MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Extend Supporters' Shield Lead in 2-0 Win

Published on September 16, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


CARSON, Calif. - Chris Wondolowski set a new club record for goals in a single season and tied his own MLS mark for game-winning goals in a campaign as the San Jose Earthquakes knocked off Chivas USA 2-0 on Saturday at the Home Depot Center.

With the win, the Earthquakes (17-6-5, 56 pts.) extended their leads in the Supporters' Shield and Western Conference races. San Jose now holds a five-point advantage over Sporting Kansas City (15-7-6, 51 pts.) for the league's top regular season honors as well as an eight-point lead over Seattle Sounders FC (13-6-9, 48 pts.) in the Western Conference table.

San Jose's win was a memorable one for Wondolowski. The talismanic striker polished off a penalty in the 40th minute for his club-record 19th goal of the season. The goal was also his ninth game winner of the campaign, tying an MLS record previously reached by Wondolowski in 2010 and former LA Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz in 2002.

Wondolowski didn't just find his name on the scoresheet for a goal on Saturday. He also linked up with Alan Gordon four minutes into the second half. Justin Morrow and Simon Dawkins opened the sequence with a give-and-go to spring Morrow down the sideline. The left back sent his cross low through the box toward Mehdi Ballouchy, who stepped over the ball and left it for Wondolowski. Wondolowski then laid a pass off for Gordon who smashed his shot on the run past Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy for a 2-0 San Jose lead.

The Earthquakes generated several quality scoring opportunities on their way to seeing the game off, but left the result at 2-0. Defensively, Jon Busch came up with a pair of diving saves to keep his seventh clean sheet of the season.

The win was San Jose's second ever against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center. The only previous three-point road effort against the Goats came on Sept. 17, 2005.

The Earthquakes return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at Buck Shaw Stadium against the Portland Timbers for Dollar Dog Night, presented by Cosmopolitan Catering. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.

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