MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Weekly Update

Published on August 10, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


The San Jose Earthquakes host the defending MLS Cup Champion Colorado Rapids on Kids Night Out, presented by Supercuts on Saturday, August 13 at Buck Shaw Stadium. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and will air live on Comcast SportsNet California, 1220 KDOW and 1370 KZSF. In addition, 2,500 fans will receive Earthquakes Trading Cards, presented by Supercuts.

Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids All-Time

MLS Regular Season: 21-17-8

Home: 11-7-5

Away: 10-10-3

Shootout (1996-99): 1-2

Overtime (00-03): 0-0-2

Playoffs: 0-1-0; U.S. Open Cup: 0-0-0

All-Time Scoring: San Jose - 67, Colorado - 62

Injury/Discipline/International Duty Report

Out: Andre Luiz (L - knee injury), Ike Opara (L - foot injury); Questionable: Alan Gordon (abdominal strain); Simon Dawkins (R - hamstring strain).

Last Game

Earthquakes 1, Portland Timbers 1; Aug. 6, 2011; Buck Shaw Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.

With the Quakes looking down the barrel of a gut-wrenching home defeat to the expansion Portland Timbers, Alan Gordon delivered a cracking header from Steven Beitashour in the 67th minute to salvage a 1-1 tie for San Jose at Buck Shaw Stadium. The goal equalized a 23rd-minute strike from Portland's Kenny Cooper as neither team could come up with a victory that would have been tremendously helpful to their playoff hopes. The result kept eighth-place San Jose a point behind seventh-place Portland in the Western Conference standings.

Last Game vs. Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids 1, Earthquakes 0; Nov. 13, 2010; Dick's Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo.

Defender Kosuke Kimura scored a rare goal and the Rapids earned an even rarer shot at their first MLS crown, topping the San Jose Earthquakes, 1-0, in a chilly Eastern Conference Championship at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The San Jose Earthquakes saw their surprising postseason run come to an end, falling two steps short of winning the first MLS title since their 2008 rebirth and third in franchise history. Steady and patient play from the Rapids made sure of that, and they got the game-winner late in the first half after a number of chances skipped wide. Kimura stepped up from his spot on the back line in the 42nd minute and curled an in-swinging left-footed cross intended for Omar Cummings in the box. But the ball skipped over the Jamaican international's foot and then past lunging Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch into the corner of the goal. Wondolowski's best chance came in the 63rd minute when he skipped a header just wide of the post after redirecting a cross from former teammate Ryan Johnson. Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens needed to make just one real save to pick up his fourth career postseason shutout and first trip to the MLS Cup after narrowly missing a chance with the Chicago Fire in 2007.

Misc. Notes

Reserves Fall to Timbers

The Earthquakes Reserves fell to the Portland Timbers Reserves 2-0 Aug. 7 at the Nutrilite Training Facility. Brian Umony and Bright Dike scored the goals for Portland. San Jose's reserve squad is 3-3-1 through seven games this season. The next match for the Quakes Reserves is Sept. 3 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Gordon Scores First Goal

Forward Alan Gordon scored the first goal of his Earthquakes career to tie the match against the Portland Timbers on Aug. 6. The goal came in the 67th minute when Gordon headed home a cross from Steven Beitashour past Portland goalkeeper Troy Perkins.

Beitashour Leads Team in Assists

With his assist on Alan Gordon's goal against Portland, Steven Beitashour moved into the team lead for assists with four. The last right back to lead the team in assists was Chris Leitch, who tallied seven in 2009.

Burling, Hernandez, Beitashour Return to Anchor Defense

Bobby Burling, Jason Hernandez and Steven Beitashour returned to the starting lineup against the Portland Timbers after missing time due to injury and suspension. Burling was suspended for the D.C. United match after receiving a red card against Real Salt Lake on July 23. Hernandez was out for two weeks with a calf strain and Beitashour missed most of July after injuring his leg against Chivas USA on July 6.

