Espinoza, Earthquakes beat LAFC 3-2 to clinch playoff berth

Updated Nov. 5, 2020 1:27 a.m. ET

Associated Press

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Cristian Espinoza scored a goal and assisted on another by Chris Wondolowski, and the San Jose Earthquakes beat Los Angeles FC 3-2 on Wednesday night to clinch a playoff berth.

Wondolowski, whose 166 career goals are the most in MLS history, scored on a volley in the 37th minute to give the Earthquakes a 2-1 lead. Espinoza lobbed an entry from the left side to the far post where Wondolowski tapped it home.

San Jose (8-8-6) played a man down after Jackson Yueill was shown a second yellow card in the 61st minute.

LAFC (9-8-4) had its three-game unbeaten streak snapped.

Latif Blessing scored in the 23rd minute to give LAFC a 1-0 lead but an own goal by Eduard Atuesta tied it about five minutes later.

Espinoza took a cross from Shea Salinas and whipped in a side-netter to give San Jose a 3-1 lead. Salinas moved past Ronaldo Cerritos to become the Earthquakes' career leader with 49 assists.

Diego Rossi capped the scoring in stoppage time with his MLS-leading 14th goal of the season.

The match was originally slated for Nov. 1, but was rescheduled after three LAFC players tested positive for COVID-19.

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