San Jose Earthquakes 2, Real Salt Lake 1 | 2016 MLS Match Recap

The San Jose Earthquakes halted a seven-game winless streak on Saturday, besting Western Conference foe Real Salt Lake, 2-1, at Avaya Stadium. The win provides San Jose a massive three points, bolstering their scant playoff hopes with a boost in the right direction. 

Both Nick Rimando and David Bingham were called upon multiple times, and each net-minder delivered for their clubs, making huge saves to keep the game level.

Fatai Alashe put San Jose in the driver’s seat in the 72nd minute, heading in a lofted cross fromShea Salinas that Rimando could not keep out of the net. 

RSL pressed hard for an equalizer – and a potential playoff-clinching result – but Alashe's effort held up as the game winner, producing a crucial win in the Earthquakes battle to rise above the red line in October. 

• SJ: San Jose Earthquakes keep playoff hopes alive with crucial victory
• RSL: "No's one stepping up" for Real Salt Lake as chance to clinch slips away

Box Score

• 34’ – SJ – Simon Dawkins (Chris Wondolowski)
• 40’ – RSL – Justen Glad
• 72’ – SJ – Fatai Alashe (Shea Salinas)
• Full Box Score
• Stats
• Watch highlights

Three Things

1. TIME TO BREATHE: It has been nearly six weeks since the Earthquakes found themselves on the winning side of an MLS game. So after grabbing a first-half lead, giving it up and then regaining it in the second half, Dominic Kinnear must feel a great sense of relief from Saturday’s performance.
   
   The focus now shifts to if San Jose can build off of an excellent performance and sneak into the Western Conference playoffs. Their task will certainly not be an easy one. 
2. TOP CLASS GOALKEEPING: Both David Bingham and Nick Rimando recently have suited up for the US national team. Tonight’s performance provided excellent fodder for why they caught Jurgen Klinsmann’s eye: Each player displayed athleticism and fearlessness, swatting away multiple clear-cut opportunities in an exciting round of "Can you top this?"

1. PRESSURE’S ON FOR RSL : RSL did not desperately need a result from Saturday’s trip to San Jose. But they will start to feel the heat after leaving empty-handed. They sit four points above the red line with two games to go and have yet to clinch a playoff spot. With multiple clubs nipping at their heels, can RSL ensure they are playing in November? 

Next Up

• SJ: Thursday, October 13 at Colorado Rapids (9pm ET; MLS LIVE)
• RSL: Sunday, October 16 vs. Sporting Kansas City (5pm ET; MLS LIVE)