MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Weekly Update

May 18, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


The San Jose Earthquakes return to action this week after having last weekend off. The Quakes travel to Texas to take on the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, May 23 at 5:30 PT at Robertson Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on Comcast SportsNet Plus and on 1220 KDOW.

Earthquakes vs. Houston All-Time

MLS Regular Season: 2-1-1

Season Series: San Jose leads 1-0-0

Home: 2-0-1

Away: 0-1-0

Shootout (1996-99): 0-0

Overtime (2000-05): 0-0-0

Playoffs: 0-0-0; U.S. Open Cup: 0-0-0

All-Time Scoring: San Jose - 7, Houston - 6

Earthquakes Schedule for the Week of 5/18/09

Tuesday, May 19 - 10:30 a.m. PT - Training at Santa Clara

Wednesday, May 20 - 10:30 a.m. PT - Training at Santa Clara

Thursday, May 21 - 10:30 a.m. PT - Travel to Houston

Friday, May 22 - 10:30 a.m. PT - Training in Houston

Saturday, May 23 - 5:30 p.m. PT - Earthquakes at Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium live on Comcast SportsNet Plus and 1220 KDOW.

Injury Report/Suspensions

Probable - Jason Hernandez (L - calf strain); Out - Ryan Cochrane (L - ankle surgery); Darren Huckerby (R - quadriceps strain); Aaron Pitchkolan (One-game suspension from May 8).

Last Game

New York Red Bulls 4, Earthquakes 1; May 8, 2009; Giants Stadium; East Rutherford, NJ.

The San Jose Earthquakes' winless streak continued against the New York Red Bulls, suffering a 4-1 defeat at Giants Stadium. The Earthquakes got off to a rough start when Jorge Rojas put the Red Bulls into the lead after just seven minutes. The Venezuelan midfielder lofted a free kick into the penalty area from near the right-hand touchline. San Jose 'keeper Joe Cannon was caught flat-footed by a late run into the area by New York defender Kevin Goldthwaite, and the ball bounced into the back of the net. Rojas was able to strike again six minutes later when teammate Macoumba Kandji flicked on a throw from Red Bulls defender Carlos Johnson in the right corner. Making a late run to the far post, Rojas placed a header past the helpless Cannon. The goal seemed to briefly spark San Jose into life and Ryan Johnson forced a close-range save out of Red Bulls 'keeper Danny Cepero. With the home side attacking in waves, Juan Pablo Angel put the Red Bulls into a commanding lead after just 22 minutes. Kandji was again at the heart of the action, picking up a great ball on the right flank from Albert Celades. The forward had plenty of time to pick out his strike partner Angel with a low cross. The Colombian tapped the ball into the net from close range for his third goal of the season. Things went from bad to worse just five minutes from halftime, however, when Kandji caught Kelly Gray in possession 35 yards from goal and calmly strode forward before placing the ball past Cannon. Ryan Johnson gave the Earthquakes an opening on the stroke of halftime. This time it was the Red Bulls' turn to be caught napping, and they failed to react to a cross into their penalty area. Earthquakes captain Ramiro Corrales, however, kept his eye on the ball, and cushioned a header across the six-yard box, where the unmarked Johnson headed the ball past Cepero. The goal was Johnson's third of the season and the assist was Corrales' first. The Earthquakes emerged for the second half looking much more focused and composed. The visitors had much the better of the opening exchanges, and a crisp series of passes released Arturo Alvarez to the right of Cepero's goal. The midfielder, however, was thwarted by the 'keeper, who pushed his close-range shot past the post. San Jose almost pulled another goal back with just over 10 minutes left, only for Red Bulls defender Alfredo Pacheco to head Bobby Convey's goal bound shot off the line. Ultimately, the home side was largely content to sit on their lead and soak up the pressure for most of the half, eventually clinching just their second win of the season.

Last Game

Earthquakes 3, Houston Dynamo 2; March 28, 2009; Buck Shaw Stadium: Santa Clara, Calif.

