SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, USA — San Jose Earthquakes delivered a ruthless performance to dismantle Sporting Kansas City 3-0 at PayPal Park, with Daniel Munie's brace and a Preston Judd strike doing the damage in a second-half display that underlined the gulf between the two sides. Despite Sporting KC enjoying 55.7% of the ball, it was the Earthquakes who carved out chance after chance, launching 17 shots at goal to their opponents' seven in a thoroughly one-sided contest.
The opening exchanges were competitive enough, but San Jose began to assert themselves as the first half progressed. Ousséni Bouda tested John Pulskamp as early as the 14th minute, his right-footed effort from the right side of the box forcing the Sporting KC goalkeeper into a sharp save at the top centre of the goal, with Benji Kikanovic providing the assist. It was a warning sign that Sporting Kansas City failed to heed.
The Earthquakes' pressure intensified as the half wore on, and the breakthrough arrived in a frantic final few minutes before the interval. In the 42nd minute, Daniel Munie broke the deadlock, tucking a left-footed shot from close range into the centre of the goal following a corner — a reward for relentless set-piece pressure that had been building throughout the half. Moments later, Preston Judd had a header saved by Pulskamp from the right side of the six-yard box, with Niko Tsakiris delivering the cross, but the reprieve was brief. Deep into first-half stoppage time, at 45+1', Judd made no mistake, slotting a left-footed effort from the centre of the box into the centre of the goal after Jamar Ricketts played him through. San Jose went into the break with a 2-0 lead and all the momentum.
Sporting Kansas City emerged for the second half with something to prove, and Calvin Harris almost pulled one back in the 49th minute, his right-footed shot from the centre of the box well struck — only for San Jose goalkeeper Daniel to smother it comfortably in the centre of the goal, with Shapi Suleymanov having provided the assist. It was a moment that encapsulated Sporting KC's afternoon: rare in quality, ultimately fruitless.
San Jose responded emphatically. Ousséni Bouda forced another save from Pulskamp in the 54th minute before, from the resulting set-piece situation, Beau Leroux whipped a cross into the box and Munie powered a header from the centre of the area into the bottom left corner to make it 3-0. The game was over as a contest.
The Earthquakes continued to probe in the closing stages, with Jack Skahan — introduced as a substitute in the 71st minute — twice going close, firing wide from the centre of the box in the 75th and 78th minutes. Sporting KC's substitute Dejan Joveljic also spurned a chance in the 73rd minute, dragging his right-footed effort wide. But the scoreline remained unchanged, a fair reflection of San Jose's dominance.
The statistics tell the full story of San Jose's control. Despite Sporting Kansas City holding 55.7% possession, the Earthquakes peppered the goal with 17 shots compared to their opponents' seven, registering six on target to Sporting KC's one. San Jose's pressure yielded a remarkable 15 corners to Sporting KC's three, and while the Earthquakes committed 16 fouls to their visitors' 12, a single yellow card for the hosts was the only disciplinary blemish on an otherwise commanding display. John Pulskamp was kept busy throughout, finishing with three saves, while Daniel was barely troubled, making just one stop all evening.
Confidence is surging through San Jose heading into their next assignment, and they will carry this momentum into their trip to face Atlanta United FC on February 28. For Sporting Kansas City, who have now suffered four defeats in their last five outings, the challenge is more pressing — they must dust themselves off before travelling to face Columbus Crew on the same date, with questions mounting about their ability to turn this difficult run around.
