MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Atop Western Conference After 2-1 Win against Real Salt

Published on June 24, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


SANDY, Utah - A pair of late goals and a scrappy defensive effort lifted the San Jose Earthquakes atop the Western Conference table after defeating Real Salt Lake 2-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday.

Alan Gordon scored his league-leading fifth goal as a substitute and assisted on Chris Wondolowski's league-leading 13th goal of the season to spur the Earthquakes' victory. Along the way, San Jose defenders Jason Hernandez and Justin Morrow each knocked balls off the line that were otherwise destined for the net.

With the win, San Jose (10-3-3, 33 pts.) moved one point ahead of Real Salt Lake (10-5-2, 32 pts.) in both the Western Conference and Supporters' Shield standings with a game in hand. The victory also marked the first time San Jose has won at Rio Tinto Stadium and only the second time in eight trips that the club has won in Salt Lake City.

Gordon put the Earthquakes in front in the 75th minute, heading in a free kick from Ramiro Corrales. Corrales' spot kick bounced high into the area and Gordon beat RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando to the ball before nodding it into the net.

After conceding an equalizer on a bending free kick from RSL midfielder Javier Morales in the 79th minute, the Earthquakes found a game winner from a familiar face five minutes later. Gordon flicked a Morrow throw-in and Wondolowski side-volleyed in his sixth game winner of the season, securing San Jose's spot atop the conference table.

The Earthquakes lead the league with 21 second-half goals and 12 goals scored in the 75th minute or later. San Jose also boasts a league-best 6-2-1 record on the road.

The Earthquakes are back in action on Tuesday, June 26 when the club hosts Seattle Sounders FC at Kezar Stadium in a U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal (7 p.m. PT / Live on www.sjearthquakes.com). The next MLS match on the slate is a date with the LA Galaxy on Saturday, June 30 at Stanford Stadium, presented by XFINITY (7 p.m. PT / ESPN2, 1590 KLIV, 1370 KZSF).

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Major League Soccer Stories from June 24, 2012


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