San Jose Earthquakes dominate Club Necaxa 5-0, advance to first-ever Leagues Cup Round of 16

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Earthquakes hadn’t won a match in regulation since defeating the Chicago Fire 1-0 on July 7.

They won one in 35 minutes against Mexican side Club Necaxa on Thursday night at PayPal Park. The Earthquakes exploded out of the starting gate with the first goal of the season by captain Jackson Yueill, then doubled the lead with Hernan Lopez’s opportunistic left-footed strike in the 17th minute.

Jeremy Ebobisse added a brace with goals in the 29th and 35th minutes, and the rout was on. San Jose punched its ticket to the Leagues Cup Round of 16 with a 5-0 win over its Aguascalientes-based opposition.

Substitute Paul Marie added some icing on the Earthquakes’ cake with an insurance goal off a Necaxa turnover in the 88th minute.

Thursday marked the first time the Earthquakes have scored four goals in a half of an MLS or Leagues Cup match since Oct. 20, 2021, against Austin FC. It was the first time they had done it in the first half since a tilt with FC Dallas on Oct. 22, 2011. It is also San Jose’s first time advancing to the Leagues Cup’s Round of 16.

The reward for their prolific offensive night? The Earthquakes will turn around and face Los Angeles FC on Aug. 13 in Los Angeles. San Jose has split with LAFC this season, beating the Angelenos 3-1 on May 4 at PayPal Park and losing 6-2 on June 22 at BMO Stadium. The latter match was Luchi Gonzalez’s last as coach before he was fired on June 24.

Thursday’s win is interim coach Ian Russell’s third in nine matches as San Jose’s man in charge and the second in regulation.