MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Weekly Update

Published on October 13, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


The Earthquakes face two critical road tests this week to try and keep their playoff hopes alive. San Jose first travels to Houston to play the Dynamo on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at Robertson Stadium. The match kicks off at 6 p.m. PT. The team then heads to the Midwest to take on the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Community America Ballpark at 5 p.m. PT. Both matches will be aired live on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and on the radio in Spanish on KLOK 1170 AM.

Earthquakes vs. Houston All-Time

2008 Season Series: San Jose leads 1-0-1

MLS Regular Season: 1-0-1

Home: 1-0-1

Away: 0-0-0

Shootout (1996-99): 0-0

Overtime (2000-03): 0-0-0

Playoffs: 0-0-0; U.S. Open Cup: 0-0-0

All-Time Scoring: San Jose - 3, Houston - 2

Earthquakes vs. Kansas City All-Time 2008 Season Series: 1-0-0

MLS Regular Season: 18-15-6

Home: 11-4-5

Away: 7-11-1

Shootout (1996-99): 3-4

Overtime (2000-03): 0-0-4

Playoffs: 2-1-0; U.S. Open Cup: 0-1-0

All-Time Scoring: San Jose - 55, Kansas City - 51

Earthquakes Schedule for the Week of 10/13/08 Tuesday, Oct. 14 - Training in Houston Wednesday, Oct. 15 - 6:00 p.m. PT - Earthquakes at Houston Dynamo live on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and KLOK 1170 AM. Reserve Division game to be played immediately following the match. Thursday, Oct. 16 - Travel to Kansas City Friday, Oct. 17 -Training in Kansas City Saturday, Oct. 18 - 5:00 p.m. PT - Earthquakes at Kansas City Wizards live on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and on KLOK 1170 AM. Sunday, Oct. 19 - Return to San Jose

Injury Report Questionable - Ryan Johnson (L - hamstring strain)

Doubtful - Ramiro Corrales (L - MCL sprain)

Out - Gavin Glinton (R - adductor release surgery)

Last Match

Chivas USA 1, Earthquakes 0; October 11, 2008; Buck Shaw Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.

With their playoff hopes fading, the San Jose Earthquakes were in desperate need of a win heading into Saturday's match against Chivas USA. But the visitors proved they were not in a giving mood, claiming a 1-0 win over the Quakes, one that solidified their own hold on second place in the Western Conference. Justin Braun scored the game's only goal early in the first half, and the Chivas defense made it stand up for their sixth victory in seven matches. Chivas were first out of the blocks, with Alecko Eskandarian's simple ball over the top springing Braun on a clear breakaway in the seventh minute. The Quakes' frantic appeals for offside were ignored, and Braun rifled his shot past Joe Cannon, just inside the far post. The visitors proceeded to carry the play for the next 15 minutes with Jonathan Bornstein and Eskandarian each threatening the San Jose net. The Quakes did have one chance when a mix-up between defender Claudio Suarez and goalkeeper Dan Kennedy allowed Arturo Alvarez to pounce on a loose ball, but the San Jose forward could only shoot tamely right at Kennedy. San Jose eventually got their passing game on track, although Chivas were pressing them every step of the way. A quick combination in the 32nd minute involving Eric Denton and Alvarez nearly put Huckerby through on goal, but a well-timed challenge from Francisco Mendoza broke up the play. San Jose continued to have most of the possession to begin the second half. Scott Sealy appeared to have a clear look at goal in the 47th minute, but Claudio Suarez was on hand for a vital block. Francisco Lima had a similar shot from inside the box just a minute later, but this time it was Alex Zotinca with a goal-line clearance. As the second half progressed, Chivas were content to soak up pressure looking to spring Eskandarian and Braun on the break. Braun nearly doubled his tally in the 65th minute, but could only hit a weak shot straight at Cannon. The Quakes meanwhile looked to Huckerby for inspiration. O'Brien picked out his teammate in 67th minute, but the Englishman's volley went wide. O'Brien nearly equalized in the 77th minute when his mazy run from the right wing saw him cut into the box, but his shot curled just wide. Yallop's last throw of the dice was to bring on Davide Somma for Ned Grabavoy, and with just two minutes remaining the South African won a free kick just outside the box. But Alvarez's pile driver flew wide, and Chivas held on for the victory.

