SAN JOSE, Calif. — For all the talk of the San Jose Earthquakes keeping their roster together from last year, it was the newcomer that made the difference in their 2-2 season opening draw against Toronto FC at sold-out Earthquakes Stadium.
Oswaldo Alanis, the Mexican international centerback on loan from Chivas de Guadalajara, curled home a gorgeous free kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time to rescue a point for the Quakes and avoid a seventh straight loss stretching back to last season.
The goal, the first off a direct kick by the Quakes at their home stadium, which opened in 2015, and the first for the team since Marvin Chavez’s strike against the Colorado Rapids in May 2013, gave the crowd something to savor in what was shaping up to be a disappointing day by the Bay.