San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 FC Dallas: Player ratings as Toros find late equalizer out west
A stoppage time goal from FC Dallas' Nkosi Tafari denied San Jose Earthquakes the three points in a 1-1 draw.
FC Dallas were dealt an injury blow 10 minutes in with attacking midfielder Tsiki Ntsabeleng forced off the field due to a knee sprain. Sam Junqua, who usually plays left-back but can play in the midfield, was subbed on in place of him.
San Jose left-back Miguel Trauco then came close to scoring with a right-footed shot that rolled just past the bottom corner. Moments later, FC Dallas were at the other end of the field when Jader Obrian played a brilliant through ball to Junqua that passed it across the face of goal, but there wasn't an FC Dallas player to send it home.
Halfway through the first 45, Obrian put Jesus Ferreria through on goal but his shot was parried onto the post by Daniel, keeping the score even at 0-0. Minutes later, Ferreria had a shot just outside San Jose's 18-yard-box that went straight into the stands.
San Jose head coach Luchi Gonzalez was forced to make a change when right-back Paul Marie picked up an injury, bringing Tommy Thompson into the game in the 57th minute.
Finally, San Jose found the opener in the 70th minute when a Cristian Espinoza free-kick found center-back Benjamin Kikanovic, who scored off a header that smacked the post as Maurer was unable to keep it out. San Jose nearly conceded right after scoring but Daniel was alert to keep the hosts in front.
FC Dallas found the dramatic equalizer in the 94th minute as Velasco sent in a perfect cross that Nkosi Tafari headed over Daniel. It was a lofted header that Daniel couldn't have done much about as Tafari scored his third goal of the season. That goal saw both sides leave PayPal Park with a point, 1-1.
San Jose Earthquakes player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Daniel - 6/10 - Made two comfortable saves in the first half, was denied the clean sheet after Tafari's header.
LB: Miguel Trauco - 6/10 - Had two shots in the first half with one coming close to finding the back of the net. Took up some really good positions at the back post but his shots were off target.
CB: Rodrigues - 7/10 - Made a few clearances and interceptions and was tidy on the ball.
CB: Tanner Beason 5/10 - It was as if he wasn't there for much of the game (which is usually good thing for CBs).
RB: Paul Marie - 5/10 - Didn't really offer much on the right-hand side, had to come off due to injury.
CM: Jamiro Monteiro - 7/10 - Had a few bright moments near Dallas' box where he displayed great skill.
CM: Carlos Gruezo - 5/10 - Had a quiet first half and had a balanced game.
CM: Jackson Yueill - 4/10 - Picked up a yellow card and was ineffective.
LW: Benjamin Kikanovic - 7/10 - Scored a headed shot from close range.
ST: Jeremy Ebobisse - 6/10 - Had a shot from distance but it didn't trouble Maurer and linked up several times with Espinoza.
RW: Cristian Espinoza - 7/10 - Linked up with his teammates well and sent in a few nice crosses, as he's been doing all season. Picked up an assist from a set piece that moved him second all time in SJ history.
Substitutes:
RB: Tommy Thompson (57' for Marie) - 5/10 Struggled to make an impact on the game.
CM: Judson (75' for Yueill) - 6/10 - Had a few bright moments crossing the ball.
Manager:
Luchi Gonzalez - 6/10 - Set his team up in a more defensive way that worked up until a point, substitutes didn't offer much.
FC Dallas player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Jimmy Maurer - 5/10 - Was a bystander in the first half. Could he have done better to save Kikanovic's goal?
LB: Marco Farfan - 6/10 - Made a key interception after the second half started to deny San Jose a chance at goal.
CB: Nsoki Tafari - 7/10 - Scored a late equalizer and was one of Dallas' best players.
CB: Jose Martinez - 5/10 - Made a few clearances to keep San Jose at bay.
RB: Ema Twumasi - 6/10 - Got in advanced positions from time to time helping out the attack.
DM: Facundo Quignon - 5/10 - Didn't put a foot wrong but also didn't stand out.
DM: Edwin Cerrillo - 6/10 - Had a quiet but solid game, cleaning up in the midfield.
LW: Alan Velasco - 7/10 - Was on the end of a precise through ball and played it across goal, but no one was home. Got the assist for the equalizer.
AM: Tsiki Ntsabeleng - N/A - Came off early due to a knee sprain.
RW: Jader Obrian - 6/10 - Set up a nice through ball on goal that was turned across the face of goal but to no avail.
ST: Jesus Ferreira - 6/10 - Started brightly but faded later on into the game.
Substitutes:
LB: Sam Junqua (10' for Ntsabeleng) - 6/10 - came on in the 10th minute playing out of position and contributed going forward.
ST: Jesus Jimenez (for Junqua) - N/A
ST: Bernard Kamungo (83' for Quignon) - N/A
ST: Herbert Endeley (84' for Twumasi) - N/A
Manager:
Nico Estevez - 6/10 - made some nice subs that helped Dallas get a point on the road.