SANTA CLARA – Hernan Lopez, the $6 million Argentinian wunderkind from storied club River Plate, made his anticipated debut for San Jose at the start of the second half against LAFC.
Anyone expecting highlights that recalled the legendary moments his great-uncle Diego Maradona produced in the 1980s probably left Saturday’s match at Levi’s Stadium disappointed.
There were no weaving runs, where defenders and their broken ankles were strewn across Levi’s Stadium’s grass. No thunderbolt goals that whistled past LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. No perfectly weighted assists that floated into waiting goal-hungry strikers.
And yet, rightfully so, the Earthquakes were thrilled by what they saw in the 3-1 victory.
“You could see that he’s a fantastic player,” said forward Amahl Pellegrino. “I think he’s ready and looks really impressive.”
When the Earthquakes introduced Lopez, the club stated they did not believe he’d be eligible to play in its upcoming game. But once he was cleared, coach Luchi Gonzalez began to scheme up ways to utilize the talented playmaker.
“Thankfully he was cleared to start, and got a head start in helping this team compete,” Gonzalez said.
Lopez set the tone early in the half.
He used a tricky juke and a deceptive dribble to get past the defender and a foul just outside the penalty box 30 seconds into the half. The Earthquakes got a free kick out of it.
Lopez wore No. 23, but there was no doubt the newcomer was the team’s No. 10 from the first moment he stepped on the pitch. The playmaker floated behind strikers Amahl Pellegrino and Jeremy Ebobisse, seeking out space and looking for chances while racking up three key passes and completing 13 passes overall.
Always an outlet for his team, perpetually sending quick-hitters to players in advantageous positions, and always looking to make the smart play to keep possession.
They weren’t making the highlight reel, but those small moments of quality greased an Earthquakes attack that sometimes stopped more often than it started.
“Tonight’s a great step, and can help us gain momentum in the right direction,” Gonzalez said.
After countryman Cristian Espinoza connected with Pellegrino with a divine long pass for one score, and Espinoza’s corner kick glanced off an LA defender for an own goal, the Earthquakes sat back to defend.
Nobody is going to mistake Lopez with Roberto Firmino on the press, but he did his job, dutifully tracking back and hounding the LAFC backs with gusto.
It may not seem like much, but for a team that entered the day 1–1-8 in large part due to giving up an MLS-high 25 goals on the season, every little bit helped.
Through a translator, Lopez said he “strives to be a complete player.”
The little things were all that San Jose needed on Saturday, what they’ve lacked this season and what they hope he brings in Tuesday’s Open Cup game against Oakland Roots.
The highlights should come – Lopez is too talented not to wow for the MLS side – but for now, the Earthquakes should be happy with what he showed on Saturday.