Cam Weaver scored just before halftime to give the San Jose Earthquakes a lead they never relinquished as they defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-2 at Buck Shaw Stadium. Weaver's goal capped a wild 14-minute span in the first half when all five goals were scored. Ryan Johnson and Arturo Alvarez scored three minutes apart to give the Quakes a two-goal lead, but the Dynamo responded quickly, with goals from Chris Wondolowski and Brad Davis in a three-minute span to pull level, setting the stage for Weaver's 44th-minute heroics. San Jose broke through in the 30th minute when Weaver pushed a pass through a crowd to Johnson racing into the box from the right side. Pat Onstad came out to cut down the angle, but Johnson slipped a left-footed shot past the Houston goalkeeper that caromed off the left post and into the net. The Earthquakes doubled their lead just three minutes later, when Alvarez cut in from the right side, dribbling to the top of the box before unleashing a left-footed shot that beat Onstad cleanly inside the right post. Down 2-0, Houston was quick to answer. In the 34th minute, Stuart Holden burst down the right side, and hit a line drive cross that caught Wondolowski in full stride at the top of the six-yard box. Wondolowski slammed home a header to put Houston on the scoreboard. A minute later, a deflection teed up Brad Davis from 25 yards out, and Davis tied the game with a blast that sailed inside the left-hand post. Houston then looked to go ahead, forcing San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon to get down to stop a Davis shot in the 41st minute, and dive to knock away a long range, Ricardo Clark effort in the 42nd. But it was San Jose who regained the lead just before halftime. In the 44th minute, a Chris Leitch blast from long range was deflected by Darren Huckerby right to Weaver near the penalty spot who pushed it past Onstad for a 3-2 San Jose lead. The second half picked up where the first half left off, with end-to-end action. In the 58th minute, Ramiro Corrales missed wide right from the top of the arc for San Jose. In the 59th minute, Brian Mullan broke in from the left side for Houston, letting fly from the top of the box and missing wide left. In the 61st minute, it was Mullan again, dribbling in on goal and forcing Joe Cannon to come off his line to stop him from six yards out. The Earthquakes brought on Quincy Amarikwa for Ryan Johnson midway through the second half, and the rookie forward almost got on the score sheet in the 77th minute, forcing Onstad to kick save his shot from 10 yards out. Houston's best chance for a late equalizer came in the 85th minute. Davis hooked in a corner kick to Clark making a near post run, but his header went wide right.

Misc. Notes

Quakes in the Community

What: Soccerfest at Carnevale

Who: Earthquakes Street Team

Location: San Francisco

Date: May 23

Time: TBD

Details: Street team will be out, handing out prizes, teaching soccer skills

What: The Boys & Girls Clubs & Willow Youth Soccer's 1st Annual Memorial Day 5-on-5 Futsal Tournament

Who: Earthquakes Staff

Location: 2195 Cunningham Ave. San Jose, CA 95122

Date: May 23

Time: 10 am - 2 pm

Details: The Earthquakes staff will be on-site for the 1st Annual Memorial Day 5-on-5 Futsal Tournament. The event is free to all fans hoping attend.

Game Against Real Salt Lake Moved to July 3

The San Jose Earthquakes game at Western Conference foe Real Salt Lake has been moved from Saturday, July 4 at 6 p.m. PT to Friday, July 3 at 7 p.m. PT. The game will still air on the radio on 1220 KDOW. The game will mark the Quakes first appearance ever at Rio Tinto Stadium. San Jose has met Real Salt Lake seven times in MLS play in club history. The Earthquakes are 2-2-3 all-time against Real Salt Lake. In their four games at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, the Quakes posted a 1-1-2 record.

Hernandez Visits Adelante Dual Language Academy

Earthquakes defender Jason Hernandez visited Adelante Dual Language Academy in San Jose on Monday, May 11 for the "Get Earthquakes Fit" program. Hernandez spoke to a group of students at Adelante about the importance of staying active and eating a balanced diet. He then outlined the program to the children and reminded them that this program was not a competition, but just a way to have fun through exercise. The children will spend the next five weeks completing 20 minutes a day of exercise with their teachers. Hernandez will then return to congratulate the children on completing the program and sign autographs. Hernandez and the children then demonstrated two of the activities in the program, "Kangaroo, Cheetah, Turtle" and "Hot Coals and Taffy."

