San Jose Earthquakes fall to Minnesota United 5-1 as winless streak hits six matches

SAN JOSE — It may not yet be panic time for the Earthquakes, but after their 5-1 loss to Minnesota United FC on Saturday night it’s now been three months since San Jose last won a match.

Kelvin Yeboah scored two goals to help Minnesota United (7-7-7) snap out of its nine-match winless streak while overwhelming San Jose. The Loons’ scuffling striker scored two goals — his first tallies in eight consecutive matches, a drought that led to him being benched.

The Earthquakes (10-8-3) have lost four in a row and are winless in six straight post World Cup break matches. The last time San Jose won an MLS match was in Portland after a 3-1 win on May 23 over the Timbers.

Quakes coach Bruce Arena said one of his team’s biggest issues since the World Cup break has been dealing with pressure from opponents.

“I think our opponents have been very physical against us over the last four or five games, and we haven’t responded well to that,” Arena said. “We haven’t done a good job in the middle third of the field in terms of having some physicality, some presence, winning the ball, and making better passes.”

The defense of San Jose continues to be an Achilles heel, with 18 goals allowed in its winless lull of six matches (3.0 per match).

San Jose’s Timo Werner converted from the penalty spot to open the scoring in the fourth minute after Jefferson Diaz’s hand ball. Werner has made three of his four penalty kick tries this season. It would be the Quakes only goal, however.

Joaquín Pereyra, Marcus Caldeira and Mauricio González each scored a goal for Minnesota, which last won in Columbus, Ohio on May 2 before Saturday’s win at PayPal Park.

Yeboah, on the counter-attack, flicked a shot from the top of the penalty box inside the left post — his first goal since May 16 — to make it 2-1 in the 40th minute and gently chipped a first-touch shot over the head of goalkeeper Angus Gunn into the net in the 44th to give Minnesota a two-goal lead.

Yeboah had dropped out of the starting lineup in the last three MLS matches and was riding a goalless lull of more than 362 minutes across eight matches in all competitions since May 16.

Pereyra scored in the 10th minute to make it 1-1. Near the left corner of the 6-yard box, Pereyra turned and flicked a shot inside the back post.

The 21-year-old Caldeira scored his first career goal, in his fourth MLS appearance, to make it 4-1 in the 65th minute and González capped the scoring in the 86th.

Drake Callender had five saves for Minnesota. San Jose’s Gunn finished with one save.