Cristian Olivera’s goal isn’t enough to save LAFC from loss to San José
SANTA CLARA — Rodrigues gave San José the lead in the fifth minute and the Earthquakes never looked back in a 3-1 victory over LAFC at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday night.
San José (2-8-1), which ended a five-match unbeaten run, jumped out to a 1-0 lead on defender Rodrigues’ second goal of the season. Cristian Espinoza notched his sixth assist on Rodrigues’ header from the center of the box to the bottom right corner of the net off a corner kick.
Espinoza tallied another assist as the Earthquakes stretched their lead to two goals in the 55th minute on a score by Amahl Pellegrino. Espinoza sent a through ball on the fast break to Pellegrino, who was making his sixth start and ninth appearance.
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San José had a 3-0 advantage four minutes later after an own goal by LAFC’s Denis Bouanga. It was the second straight week Bouanga had an own goal. He did it against the Portland Timbers before scoring during second-half stoppage time for a 3-2 victory.
LAFC (4-4-3) got on the scoreboard in the 69th minute on Cristian Olivera‘s second goal of the season and his fourth in 21 appearances with the club in his two seasons in the league. Kei Kamara had an assist.
William Yarbrough turned away three shots in each half for San José. Yarbrough is in his first season with the Earthquakes after spending the past four seasons with the Colorado Rapids.
Hugo Lloris saved one shot for LAFC in his first season in the league.
LAFC has lost six straight on the road against the Earthquakes but leads the all-time series 9-7-1.
San José has a draw and a victory in its last two outings after suffering through its second four-match losing streak of the season.
The match was played at the home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers instead of PayPal Park — the usual home of the Earthquakes.
LAFC returns home to play the Vancouver Whitecaps on May 11. San José travels to play the Colorado Rapids on May 11.