Zaher Visits Edenvale Elementary

Earthquakes defender Mike Zaher visited Edenvale Elementary School Wednesday, May 13 as part of the Amway Global Kicks for Kids Program. The Nevada native stressed the impact a healthy diet and active lifestyle had on his life growing up playing multiple sports. Zaher explained to the children how the choices he made as a child to eat healthy foods helped him achieve his goal of becoming a professional athlete. The children were very avid soccer fans and insisted on knowing his daily food routine so they could try to eat the same things as well. Zaher also emphasized the importance of staying hydrated and drinking a lot of water. He told them that especially with summer coming up, it is important to drink a lot of water to combat the heat and dehydration. After Zaher finished his speech, he opened the floor to a question and answer session. The children had a lot of soccer knowledge and asked Zaher many questions about the Earthquakes and the current season. Zaher then transitioned from the Q&A to a soccer skills demonstration. Zaher invited three children to the stage and gave them the chance to juggle the ball for as long as they could. To conclude the afternoon, Zaher signed player cards and Earthquakes staff handed out over 150 jersey replica shirts and 150 tickets, donated by Amway Global, to the students to attend the Earthquakes next home game on May 30 at 7:30 p.m. PT against Real Salt Lake at Buck Shaw Stadium.

Fan Voting for MLS All-Star Game

Fans can vote now for the First XI for the 2009 MLS All-Star Game, which pits the best of Major League Soccer against Everton FC of the English Premier League. The 14th annual All-Star Game will take place at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah on July 29 at 6:30 p.m. PT. The game will be televised on ESPN2 and Telefutura. Fans can vote for the All-Star First XI online by selecting one goalkeeper, three defenders, five midfielders, and two forwards. Fans can vote up to 10 times per day. The online fan balloting program, which concludes on July 6, will comprise 25 percent of the total vote for the All-Star First XI, with coaches and general managers, players, and media each holding 25 percent of the vote. Earthquakes players on the ballot are Joe Cannon, Chris Leitch, Nick Garcia, Eric Denton, Jason Hernandez, Darren Huckerby, Arturo Alvarez, Ramiro Corrales, Bobby Convey, Ryan Johnson, Cam Weaver and Shea Salinas.

MLS Futbolito Returns to San Jose

Thousands of soccer players of all ages and from all walks of life will lace up their cleats this summer to participate in the seventh edition of "MLS Futbolito", Major League Soccer's official 4-v-4 tournament and one of the nation's most successful grassroots soccer initiatives. The 13-event national tour, presented by Panasonic, hits San Jose on Saturday, September 19 at Independence High School in San Jose. The tournament begins with a New York Red Bulls hosted event in New York City on Saturday, June 6 and follows a week later in Miami with a nationally televised event on Univision, including a celebrity game, on Sunday, June 14, before continuing to the other markets, including San Jose. For further information about MLS Futbolito, visit the event's revamped official site: www.MLSFutbolito.com.

Pitchkolan Suspended Against Dynamo

The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee fined San Jose Earthquakes defender Aaron Pitchkolan $250 and suspended him one game for egregious and reckless conduct during the Earthquakes game versus the New York Red Bulls on Friday, May 9. The incident, which occurred in the 59th minute of the game, was not seen by the officiating crew. Pitchkolan will serve the one-game suspension during San Jose's next match, which is versus the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, May 23. As one of the League's official Charities of Choice, the US Soccer Foundation is the recipient of all player fines at the end of each season. Those fines are added to the Foundation's Annual Grants Pool from which the Board of Directors awards grants to soccer clubs and organizations that serve economically disadvantaged children in urban areas. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org.

Earthquakes Partner With Second Harvest Food Bank on May 30

The San Jose Earthquakes announced that the team has partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank for their game on Saturday, May 30 against Real Salt Lake. The two sides have teamed up to kick out hunger in the local community. Fans are encouraged to join the battle by bringing non-perishable food donations to the May 30 game, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium. Collection bins will be located at three different entrance gates at Buck Shaw Stadium for non-perishable food items. Donations to Second Harvest Food Bank can also be made at an informational table in the fan zone at the South end of the stadium to help fight local hunger. The Sports Gallery will hold a silent auction for a framed, autographed Earthquakes jersey with the proceeds going directly to the Second Harvest Food Bank. The night will also feature a representative from Second Harvest Food Bank performing the ceremonial coin toss.

