The San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers played to a 0-0 result on Saturday night at PayPal Park, and news agency Reuters went with the headline "Goalkeepers steal show as Earthquakes, Timbers play to draw" ... Reuters wasn't telling the whole truth.
Yes, Brazilian keeper Daniel made four saves for the Quakes while David Bingham made two for the Timbers, but there was another playmaker on the pitch who gave the 14,188 in attendance their money's worth. It wasn't Jeremy Ebobisse, Cade Cowell, Evander or Sebastián Blanco, it was some left-footed guy during the halftime show.
From the top of the 18-yard box, three contestants took turns trying to place a pass as close to the center spot as possible. The first kick failed to reach the center circle, but the next looked unbeatable after nestling near the spot.
It was time for contestant number three.
Hey @SportsCenter, do your thing. #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/mDCVR6dWBL
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) June 18, 2023
I'm not 100 percent sure what he won, but there's a post on r/SJEarthquakes saying he won tickets, which isn't a bad thing since San Jose's suddenly fourth in the Western Conference and unbeaten in five matches. Luchi Gonzalez has got a lot of talented options, including this man in the backwards 59FIFTY.