MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Weekly

Published on November 10, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


The Earthquakes reached the Western Conference Final with a remarkable come-from-behind 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday night at Spartan Stadium. Trailing the aggregate goal series 2-0 entering the match, the Quakes fell behind 4-0 in aggregate after two Galaxy goals in the first 13 minutes. The Quakes responded with four straight goals in regulation and the series-winning goal in overtime to advance to the Western Conference Championship this Saturday, Nov. 15 against the Kansas City Wizards at Spartan Stadium at 7:00 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast live on the radio on Talk 910 AM KNEW and on television live on Fox Sports World, Fox Sports Espanol and HDNET. The match marks the first post-season meeting between the two teams. The Wizards advanced to the Western Conference Championship by defeating the Colorado Rapids by a 3-1 aggregate goal total.

Last Match Earthquakes 5, Galaxy 2; Sunday, November 10, 2003; Spartan Stadium; San Jose, Calif.

The San Jose Earthquakes exploded into the Major League Soccer Western Conference Final with a thrilling 5-2 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy on a Rodrigo Faria goal six minutes into overtime. Already entering the game trailing the home-and-home total goal series 2-0 following a two-goal loss in Los Angeles last Saturday, the Quakes found themselves facing a 4-0 aggregate goal deficit after the Galaxy scored twice in the first 13 minutes on Sunday. The Earthquakes stormed back, scoring five straight goals, including the series-tying header in the final minute of regulation by Chris Roner before Faria provided the series-winner. The Galaxy took a 1-0 lead and what seemed to be a commanding 3-0 aggregate goal lead in the series when Carlos Ruiz placed a header past San Jose goalkeeper Pat Onstad in the seventh minute. Ruiz got on the end of a Galaxy free kick from the left side, heading it down and to the left of a diving Onstad. The Quakes fell into a deeper hole in the 13th minute when Alejandro Moreno broke free down the right sideline and sent a pass into the middle of the field to an on-rushing Peter Vagenas. Vagenas dribbled past the Quakes defense and into the box, where his shot beat Onstad to the right for a 2-0 lead and a 4-0 total goal lead in the series. The Quakes got on the board in the 21st minute when Jeff Agoos buried a free kick from 20 yards in front of the Los Angeles goal. Following a Tyrone Marshall foul on Landon Donovan, Ronnie Ekelund tapped the ball forward to Agoos, who curled the ball around the Galaxy wall and into the upper left corner of the goal to cut the L.A. lead to 2-1. The Quakes tied the game and drew to 4-2 on aggregate goals in the series in the 35th minute on a goal by Donovan. Donovan deflected a Galaxy free kick at midfield and Mulrooney picked up the loose ball and sent it over the defense. Jamil Walker was able to get to the ball first and slipped a pass forward to a sprinting Donovan before being taken down by Hartman, the last Galaxy defender. Donovan was able to reach the ball and send a shot into the open net to tie the game, 2-2. The Quakes seized a 3-2 lead in the game and drew within 4-3 in the series on a powerful header by Walker in the 50th minute. Vagenas fouled Mulrooney at the right corner of the Galaxy penalty box, setting up a free kick. Mulrooney took a quick free kick, launching the ball into the middle of the L.A. six-yard box, where Walker elevated over the defense and headed the ball down and to the left of Hartman. Onstad made two amazing saves in the 58th minute following a cross into the Quakes penalty box off a free kick by Hong Myung-Bo. Ruiz headed the ball toward the net, but Onstad dove to his left to block the ball. The rebound went to the Galaxy's Danny Califf right in front of the net, but while Onstad was still on the ground he was able to knock the shot away. Needing just one goal to even the total goal series, the Earthquakes continued to press forward and attack Los Angeles. San Jose was rewarded in the final minute of regulation when substitute Chris Roner, who had just entered the game a minute before, rose above the Galaxy defense in the six yard box and headed a perfect Richard Mulrooney cross from the right side down and into the goal. The goal put the Quakes ahead 4-2 in the game and evened the series on total goals, forcing overtime and sending the raucous crowd at Spartan Stadium into a frenzy. The Quakes began the 30-minute golden goal overtime period effectively playing down a man, as captain Jeff Agoos could barely run as he suffered from back spasms. Faria provided the series-winning goal just six minutes into the overtime period when substitute Ian Russell passed off to Donovan at midfield. Donovan carried the ball into the Galaxy end of the field before sending a perfect pass to an on-rushing Faria on the right side of the L.A. penalty area. Faria controlled the ball, and buried a shot on the ground to the far post past a diving Hartman. Misc. Notes