Reserve Division

Chivas USA Reserves 3, Earthquakes Reserves 1; Oct. 12, 2008; Stanton Field; Santa Clara, Calif.

The Chivas USA Reserves earned a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes Reserves in a Reserve Division game Sunday morning at Santa Clara University. For Chivas USA, Roberto Nurse finished the game with two goals and one assist and Anthony Hamilton finished with one goal and one assist. Mikel Arce scored the lone goal for the Earthquakes. Chivas scored first in the 15th minute when Jorge Flores passed a ball through the Earthquakes defense and Nurse was able to kick a waist high ball just out of the reach of Quakes goalkeeper, Michael Gustavson. Chivas went up 2-0 in the 24th minute when Nurse continued his aggressive play by driving up the right sideline past Quakes defenders, and he was able to find Hamilton in the middle of the box. He then guided the ball low to the left corner of the goal. Chivas finished a strong first half with a third goal coming in the 45th minute from Nurse, who headed in a cross from Hamilton. In the second half, Flores went down in the 55th minute for Chivas, suffering a blow to the head after a header attempt that was saved by Gustavson. Mikel Arce, who entered as a sub in the 67th minute, made an impact quickly by scoring the Quakes lone goal of the game in the 72nd minute. Davide Somma worked hard to get the ball into the box by putting in a sliding cross that found Arce for the finish right down the middle of the goal. Chivas improved their record in the Reserve Division to 3-3-3 and the Earthquakes record is now 3-5-2.

Last Match vs. Houston

Earthquakes 1, Houston Dynamo 1; Sept. 13, 2008; Buck Shaw Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.

The San Jose Earthquakes' bid to become the first expansion team in ten years to reach the playoffs took a slight detour, as a ten-man Houston Dynamo side claimed a 1-1 tie at Buck Shaw Stadium. San Jose had broken on top in the 50th minute thanks to a wonder blast from Ronnie O'Brien, but substitute Brian Ching equalized in the 71st minute, nodding home Brian Mullan's cross. Houston then had to survive the final five minutes a man down after Eddie Robinson received his second yellow card of the match, but managed to hang on for the draw. Houston broke out of the gate quickly, and nearly went on top after just five minutes when Brad Davis' cross was shot just wide by Mullan. This signaled a sustained spell of pressure that saw the Dynamo win several corner kicks. The Quakes looked none too convincing in dealing with the aerial assault, but managed to keep their net clean. Houston's domination ended abruptly in the 16th minute, when an attempted back-pass by Robinson went straight to Quakes' winger Darren Huckerby. But Dynamo keeper Pat Onstad produced a fabulous double-save, first denying Huckerby and then touching Scott Sealy's follow-up attempt wide. San Jose also went close on the ensuing corner, but Robinson made amends for his earlier gaffe, clearing Ned Grabavoy's goal-bound effort off the line after Onstad had deflected Huckerby's cross. The Dynamo picked up where they left off to start the second half, with Mullan's cross back-heeled towards goal by Nate Jaqua, but Cannon held his ground and saved with his feet. But just four minutes later, the Quakes found themselves in the lead thanks to O'Brien. The Irishman collected a ball from Arturo Alvarez and rather than cross, hit a rocket that snuck just inside the far post. Houston nearly equalized straight away, with Kamara's header from a Jaqua knockdown going just wide. That was to be Jaqua's last contribution, as he made way for Ching. But it was San Jose who were next to threaten, as Huckerby's cross in the 65th minute was headed by substitute Ryan Johnson right into the chest of Houston defender Wade Barrett who was standing on the goal line. The Quakes would end up ruing that miss, as six minutes later Ching headed home Mullan's cross after defender James Riley had mistimed his leap.

Last Match vs. Kansas City

Earthquakes 2, Kansas City Wizards 1; Aug. 30, 2008; Buck Shaw Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.

