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How to playSan Jose were disciplined and dangerous on the counter, and their patience paid off in first-half stoppage time when Beau Leroux broke the deadlock with a composed finish on 45 minutes. It was a sucker punch for Vancouver, who had controlled large portions of possession without truly threatening the visiting goalkeeper. Leroux's goal, arriving right on the stroke of half time, handed the Earthquakes a crucial cushion heading into the break and fundamentally altered the tactical shape of the contest.
The second half saw the Whitecaps push forward with greater urgency, stretching San Jose and winning territory in the final third, but the visitors' defensive resilience held firm. The Earthquakes sat deep, absorbed the pressure and carried a threat on the break that kept Vancouver's backline honest. Despite a late flurry from the hosts, the away side managed the closing stages with composure and saw out a deserved three points at full time.
The result leaves Vancouver searching for answers in the early MLS standings, while San Jose will take real confidence from a professional defensive display. If you want to test your footballing instincts on matches just like this one, head over to CalledItMate and see how your in-play predictions stack up.
