MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Weekly Update

Published on September 9, 2002 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


Last Match Earthquakes 4, Columbus Crew 3, OT; Saturday, September 7, 2002; Spartan Stadium, San Jose, CA

The San Jose Earthquakes tied the MLS all-time home-unbeaten streak at 15 games by defeating the Eastern Conference leading Columbus Crew 4-3 with a goal seven minutes into overtime before a season-high crowd of 14,792 at Spartan Stadium. After Columbus forced overtime with two-second half Edson Buddle goals, the Earthquakes secured the win when Ramiro Corrales sent a cross in front of the Crew net. Earthquakes forward Ariel Graziani elevated and headed the ball toward the far post. Columbus goalkeeper Jon Busch and defender Brian Dunseth collided in an attempt to clear the ball, sending it into the net and setting off a raucous celebration at Spartan Stadium as the Earthquakes remained in a first place in the Western Conference. It didn't look like the Earthquakes would need Graziani's heroics early in the match. For the fourth time in the last five home games, the Earthquakes scored a goal in the first twenty minutes of play. Eddie Robinson put San Jose up 1-0 in the fourth minute when he one-timed a right-footed blast off a Richard Mulrooney corner kick. Ronnie Ekelund continued his MVP-caliber season with an incredible goal off a free kick in the 23rd minute to make it 2-0. After a Columbus foul, Mulrooney lifted the ball into the air on the ensuing free kick to Ekelund, who blasted a ferocious volley from 30-yards out into the left corner of the net past a helpless Busch. Despite trailing 2-0, Columbus came back with pressure on the Earthquakes goal a minute later. Columbus midfielder Eric Denton passed to Brian McBride on the left. McBride then lofted a ball over the Earthquakes defense into the penalty box as Cunningham ran onto the ball. As Cannon ran out to grab it, Cunningham popped it over him and into the net to make it 2-1. Ariel Graziani gave the Earthquakes some breathing room in the 53rd minute when he netted his 14th goal of the season to give San Jose a 3-1 advantage. The Crew refused to go away, closing the gap to 3-2 when Buddle scored off a deflection in the 59th minute. Buddle took a Robert Warzycha cross in the middle of the Earthquakes penalty box before spinning left and slotting a shot that deflected off a defender and past Cannon. Buddle evened the game at 3-3 in the 82nd minute. Buddle volleyed a looping cross from Freddy Garcia on the right side of the field and buried it to the left of Cannon.

Last Match vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (U.S. Open Cup) Galaxy 1, Earthquakes 0; Wednesday, August 7, 2002 Spartan Stadium; San Jose, Calif.

The defending Major League Soccer Champion San Jose Earthquakes fell 1-0 in overtime to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Spartan Stadium. The loss eliminates the Earthquakes from the U.S. Open Cup competition and ends the team's 15-game home winning streak, a streak that dates back to Aug. 25, 2001. The Earthquakes still own a 12-game MLS regular season winning streak at Spartan Stadium. Los Angeles forward Carlos Ruiz clinched the win eleven minutes into the first overtime following 90 minutes of scoreless play. Galaxy midfielder Ezra Hendrickson sent a long ball over the Earthquakes defense to Ruiz, who held off San Jose defender Jeff Agoos and then managed to flick the ball above defender Jimmy Conrad. Ruiz moved in alone against Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Conway and sent a shot into the upper right corner of the net for the win, marking the third consecutive year the Galaxy have eliminated the Earthquakes from the Cup. It appeared that San Jose would be advancing to the semifinals just two minutes into the overtime when second half substitute Dwayne De Rosario's header off a cross flew just over the crossbar. Earthquakes midfielder Ronnie Ekelund nearly avoided overtime entirely however, forcing a diving save from Galaxy goalkeeper Matt Reis on a wicked 25-yard shot in the 88th minute. Following a San Jose attack, the Los Angeles defense sent the ball skidding out of their penalty box, allowing Ekelund to one-touch the ball toward the left corner of the net. San Jose had the best opportunity of the early going when midfielder Manny Lagos stole a Galaxy pass and headed up field. Lagos sliced into the middle before sending a pass to Landon Donovan on the right side. Donovan turned and hit an overlapping Ian Russell with the ball, whose cross was barely missed by a stretching Graziani.

Misc. Notes

Earthquakes vs. Club America

International Sports Marketing Connection and the San Jose Earthquakes announced that the Quakes will play an international match on Wednesday, September 18 against one of Mexico's most storied teams Club America. The match between the defending champions of the United States and Mexico will kick off at 8:00 p.m. PT from 3COM Park. The game will mark the first meeting between the two teams in their history and will be the Earthquakes first-ever appearance at 3COM Park. International Sports Marketing Connection is marketing the game and fans can purchase tickets through Tickets.com only beginning on Saturday, August 24 at 10:00 a.m. PT. Ticket prices are $25, $35, and $45, and to purchase tickets, fans can log on to Tickets.com or visit any Tickets.com outlet, including Mollie Stone's, Raley's and Nob Hill Foods or any Giants Dug Out Store. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Tickets.com at 408-998-2277 or 415-478-2277.

Earthquakes season media credentials will be honored at this match. Media who do not have an Earthquakes season media credential must fax a single-game credential request to the Earthquakes media relations office at 408-553-0959. Parking passes are limited, and media should contact the Earthquakes media relations office at 408-260-6366 to obtain parking passes.

Western Conference Winners?