A timely header from San Jose Earthquakes forward Darren Huckerby in the 83rd minute proved to be the difference as the Quakes beat the Kansas City Wizards 2-1 at Buck Shaw Stadium. An Arturo Alvarez header had given San Jose a 1-0 lead two minutes before halftime, only for the Wizards' Davy Arnaud to equalize courtesy of a Michael Harrington cross in the 64th minute. That merely set the stage for Huckerby's heroics, as the Englishman headed home Ryan Johnson's knockdown from close range to give the Quakes a priceless victory. With both teams in desperate need of points, the pace was frenetic from the outset. The game was just 20 seconds old when Huckerby found Scott Sealy in the box, but Wizards' goalkeeper Kevin Hartman charged off his line to stuff Sealy's goalbound effort. San Jose's Ned Grabavoy collected the rebound but his shot was deflected over the bar by a Wizards defender. The Quakes continued to create the better chances and nearly broke on top in the 41st minute when Grabavoy fed Alvarez on the left side of the box. The Quake forward's cross was palmed away by Hartman and then fell straight to O'Brien, but with the goal begging the Irishman opted for placement over power, allowing Hartman to recover and touch his shot over the bar. It proved a brief respite however, and two minutes later the Quakes were ahead. James Riley found O'Brien on the right wing, and rather than use his favored right foot, the San Jose winger cut inside and lofted a left-footed cross that Alvarez nodded home from six yards out. In a bid to generate more offense, Wizards' head coach Curt Onalfo brought on Carlos Marinelli for the ineffective Kurt Morsink at halftime, while Harrington and Jewsbury switched positions on the right wing. The moves paid off, as Kansas City was much more dangerous to start the second half. Alvarez nearly doubled San Jose's advantage when his volley sailed just wide of Hartman's near post, but Kansas City was soon back on the attack and scored a deserved equalizer in the 64th minute when Arnaud one-timed Harrington's cross past Cannon from eight yards away. The goal sparked San Jose into action, with both Huckerby and O'Brien finding space out wide and delivering hard crosses that had the Wizards defense scrambling. The home side continued to pile on the pressure, and they finally achieved a breakthrough in the 83rd minute. Francisco Lima's chip was nodded across goal by Johnson, and Huckerby was quickest to react, heading home the winner from point blank range. The Wizards had one last chance to pull level in the 89th minute. Cannon parried a low cross from substitute Roger Espinoza right to Chance Myers, but the Wizards rookie fanned on the shot and the danger was cleared.

Misc. Notes

Attendance Update

With one game remaining on their home schedule, the San Jose Earthquakes are poised to have one of their best years ever for attendance. The Quakes are currently averaging 13,941 on the season. If the season finished today, that total would be the third-highest average attendance in team history. In 1996, the team averaged 17,232 and in 1999, the team averaged 14,959.

Defense Rules

The Earthquakes have allowed only 33 goals this season after allowing one goal against Chivas USA Saturday night. That total places them tied for third in the league in goals allowed.

Quakes Establish Partnership with Tottenham Hotspur

The San Jose Earthquakes announced the establishment of a strategic partnership with the English Premier League's Tottenham Hotspur Football Club last week. With the objective of creating a long-term bond between the two clubs, the partnership will primarily focus on both soccer and commercial development by exchanging and implementing the best practices from both organizations. The two clubs will also collaborate on community and charitable endeavors. This partnership will serve to develop the Tottenham Hotspur brand in the United States, while expanding the Earthquakes brand overseas. Tottenham Hotspur fans across the U.S. will now have the opportunity to be more engaged and connected with the Club, as both the senior and youth teams plan on visiting the country in the near future. The Earthquakes also have the option to play a match in England against Spurs.

Cell Phone Collection for Verizon Wireless

The San Jose Earthquakes will collect used cell phones, cell phone batteries, and chargers at all remaining home games for the 2008 season. Cell phones collected at the game will be donated to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program, benefitting victims of domestic violence. Fans that turn in old cell phones, cell phone chargers, and batteries at collection tables will receive a half price ticket voucher for the game and their name will be entered for a special meet and greet with Earthquakes players Darren Huckerby and Nick Garcia. The remaining collection date is October 25 vs. Toronto FC.