Final Home Game before Road Stretch

This Saturday's game against the Colorado Rapids marks the final match before the Earthquakes hit the road for seven of the last 10 games of the season. The stretch includes important games at the LA Galaxy, Colorado Rapids, and Seattle Sounders FC. The team is currently four points behind Chivas USA for the fourth wild card spot.

Wondolowski Plays in 100th Career Game

Chris Wondolowski played in his 100th career MLS game on Aug. 6 against the Portland Timbers. The striker started and played a full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw. Wondolowski has netted 33 goals and notched six assists in his MLS career.

History of the Quakes - Colorado Rapids Rivalry The Earthquakes have a long history with the Colorado Rapids ... They played for the first time in 1996 and the Quakes swept the four-game season series, outscoring Colorado 9-3 in the process ... In 1997 Colorado won three of four and swept the Quakes in two games at San Jose ... Colorado dominated again in 1998 and had a memorable win at Stanford where they edged the Earthquakes 4-3 in penalty kicks ... The Earthquakes returned the favor and beat Colorado 4-3 in penalty kicks in the first match of 1999 and they split the season series 2-2 ... 2000 saw the teams split the series again with the Earthquakes winning the first two meetings ... on August 25, 2001 the Earthquakes scored three goals in four minutes for their second win of the year against the Rapids. Manny Lagos scored his second goal of the match on an assist from Junior Agogo. Two minutes later Landon Donovan scored on an assist from Ian Russel. Then in the 40th minute Donovan assisted Agogo for the fourth goal. The Quakes added one more and then cruised to a 5-2 victory ... In 2002 the teams split the series ... In 2003 the Quakes opened the season at Colorado and Brian Ching scored 53 seconds into the match and the Quakes were victorious 2-1 ... 2004 began an unbeaten streak in which the Earthquakes did not lose to the Rapids from 2004-2010. The Quakes were 8-0-4 during the streak before losing 1-0 on August 7, 2010 ... The two teams met again in the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals, but the Rapids beat the Quakes 1-0 on their way to winning the MLS Cup.

Earthquakes - Colorado Rapids Connections

Rapids forward Quincy Amarikwa was traded from San Jose on April 7, 2010 in exchange for a second round pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft ... Rapids midfielder Pablo Mastroeni played briefly in 1998 with Quakes midfielder Ramiro Corrales with the Miami Fusion and on the US national team with Quakes midfielder Bobby Convey ... Rapids defender Drew Moor played two years of college soccer at Indiana University with Quakes midfielder Jacob Peterson ... Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens played with Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch in 2007 with Chicago ... Rapids goalkeeper Ian Joyce played at Seton Hall University, the same school that Quakes defender Jason Hernandez played at ... Rapids midfielder Wells Thompson is a Wake Forest product (2003-2006), just like Quakes rookie defender Ike Opara, forward Scott Sealy and midfielder Sam Cronin ... Quakes defender Chris Leitch played in 2007 with Rapids defender Marvell Wynne with New York Red Bulls ... Quakes defender Bobby Burling is from Monument, Colorado ... Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan played with the Earthquakes from 2003-2005 and played with Chris Wondolowski in Houston from 2006-09.

Earthquakes All-Time Leaders vs. Colorado

Forward Alan Gordon has scored three times against Colorado in 13 games ... Chris Wondolowski has two goals and one assist in seven matches ... Forwards Steven Lenhart and Scott Sealy has each scored two goals against Colorado.

Colorado All-Time Leaders vs. Earthquakes

Forward Conor Casey has three goals in four appearances ... Wells Thompson has one goals in six games against San Jose ... Defender Tyrone Marshall has three assists in 25 matches.

Busch the Shot Stopper

Twenty-three games into the season, Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch is second in the league in saves with 85. Toronto FC's Stefan Frei leads the pack with 97 saves in 25 matches. New England's Matt Reis trails Busch by four saves with 81 in 20 matches.

