Kei Kamara's late goal rallies Vancouver Whitecaps past San Jose Earthquakes

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:28 am

Kei Kamara's goal in the 68th minute gave the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps a 3-2 comeback win over the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer action Saturday night.

The Earthquakes held a 2-0 lead after the first half, but the Whitecaps scored three unanswered goals in the final 45 minutes. Kamara broke a 2-2 tie when, unmarked, he put in a pass from Yordy Reyna during a quick counterattack. Defender Aaron Maund started the play by lobbing a long pass to Reyna.

The Whitecaps (10-9-7, 37 points) matched the Portland Timbers for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference standings, though Portland has played three less games.

Vancouver extended its unbeaten streak to five games. The Caps also posted their first-ever MLS win in San Jose.

The Earthquakes (3-14-8, 17 points) extended their home winless streak to 11 games. They have not won at Avaya Stadium since the season's opening weekend in March.

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Both Kamara and Reyna had a goal and an assist for the Whitecaps, while Cristian Techera also tallied for the victors.

Jahmir Hyka and Magnus Eriksson scored for the Earthquakes.

Hyka opened the scoring only seven minutes into the game as he chested down a Vancouver clearing attempt and beat diving Whitecaps goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic with a shot inside the left post.

Eriksson put the ball in the same place, again just outside of the Caps goalkeeper's reach, on a penalty kick in the 18th minute. The spot kick was awarded after a video review determined that Vancouver defender Marcel de Jong took down striker Danny Hoesen slightly inside the Whitecaps' penalty area.

Early in the second half, Vancouver coach Carl Robinson made some substitutions to fire up his club, and they had the desired effect. Reyna cut Vancouver's deficit in the 59th minute, putting a free kick through a wall and in off goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell's hands. Techera drew the Caps even in the 61st minute as he ran to a lead ball from Kamara, cut inside a San Jose defender and put a shot inside the far post.