Habana Cuba Fundraising Nights

The San Jose Earthquakes have teamed up with Habana Cuba this fall to provide good food for a good cause. Fans that bring in an Earthquakes ticket stub or mention the special Earthquakes Night will have 15 percent of their purchase donated to the San Jose Earthquakes Community Fund. The final Earthquakes night will take place on Oct. 24. Habana Cuba is located at 238 Race Street in San Jose.

Earthquakes - Dynamo Connections

Eleven members of the Houston Dynamo were a part of the 2005 San Jose Earthquakes and 12 members of the team have San Jose ties. The former Quakes players currently on the Dynamo are listed below. Richard Mulrooney is the only player below that was not a member of the 2005 Earthquakes. He left the team following the 2004 season.

- Dominic Kinnear (Player: 1997; Assistant Coach: 2001-03; Head Coach: 2004-05) - With San Jose as a player: 28 GP, 2 goals, 2 assists; Coaching record: 27 wins, 14 losses, 21 ties

- Wade Barrett (1998-2002, 2005) - With San Jose: 142 GP, 6 goals, 24 assists

- Richard Mulrooney (1999-2004) - With San Jose: 163 GP, 4 goals, 44 assists

Mulrooney holds San Jose career records for appearances (163), games started (155), minutes played (14,204 minutes) and corner kicks (456)

- Brian Ching (2003-05) - With San Jose: 56 GP, 25 goals, 11 assists

- Ricardo Clark (2005) - With San Jose: 30 GP, 3 goals, 2 assists

- Brad Davis (2005) - With San Jose: 18 GP, 2 goals, 8 assists

- Dwayne De Rosario (2001-05) - With San Jose: 108 GP, 27 goals, 31 assists

- Brian Mullan (2003-05) - With San Jose: 83 GP, 12 goals, 23 assists

- Pat Onstad (2003-05) - With San Jose: 84 GP, 306 SV, 92 GA, 1.08 GAA

- Eddie Robinson (2001-05) - With San Jose: 70 GP, 4 goals, 3 assists

- Craig Waibel (2003-05) - With San Jose: 53 GP, 1 goal, 4 assists

- Chris Wondolowski (2005) - With San Jose: 2 GP

Kamara Faces Former Team

Former Quakes forward Kei Kamara will face his former team for the second time this season on Wednesday. He played for Houston against San Jose on Sept. 13 in his return to Buck Shaw Stadium. Kamara played 12 games for San Jose this season and scored two goals, before being traded to the Houston Dynamo on July 24 in exchange for allocation money. One of his goals for San Jose came against Houston on May 22 at Buck Shaw Stadium, a 2-1 Quakes victory.

Cochrane, Gray See Familiar Faces

Ryan Cochrane and Kelly Gray will face their former team this week. Cochrane spent two years with the Houston Dynamo in 2006 and 2007, helping the Dynamo win two MLS Cups. He was then selected by the Quakes in the first round of the 2007 MLS Expansion Draft. Gray spent a season and a half with the Dynamo in 2006 and 2007. He helped Houston capture the 2006 MLS Cup before being traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.

Top Wizards Players vs. Quakes

Josh Wolff has scored three goals and notched two assists with Chicago and Kansas City against San Jose ... Davy Arnaud has scored twice against San Jose in his career.

Top Quakes Performers vs. Wizards

Seven current Quakes have scored against the Wizards in their careers with Jovan Kirovski and Gavin Glinton leading the way with two goals each. Arturo Alvarez, Ronnie O'Brien, Ramiro Corrales, John Cunliffe and Darren Huckerby have all scored one goal vs. the Wizards ... O'Brien has five career assists vs. the Wizards.

