An offseason full of movement and optimism for the San Jose Earthquakes just got its first full dose of reality.
And much to the joy of Quakes fans, it’s a reality of the winning kind.
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It took San Jose 20 minutes to get going but they may have given the rest of the Western Conference something to think about with a 3-2 win over Minnesota United FC in a game where the Quakes looked dangerous.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Take your pick between Danny Hoesen — who scored a brace for San Jose — or Valeri Qazaishvili — who played his best match as an Earthquake since signing as a Designated Player in June of last season. The duo combined for all three of San Jose’s goals.
Hoesen scored in minutes 27 and 59. He also had a couple point-blank opportunities that he just missed.
Soccer
Vako scored in minute 28 — more on him below.
TURNING POINT
The aforementioned Vako goal in minute 28 exemplified why San Jose might be little more of a force to be reckon with than experts are giving them credit for.
It began with some high pressure by Chris Wondolowski, who won the ball down the right side and put a cross into the box in Hoesen’s direction. The forward whiffed on his attempt but — in a lesson of why you always make a run to the back post, boys and girls -- Vako was there to clean things up and make it 2-0 in a matter of seconds.
INJURY UPDATE
Yefferson Quintana, a newcomer from Uruguay who’s in San Jose via loan, went down in the 54th minute with what appeared to be leg discomfort.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Quakes hit the road for a March 17 game against the reigning U.S. Open Cup champions, Sporting KC.
They’ll return to the San Jose on March 24 for a friendly against Landon Donovan and Club Leon of Mexico.