Playoff Tickets on Sale

Tickets for the Quakes Western Conference Championship match against the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Spartan Stadium are now on sale. Ticket prices for the playoffs are the same low prices as the regular season, $45, $25, $15, and $12. Fans can purchase tickets online by logging on to sjearthquakes.com, by calling Ticketmaster at 408-998-TIXS, 415-421-TIXS, 510-625-TIXS or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including Tower Records, Rite Aid, and Ritmo Latino. To order discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more, contact the Earthquakes Ticket Office at 408-985-GOAL.

Earthquakes Fans Enter to Win a Trip to the MLS Cup

Fans currently have a chance to win a trip to the MLS Cup, presented by the Earthquakes, KEZR Mix 106.5 and the Torrance Marriott. The winner of the contest will receive two sideline game tickets to the MLS Cup 2003 at The Home Depot Center, roundtrip airfare for the winner and one guest from San Jose (SJC) to Los Angeles (LAX), and hotel accommodations for two (one room double occupancy for two nights at the Torrance Marriott. Fans can enter at the Earthquakes Ticket Office on 3550 Stevens Creek Blvd. or online at www.sjearthquakes.com and www.todaysbestmix.com . For more information on the contest, visit the Earthquakes website at www.sjearthquakes.com .

Playoff Format

A total of eight teams advanced to the MLS Cup Playoffs, with the top four teams from the Eastern and Western Conference pairing off within their own Conference. The top team in each group will face the fourth place team, while the second and third place squads will square off. The Conference Semifinal series will be conducted under a home-and-home, aggregate goal format to determine which two teams will advance to the single elimination Conference final match. The higher-seeded team will host both the Conference Semifinal Game Two and the Conference Championship. Game One of the Conference Semifinal ends after 90 minutes ... If teams tied on aggregate after Game Two, 30-minute, golden-goal overtime period follows (played in two equal 15-minute halves), then by penalty kicks (if necessary) to determine Series winner ... Higher seed holds home-field advantage for Game Two ... Conference Championship Games and MLS Cup 2003, if tied after 90 minutes, determined by 30-minute, golden-goal overtime (two equal halves) ... If neither team scores during that time, the series will be decided via penalty kick shootout held according to FIFA regulations.

Quakes In The Community

Defender Craig Waibel will be visiting youth soccer practices at Regnart Elementary School in Cupertino this Thursday, November 13th from 4:30 to 5:30pm.

Donovan's Playoff Magic Continues

Quakes forward Landon Donovan has been at his best in the MLS Cup Playoffs. In 2001, at age 19 he scored five goals and notched two assists in six games as the Quakes won their first MLS Cup. Last season, despite the Quakes early exit from the playoffs, Donovan scored a goal and dished out an assist in two games against the Columbus Crew. With the Quakes facing elimination on Sunday against the Galaxy, Donovan responded with a goal and an assist, giving him 18 points in 10 career playoff contests.

Faria's First One Is Golden

Since joining the Earthquakes in a trade on Aug. 20, forward Rodrigo Faria had appeared in five games for San Jose before Sunday's game two match-up against Los Angeles. Faria entered the game as a substitute for Jamil Walker in the 75th minute and proceeded to score his first goal in an Earthquake uniform and one of the biggest in San Jose history. Faria scored the golden goal six minutes into overtime, his first goal in over a year. Faria last scored in an MLS match on Sept. 14, 2002 against D.C. United. The goal continued Faria's dominance in the playoffs against the Galaxy. In 2001 as a member of the MetroStars, Faria scored three goals and notched one assist in three MLS Cup Playoff matches.

