Orlando City Thrash San Jose Earthquakes 4-0 as Angus Gunn Loses Debut

Q: Despite a deceiving 4-0 scoreline, what hidden statistics prove San Jose wasn't truly dominated by Orlando City?

San Jose were beaten heavily on the scoreboard, but the underlying numbers show a much closer match. The clearest evidence is expected goals: Orlando finished with about 1.61 xG to San Jose’s 1.18. That is an edge for Orlando, but nowhere near the gap a 4-0 result suggests. San Jose also had slightly more of the ball, 52% possession to 48%, and completed more passes accurately, 339 to 319, at a better success rate as well. They also generated plenty of threat. The shots on target were nearly even — San Jose had 7 and Orlando 8 — which is why Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau’s seven saves were so important. San Jose even had an equalizer ruled out for offside at 1-0 and forced several major stops, including Beau Leroux’s header and another one-on-one chance before halftime. In other words, Orlando were far more clinical and ruthless in key moments, especially from set pieces and a turnover, but San Jose were not territorially overwhelmed or shot off the field. The advanced metrics and chance volume indicate the match was decided more by finishing efficiency and goalkeeping than total dominance.

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 24

Four Orlando City goals spoiled Angus Gunn's first San Jose appearance, with the Scotland goalkeeper beaten in the seventh, 29th, 48th and 73rd minutes in a 4-0 home loss.
David Brekalo and Braian Ojeda scored from Eduard Atuesta set pieces, while Ivan Angulo and debutant Antoine Griezmann punished open-play defensive lapses that repeatedly left Gunn exposed.
Maxime Crepeau's saves at the other end denied Timo Werner a debut goal for San Jose, and Gunn also made stops that kept the margin from growing beyond four.
Despite the defeat, San Jose remain level on points atop the Western Conference but sit second on goal difference behind Vancouver, with LA Galaxy visiting next on Sunday.