Quakes Join "Walk Now for Autism Bay Area"

The San Jose Earthquakes announced that they have partnered with the Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation to participate in the "Walk Now for Autism Bay Area" on Saturday, May 30 at History Park at Kelley Park in San Jose. Earthquakes players' wives, girlfriends and members of the team's front office, along with Earthquakes fans will walk in the event that raises funds and awareness for autism. On May 30, the "Walk Now for Autism Bay Area" registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. PT, with the walk starting at 10:30 a.m. People interested in walking with the San Jose Earthquakes team, "Miles for Missy", can register on-line at www.walknowforautism.org/bayarea/milesformissy. All participants that sign up for the Earthquakes Team will receive a commemorative t-shirt. All funds raised through the "Walk Now for Autism Bay Area" will go toward autism research. Earthquakes defender Ryan Cochrane and his fiancé Ashley Clay helped organize the Quakes' involvement in this great cause. Cochrane's sister, Missy, was diagnosed with autism just before her second birthday. In an open letter to Earthquakes fans, the two share their reasons for involvement in this event. To read their letter, log on to www.sjearthquakes.com.

Earthquakes - Dynamo Connections

Ten members of the Houston Dynamo were a part of the 2005 San Jose Earthquakes and 12 members of the team have San Jose ties. The former Quakes players currently on the Dynamo are listed below. Richard Mulrooney and Kei Kamara are the only players below that were not members of the 2005 Earthquakes.

- Dominic Kinnear (Player: 1997; Assistant Coach: 2001-03; Head Coach: 2004-05) - With San Jose as

a player: 28 GP, 2 goals, 2 assists; Coaching record: 27 wins, 14 losses, 21 ties

- Wade Barrett (1998-2002, 2005) - With San Jose: 142 GP, 6 goals, 24 assists

- Richard Mulrooney (1999-2004) - With San Jose: 163 GP, 4 goals, 44 assists

Mulrooney holds San Jose career records for appearances (163), games started (155), minutes played (14,204 minutes) and corner kicks (456)

- Brian Ching (2003-05) - With San Jose: 56 GP, 25 goals, 11 assists

- Ricardo Clark (2005) - With San Jose: 30 GP, 3 goals, 2 assists

- Brad Davis (2005) - With San Jose: 18 GP, 2 goals, 8 assists

- Brian Mullan (2003-05) - With San Jose: 83 GP, 12 goals, 23 assists

- Pat Onstad (2003-05) - With San Jose: 84 GP, 306 SV, 92 GA, 1.08 GAA

- Eddie Robinson (2001-05) - With San Jose: 70 GP, 4 goals, 3 assists

- Craig Waibel (2003-05) - With San Jose: 53 GP, 1 goal, 4 assists

- Chris Wondolowski (2005) - With San Jose: 2 GP

- Kei Kamara (2008) - With San Jose 12 GP, 2 goals

Kamara To Face His Former Team

Former Quakes forward Kei Kamara will be available to play his former team for the first time this season. He was on the sidelines due to suspension when Houston Dynamo played San Jose on March 28. Kamara played 12 games for San Jose last season and scored two goals, before being traded to the Houston Dynamo on July 24 in exchange for allocation money. One of his goals for San Jose came against Houston on May 22, 2008 at Buck Shaw Stadium, a 2-1 Quakes victory.

Cochrane, Gray See Familiar Faces

Ryan Cochrane and Kelly Gray each played with the Houston Dynamo in their careers. Cochrane spent two years with the Houston Dynamo in 2006 and 2007, helping the Dynamo win two MLS Cups. He was then selected by the Quakes in the first round of the 2007 MLS Expansion Draft. Gray spent a season and a half with the Dynamo in 2006 and 2007. He helped Houston capture the 2006 MLS Cup before being traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.

Earthquakes Leaders vs. Dynamo

Joe Cannon has four career victories and two shutouts against Houston ... Arturo Alvarez has three career goals and three career assists against the Dynamo.

