By Jesus Tellitud — Contributor
Down 2-1 in their 2020 season home opener, the San Jose Earthquakes had one last free kick in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time to equalize against Toronto FC.
A defeat seemed imminent but up stepped defender and new signing Oswaldo Alanís to bury it in the top corner to salvage a point for San Jose in his Earthquakes debut.
The Quakes overcame a two-goal deficit with Alanís’ goal to draw 2-2 against Toronto Saturday afternoon to open their 2020 campaign.
“It’s not the best free kick I’ve taken,” Alanís said. “I practiced free kicks over the week. I like free kicks and even though I’m a defender, I feel I can bring offense to the team.”
Alanís signed with the Earthquakes on loan in the offseason, as a transfer from Liga MX team Chivas Guadalajara, to reunite with head coach Matías Almeyda.
“I’m happy with the team performance, even if we didn’t tie,” Almeyda said, through team translator Agustin Zalazar. “I love the reliance my team showed in the first game.”
San Jose was down two goals after Toronto forward Alejandro Pozuelo converted a first-half penalty and defender Richie Laryea doubled the lead after 51 minutes.
After Toronto went up two goals, the Earthquakes Stadium atmosphere was bleak until forward Andrés Ríos struck back with a goal for San Jose only two minutes. Ríos took advantage of a Cristian Espinoza pinpoint cross and placed past the Toronto keeper for his first career MLS goal.
Ríos’ goal cut Toronto’s lead in half 2-1 and the Earthquakes began to rally back.
“I thought we showed great character to show some fight,” forward Chris Wondolowski said. “It’s never good to go down 2-0, especially at home, but the response from [Rios] to bring us back in the game was huge.”
Wondolowksi came on as a second-half substitution for the Quakes Saturday. After 15 seasons in Major League Soccer, the San Jose captain has played his last opening day, after indicating he will hang up his cleats at the end of the season.
“It’s going to be one of those things [where] I’m looking back at it and think how special it is,” Wondolowski said. “Right now, being in the moment, it’s so much fun being out there with the guys.”
Alanis’s last gasp goal marks a memorable MLS debut for the Mexican international and a dramatic opening game for the Earthquakes.
San Jose takes on Minnesota United FC at Earthquakes Stadium Saturday as the team searches for its first win of the season.
Follow Jesus on Twitter @JesusTellitud
