MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Weekly Update

Published on July 7, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


THIS WEEK

The San Jose Earthquakes play their third straight game at home, as they host D.C. United on Friday, July 11 at Buck Shaw Stadium, presented by Alaska Airlines. Kick off is 8:00 p.m. PT on NBC Sports, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF. Additionally, 5,000 fans will receive #MilestotheEpicenter placards at the game, courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

Last Game

Chivas USA 1, Earthquakes 0; July 2, 2014; Buck Shaw Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.

The San Jose Earthquakes fell 1-0 to Chivas USA at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Quakes and Chivas USA battled through a scoreless first half before Chivas broke through with a goal early in the second half. Erick Torres scored his 11th goal of the season for Chivas USA early in the second half to put his team in front. A cross from the right side from Mauro Rosales found Torres at the back post and he finished a shot to the right of goalkeeper Jon Busch in the 53rd minute. Ty Harden had a great chance for the equalizer with 10 minutes to go. After Alan Gordon earned a free kick, Jordan Stewart chipped a ball in the box for Harden. He beat his defender and headed low to the far post, but Kennedy pushed the shot wide before his defense cleared the ball out of danger.

Earthquakes in July

The Earthquakes are 25-38-19 all-time in MLS play in the month of July.

This Week's Opponent Info

D.C. United Scouting Report

D.C. United currently sits atop of the Eastern Conference with a record of 8-5-4 and 28 points. They are coming off a 2-1 win against Eastern Conference foe Toronto FC on July 5 at BMO Field after second half goals from United midfielders Nick DeLeon and Perry Kitchen. Fabian Espindola leads the team with seven goals and eight assists on the season. D.C. United forward Luis Silva recorded the team's first hat trick of the season in a 4-2 win over the Montreal Impact on June 11. D.C. United is one win away from tripling their win total from the 2013 MLS season after finishing with a league worst 3-24-7 record. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid leads D.C. between the pipes with four shutouts this season.

Last Game vs. D.C. United

D.C. United 1, Earthquakes 0; June 22, 2013; RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

D.C. United scored in the 11th minute on a penalty kick and held on for the 1-0 victory despite a flurry of second half chances for the Quakes. D.C. United scored the game's first goal on a penalty kick. Chris Korb got the ball in the box and was taken down as he created some space for himself. Chris Pontius then slotted home the spot kick past Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch for a 1-0 United advantage. Busch came up with a good save in the 18th minute to keep the D.C. lead at one. John Thorrington picked up a loose ball at the edge of the penalty box and curled a shot toward the upper corner. Busch leapt and tipped the ball away to prevent the goal. Shea Salinas nearly found the equalizer just over 15 minutes into the second half. Sam Cronin found him inside the box with a nicely weighted ball. Salinas took a touch to control it, before firing a hard shot that forced United goalkeeper Bill Hamid into a difficult save. Adam Jahn also came close to tying up the match after a nifty play in the box. He received a through ball and cut back around his defender before curling a left footed shot. The ball beat Hamid but rang off the far post and out of play in the 73rd minute. A late sliding volley by Alan Gordon also just missed, as San Jose pushed forward looking for the equalizer.

Earthquakes -- D.C. United Connections D.C. United forward Chris Pontius and Quakes forward Steven Lenhart are both natives of Yorba Linda, Calif. ... Quakes defender Brandon Barklage was drafted by D.C. United in the third round (36th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft and played for United from 2009-11 ... D.C. United midfielder Davy Arnaud and Quakes midfielder Khari Stephenson were teammates with the Kansas City Wizards from 2004-05 ... Arnaud was also teammates with Quakes forward Mike Fucito with the Montreal Impact in 2012 ... D.C. United defender Nana Attakora played for the Quakes in 2011 and 2013 ... Attakora and Quakes midfielder Sam Cronin were teammates with Toronto FC from 2009-10 ... D.C. United defender Bobby Boswell and Quakes forward Chris Wondolowski were teammates with the Houston Dynamo from 2008-09 ... D.C. United defender Steve Birnbaum went to Cal ... D.C. United goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra and Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch were teammates with the Chicago Fire in 2009 ... D.C. United forward Fabian Espindola and Quakes midfielder Atiba Harris were teammates with Real Salt Lake in 2007 ... Espindola and Quakes defender Brandon Barklage were teammates with Real Salt Lake ... D.C. United forward Eddie Johnson and Quakes forward Cordell Cato were teammates with Seattle Sounders FC in 2012 ... Johnson and Quakes defender Clarence Goodson were teammates with the Dallas Burn in 2004 ... Goodson (2000-03), D.C. United defender Taylor Kemp (2009-12) and D.C. United forward Christiano Francois all played at the University of Maryland ... D.C. United midfielder Collin Martin (2012), D.C. United defender (2012-13) and Quakes midfielder Sam Cronin (2005-08) both played at Wake Forest ... D.C. United midfielder Lewis Neal grew up an hour away from Quakes defender Jordan Stewart's hometown Birmingham in Leicester, England ... D.C. United defender Jeff Parke and Quakes defender Jason Hernandez were teammates with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in 2005 ... Parke was teammates with Quakes forward Cordell Cato with Sounders FC in 2012 ... D.C. United forward Chris Rolfe and Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch were teammates with the Chicago Fire from 2007-09 ... D.C. United forward Michael Seaton, who is from Spanish Town, Jamaica, and Quakes midfielder Khari Stephenson, who is from Kingston, Jamaica, grew up 28 minutes away by car from each other ... D.C. United goalkeeper Joe Willis and Quakes defender Brandon Barklage are both from St. Louis, MO.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Earthquakes Announce Partnership with PetersenDean for Stadium Solar Installation