Dynamo Leaders vs. Earthquakes

Former Quakes forward Brian Ching and Stuart Holden are the team leaders in goals against San Jose, each with two ... Brad Davis holds the team lead in career assists versus the Quakes with two. Davis has also scored one goal against San Jose.

Quakes Launch "Earthquakes Community Fund Auction"

Visit the auction section on sjearthquakes.com under the menu titled "Shop" to bid on autographed Darren Huckerby bobble heads and boulevard banners with all proceeds benefiting the Earthquakes Community Fund! The auction will continue until Friday, May 22.

Game Time Changes

The Earthquakes home game on Saturday, June 20 against the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum has been moved to a 1:30 p.m. PT kickoff. The game will still be televised as planned, on ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes. The October 10 road game in Toronto has also been moved to 1:00 p.m. PT.

Cannon Amongst All-Time Leaders

Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon is among the all-time league leaders in a number of goalkeeping categories. He previously played for San Jose from 1999-2002. He is second in goalkeeper appearances (254), starts (253) and minutes played (22,875). He is now third all-time in saves (1,053), fourth all-time in shutouts (65), fifth all-time in wins (93) and tied for seventh all-time in goals against average (1.32) in league history. For San Jose, Cannon is first in club history as a goalkeeper in appearances (139), minutes played (12,681), saves (585), wins (55) and shutouts (35) and second in goals against average (1.30), and saves percentage (74.0). He also holds the team's all-time record for saves in a game with 12 on July 8, 2000 at Colorado.

Cannon in Quakes Record Books

Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon played 90 minutes Friday, May 8 against the New York Red Bulls to record his 139th career game as a member of the Earthquakes, which is good for fifth place in franchise history. Cannon has also recorded 12,681 minutes, good for second all-time in Quakes history. His 139 career starts are also third all-time in San Jose history.

Corrales Amongst All-Time Leaders

Ramiro Corrales started and played 90 minutes on May 8 against the New York Red Bulls to record his 151st appearance in a San Jose uniform. With 151 appearances, Corrales is now second on the all-time appearances list. Richard Mulrooney (1999-2004) is the all-time leader with 163. Corrales also made his 135th start and has logged 12,031 minutes as a member of the Quakes. He is now in fifth place in franchise history in starts, and fifth all-time in club history for minutes played.

Quakes in May

The Earthquakes are 21-24-10 all-time in MLS games during the month of May.

Quakes Radio Segment on KNBR 1050

The Earthquakes have a weekly five-minute news segment every Friday on KNBR 1050 following the Razor and Mr. T show at 7 p.m. PT. John Shrader, the voice of the Earthquakes, will host the report that will include interviews, player features and team news.

Catch Yallop on SportsRamble

Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop will appear every Sunday during the season on KDOW's weekly sports show, Sports Ramble. Yallop will appear with host Chetan Chaudhari at 8:30 p.m. PT each Sunday to talk Quakes soccer.

Listen to Quakes "en Español" on sjearthquakes.com

The Earthquakes have launched Spanish-language web broadcasts this season. Fans can tune into every home game during the 2009 Earthquakes season by clicking on the "Multimedia" link at sjearthquakes.com. Carlos Cesar Rivera returns for his second consecutive season as the voice of the Quakes and his fifth overall. A native of El Salvador, Rivera hosts a popular sports talk show from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. PT Monday through Friday on 1370 AM that covers MLS, Mexican League soccer, as well as many other sports. Rivera, who has worked in radio in the Bay Area for over 25 years, has also called games for the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks in his career.

Stay up to Date on Insider News on MyQuakes

The Earthquakes are proud to announce the launch of MyQuakes.com, the official social network of the San Jose Earthquakes. The site is a place where fans, players, and staff interact and share all types of content such as photos, videos, blogs and more. Some features that members will enjoy are the following; a team blog on the main page that will update fans on insider team information, a forum on the main page where fans, players, and staff can create and respond to discussions, a fully customizable profile page, players and coaches pages, an option to create your own groups, a full event calendar, as well as live online chat.

Check out the San Jose Earthquakes Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from May 18, 2009


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