The Earthquakes began the second half of their season in pretty much the same manner as they played in the first 17 games on the calendar. Up in Portland, against a Timbers side they have never defeated away from San Jose in MLS play, the Quakes were outplayed, 2-1, extending their winless streak to nine games.



It was the team’s 10th loss of the campaign, the ninth by a single goal, but the scoreline, like in many of those other defeats, was flattering. Samuel Armenteros, assisted by league MVP Diego Valeri, ran roughshod over the Quakes defense, scoring both goals, and was just a failed, but spectacular, bicycle attempt from a hat-trick.



A late goal by the steady Florian Jungwirth made the game mildly interesting until the final whistle, but it never seemed like a night in which the Quakes would threaten the Timbers, now boasting a league-best 11-game unbeaten streak.



And to add injury to insult, the Quakes saw two starters leave the field, the most...