SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The Earthquakes struggled to find a finishing touch to beat Colorado keeper Zack Steffen in a 2-1 loss Saturday night.
Colorado’s Calvin Harris and Omir Fernández subbed on in the 65th minute, replacing Kévin Cabral and Wayne Frederick, respectively, and made an almost immediate impact. Keegan Rosenberry played a through ball to Fernández, who slipped behind the defense and — as Quakes goalkeeper Daniel charged off his line — tapped a first-touch pass to Harris for the empty-net finish that gave Colorado (2-0-2) a 2-1 lead in the 71st.
Cole Bassett opened the scoring for Colorado with his first goal of the season in the 38th minute after San Jose controlled much of the opening half. Djordje Mihailovic, on the counter-attack, played a ball-in from the left side that was redirected toward the net before it was parried by Daniel as he fell to his knees. Bassett tapped a first-touch finish inside the back post before Steffen could recover.
San Jose midfielder Ian Harkes likened the start of Saturday’s game to last week’s loss to Minnesota.
“It was a similar feeling to the Minnesota [United FC] game in terms of how much possession we had, how much we were on top of them, and starting well,” Harkes said postgame. “I think we have to capitalize on those starts, like we did the first two games. Scoring early always helps with the confidence, but making sure we shore up the back line as well.
Cristian “Chicho” Arango scored for San Jose (2-2-0) in first-half stoppage time to make it 1-1. Cristian Espinoza played a corner kick to the center of the area where a sliding Arango blasted a rising volley into the net.
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The Quakes had 60% possession and 28 shot attempts to Colorado’s nine, but could not break through to beat Steffen beyond Arango’s goal.
“I think we squandered a few chances and a couple plays where we needed to be cleaner on the ball to create a good chance at goal,” San Jose coach Bruce Arena said postgame. “We failed. We walk away with only one goal and I think a couple mistakes that cost us in conceding. Those things have to be cleaned up. There’s no excuses for that.”
Next up for the Quakes will be a visit next Saturday to Charlotte FC.
