Khari Stephenson brace guides San Jose Earthquakes to victory

Khari Stephenson scored a brace to fire the San Jose Earthquakes to a 3-0 victory over Houston Dynamo.

The visitors threatened early in the game when Servando Carrasco lifted a dangerous cross to the back post for Will Bruin, who powered a header at goal, but Jon Busch made a good stop to keep his effort out.

San Jose took the lead in the 38th minute when they capitalised on a mistake from Tally Hall as the keeper picked up a back-pass from David Horst, conceding a free kick on the edge of six-yard box.

The ball was played to Stephenson, who blasted an effort through a crowd of Houston players on the line to find the net.

After the break, the Earthquakes were handed the chance to double their lead when Steven Lenhart was fouled in the box by Corey Ashe. Stephenson took the spot kick and found the net, sending Hall the wrong way.

The home side almost got a third goal when a free kick was lifted into the box and Lenhart headed at goal only to see his effort hit the bar, and from the rebound he blasted over.

However, San Jose did find a third goal to secure their win when Hall misjudged the flight of the ball and allowed Atiba Harris to nip in and find the net after his initial effort hit the post.