Busch Led MLS in Saves for Month of July

Goalkeeper Jon Busch led the MLS in saves for the month of July with 32. Toronto FC's Stefan Frei was in second behind Busch with 24 saves, and New England's Matt Reis in third with 23.

Busch Among MLS Career Leaders for Shutouts and Saves

Jon Busch picked up his 59th career clean sheet on July 16 in a 0-0 draw against the Columbus Crew at Columbus Crew Stadium. The Earthquakes' starting goalkeeper is eighth among MLS all-time leaders. He has recorded 13 shutouts in two seasons with San Jose, 21 during three seasons (2007-09) with the Chicago Fire and 25 in five seasons (2002-06) with the Columbus Crew. Next on the list is former MLS standout Tony Meola with 62. He is also eighth all-time in saves in MLS history with 770 in his career.

Wondolowski Passes De Rosario for No. 3 on Quakes All-Time Scoring Chart

San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski continues to inch up the franchise's all-time scoring charts. Wondo added to his total with two goals against Vancouver Whitecaps FC in a 2-2 draw on July 20 at Buck Shaw Stadium, giving him a total of 29 with the Quakes. The Danville, Calif. native has now passed Dwayne De Rosario, who scored 27 for the team from 2001-2005, for No. 3 on the all-time list. The career leader for the Quakes is Ronald Cerritos, who notched 61 from 1997-2001 and in 2005. Next on the list is Landon Donovan, who scored 32 goals in his Earthquakes career.

Earthquakes 4v4, Presented by Wells Fargo

The San Jose Earthquakes kicked off their first 4v4 Tournament presented by Wells Fargo on Saturday, July 23. The Earthquakes 4v4 Presented by Wells Fargo includes two additional dates this year. The next tournament will be on Aug. 28 at Cesar Chavez Academy in East Palo Alto, followed by the final event of 2011 on Sept. 18 at Alden Oliver Sports Park in Hayward. Divisions include boys and girls U-8 through U-19, Men's and Women's Rec, Adult CoEd and Men's Open. Prizes will be awarded to the first and second place teams in all divisions. All participants receive an Earthquakes ticket, event t-shirt, and other gifts. There will also be appearances by Earthquakes players. Participation fees are $120 for Youth and Adult Rec, and $150 for Men's Open. Registration is open at www.sjearthquakes.com/4v4.

Wells Fargo Soccer Mom of the Match

Wells Fargo will feature a Soccer Mom of the Match for each Earthquakes home game in 2011. The promotion kicked off on Saturday, June 25 with Tina Castaneda of San Jose taking home the award. One nominated mom will be selected for on-field and video-board recognition prior to kickoff each week. The winner will also receive four match tickets to an Earthquakes home game, a parking pass, and a jersey. They will also have the special privilege to watch pre-game warm ups from the field. If you know somebody who goes above and beyond for their soccer team or league who you think deserves the honor of being our "Soccer Mom of the Match," make their case by filling out the nomination form. To nominate a mom, visit: www.sjearthquakes.com/soccermom.

San Jose Earthquakes on Twitter

@SJEarthquakes - Official account of the San Jose Earthquakes

@ChrisWondo - 2010 MLS Budweiser Golden Boot Winner Chris Wondolowski

@AnthonyAmpai - Rookie from NCAA Champion Akron University Anthony Ampaipitakwong

@bobbyburling - Veteran central defender and sports trivia guru Bobby Burling

@BradRing87 - Third-year central midfielder Brad Ring

@J_Hernandez_21 - Veteran center back and social maven Jason Hernandez

@awebs13 - Witty goalkeeper Andrew Weber

@MattLuzu32 - First-year striker Matt Luzunaris

@jacob_peterson - The newest Quakes player is also an active Tweeter

San Jose's Record in August

The Quakes are 31-24-7 all-time in August in MLS play.

Check out the San Jose Earthquakes Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from August 10, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central