The last defeat the San Jose Earthquakes have suffered at home came at the hands – or feet – of Real Salt Lake when the clubs last met at Buck Shaw Stadium in the 2013 MLS season opener. Ever since the Claret-and-Cobalt downed the Bay Area side 2-0 on March 3, 2013, the Goonies have gone on a 20-game unbeaten streak at home. San Jose kept the streak alive this past Tuesday, when the Earthquakes managed a late draw with Toluca in their CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal series.
The opening win at San Jose in last year’s season opener provided a taste of what was to come for the Claret-and-Cobalt in 2013, as the club went on to qualify for the postseason for the sixth-consecutive year, advance to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, become Western Conference Champions and make it to 2013 MLS Cup.
The San Jose match saw great performances from both RSL veterans and its new crop of young players. Claret-and-Cobalt forward Alvaro Saborio notched a brace with both goals scored in the second half, his 14th career brace. Newcomer forward Joao Plata – who made his RSL debut that night – assisted on Saborio’s first goal. Captain Kyle Beckerman – who made his 300th career regular season appearance – and wonder kid midfielder Luis Gil assisted on the second.
Plata entered the match in the 65th minute and made an immediate impact, providing the game-winning assist six minutes later. Plata collected a pass from defender Abdoulie Mansally near the midfield stripe, turning and chipping a fantastic through ball behind the San Jose back four. Saborio was quick to read the play, sprinting past an Earthquake player and running onto the ball just inside the box before burying his 15-yard half-volley inside the near post with his first touch.
Saborio went on to double the lead in the 85th minute with Gil starting the play, playing a square ball to Beckerman in the middle of San Jose’s defensive third. Beckerman then hit a no-look pass to Saborio in the left side of the box, setting up the Costa Rican international for a left-footed smash that found the inside of the far post.
Last year’s season opening match was also memorable for veteran RSL ‘keeper Nick Rimando, who earned his 100th regular season career shutout that night. Rimando, who currently has 109 shutouts, is only three away from tying the all-time MLS record held by retired goalkeeper Kevin Hartman with 112.
When the clubs meet again at Buck Shaw Stadium this Saturday, Real Salt Lake will be looking to snap that 20-game unbeaten streak at home and put on a performance that will hopefully continue to set the tone for what’s to come in 2014.
Re-live RSL’s fourth-consecutive season opening win above.