The San Jose Earthquakes announced a stadium founding partnership with Northern California-based PetersenDean, which will bring solar energy to the club's new stadium. The long-term multi-million dollar deal makes PetersenDean the official solar and roofing partner of the Earthquakes and will feature a prominent solar installation at the new stadium. The installation of American-made solar panels will be located at the South end of the stadium in the VIP Parking Lot. With a peak capacity of 220kW, the system will generate enough power annually to offset all regular season game-day usage. The 882 solar panel array will sit atop a state-of-the-art carport structure, which will provide shade for 94-parked vehicles. PetersenDean will also have significant in-stadium presence with marquee signage, a solar panel display in the Epicenter Fan Zone, and an interactive solar energy monitoring system. For more information about the club's new stadium project, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/newstadium .

Hernandez Makes 200th Appearance

Earthquakes defender Jason Hernandez made his 200th appearance in MLS after playing 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to the LA Galaxy on June 28 at Stanford Stadium. Hernandez began his MLS career with the MetroStars and Chivas USA before spending his last seven seasons with San Jose. Hernandez has made 148 appearances for San Jose, 144 of them being starts.

Second Half Lockdown

Despite allowing a second half goal on July 2 against Chivas USA, the Quakes still lead MLS with the fewest goals allowed in the second half. They have allowed just five goals after the interval in 2014.

Bernardez Back

San Jose Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez entered as a second half substitute on July 2 against Chivas USA following nearly two months with the Honduran national team. It was his first appearance since May 10 for San Jose. He appeared in all three matches for Honduras at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Loan Watch: Tommy Thompson starts for Sac Republic FC

Earthquakes midfielder and Sacramento native Tommy Thompson started and played 45 minutes for Sacramento Republic FC in a 2-1 loss against Atlas FC on July 6 at Bonney Field in Sacramento. It was Thompson's third consecutive appearance for Sacramento after starting and playing 75 minutes in a 1-0 against Arizona United SC on June 26 and coming on in the 60th minute in a 2-0 loss to Oklahoma City Energy FC.

Quakes Hope to Replicate Effect of Last July

The Earthquakes finished July 2013 with two straight wins to get their season on track on the way to 51 points. After falling 3-2 to the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park on July 3, the Quakes would lose their second straight against the New England Revolution 2-0 at Gillette Stadium on July 6 but would win two consecutive to finish off the month with a 2-1 win against Seattle Sounders FC at Buck Shaw Stadium on July 13 and a 2-0 win against the Portland Timbers at Buck Shaw Stadium on July 27. After winning their last two games of July, the Quakes would finish the season with an impressive 7-2-3 record.

Wondo Returns Home

Chris Wondolowski returned to the Bay Area last week after representing the United States at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Wondolowski made two appearances for the red, white and blue as a 87th minute substitute against Portugal on June 22 in Manaus and a 72nd minute substitute in the Round of 16 against Belgium on July 1 in Salvador. He is available for selection on July 11 against D.C. United.

Busch Has Most Career Wins Against D.C. United

Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch has recorded a 10-8-6 record against D.C. United in his 13-year career, his most wins against any MLS team. During this stretch, Busch has recorded six shutouts against United. Busch has a 3-2-1 all-time record against D.C. United as a member of the Quakes.

Quakes Release Garza, Neil and Sofia

The San Jose Earthquakes have released midfielder Sam Garza, defender Ryan Neil and defender Joe Sofia. Per league and team policy, terms of the release were not disclosed. Garza made five appearances during the 2013 MLS regular season, each off the bench. Garza made his lone appearance in 2014 as a substitute in Seattle against Seattle Sounders F.C. on May 17. Sofia, 22, was a second-round pick (No. 28 overall) of the Earthquakes in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. Neil, 22, was a first-round pick (no. 18 overall) of Real Salt Lake in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, but later signed by San Jose prior to the 2014 season.

