San Jose Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse spent the past week in the news, determined by an investigation as the person to whom racist comments were directed by a New York Red Bulls player in a match last week.
Saturday night saw Ebobisse score a pair of goals to lead the Earthquakes to a 3-0 win over visiting Sporting Kansas City, which was forced to play the entire second half a man down due to a red card issued to Robert Castellanos in the 38th minute.
Castellanos pulled down Ebobisse in the box without making a play on the ball, and was sent off to his dismay. Castellanos stormed off the pitch, and moments later, Ebobisse calmly rolled his penalty kick into the net after getting Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia to commit to the wrong side.
It gave San Jose (4-2-2, 14 points) a 2-0 lead after Cristian Espinoza scored on a cross from Cade Cowell in the ninth minute. Jamiro Monteiro set up Cowell on the left wing, and Cowell’s pass made it all the way to the opposite side of the goal for Espinoza.
San Jose moved its unbeaten streak at home to five games and moved into a tie for third place in the Western Conference, while Sporting Kansas City (0-5-3, 3 points) remained one of two winless teams in the league.
Ebobisse made it 3-0 in the 51st minute, completing a run toward the goal by taking Paul Marie’s pass and finishing with a close-range shot. Cowell was involved as well, making a chip to Marie.
Cowell is set to head to Phoenix, Ariz., on Sunday to join the U.S. national team for a friendly against Mexico next Wednesday. Teammate Jackson Yueill will also join the U.S. team.
Sporting Kansas City had a couple of close calls Johnny Russell in the second half but could not find a goal. The club has lost four of its last five games.
–Field Level Media