Quakes vs. Wizards History

The Quakes lead the all-time regular season series between the two teams 18-15-6...The Earthquakes eliminated the Wizards from the 2003 Western Conference Championship game in overtime on Nov. 15, 2003 on a Landon Donovan goal ...The Wizards then ousted the Quakes from the 2004 MLS Cup Playoffs in the first round after rallying from a 2-0 aggregate-goal deficit by winning Game 2 3-0 on a late Jack Jewsbury goal ... Landon Donovan scored the Quakes first-ever hat trick on Sept. 20, 2003 in a 4-1 win at Arrowhead Stadium ... Joe Cannon recorded his first career shutout on Aug. 9, 1999 against the Wizards ... John Cunliffe scored his first career goal at Kansas City on July 29, 2007.

Earthquakes - Kansas City Connections

Current Earthquakes Nick Garcia and Scott Sealy both played the majority of their careers with the Kansas City Wizards. Garcia played for the Wizards from 2000-2007, helping Kansas City win the 2000 MLS Cup. He appeared in 224 games for the Wizards. He came to the Quakes in a trade on Jan. 15, 2008. Sealy played in Kansas City from 2005-08, before arriving in San Jose in a trade for allocation money on July 14, 2008. He scored 28 goals for the Wizards ... Kansas City defender Jimmy Conrad played in 84 games in four seasons with San Jose before joining the Wizards in a trade in January, 2003 ... Wizards defender Matt Marquess played at Santa Clara University with current Quakes Matt Hatzke and Jamil Roberts ... Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman played for Frank Yallop when Yallop was the head coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2006.

Expansion Watch

Including the San Jose Earthquakes, four expansion teams have entered the league since 2005. In 2005, Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake earned four and five wins, respectively, while Chivas picked up 18 points and RSL 20 points. Last season, Toronto FC had six wins and 25 points for the entire season. After defeating D.C. United 2-1 Sept. 6, the Earthquakes earned their seventh win of the season. Their tie against FC Dallas gave them 30 points for the season. The Quakes have now moved past Toronto as the winningest expansion team of this decade in MLS.

Corrales in Record Books

Ramiro Corrales started and played 14 minutes Aug. 23 against Chivas USA to record his 126th start and 11,266 minutes as a member of the Quakes. He is now sixth all-time in club history in minutes and starts. Next on the list for minutes played for the Quakes is general manager John Doyle (1996-2000), who recorded 11,385 minutes. For starts, Joe Cannon is next with 128. With 142 appearances, Corrales is now tied for third on the all-time appearances list. He is tied with Wade Barrett (1998-2002, 2005), who has made 142 appearances.

Cannon in Quakes Record Books

Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon played 90 minutes Oct. 11 against Chivas USA to record his 128th career game as a member of the Earthquakes putting him in eighth place, just behind Troy Dayak with 129 games, Ian Russell with 131 games and John Doyle with 132 games. Cannon has also recorded 11,691 minutes, good for fourth all-time in Quakes history.

Cannon Among League Leaders

Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon is ranked fourth in the league in goals against average with a 1.22 mark and is third in saves with 108. He is tied for fourth in shutouts with eight, two behind Chicago's Jon Busch, who has 10.

Cannon Among the All-Time Leaders

Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon is among the all-time league leaders in Major League Soccer history in a number of goalkeeping categories. He is currently third all-time in MLS in appearances (243), third in minutes (21,885), fourth all-time in saves (1010), second all-time in shutouts (64), fifth all-time in wins (91) and sixth all-time in goals against average (1.29). For San Jose goalkeepers, Cannon is first in club history in appearances (128), first in minutes played (11,691), first in saves (542), first in wins (53), first in shutouts (34) and second in goals against average (1.25) and saves percentage (74.6). He also holds the team's all-time record for saves in a game with 12 on July 8, 2000 at Colorado.

Quakes in October

San Jose is 3-4-7 all time in October in MLS.

Quakes Above .500

The Earthquakes all-time MLS record is above the .500 mark. The Quakes all-time regular season MLS record is 141-136-56. They had the third-best regular season record in MLS history at the conclusion of the 2005 season at 134-125-47.

Check out the San Jose Earthquakes Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 13, 2008


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