MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Offense Explodes in 5-1 Romp against Chicago

Published on July 24, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes exploded with their largest offensive output since 2012 to rout the Chicago Fire 5-1 on Wednesday at Buck Shaw Stadium.

Five different players found the net, marking the first five-goal output at Buck Shaw Stadium since a 5-0 win against Real Salt Lake on July 14, 2012. Shea Salinas, Atiiba Harris, Chris Wondolowski, Yannick Djalo and Cordell Cato accounted for the goals in what was also the largest margin of victory for San Jose since 2012, a 4-0 romp against Chivas USA on Sept. 2 at Buck Shaw.

Salinas opened the scoring just before halftime, beating Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson with a blast to the upper corner. Djalo sprung Salinas down the sideline with a long pass over the top. Salinas chased it down and beat his defender with a cut into the middle, creating space to pop the net for his first goal of the year.

Atiba Harris doubled the lead early in the second half, tapping in a deflected shot from Chris Wondolowski. Harris dribbled toward the area and then slid a pass across the top of the box to Wondolowski, who took a touch and fired. Johnson blocked the shot, but the rebound caromed toward the goal where Harris knotted the loose end.

Harris returned the favor 10 minutes later, leading Wondolowski into the box where the Danville native capitalized with a left-footed strike past Johnson for his team-leading seventh goal of the season.

The Fire pulled one back three-quarters of the way through the match. Matt Watson found Grant Ward running freely toward goal on the right side of the box and placed a perfect pass in front of the midfielder. Ward one-timed his shot into the lower corner, barely beating Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch to spoil the shutout.

San Jose would eliminate any doubts about the match soon after. Cato sent a looping pass over the Fire's backline and Djalo took advantage with a cheeky finish. The Portguese attacker let the ball bounce and then sent a high-arching shot that Johnson watched sail over his head and bounce into the net.

Cato capped the scoring in the 84th minute. Djalo won possession near midfield and sent a through ball to Wondolowski on the right. Wondolowski dribbled into the box and then cut a pass back for Cato. The Trinidadian took a smart touch with the side of his foot and then leapt to finish in midair with his right foot.

The Earthquakes return to action on Sunday, July 27 against La Liga champions Atletico Madrid at Candlestick Park. The game is part of the Copa Euroamericana and kicks off at 4 p.m. PT. Tickets are still available at www.sjearthquakes.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 24, 2014


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