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Earthquakes Pick up Points in Supporters' Shield Standings with 2-1 Win

July 19, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS) San Jose Earthquakes

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes solidified their spot atop the Western Conference and Supporters' Shield standings Wednesday night, defeating FC Dallas 2-1 at Buck Shaw Stadium thanks to a gritty defensive effort and goals from Marvin Chavez and Alan Gordon.

The win extended the Earthquakes' (13-4-4, 43 pts.) lead over their closest Western Conference pursuer, Real Salt Lake (11-7-3, 36 pts.). San Jose also picked up points on Sporting Kansas City (11-6-3, 36 pts.), 2-1 losers against the Houston Dynamo Wednesday night, in the Supporters' Shield standings.

San Jose posted a pair before halftime to put FC Dallas on the ropes. Chavez opened the Earthquakes' account in the 12th minute with a right-footed volley from the edge of the area, slamming Shea Salinas' cross past a diving Kevin Hartman. The goal was the Honduran's first with San Jose after joining the club in a trade with FC Dallas on Dec. 16, 2011.

Gordon tacked on the game winner in the 45th minute, heading home a perfectly placed cross from Sam Cronin. The strike was Gordon's eighth of the season, a career high, as well as his third game-winning goal.

The Earthquakes' defense held firm until the 89th minute when Hernan Pertuz dove to head in a free kick from Jackson. Collectively, San Jose provided several clutch saves on the evening, including a pair off the line from Rafael Baca and a diving one-handed effort from goalkeeper Jon Busch in the 55th minute.

San Jose is undefeated at Buck Shaw Stadium in 2012 with a 6-0-2 clip. The Earthquakes are 7-1-2 overall at home, including matches played at AT&T Park and Stanford Stadium.

San Jose's 13 wins matches the club's highest total since rejoining MLS in 2008. The Earthquakes finished 2010 with a 13-10-7 mark to earn a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs. At 13-4-4, San Jose is off to its best 21-game start in club history.

The Earthquakes return to action on Sunday, July 22 against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place. The match kicks off at 4 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 19, 2012


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