Sean Johnson made an impressive save in extra time to preserve Toronto FC’s 0-0 draw with the host San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Two minutes into extra time, Jackson Yueill blasted a shot from outside the box that Johnson knocked aside with a diving stop. Tommy Thompson was in the area for a possible rebound chance but lost his footing, allowing Johnson to gather the loose ball.
Despite the late missed chance, the Earthquakes are still unbeaten (2-0-1) at home this season.
Since their season-opening loss to D.C. United, Toronto FC has an undefeated 1-0-3 record.
Due to injuries and international absences, both Toronto (1-1-3, 6 points) and San Jose (2-2-1, 7 points) were missing several regulars from their starting lineups. The result was a general lack of offensive cohesion, and a lack of finish for both teams. Each club had only two shots on target in the game, despite 15 total shots from Toronto FC and 14 shots from the Earthquakes.
Two of the game’s better chances came early. In the sixth minute, Cristian Espinoza sent a good cross in front, but Benjamin Kikanovic’s sliding touch attempt was wide of the net.
One minute later, Toronto FC’s Deandre Kerr was sprung behind the defense on a pass up the middle of the field. Earthquakes goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski came out of his net to challenge the play, cutting down on Kerr’s shooting angle and getting enough of the ball to deflect the shot off-target.
Early in the second half, San Jose got some attacking pressure from an unlikely source in defender Rodrigues. Off a corner in the 54th minute and then off an Espinoza cross in the 56th minute, Rodrigues delivered quality headers that just missed the net.
Marcinkowski made two saves for his second shutout in three games played. Marcinkowski has been called upon to start while goalkeeper Daniel has been recovering from a knee injury.
Johnson made two saves for his second consecutive shutout, following Toronto FC’s 2-0 win over Inter Miami last Saturday.
–Field Level Media
