SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Danny Hoesen scored twice, Valeri Qazaishvili had a goal and two assists and the San Jose Earthquakes beat Minnesota United 3-2 in the season opener for both teams Saturday night.
Kevin Molino pulled the Loons to 3-1 in the 81st minute, slotting the finish through the legs of defender Harold Cummings. Four minutes later, Molino closed the deficit to one with a bending right-footed shot from the 5 yards behind the top of the arc.
Minnesota pressed forward for a late equalizer, but the Quakes held them off during an edgy final 10 minutes.
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Hoesen scored the opening goal in the 27th minute, finishing Qazaishvili’s feed with a right-footed shot from middle of the penalty arc. In the next minute, San Jose made it 2-0 with Chris Wondoloski forcing a turnover deep in Minnesota territory and sending a wide cross to Qazaishvili for the tap-in.
Hoesen connected with Qazaishvili for a give-and-go in the 59th - Hoesen’s heavy first touch on the return pass freed him for a narrow-angle finish from the right side of the area.
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