October 20th 2024.
In the bustling city of Los Angeles, the Earthquakes were ready to face off against Los Angeles FC in their final game of the season. With a quick goal in the ninth minute from Jackson Yueill, the Quakes were off to a strong start. However, LAFC proved to be a tough opponent, coming back in the second half to secure a 3-1 victory over San Jose.
Despite their efforts, the Quakes finished the season in last place in the Western Conference with only 21 points. This put them as the only team out of the 29 in the MLS to not reach at least 30 points. Head coach Ian Russell, who took over mid-season, reflected on the tough year and stressed the importance of learning from their mistakes in order to improve for the next season. He emphasized the need for the club to work hard and build a strong foundation and culture during the off-season.
While the Quakes did manage to collect half of their victories in the final 13 matches, they struggled in their last few games with a record of 1-6-1. On the other hand, LAFC finished tied with their city rivals, the LA Galaxy, at the top of the Western Conference with 64 points. However, they secured the number one seed in the playoffs due to their superior goal differential. They will face off against either the Vancouver Whitecaps or the Portland Timbers in a best-of-three series.
The Quakes had previously upset LAFC with a 3-1 victory in May, and it seemed like they could do it again as they took an early lead in the sold-out stadium. Yueill scored his first MLS goal with an assist from Paul Marie, and Hernán López had a chance to extend their lead, but ultimately LAFC's goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, made the save.
LAFC's Denis Bouanga tied the score in the 64th minute, and then substitute Eduard Atuesta put them ahead in the 75th minute with a goal just moments after coming onto the field. Marlon Santos added an insurance goal in the 91st minute, securing the win for LAFC.
Despite the loss, Russell praised his team for their hard work and determination throughout the game. He also highlighted their strong performance during the Leagues Cup, where they showed their potential when there was something on the line. He was proud of their effort and felt that they never gave up, especially in their final game of the season.
The Quakes also had a standout player in Cristian Espinoza, who extended his MLS record of consecutive regular-season games played to 109. His impressive streak is the fifth-longest in MLS history, with the league record being held by Luis Robles with 183 straight appearances. Overall, San Jose struggled this season with a goal differential of -37, tied with New England for the largest in the league. However, they are determined to use this as motivation to come back stronger and more competitive in the next season.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
