Earthquakes get Qazaishvili back in time for NYC FC (Mar 29, 2018)
Vako Qazaishvili weaved his way through traffic before launching a shot from 22 yards out over the goalkeeper's outstretched hands.
The goal, which helped the Georgian national team to a 2-0 friendly win over Estonia, generated plenty of excitement in San Jose, almost 7,000 miles away.
"It was ridiculous," Earthquakes forward Danny Hoesen told Pro Soccer USA. "It was a very nice goal. That's what he can do, and I'm not surprised to see him score a great goal like that."
Hoesen and the rest of the Earthquakes (1-1) will welcome back Qazaishvili on Saturday when they host New York City FC at Avaya Stadium.
Hoesen and Qazaishvili, who was signed by San Jose as a designated player last summer, are tied for the team lead with two goals this season.
"For the national team, he plays more central, but we know he can do it here," Hoesen said. "If we find him at the right times, I am sure he is going to show us some similar quality."
Qazaishvili has started in 10 of his 15 appearances for San Jose and has seven goals and four assists.
"It's very good what he's accomplished so far," Hoesen said of the midfielder. "He is a confident guy; he doesn't lose many balls, and he is strong with his legs. Sometimes I get a little frustrated because when he is playing well, we should be feeding him all the time. He can create something even when the game is dead and nothing is happening."
San Jose is 0-2-1 all-time against NYCFC, and the teams played to a 0-0 draw in their last meeting in San Jose in 2016.
The Blues (3-0-1), which are square with Columbus Crew SC in first place in the Eastern Conference, are coming off a 2-2 tie with New England.
Trailing for the first time this season, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi twice scored to level the match and earn NYCFC a point.
The Blues played without four starters, including 2016 MLS MVP David Villa, who missed his second straight game with a calf injury.
"It was a tough game for us," NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira said after the New England game, according to the MLS website. "Today, we showed a lot of character. Sometimes you show a different aspect of the game and today we managed to get back twice from behind. We showed a lot of determination, a lot of character, and this is something positive I picked up from the game."
Though officially listed as questionable, Villa announced on Twitter, "Happy to be back with the team! San Jose, here we come!"
The striker took part in his first full training session in two weeks in advance of the trip to San Jose.
Prior to the kickoff against the Revolution, NYCFC announced that Alex Ring would miss four weeks with a knee injury. But Vieira said this week he expects the midfielder to return sooner.
"It's not as bad as we first thought," Vieira told Pro Soccer USA.
Ebenezer Ofori replaced Ring against New England.
