MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Continue MLS Cup Playoff Push with 2-1 Road Win against Real Salt Lake

September 22, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


SANDY, Utah - The San Jose Earthquakes continued their push toward the MLS Cup Playoffs with an historic 2-1 win against Real Salt Lake in front of a sold out crowd at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday.

San Jose (11-11-8, 41 pts.) is four points behind the Colorado Rapids (12-9-9, 45 pts.) for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Earthquakes have four games remaining, including road trips to play Chivas USA and the LA Galaxy as well as home matches against the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas.

In addition to three points, the Earthquakes celebrated their 200th win since joining MLS in 1996. Their first came on April 6, 1996 at Spartan Stadium, a 1-0 result against D.C. United in the league's inaugural game.

Saturday's match saw a flurry of goals midway through the first half with Steven Lenhart opening the salvo in the 18th minute. Rafael Baca sprayed a pass from midfield to Cordell Cato on the wing. The Trinidadian took a touch and sent a perfectly-placed cross toward the near post where Lenhart dove for a glancing header past Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando.

The hosts didn't wait long to respond as Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales linked up on a corner kick one minute later. Beckerman looped a pass toward the far post where an unmarked Morales tapped home the tying goal.

Lenhart capped the scoring moments later with a powerful header from close range. Shea Salinas took a free kick from 35 yards out that pinpointed the target man mid-stride, sealing San Jose's second road win of the season.

The brace was Lenhart's fifth multi-goal game in San Jose and sixth of his career. He also doubled his season goal total and moved up to No. 8 on the club's all-time scoring list with 19.

San Jose returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 29 against Chivas USA at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Kickoff for that game is 8 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 22, 2013


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