Minnesota United FC produced a ruthless response after falling behind early, sweeping past the San Jose Earthquakes 5-1 at PayPal Park on Saturday night. Kelvin Yeboah struck twice in four first-half minutes as Minnesota turned the fixture decisively before the interval, while Joaquín Pereyra, Marcus Caldeira and Mauricio Gonzalez completed an emphatic away performance.
San Jose made the ideal start when Timo Werner converted a penalty in the 4th minute. But Minnesota settled quickly and found their equaliser through Pereyra in the 10th minute, shifting the momentum away from the Earthquakes despite the home side seeing more of the ball.
The visitors’ most damaging spell arrived late in the first half. Yeboah put Minnesota ahead in the 40th minute, then struck again in the 44th minute to send the Loons into the break with a commanding 3-1 lead.
San Jose enjoyed 59 percent possession and matched Minnesota with 11 shots, but the visitors were sharper in the decisive areas. Minnesota recorded seven efforts on target and made their attacking moments count, compared with San Jose’s six shots on target and solitary goal.
Caldeira extended the lead in the 65th minute, removing any realistic prospect of a home comeback. Gonzalez then added a fifth in the 86th minute with a header, putting the final flourish on a clinical Minnesota display.
The result leaves San Jose to regroup ahead of their home fixture against Houston Dynamo FC on Saturday, August 29. Minnesota will look to carry this attacking confidence into their next match against Orlando City SC on the same day.
Goal scorers
- San Jose Earthquakes: Timo Werner 4′ pen
- Minnesota United FC: Joaquín Pereyra 10′, Kelvin Yeboah 40′, 44′, Marcus Caldeira 65′, Mauricio Gonzalez 86′
