Fire, 'Quakes End Without a Score
Published on May 10, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NAPERVILLE, IL - A battle of Major League Soccer's only two undefeated clubs finished without resolution Saturday night as the San Jose Earthquakes (3-0-2, 11 pts.) played the Chicago Fire (1-0-3, 6 pts.) to a scoreless draw after 100 minutes of soccer at a sold out and soggy Cardinal Stadium. Chicago and San Jose have now drawn each of their last three meetings in Naperville, with the previous two yielding identical 1-1 scores.
An evenly contested first half saw much of the first 45 minutes contested in the midfield. San Jose managed to compile a 6-3 advantage in shots, although neither club's goalkeeper recorded a save until Pat Onstad turned aside an offering from Chicago forward Ante Razov just 30 seconds into the second half.
After the first hour of the match, Chicago seized the momentum and repeatedly tested San Jose goalkeeper Pat Onstad. Onstad proved up to the task however, as he managed spectacular saves in the 62nd, 73rd and 79th minutes to deny Ante Razov, Andy Williams and Evan Whitfield, respectively. Led by central defenders Jeff Agoos and Troy Dayak, the Earthquakes have not allowed a goal in 306 minutes, a stretch that includes shutouts in the club's last three outings.
Unable to turn the tide back in their favor, San Jose put only two shots on goal in the second half, including a close-range shot from Ramiro Corrales in the 64th minute that was saved by Thornton and cleared off the line by defender Jim Curtin.
With thunderstorms looming during overtime, Rodrigo Faria was presented with the best opportunity for a golden goal, but the Brazilian nodded a crossing pass from Razov over the crossbar in the 93rd minute.
Earthquakes forward Landon Donovan, who played all 90 minutes for the U.S. National Team against Mexico on Thursday, didn't register a shot on goal until the 73rd minute. For Chicago, Carlos Bocanegra, DaMarcus Beasley and Chris Armas also played the entire match for Chicago after each went the full distance for the Americans two days earlier.
Both teams return to action next weekend on Saturday, May 17. The Western Conference leading Earthquakes return home to face the Eastern Conference leading Columbus Crew at 10:00 p.m. ET (HDNet). Chicago will face the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (ET).
MLS Man of the Match: Pat Onstad (SJ)
Major League Soccer Stories from May 10, 2003
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