In a rematch of the first MLS match 29 years ago, the San Jose Earthquakes got the best of visiting D.C. United again in a 6-1 victory Sunday afternoon behind a hat trick from Josef Martinez.
In snapping a four-match winless streak, San Jose (3-3-1, 10 points) overwhelmed D.C. in the opening 20 minutes when it scored three goals to take a lead that was never challenged.
The struggles continued for D.C. United (1-3-3, 6 points), who have lost three straight after opening without a loss in their first four matches.
At the half, the teams paid homage to several players from the MLS inaugural game, including Eric Wynalda, who scored the first goal in league history as San Jose defeated D.C., 1-0.
San Jose delivered for 73-year-old coach Bruce Arena, who was on the touchline for D.C. in the inaugural match and led the Black and Red to MLS Cup titles in the league’s first two seasons.
Helping the Earthquakes to the victory was former D.C. United midfielder Ian Harkes, whose father, John Harkes, played in the inaugural game as a standout for D.C. and was among those who were honored at the half.
San Jose took the lead in the 8th minute when Chicho Arango scored with a header off a corner kick by Cristian Espinosa.
San Jose doubled its lead in the 16th minute off a transition as Martinez headed to Niko Tsakiris who led Martinez with a push header. Martinez raced first to the ball and slipped a shot inside the left post, past onrushing D.C. keeper Kim Joon-Hong, who finished with three saves.
The assist came in the first MLS start for the 19-year-old Tsakiris.
Four minutes later, the Earthquakes went up 3-0 after D.C.’s Matti Petola tripped up Beau Leroux in the penalty box. Espinosa then fired into the right side.
Christian Benteke scored the lone goal for D.C. in the second minute of extra time in the first half. It was his fifth goal this season.
Martinez took advantage of a sloppy attempt to clear by D.C. and scored again in the 81st minute on a feed from Amahi Pellegrino.
San Jose added two more goals against the error-plagued D.C. defense, with Pellegrino scoring in the 89th minute and Martinez adding a tally in extra time on a feed from Rodrigues.
San Jose keeper Daniel had nine saves, including a pair on one exchange against Benteke, diving twice to block shots by the reigning MLS Golden Boot winner.
–Field Level Media
