Earthquakes beat Rapids on goals from Jones, Arango

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) — DeJuan Jones scored his first goal of the season, Chicho Arango also scored for San Jose and the Earthquakes beat the Colorado Rapids 2-0 on Saturday night.

Goalkeeper Daniel had five saves for the Earthquakes, who avenged a March 15 home loss to the Rapids. It was the Quakes’ first clean sheet since the season opener on Feb. 22.

Vítor Costa played a one-touch pass from the left side to the center of the area where a changing Jones slammed home a first-timer to open the scoring in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.

Quakes coach Bruce Arena, who coached Jones with the New England Revolution, lauded Jones’ impact on the team since arriving at the transfer deadline via trade.

“He’s played as an outside back for me the majority of the time in New England, and we’ve been playing him as a wingback with a back three,” Arena told reporters postgame. “He’s very athletic with very good pace. He’s getting better every year with his understanding of the game, and technically he’s improved.”

Jones now has two assists and a goal in three games — two starts — with San Jose.

“Before I was traded here, I was watching a few of the games, and I just felt like I could really contribute to this team both offensively and defensively,” he said. “There’s a lot of space, a lot of 1v1s, a lot of crossing opportunities.”

Arango made it 2-0 in the 67th after he deflected a pass by Colorado’s Chidozie Awaziem, ran onto the loose ball and then chipped a shot over goalkeeper Zack Steffen into the net.

Arango’s goal was his eighth of the season — tied for the league lead — after being traded to San Jose from Real Salt Lake in the winter.

Steffen finished with three saves.

The Rapids (4-4-4, 16 points) are winless in four consecutive games.

San Jose (5-6-1, 16 points), which beat Portland last weekend to snap a three-game losing streak, has won back-to-back games in the league and also beat Sacramento in the U.S. Open Cup during the week.

Next up for the Quakes is Inter Miami on Wednesday night at PayPal Park. Lionel Messi traveled with the team to Minnesota for a game Saturday and played all 90 minutes, scoring Miami’s lone goal in a 4-1 loss.