Samuel Adeniran’s first two career MLS goals led visiting St. Louis City SC to a 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
The victory moved St. Louis (10-7-2, 32 points) into first place in the Western Conference and ended the team’s four-game (0-3-1) winless streak.
San Jose (7-7-6, 27 points) lost its second consecutive game, and lost for the first time this season on its home field. The Earthquakes are now 6-1-3 in home games.
Jamiro Monteiro scored the Earthquakes’ goal, temporarily equalizing the game with his 47th-minute strike.
Goalkeeper Roman Burki made eight saves for St. Louis, including a pair of critical stops in extra time. Burki denied both Rodrigues and Tommy Thompson on close-range chances to preserve the lead.
St. Louis City made seven changes from their previous game’s starting lineup, owing to both a busy schedule and perhaps a desire for change after their four-game slump. Areniran was one of the new faces, called back Saturday from a loan to San Antonio FC of the USL to make his fifth appearance for St. Louis this season.
The move paid off in the 41st minute, as Adeniran headed in a Rasmus Alm corner kick to give St. Louis the lead. It was Areniran’s first MLS goal over nine career games with St. Louis City and the Seattle Sounders over the last three seasons.
The Earthquakes responded two minutes after the halftime break. A St. Louis City turnover in their own end resulted in a quick three-touch passing play for the Earthquakes, finished off by Monteiro’s shot.
A video review led to St. Louis’ go-ahead goal, as it was determined that Jonathan Mensah’s ill-advised shove on Aziel Jackson in the 55th minute took place inside the box. St. Louis was awarded a penalty kick after the review, and Adeniran buried the chance in the 58th minute.
St. Louis City also won the first meeting of the season between the two teams, defeating San Jose 3-0 in St. Louis on March 18.
–Field Level Media
