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MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Allow Two Second-Half Goals to Lose 2-1 to Revs

August 29, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Steve Ralston notched his team-leading seventh goal of the season and added an assist as the New England Revolution beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 at a rainy Gillette Stadium. Ralston chipped home a Shalrie Joseph flick-on after 68 minutes and set Wells Thompson free to curl home a left-footed stunner six minutes later to allow the Revs to keep pace in the playoff race. Ramon Sanchez's late header gave the Quakes a late consolation goal, but it wasn't enough to end the Quakes' season-long road winless run (0-8-2).

New England forward Kheli Dube earned a second consecutive start after scoring a hat trick in Sunday's 3-1 win over San Jose. Mauricio Castro joined him in the starting lineup with Kenny Mansally struggling with an ankle injury and Edgaras Jankauskas (adductor) left out of the squad for a second consecutive match. Revs boss Steve Nicol also handed Matt Reis his 200th league start in a Revolution uniform.

San Jose coach Frank Yallop dropped Andre Luiz into central defense to cover for the suspended Jason Hernandez as one of three changes to the lineup from last Saturday's 1-0 win in Kansas City. Ramiro Corrales shifted to left back with Bobby Convey dropping out with a hamstring injury. Simon Elliott and Ramon Sanchez were recalled to fill in for Corrales and Luiz in central midfield.

The slick conditions made passing difficult on both sides with neither team really finding its rhythm in the opening 45 minutes. The few half-chances presented came from individual moves rather than composed team buildup.

Arturo Alvarez looked the brightest of all as he carved out space time and again in between the crevices allotted by the Revolution back four. Alvarez's audacious run from the left wing sliced through the Revolution rearguard after 12 minutes, but the El Salvador international didn't release in time and allowed Jay Heaps to slide over and charge down the ensuing effort.

New England couldn't get its fluid passing movement going either. Castro's cross from the left just eluded Steve Ralston's outstretched leg in a rare cohesive foray into the attacking third.

With the Revs struggling to maintain possession or carve open the makeshift Earthquakes back line, Alvarez had ample opportunity to acquire the ball and run at players. Alvarez made a jinking run inside after collecting Shea Salinas' feed, but Reis blocked his low, skipping shot to the near post. A subsequent cross into the middle posed considerably more danger until Wondolowski's tame header at Reis negated it shortly before the halftime interval.

New England improved after the break by showing more cohesive endeavor than they had in the first half and permitting Alvarez less space to breathe in the attacking third.

The half-chances started to build soon after play resumed. Joseph had his shot deflected by Brandon McDonald after Dube's tidy hold-up work provided him with the opportunity. Darrius Barnes had to stoop to head a tempting cross over the bar moments before Jay Heaps' header forced Joe Cannon into an easy save.

Two goals in six minutes turned the game on its head and handed the Revolution a decisive advantage.

Ralston notched his team-leading seventh goal of the season in the 68th minute. The direct, Route One play saw a long ball lumped out of the back. Joseph -- switched up top when Dube went off in the 62nd minute -- flicked on service. Luiz couldn't deal with the flick-on, allowing Ralston to surge in behind the back line and loop over Cannon.

Thompson doubled the advantage with a sublime finish six minutes late. Ralston started the move with a sweeping long ball to Thompson down the right wing. Thompson ran at the beleaguered Corrales, cut inside far too easily and curled his left-footed effort into the upper corner.

Corrales made sure San Jose's late pressure paid off with a fine cross for Sanchez to head home in second-half stoppage time, but the final whistle soon blew to ensure the Revs would grab their third win on the trot.

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