keep the Quakes in it even when they were down two goals.
Next Up
- SJ: Saturday, March 7 vs. Minnesota United FC (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada)
- TOR: Saturday, March 7 vs. New York City FC (5 pm ET | TSN 1/4, MLS LIVE on ESPN+, YES)