Busch Becomes Oldest Quake to Play In Match

Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch became the oldest player to ever play in a match for San Jose after playing 90 minutes in a 1-0 defeat to the LA Galaxy on June 28 at Stanford Stadium at the age of 37 years, 314 days.

World Cup Viewing Parties in San Jose

The San Jose Earthquakes will host a 2014 FIFA World Cup Final viewing party at Gordon Biersch Bottling & Keg in San Jose on Sunday, July 13. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Earthquakes Community Fund. Tickets are $30 and include access to the brewery as well as all you can eat and drink (Note: Food selection will include bratwurst sandwiches, garlic fries and vegetarian sandwiches; drinks will include Marzen, Pilsner, Blonde Bock, Dunkles, Coca Cola, Diet Coca Cola, Sprite and water). Fans can purchase tickets in advance of the event by visiting sjearthquakes.com. Gordon Biersch Bottling & Keg is located at 357 E Taylor St. in San Jose, Calif. In addition to the club's official championship viewing party, the City of San Jose and the San Jose Downtown Association will host 10 free outdoor viewing parties. Their events will center around two downtown locations: Plaza de Cesar Chavez and St. James Park. For more information, visit www.sjearthquakes.com.

Busch Among League Leaders

Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch is having another stellar season for San Jose. He is currently first in the league in saves percentage at 75.3 percent, one percent behind Real Salt Lake's Nick Rimando and LA Galazy's Jaime Penedo. He is also second in saves with 55 and third in goals against average (1.07).

#MilestoEpicenter Campaign

The San Jose Earthquakes launched their "Miles to the Epicenter of Soccer" campaign, presented by Alaska Airlines. The campaign gives fans the chance to measure their distance from anywhere in the world to the site of the Earthquakes New Stadium at 1145 Coleman Ave in San Jose with the opportunity to win prizes by sharing their photos. To enter for a chance to win the grand prize, fans can either pick up a "Miles to the Epicenter" sign at the Quakes Front Office or download and print a paper one from the team's official website at sjearthquakes.com. Using the sign, fans can then write their distance from the Quakes New Stadium on the sign and take a photo of themselves with the sign. To enter the contest, fans have the option of emailing the photo to milestoepicenter@sjearthquakes.com or uploading the photo through the club website, sjearthquakes.com. All of the photos will then be displayed at sjearthquakes.com and the team's official Facebook page, facebook.com/sanjoseearthquakes. Fans can then share their submission with the hashtag #milestoepicenter and vote for their favorite photo. The photo that receives the most votes will win a VIP trip for 4 to an Earthquakes away match, including airfare on Alaska Airlines and hotel. The contest with Alaska Airlines runs through the Quakes game on Aug. 2 at Levi's® Stadium. In addition to being able to pick up the signs at the office, 5,000 fans will receive the "Miles to the Epicenter" signs, courtesy of Alaska Airlines, at the Quakes match against D.C. United on July 11 at Buck Shaw Stadium.

Earthquakes, Wells Fargo Announce 4v4 Tournament Dates

For a fourth consecutive year, the Earthquakes and Wells Fargo have teamed up to host a series of youth and adult soccer tournaments in the Bay Area. This summer, the two organizations will host events in Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa. Building on successful tournaments in 2011, 2012 and 2013, the first of two Earthquakes 4v4's Presented by Wells Fargo tournaments is set for Saturday, July 19 at UC Santa Cruz at the East Field in Santa Cruz. The final tournament of the summer will take place on Saturday, Aug. 9 at the Trione Fields in Santa Rosa. Divisions for each event 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 first- and second-place teams in all divisions. All participants receive an Earthquakes ticket voucher, event t-shirt, and sponsor gifts. Each event will also feature a fan zone with booths and activities, as well as an autograph session with two Earthquakes players. Participation fees are $175 for youth and adult rec divisions for early bird registration and $200 for regular registration. Early bird registration for the Santa Cruz event lasts from 5/1-6/1 while regular registration lasts from 6/2-7/11. For the Santa Rosa event, early bird registration lasts from 5/1-7/1 while regular registration lasts from 7/2-8/1. For more information or to register, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/4v4.

Earthquakes to Host Atletico Madrid at Candlestick Park on July 27

The Earthquakes will host La Liga Champions Atletico Madrid on Sunday, July 27 at Candlestick Park with kickoff at 4 p.m. PT. Tickets for the match are now on sale at sjearthquakes.com. Suites and group tickets are available through the Earthquakes front office in person or by calling 408-556-7700. The club will also have designated supporter areas in sections 42 and 44.

Tickets on Sale for Levi's® Stadium Match

The Santa Clara Stadium Authority and the San Jose Earthquakes have partnered to present the first event at Levi's® Stadium. The Earthquakes will host to Seattle Sounders FC in one of Major League Soccer's most heated rivalries on Aug. 2, 2014. Tickets are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 7, 2014


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