Earthquakes season starts with loss in Houston

San Jose Earthquakes fall 2-1 to the Houston Dynamo on Friday to open the 2021 MLS season.

Paul Marie scored a late goal for the San Jose Earthquakes, but they were already down two goals in a season-opening 2-1 loss to the host Houston Dynamo.

Memo Rodriguez scored shortly before halftime, and Maximiliano Urruti added a goal in his club debut for Houston. Not only was it the opener for the Dynamo and Quakes, but it also was the opening game of the MLS season.

San Jose right back Tommy Thompson departed after only eight minutes with an apparent injury to his right shoulder.

The Dynamo dominated the early stages and finally took the lead through Rodriguez in the 39th minute. Joe Corona played just a speculative ball in his direction, and Rodriguez used his body to turn charging defender Florian Jungwirth and carve out an open path toward the goal.

San Jose goalie JT Marcinkowski charged off his line, and Rodriguez curled a simple right-footed finish inside the far post.

Marie cut San Jose’s deficit in half in the 75th minute.

The Quakes had an excellent chance to tie things late, but MLS all-time leading scorer Chris Wondolowski flubbed an open look at a rebound after Houston goalkeeper Marko Maric denied Shea Salinas’ breakaway effort.