MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Weekly Update

Published on February 26, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


The Quakes will take on Minnesota United FC Saturday, March 3 at 7:15 p.m. PT at Avaya Stadium in their first 2018 MLS regular season match. Throughout the week, the Quakes will be active in the community with competitions and events for fans to participate in as part of MLS is Back Week. Saturday's game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Bay Area, KNBR 1050 and KZSF 1370.

The Earthquakes enter the first game after a successful preseason in which they earned an undefeated 2-0-2 record, most recently defeating rivals LA Galaxy 4-2 on Saturday, Feb. 17.

MLS IS BACK WEEK

MLS is Back Week will feature events in the community leading up to Opening Night on March 3.

Monday, Feb. 26

Quake it Up Day

The San Jose Earthquakes front office will be out in the community delivering Quakes memorabilia and information about Opening night on March 3. Quakes mascot Q and in-stadium host Taylor Amarante will be surprising fans and pumping them up for the start of the season.

Tuesday, Feb. 27

Real Life FIFA Challenge

Circle of Palms at Plaza Cesar Chavez, Downtown San Jose

11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

FIFA18 will come to life at the Circle of Palms in Downtown San Jose with challenges that test soccer accuracy with target shooting and ball placement. Quakes prizes will be awarded.

Wednesday, Feb. 28

Flag Raising at City Hall

City Hall, Downtown San Jose

6 - 6:30 p.m.

The City of San Jose will raise an Earthquakes flag above City Hall to commemorate the start of the 2018 season. Earthquakes goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell and defender Joel Qwiberg, accompanied by front office executives and Krazy George, will raise the flag with Councilmember Raul Perez of District 3.

Flag Raising Celebration

San Pedro Square Market

7 - 9 p.m.

Following the flag raising, fans can go San Pedro Square Market for food and drinks to celebrate the start of the season. The Quakes players will be in attendance to interact with fans and drink specials are available for attendees in Quakes gear.

Thursday, March 1

FIFA 18 Tournament

AFKgg, Downtown San Jose

6 - 9 p.m.

AFKgg, the popular gaming establishment in Downtown San Jose, will be the site of a FIFA18 tournament featuring Quakes fans and Earthquakes mascot Q. Thirty-two Quakes fans will play against each other in the single-elimination tournament for a VIP Quakes experience for Opening Night on March 3 and a TCL 43" 4K UltraHD TV. The winner of the tournament will also face Earthquakes eMLS Competitor Alan Ortega in an honorary championship game. Second place will win an autographed Quakes jersey, and third place will receive two tickets to the Quakes friendly match against Liga MX's Club Leon on March 24.

Friday, March 2

Social Media Scavenger Hunt

Downtown San Jose

12 - 5 p.m.

The multi-location social media scavenger hunt will take place throughout the Downtown San Jose. Quakes Brand Ambassadors will be hidden throughout the San Jose area with prizes. Hints regarding their locations will be shared on the Quakes' Instagram story.

Soccer in San Pedro Square Market

San Pedro Square Market

12 - 6 p.m.

Quakes Brand Ambassadors will be at San Pedro Square Market raffling Quakes prizes. Fans can practice shooting on the inflatable goal for a chance to win tickets to Opening Night on March 3 against Minnesota United FC.

#Dress4MLS Friday

Social Media

All Day

Fans can post photos in their best Quakes gear with the hashtag #Dress4MLS for a chance to win the new 2018 Navy SEAL Foundation Jersey.

OPPONENT INFORMATION

Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United All-Time

MLS Regular Season: 2-0-0

Home: 1-0-0 (3 GF, 2 GA)

Away: 1-0-0 (1 GF, 0 GA)

All-Time Scoring: San Jose - 4, Minnesota - 2

Last Game vs. Minnesota United Earthquakes 3, Minnesota United 2; Oct. 22, 2017; Avaya Stadium, San Jose, California

The last time these teams met, the San Jose Earthquakes defeated Minnesota United FC 3-2 at Avaya Stadium to send the Quakes to their first playoff berth since 2012. Quakes forwards Chris Wondolowski and Danny Hoesen played a crucial role in the victory, both tallying a goal and an assist in the match. Wondolowski delivered the assist that would set up Marco Ureña for the game-winning goal in the 93rd minute.

History of the Quakes - Minnesota United Rivalry

The Earthquakes won their first ever MLS match against Minnesota United FC 1-0 away from home on April 29, 2017 ... In their second meeting on Oct. 22, 2017, a late game-winning goal from Marco Ureña sent the Quakes to their first playoff berth in five years.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

"Win and We're In"

The last time the Quakes faced Minnesota, the Quakes had just moved from eighth to sixth place in the Western Conference. A win against the Loons would be enough for the Quakes to punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2012. The Quakes beat the Loons 3-2 with a stoppage-time game-winning goal from Marco Ureña to send the Quakes to their first playoff berth in five years.

Undefeated

Saturday night marks the third MLS matchup ever between the Quakes and Minnesota United FC. The Quakes are currently undefeated against the Loons with a 1-0 win away and a 3-2 home win thriller.

New Faces

Since the end of the 2017 season, the Quakes have signed 10 players in the offseason. The Quakes also have a new head coach in Mikael Stahre, an assistant coach in Alex de Crook and goalkeepeing coach in Jyri Nieminen.

#AvayaCastle

The Quakes look to continue their form at home where they tallied a 12-2-5 record in their home matches in the 2017 season, including both MLS and U.S. Open Cup contests.

Chasing Greatness

In 2018, Chris Wondolowski can become the all-time MLS goal-scoring champion with 12 goals. Wondo is currently tied in second place with Jeff Cunningham (134) and Landon Donovan remains on top (145).

