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MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Earn Third Shutout of the Season in 0-0 Draw with Colorado Rapids

May 8, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes picked up their third shutout of the season in a 0-0 draw against the Colorado Rapids at Buck Shaw Stadium on Wednesday.

The Earthquakes peppered the Rapids' goal with 15 shots on the night, seven of which were on target. However, a stellar effort from Colorado goalkeeper Clint Irwin, including several spectacular saves, kept the sides level.

San Jose's first big chance on goal came in the 23rd minute after Shea Salinas received the ball on a give-and-go from a corner kick. Salinas juked past a defender and curled a shot toward the near post where Irwin blocked it into the air. Ty Harden was first to the rebound and attempted a bicycle kick, but his shot was knocked away by a Rapids defender before reaching the goal.

Minutes later the Earthquakes were knocking on the doorstep once again, this time with a header from Chris Wondolowski. Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi headed a pass toward goal, finding Harden for a flicked header at the edge of the six-yard box. Wondolowski was waiting and redirected a shot toward the net, but Irwin made a one-handed diving save to knock it just past the post and out for a corner kick.

Alan Gordon had the next golden chance with an open look inside the area in the 53rd minute. Salinas slid a pass between defenders to an open Gordon, but the ensuing shot darted just wide of the target.

Irwin made his presence felt again in the 63rd minute. Atiba Harris blasted a shot from just inside the area that was destined for the net if not for Irwin reaching back to punch it away while diving to his left.

Wondolowski nearly netted the game-winner in the waning moments, tapping a shot on the run toward goal after a through ball from Salinas, but Irwin sprawled and deflected the ball with his leg. The shot was still heading toward goal, but hit the post and bounced away.

The clean sheet was San Jose's third in their last four games. Jon Busch moved one shutout closer to former Earthquakes icon Joe Cannon for No. 3 on the MLS all-time list with the 79th in his career.

San Jose returns to action on Saturday, May 10 against FC Dallas at Buck Shaw Stadium, presented by Gordon Biersch. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF. The match will be played nearly 40 years to the day of the teams' first meeting on May 11, 1974 - a 4-3 win for San Jose. The Earthquakes are celebrating their 40th anniversary this season and will have a number of themed items at the match. Johnny Moore, a player in 1974 and former general manager, will be inducted into the club's Hall of Fame at halftime and Gordon Biersch will give 2,500 fans a commemorative throwback 1974 jersey T-shirt.

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