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MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Late Wondolowski Goal Sends Earthquakes Past Chivas USA 1-0

September 30, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


CARSON, Calif. - Chris Wondolowski scored in the 87th minute with his team playing a man down to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-0 win against Chivas USA on Saturday at the StubHub Center.

The win moves San Jose (12-11-8, 44 pts.) to within one point of the LA Galaxy (13-11-6, 45 pts.) and Colorado Rapids (12-9-9, 45 pts.) for the fifth and final MLS Cup Playoff spot. The close race will become even more interesting with the Earthquakes hosting Colorado in their next match on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Buck Shaw Stadium.

After a scoreless first half, Steven Lenhart appeared to give San Jose a 1-0 lead in 47th minute. The target man headed home a corner kick from Shea Salinas, but the play was whistled dead just before the shot for a foul by an Earthquakes player.

Despite the negated goal, San Jose continued to pressure Chivas USA and nearly found the net in the 65th minute after Wondolowski found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Dan Kennedy thanks to a through-ball from Sam Cronin. Wondolowski took a touch and fired, but Kennedy was able to block the shot with a diving save to keep the two sides level.

The Earthquakes went a man down in the 81st minute after Lenhart collided with Kennedy and received his second yellow card.

The advantage didn't hold for Chivas USA as Wondolowski broke through in the 87th minute for his ninth goal of the season. Alan Gordon created the chance with a dipping shot from 25 yards out that Kennedy blocked, but couldn't control. Wondolowski pounced on the loose ball and chipped his shot into an empty net to seal the three points.

The goal was Wondolowski's 32nd career game-winner, moving him past Jason Kreis for No. 4 in MLS history; he is now one behind Ante Razov and seven behind leader Jeff Cunningham.

Defensively, the Earthquakes picked up their seventh clean sheet of the season and third in their last four regular season games. San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch recorded his 74th career shutout, moving him ahead of New England's Matt Reis for No. 5 on the league's all-time list.

After Saturday, the Earthquakes are unbeaten in their last four regular season games "" five including their 3-0 win against the Montreal Impact in CONCACAF Champions League action on Sept. 17.

San Jose has the next week off, but returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 9 against the Colorado Rapids at Buck Shaw Stadium for Dollar Dog Wednesday, presented by Cosmopolitan Catering. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: Chris Wondolowski moved past Jason Kreis for No. 4 on the MLS all-time game-winning goals list with his 32nd ... Wondolowski also tied John Doyle for No. 7 on the club's all-time appearance list with his 132nd and surpassed Troy Dayak for No. 8 on the club's all-time starts list with his 123rd ... Wondolowski's 90 minutes moved him to No. 7 on the club's all-time minutes played list with 10,902, 72 more than Dayak ... Jon Busch moved past New England's Matt Reis for No. 5 on the MLS all-time shutouts list with his 74th.

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