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MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Open Avaya Stadium with 2-1 Victory over Chicago Fire in Front of Sellout Crowd

March 22, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes christened their new home with an electric 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire in the inaugural match at Avaya Stadium on Sunday in front of a sellout crowd of 18,000.

San Jose opened the scoring in the fifth minute of the match. Following a corner kick by midfielder Matias Perez Garcia, the ball was headed into the air and redirected goal-ward by defender Clarence Goodson. Rookie midfielder Fatai Alashe found himself between the ball and the goal and headed the ball into the back of the net. It marked Alashe's first career MLS goal.

The Earthquakes doubled their lead in the 21st minute. Perez Garcia whipped in an out-swinging free kick from the left side of the pitch. Goodson created space outside of the six-yard box and volleyed the ball on target with his left foot. The bouncing ball wasn't played cleanly by Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson and the rebound was slotted home by defender Ty Harden. It marked Harden's first career MLS goal and his 100th career MLS match.

The Fire got a goal back in the 29th minute on the right foot of Harry Shipp. Shipp received a through ball from Joevin Jones near the penalty spot and first-timed the ball past Quakes keeper David Bingham.

In the 32nd minute, Bingham's quick reflexes helped keep San Jose's one-goal advantage. Fire defender Eric Gehrig firmly headed a corner kick on net, but Bingham punched the ball safely over the crossbar.

The two sides created several scoring chances in the second half, but neither team was able to find the back of the net.

The Quakes will look for their third consecutive victory when they take on the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, March 28 at 12 p.m. PT. The game will air live on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 1590 KLIV, 1370 KZSF.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR

On first game in the new Avaya Stadium:

"When you walk out here, just the energy and enthusiasm from some friends and family before the game, you know it's spreading throughout the whole city and soccer community, it's wonderful. The atmosphere was just fantastic. I'm glad we gave them good early goals to get them excited and keep them nice and vocal. My thanks always go to Mr. Fisher and Mr. Wolff and Dave Kaval for putting together a great project and fulfilling everything and making the players love this place and giving MLS another wonderful stadium. Glad we won the game. That makes it even better and makes everything look a little better. Overall, it's a wonderful place to play."

On the new center back pairing (Ty Harden & Clarence Goodson):

"I thought they did pretty good. Chicago did have some possession. We had a hard time getting it out of our half in the second half, but I thought we defended pretty well. They defended the box well. Obviously they combined for the second goal on the set piece. So overall, it was an easy way to go about things - it was two center backs out and two center backs in and keep the rest the same. And I thought they defended very well for us."

On Matias Perez Garcia's set pieces:

"He delivers a great ball, and it wasn't just those two - he looked dangerous on a couple other ones as well. His overall play, I've been really happy with Matias. I thought tonight on the ball, the guy picks the right pass and he's a really intelligent player. His set piece delivery is up there with the best of them."

On electric atmosphere in new stadium:

"It gets the guys charged up. I think we came out with a good amount of aggression and a good amount of energy. Obviously you love to get an early goal for a couple reasons - for the good of the game and for your team, and obviously to get the fans involved right away. I think when those goals went in the roof was almost getting shouted off the hinges."

EARTHQUAKES GOALKEEPER DAVID BINGHAM

On defensive effort:

"It was tough in the second half. We were up one and just wanted to hold the lead. We weren't able to add to the lead and you sensed our defense step up to not break. We kept their chances few and far in between to be fair. Credit to the back line. Even though we were missing Victor [Bernardez], we didn't miss a beat. Obviously he's a great player, but we have confidence in every guy in this locker room."

On stadium atmosphere:

"I loved it. I'm a local kid, so it was exciting. Getting to open a stadium at home is a phenomenal feeling. Couldn't have scripted it any better to get a win. I'll never forget today."

EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI

On Quakes' taking early lead:

"It was a important to get a lead early. You go out there with so much excitement and you want to feed off of the fans. After Fatai's [Alashe] goal, the crowd erupted like I've never heard before. I just ran to him in excitement and gave him a big hug. I'm proud of him. The way he played in that midfield shows why he is a great player."

On Avaya Stadium opening:

"It was great to be a part of it. It is an honor to play here. As players, we know we have something special. We take pride in playing in our house and we want to protect it. We are happy for the fans and for the community. When you have a sense that this building is yours, it trickles down from the stands to the field. We're expecting this to be every week."

EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER FATAI ALASHE

On earning a call up to the U.S. U-23 National Team:

"It's something that's really important to me, honestly. I've always wanted the opportunity to get in with the national team and this is my chance and I'm just going to try my best."

On his goal:

"Great ball in, like I said before. Clay [Clarence Goodson] got a good head on it. Keeper went out a little bit. I was just doing my job, trying stay in front of him. And when the ball got headed back in in front of goal, I just did whatever I could to try and get it in the back of the net."

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 22, 2015


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