It's taken just six games, but 12-year veteran Shea Salinas has set a career-high in goals for one season.
The San Jose Earthquakes midfielder struck a brace in the club's 2-2 draw with the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday, giving him four goals in 2019. That figure surpasses his previous career high, set in 2015 when he scored three goals.
Salinas is still getting used to it.
"How many?!" Salinas asked the broadcast team after the game. "I'm trying not to count."
The 32-year-old helped the Quakes jump out to a 2-0 lead over the Sounders on the road, eventually earning his side a 2-2 draw. It's a strong result at CenturyLink Field, with an effort head coach Matias Almeyda couldn't be more proud of.
“That makes me very happy the way every player acted," Almeyda said. "They’re really putting their souls in there, which is what I ask of them. This team has not given up looking for victories. Surely playing this way we’ll have more of a chance of winning than things going badly.”
Salinas felt the same as his coach.
“I think we are learning the tactical side of things, but our guys have so much heart," Salinas said. "Guys are flying around. Paul Marie was awesome at right back, it was his first start. Guys in the middle, Judson, Jackson [Yueill] as well, they are running all over the place. It is cool to see guys sacrificing for the team and that to pay off in points is nice.”
Following the draw, the Quakes are now unbeaten in three of their last four games after starting the season with four straight losses. Momentum is rolling in San Jose, now the club are set to hit the road again on Saturday against FC Dallas (3:30 pm ET | Univision, Twitter in the US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada).
Can Salinas add to his tally?