Walker Gets To Work

Earthquakes forward Jamil Walker enjoyed a successful first regular season in MLS in 2003, setting the Quakes rookie record for goals in a season with four. Walker appeared in 19 games in 2003 all as a substitute, but he earned his first start of the season Sunday against the Galaxy in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Walker made the most of it, registering an assist on the Quakes second goal of the game and scoring the Earthquakes third goal on a difficult header. The assist was the first of Walker's MLS career. Walker now has three of his five total MLS goals against the Galaxy.

Incredible Comeback

The Earthquakes stirring 5-2 win over the Galaxy after being down 2-0 after the first 13 minutes, tied the MLS Cup Playoff record for the largest deficit overcome. Three other times in MLS Cup Playoff history a team has come back from a two-goal deficit. However, with the Earthquakes actually trailing 4-0 on aggregate goal total in the series, the San Jose five-goal, single-game rally to win the series 5-4 is the biggest comeback ever in MLS history. The Tampa Bay Mutiny came back from three goals behind to tie the MetroStars 3-3 on May 4, 1996. No team in MLS has ever come back to win after trailing by four goals.

Home Dominance in Postseason

San Jose has experienced great success at Spartan Stadium in the postseason. The team has compiled a 4-1 record at home and outscored opponents 14-4 in those five matches. In 2001, the Quakes won two games at Spartan by a combined 7-0 margin.

Quakes Playoff Records Crumble

The Earthquakes dramatic 5-2 win over the Galaxy Sunday night was also record-breaking. The Quakes set new club playoff records for most goals in a game (5), most points (18), most assists (8) and most shots (23). Richard Mulrooney set the Earthquakes playoff record with three assists in the match, while Landon Donovan broke his own club record for shots with six.

Mulrooney Magic

Earthquakes midfielder Richard Mulrooney recorded seven assists in the 2003 regular season, his lowest assist total since his rookie year in 1999. However, for the first time in his five-year MLS career, Mulrooney recorded three assists in a game in the victory over L.A. The three assists also set a Quakes playoff record for assists in a game and Mulrooney is now the team's all-time leader in assists in the postseason with six.

Ronér Strikes Again

Earthquakes defender Chris Ronér enjoyed a breakout season in the 2003 regular season, scoring the first two goals of his MLS career. Ronér scored the game-tying goal Sunday against Los Angeles in the 90th minute, his first ever playoff goal and his first goal since July 19, 2003.

Agoos Experienced

Quakes defender Jeff Agoos has won four MLS Cups during his eight-year career, the most of any player in league history and he has appeared in five MLS Cup Finals. He is also third in MLS postseason history in games played with 33 and third in minutes played with 2,990. Agoos scored his second career playoff goal and his first since 1998 when he blasted a free kick past L.A. goalkeeper Kevin Hartman in the first half.

Scoring Drought Ends In Record Fashion

Prior to the Quakes five-goal explosion against the Galaxy on Sunday and Jeff Agoos' goal in the 21st minute, the Earthquakes had scored just one goal in 532 minutes dating back to Sept. 27.

Robinson Returns

Quakes defender Eddie Robinson made his return to the San Jose lineup for the first time since Sept. 20 when he started in central defense against the Galaxy on Sunday. Robinson missed five games due to a MCL Sprain in his left knee.

Russell Off The Bench

For the first time in his MLS career, midfielder Ian Russell did not start a playoff game for the San Jose Earthquakes. Since Frank Yallop took over the Quakes and San Jose qualified for the playoffs in 2001, Russell had started all nine postseason matches the Quakes have played. Russell entered Sunday's game in the 77th minute for Manny Lagos.

