The San Jose Earthquakes were on a mission as they faced off against local rivals in the US Open Cup, aiming to break a troubling pattern of elimination. With past defeats haunting them, notably against Monterey Bay FC in 2023 and the Sacramento Republic in 2022, the Quakes sought to rewrite their recent narrative that they can not get past USL teams in the US Open Cup.
San Jose took the first step toward bouncing back from those recent disappointing losses with a narrow 1-0 win over the Oakland Roots of the USL Championship on Tuesday night.
Tensions ran high between the two clubs, each vying for the title of the Bay Area’s true representative. At PayPal Park, fans made their sentiments known by donning “#SellTheTeam” merchandise, a pointed commentary on the shared ownership between the Earthquakes and the Oakland A’s, both helmed by John Fisher. With the Oakland A’s relocating to Las Vegas, the stakes were higher than ever. For the city of Oakland, victory over Fisher’s Earthquakes would signify more than just progress in the US Open Cup; it would symbolize a triumph over a figure widely disliked in the community and mark the first win in their head-to-head encounters.
Head coach Luchi Gonzalez hinted at lineup changes after their last game versus LAFC, and true to his word, rotations were made, including the introduction of their high-profile 7 million dollar Designated Player, Hernan Lopez. A younger side was put out there as there are many talent young players on this team.
For example, Emi Ochoa, the Mexican American goalkeeper, made his first start for the Quakes at just 19 years old. Emi was not the only Quake to get his first start; new Designated Player Hernan Lopez was right there with him, looking to make the Quakes fan base infatuated with his play already.
However, the match didn’t unfold seamlessly for the Quakes. Despite the presence of Hernan Lopez in the lineup, the team appeared disjointed, struggling to find their rhythm. It became evident that familiarity with Lopez’s style was still a work in progress.
At halftime, a strategic substitution saw Ousseni Bouda replace Lopez, much to the surprise of some fans. This would prove to be the crucial change that Luchi Gonzalez needed in his side. Emi Ochoa pulled off a crucial save to maintain the deadlock at 0-0, as this match could have spiraled if the 19-year-old didn’t come up big. Their constant pressure in the second half paid off when they breached the Roots’ defense in the 73rd minute, for a great scoring opportunity, only to be called off due to offside.
However, just three minutes later, Ousseni Bouda seized the opportunity, slotting home a goal in the 76th minute to break the deadlock at PayPal Park. The visiting crowd, previously boisterous, fell silent as their Open Cup hopes dwindled. The goal was assisted by Niko Tsakiris, the 18-year-old notched his first assist for the senior team and also demonstrated the ability to perform on the big stage at such a young age. The Roots’ woes compounded in the 82nd minute when Johnny Lopez received a red card for elbowing Ousseni Bouda, the goalscorer, in the face. The match then descended into a stalemate as the Quakes bunkered down to protect their lead, ultimately getting the victory.
With the Quakes having progressed to the Round of 16 in the US Open Cup, their next challenge awaits as they prepare to face the Sacramento Republic. The upcoming matches are scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, through Wednesday, May 22.
Following the game, Ousseni Bouda addressed the media, expressing his desire for a larger role within the team. This was a perfect opportunity for Ousseni and he took it. If Bouda can string a couple of good performances in the US Open Cup, it will force Luchi Gonzalez hand into giving him more playing time. This tournament holds significant importance for young players like Ousseni Bouda, Emi Ochoa, and Hernan Lopez, each at different stages of their careers, all striving to leave their mark on the team.
Not only does this tournament serves as a platform for MLS players to showcase their talents to their coaching staff, but it also lets players from lower leagues showcase their emerging talents and prove themselves capable to the world. It’s all part of the beauty of the US Open Cup.