The San Jose Earthquakes are back.
For the first time since rejoining Major League Soccer in 2008, the Quakes will play in the MLS Cup Playoffs. San Jose's 2-0 win over D.C. United coupled with Kansas City's 2-0 loss against Seattle wrapped up the Quakes post-season berth on Saturday.
“We are very pleased to be where we are, and we know that there is still a job ahead of us," said Quakes head coach Frank Yallop. "This team has done very well this season and we are all very happy with what we have been able to accomplish.”
Saturday's finish was a fitting way for San Jose to clinch, on the strength of two goals from its iconic forward/midfielder Chris Wondolowski. The MVP candidate tallied his eighth game-winning goal of the season and upped his scoring total to 14, three behind LA Galaxy's Edson Buddle.
WATCH: SJ-DC Highlights
“It is huge. Once we make the playoffs, anything can happen, and we are playing very well right now," Wondolowski said. "We will see who we end up having to play, we will bring our game and we will see what happens. We aren’t done here, though. I want a ring.”
If the season ended today, the Quakes would be the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and would face the Columbus Crew. The Quakes leapfrogged Colorado in the playoff standings after the Rapids drew, 2-2, with FC Dallas on Saturday. The Quakes have three games remaining in the regular season and have one game in hand on both Colorado and Seattle.
San Jose will return to action on Saturday, October 16 against the Houston Dynamo at Buck Shaw Stadium.
Playoff tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