San Jose - Kansas City History

The Quakes lead the all-time series between the two teams 15-13-4...Earthquakes defender Eddie Robinson scored his first career MLS goal against the Wizards on July 27, 2002...Earthquakes midfielder Ramiro Corrales was ejected for the first time in his MLS career against the Wizards on June 20, 1999 while with the MetroStars...Corrales scored the game-winning goal against the Wizards in a 2-1 Quakes win on June 29, 2002...Quakes midfielder Manny Lagos recorded the first point of his MLS career against Kansas City on June 25, 1996 while playing as a member of the MetroStars...Brian Ching scored his first career goal and notched his first career assist against the Wizards on June 13, 2001 while with the Galaxy...Landon Donovan scored the Quakes first-ever hat trick on Sept. 20, 2003 in a 4-1 win at Arrowhead Stadium.

Earthquakes vs. Wizards Match-Up

The Earthquakes took the season series from Kansas City 2-0-2 in 2003...The Earthquakes own a 9-4-3 all-time record over the Wizards at Spartan Stadium...The Wizards last defeated San Jose on July 27, 2002 in a 2-1 game...Kansas City last won a game at Spartan Stadium on August 16, 2000 in a 3-0 win... Since 1996, San Jose has out-scored Kansas City 42-39...The Earthquakes out-scored the Wizards 6-2 in four games in 2003.

San Jose - Kansas City Connections

Earthquakes forward Dwayne De Rosario played for the A-League's Richmond Kickers in 1999 under Wizards General Manager Curt Johnson, who served as the GM for the Kickers...Kansas City defender Jimmy Conrad played in 84 games in four seasons with San Jose before joining the Wizards in a trade in January, 2003...Kansas City midfielder Francisco Gomez is from Watsonville, Calif...Earthquakes defender Jeff Agoos and Wizards goalkeeper Tony Meola were teammates at the University of Virginia in the late 80's and were long-time teammates on the U.S. National Team.

Leading Scorers vs. Wizards

Landon Donovan is the Earthquakes leading goal-scorer against Kansas City with four goals and one assist in nine career games. Dwayne De Rosario has two goals and four assists in ten career games vs. the Wizards. Brian Mullan has three goals and an assist in eight career matches vs. K.C.

Wizards Leaders vs. Quakes

Kansas City midfielder Preki has long been one of the most dangerous attackers in MLS since 1996. Preki has exploded for 31 points against San Jose in 26 career regular season games against the Earthquakes. Statistically, Preki is far and away the most potent opponent in Earthquakes history, scoring 11 goals and registering nine assists. Wizards forward Josh Wolff has also had success against San Jose, scoring three goals and getting two assists in eight matches vs. San Jose. Davy Arnaud was the only member of the Wizards to register a point against the Quakes in 2003, scoring Kansas City's lone goal on Sept. 20.

Halftime Success

If the Earthquakes enter the half-time break with the lead, recent history suggests they will keep it. Since the beginning of the 2000 season, the Earthquakes are 35-0-4 in games when leading at the half, including 8-0-1 this year. In the playoffs, the Quakes are 4-0-0 when leading at halftime.

Making The First One Count

The Earthquakes were 25-2-2 in 2001 and 2002 when finding the back of the net first. The Quakes only gave up leads two times last season, losing 2-1 to Los Angeles on July 4 and falling 2-1 to Kansas City on July 27. The team has continued that trend in 2003, possessing an 11-0-1 mark when they score the first goal this season. Dating back to the 2000 season, the Earthquakes own a 39-2-3 record in their last 44 matches when they score the first goal of the game. The Quakes are also impressive in the playoffs when scoring first, posting a 5-0-0 record.

Mexico vs. Iceland in San Francisco

The Mexican National Team is coming to the Bay Area to take on Iceland on November 19 at Pac Bell Park in San Francisco at 8:00 p.m. PT. Tickets are now on sale for $25, $30, $35, $40 and $50 and can be purchased by phone (510) 762-2277, online at tickets.com, at the Pac Bell Park ticket office or at the usual ticket outlets. MLS credentials will be valid for the match while media needing game-day credentials should contact Rigoberto Cervantez at rigocervantez@aol.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from November 10, 2003


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