EARTHQUAKES NOTES

Earthquakes Unveil We Are San Jose

The San Jose Earthquakes announced the We Are San Jose campaign, displaying their passion for the city that has served as their home since 1974. The campaign shows that the Quakes are unapologetically and proudly San Jose, and the club embodies the city's essence.

The campaign features six words that ring true to both the Quakes and San Jose: diverse, disruptive, unshakeable, united, proud and passionate. San Jose is home to a diverse, hard-working and innovative community that can come together with fellow fans, Quakes staff and players at Avaya Stadium to represent their City, while enjoying the shared global experience that only soccer can provide. Read the full story here.

Earthquakes Celebrate New Season With MLS is Back Week

The San Jose Earthquakes will celebrate the start of the 2018 MLS Regular Season with MLS is Back Week leading up to Opening Night on Saturday, March 3 against Minnesota United FC at 7:15 p.m., presented by Avaya. The week will include many fan-interactive activities that have a strong focus on San Jose, including a real life FIFA challenge, scavenger hunt and FIFA18 tournament. Throughout the week, notable San Jose landmarks will be lighted blue to celebrate the start of the 2018 season. The Rotunda and Tower at City Hall, and the Voxel Cloud in Downtown's SoFA district will remain blue until March 5. See the full schedule here.

Gilbert Fuentes invited to U.S. U-17 MNT Training Camp

U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team head coach John Hackworth has called 24 players for a nine-day training camp at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center from Feb. 24-March 4. During the camp, the USA will play a pair of games against older birth year players from LA Galaxy (2000, 2001), and mix of youth players from Liga MX side Club Tijuana (2000, 2001, 2002). Of the 24 players brought into camp, 23 have registered at least one season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Goalkeeper Damian Las, defenders Tayvon Gray, Owen Guske and Mason Judge, midfielder Gilbert Fuentes and forward Julian Gaines collectively lead the roster in that regard, each having played four seasons. Read the full story here.

Jasmine Aikey, America Frias and Elise Evans invited to U.S. U-14 GNT Camp

The U.S. Under-14 Girls' National Team will resume its programming with its first event of the year taking place from Feb. 25 - March 4 in Norco, Calif. U.S. U-14 GNT head coach April Kater has called up 48 players, 36 born in 2004 and 12 born in 2005. The 48 players come from 30 different youth clubs with multiple players coming from Legends FC (3) out of Southern California, PDA (3) out of New Jersey, Solar SC (3) out of Dallas, Mountain View Los Altos SC (3) out of Northern California, the San Jose Earthquakes (3), Heat FC (2) from Las Vegas, SC del Sol (2) from Arizona, Richmond United (2) out of Virginia, New York City FC (2), NTH Tophat out of Georgia (2), Seattle Reign Academy (2) and Real So Cal (2) and West Coast FC (2) out of Southern California. Read the full story here.

THIS WEEK IN EARTHQUAKES HISTORY

A look back on important moments in Earthquakes history that took place during the week of Feb. 26 - March 4

March 2, 2009 - Acquired defender Chris Leitch

The Earthquakes acquired defender Chris Leitch from the New York Red Bulls in exchange for allocation money and an international roster slot. Leitch spent three seasons with the Quakes before retiring in 2011, appearing in 58 matches and tallying eight assists. He was the Earthquakes Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 and helped the Quakes reach the conference final in 2010.He currently serves as the club's technical director.

Feb. 26, 2013 - Signed forward Chris Wondolowski to a new contract

The Earthquakes signed forward Chris Wondolowski to a new contract on Feb. 26, 2013 following a stellar 2012 campaign, making him the second Designated Player in club history. In 2012, Wondo received the Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot awards, tying the MLS record for goals scored in a single season with 27. Wondolowski's prolific 2012 season helped the Quakes earn the Supporters' Shield with a 19-6-9 record. He has gone on to break several Earthquakes and MLS records. With 134 regular season career goals, he is currently tied for second and just 12 goals shy from surpassing Landon Donovan as the all-time MLS leading goal scorer.

Feb. 28, 2015 - Avaya Stadium Soft Opening

A day after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Earthquakes hosted the LA Galaxy in a preseason contest in the first-ever game at Avaya Stadium. The Earthquakes won 3-2 against their California rivals.

ACADEMY UPDATE

The Boys' Academy teams took on Silicon Valley Soccer Academy on Saturday, Feb. 12. The U-13s won 5-0, the U-14s lost 3-1, the U-15s won 3-0, the U-17s won 4-1 and the U-19s won 1-0. Next Saturday, March 3, the U-15s, U-17s and U-19s will take on the Portland Timbers Academy. On Sunday, March 4 the U-15, U-17 and U-19 Boys' Academy teams will take on the Seattle Sounders Academy while both U-12 teams will take on Star Academy FC.

The Girls' Academy teams took on La Roca Futbol Club on Saturday, Feb. 24. The U-14s won 3-1, the U-15s won 3-2, the U-17s won 3-1 and the U-19s lost 1-0. On Sunday, the Girls' Academy teams took on the Portland Thorns. The U-14s won 4-1, the U-15s won 6-0 and the U-19s lost 3-0. The Girls' Academy teams will not feature this weekend but will return to action Saturday, March 10 when they face Lamorinda Soccer Club.

In other news, Girls' Academy defender Elise Evans and midfielders Jasmine Aikey and America Frias have been called up to the U-14 Girls' National Team. The U.S. Under-14 Girls' National Team will resume its programming with its first event of the year taking place from Feb. 25-March 4 in Norco, Calif.

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 26, 2018


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