With the Earthquakes and Galaxy tied with 45 points each heading into the home-and-home showdown to close out the regular season, the Earthquakes are in a position to clinch the Western Conference and the Supporter's Shield for the best record in all of MLS. A San Jose win this week at Los Angeles virtually clinches first place overall and the Supporter's Shield due to superior goal differential. The Earthquakes could still clinch the Western Conference and the Shield if they lose in Los Angeles by two goals or fewer and win outright at San Jose, or if they lose to the Galaxy by three goals but win the finale at home by two goals. A tie in L.A. followed by either a win or a tie in San Jose the next week will secure the Conference title and Supporter's Shield as well.

Working Overtime

The Earthquakes 4-3 overtime win Saturday over Columbus was the club's first-ever regular season victory in extra time. Ariel Graziani's header forced a Crew own goal to give San Jose the win seven minutes into the extra session. The Earthquakes are now 1-1-16 all-time in overtime games.

Golden Graziani

Earthquakes forward Ariel Graziani netted his 14th goal of the season Saturday on a shot in the 53rd minute. The Argentine forward is one goal away from tying Ronald Cerritos' team record of 15 goals in a season set in 1999.

A Done Deal

Since acquiring Ariel Graziani in a pre-season trade with the Dallas Burn, Earthquakes fans know one way to predict a win. The Earthquakes are 10-0-1 in MLS play when forward Ariel Graziani scores at least one goal. Including U.S. Open Cup play, San Jose is a combined 11-0-1 when Graziani finds the back of the net.

Record Breaking At Spartan

The Earthquakes extended their unbeaten streak at Spartan Stadium to 15 games, tying the all-time MLS record with a 4-3 overtime win Saturday over Columbus. The Earthquakes share the record with the Chicago Fire and the 1999-2000 edition of the Quakes. During the 15-game unbeaten streak, which dates back to August 25, 2001, the team has outscored opponents 41-13. Since head coach Frank Yallop took over the Earthquakes prior to the 2001 season, San Jose is 23-3-4 at Spartan including regular season MLS games, playoff matches, F.C. Champions Cup play and U.S. Open Cup matches.

Earthquakes-Galaxy Connections

San Jose defender Zak Ibsen played for the Galaxy during the 1999 and 2000 seasons...L.A. forward and Open Cup leading scorer Chris Albright played under Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop at D.C. United during the 2000 season when Yallop was an assistant...Galaxy forward Isaias Bardales Jr. is from San Jose and attended San Jose State University...L.A. defender Adam Frye played three games for San Jose during the 1999 season...Earthquakes midfielder Richard Mulrooney was teammates at Creighton University with Galaxy forward Brian Mullan....Earthquakes midfielder Ian Russell played with Galaxy defender Craig Waibel on the Seattle Sounders in 1999.... Earthquakes defender Jimmy Conrad was on the same UCLA team as Galaxy players Kevin Hartman, Adam Frye, Peter Vagenas and Sasha Victorine in 1997, coached by L.A. head coach Sigi Schmid.

Injury Update

Defender Jeff Agoos continued his injury plagued 2002 season, missing Saturday's match against Columbus while his right calf strain continues to heal. Agoos remains questionable as he attempts to rehabilitate the injury and re-establish his fitness level. Agoos played the first 45 minutes of the Earthquakes 4-2 loss Aug. 31 at D.C. The veteran defender injured the calf while playing in the World Cup for the United States National Team in June. Agoos has missed eight games for the Earthquakes since returning from the World Cup. Defender Troy Dayak has been battling back from an injured abdominal strain. Playing in pain, Dayak was on the field for every minute of the Earthquakes win last Saturday against Columbus. Dayak had missed eight games with the ailment after leaving at halftime of the Earthquakes-Galaxy match July 4.

Adjusting and Readjusting

The Earthquakes have forged a tie for the best record in MLS despite not having the luxury of being able to play with a consistent starting lineup. San Jose has missed a total of 78 man-games to injury, National Team duty or suspension in 2002, resulting in 18 different starting lineups through 26 games. Head coach Frank Yallop has used the same starting lineup back-to-back only eight times this season, as the team has seen nine different players miss a total of 54 games due to injury.

Goal Scoring Robinson

After appearing in just one match a year ago during his rookie season, defender Eddie Robinson has become a presence on the field in 2002. Robinson has played in 16 games for the Earthquakes, and netted his second career goal and second of the season Saturday against Columbus on a corner kick. Robinson scored his first goal July 27, also on a corner kick against Kansas City. Robinson registered an assist July 20 against Dallas.

Quakes Keep Rolling

The Earthquakes eclipsed last year's win total of 13 with their 4-3 overtime win last Saturday versus Columbus. With 45 points, San Jose is now tied with last year's club-record point total and will break it with either a win (three points) or a tie (one point) in either of its two remaining games.

Wade At The Ready

Earthquakes defender Wade Barrett is the only member of the team to start and play every single minute of all 26 games this season. Ariel Graziani and Ramiro Corrales are the only other Quakes to appear in all 26 matches.

Landon's Survival of the Sexiest

Landon Donovan has been chosen to be included in CosmoGIRL!'s Survival of the Sexiest Poll, which lets CosmoGirl!'s readers decide which hot celebrity will be on the COVER of CosmoGIRL!'s next "Sexiest Guys in the World" issue. Last year's contest was a huge success and CosmoGirl! received 44 million votes. The contest launches in CG!'s October issue-on newsstands September 10. Fans can vote for Landon as the Sexiest Guy in the World at www.cosmogirl.com.

Quick Notes

-Defender Jimmy Conrad, defender Ramiro Corrales, defender Eddie Robinson and forward Ariel Graziani will be suspended for the final match of the season if they receive a yellow card against the L.A. Galaxy this Saturday.

-The four goals scored by the Earthquakes Sept. 7 against the Crew marks the third time this season San Jose has put away four goals in a game.

-Midfielder Richard Mulrooney registered two assists in a game for the first time since June 1, Saturday against Columbus.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 9, 2002


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