After clinching their first playoff berth since returning to MLS in 2008 with a 2-0 victory over D.C. United last Saturday, the San Jose Earthquakes return to Buck Shaw Stadium to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast live on Comcast SportsNet Plus and will be joined in progress on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 1220 KDOW (English) and 1370 KZSF (Spanish). The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive cheer stix, courtesy of Jarritos.
Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 3-2-1
Home: 2-0-1
Away: 1-2-0
Playoffs: 0-0-0; U.S. Open Cup: 0-0-0; U.S. Open Cup Play-in Game: 0-0-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 10, Houston – 10
Earthquakes Schedule for the Week of 10/11/10
Tuesday, October 12 – 10 a.m. – Training at Nutrilite Training Facility
Wednesday, October 13 – TBD
Thursday, October 14 – 10 a.m. – Training at Nutrilite Training Facility
Friday, October 15 – 10 a.m. – Training at Buck Shaw Stadium
Saturday, October 16 – Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo at 7 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. live on Comcast SportsNet Plus and will be joined in progress on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 1220 KDOW (English) and 1370 KZSF (in Spanish).
Injury Report/National Team Duty:
Out: Andre Luiz (L knee surgery); Ike Opara (L foot fracture); Joe Cannon (L ankle fracture); Questionable: Ramiro Corrales (L knee sprain).
Last Game
Earthquakes 2, D.C. United 0; Oct. 9, 2010; RFK Stadium; Washington, D.C.
The San Jose Earthquakes knocked off D.C. United Saturday night 2-0 at RFK Stadium to clinch their first playoff berth since their return to MLS in 2008. MVP candidate Chris Wondolowski scored twice in the span of 10 minutes on Saturday night, giving him 14 goals on the season. The Danville native scored his first goal of the night in the 45th minute, as a Tim Ward cross found him alone at the back post. He made no mistake, finishing on the right footed volley, leaving D.C. United goalkeeper Troy Perkins no chance. His second came after a corner, when it was played short to Bobby Convey. The former D.C. United midfielder sent a cross into the six yard box, where Perkins got a touch to it. It fell to Wondolowski, again alone in the area, and he finished once more on the volley, this time with his left foot. San Jose also tied their single season franchise record of shutouts from 2005 with their 12th on the year. Jon Busch has recorded six of those shutouts, and this is his second consecutive shutout, after a 0-0 draw in Columbus last Saturday.
Last Game vs. Houston Dynamo
Earthquakes 2, Houston Dynamo 1; September 5, 2010; Robertson Stadium; Houston, Texas
The San Jose Earthquakes did a lot of new things on Sept. 5 in Houston as they beat the Houston Dynamo 2-1 at Robertson Stadium. They reached the nine win plateau for the first time since returning to San Jose in 2008, won for the first time ever in Houston, and had first-time goals from Geovanni and Khari Stephenson. Stephenson scored the first regular season goal of his MLS career in the 6th minute as he finished off a cross following a long run from Geovanni, who made his first start since joining San Jose. Geovanni burst down the right sideline leaving four Dynamo defenders behind and then picked out Stephenson in the area. Stephenson finished coolly to the right of a helpless Pat Onstad. Houston leveled just before halftime as Brad Davis headed in a Brian Mullan cross, beating Jon Busch to the far post. Geovanni found himself on the scoresheet again in the 64th minute as he scored the first goal of his MLS career, pouncing on a deflected ball inside the penalty area and beating Onstad low. The goal was set up by some nice combination play on the left wing, as Chris Wondolowski found Brandon McDonald down the line. McDonald played a low cross in to the feet of Cornell Glen, after Mike Chabala deflected it away, Geovanni found the back of the net with a powerful strike.
Misc. Notes
Quakes in the Community
What: Verizon Adopt-A-Team
Who: Brad Ring, Steven Beitashour, Khari Stephenson, Tim Ward, Justin Morrow, Brandon McDonald
Location: Nichol Park in Richmond
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 12
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Details: Players will assist in coaching a variety of Richmond Sol youth teams.
What: Xfinity Series Clinic
Who: Joey Gjertsen, Ike Opara, Sam Cronin, Bobby Burling, Scott Sealy
Location: Half Moon Bay High School
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 12
Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Details: Players will assist in coaching a clinic for kids in Half Moon Bay.
What: Amway Kicks for Kids
Who: Justin Morrow
Location: Mathson Middle School in Alum Rock
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 13
Time: 2:15 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.
Details: Morrow will speak to students about living a healthy and active lifestyle.
What: Verizon Adopt-A-Team
Who: Chris Leitch
Location: PAL Stadium in San Jose
Date: Thursday, Oct. 14
Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Details: Leitch will assist in coaching an East Valley PAL youth team.
Quakes Playoff Tickets on Sale Tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Playoff tickets for the first leg of the Conference Semifinals will go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. PT. San Jose will host the first leg of the Conference Semifinals at a date yet to be determined at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Though San Jose have clinched a playoff berth, their seeding has still yet to be determined. San Jose currently have 43 points, which has them in the third wild card spot. If San Jose finish the 2010 regular season in the third or fourth wild card spot, they will shift over into the Eastern Conference and play either the Columbus Crew or the New York Red Bulls in the Conference Semifinals. Fans can purchase tickets through www.SJEarthquakes.com or by calling them directly at 1-800-225-2277. For groups of 10 or more, tickets can be purchased through the Earthquakes front office by calling 408-556-7700. Deposits on 2011 season tickets are now being taken on SJEarthquakes.com, or by calling the front office. The San Jose Earthquakes had previously made the playoffs in 1996 and 2001-2005, and have won two MLS Cup Championships, in 2001 and 2003.
Quakes Back in the Playoffs for the First Time Since Returning in 2008
With their 2-0 victory over D.C. United on Saturday, October 9 at RFK Stadium, coupled with the Kansas City Wizards’ 2-1 loss to Seattle Sounders FC, the San Jose Earthquakes clinched their first playoff berth since returning to MLS in 2008. The last time the Earthquakes qualified for the playoffs was in 2005 when they won their only Supporter’s Shield with a club-record 64 points. Overall, this is the seventh time the Earthquakes have appeared in the playoffs in their 13-year history and hold a record of 10-8-1 in postseason play.
SJEarthquakes.com Launch Playoff Hub
The San Jose Earthquakes have launched their playoff hub on their website, and it can be found here. Follow all of your Quakes playoff news here as San Jose march towards MLS Cup.
Bloggin’ With Buschy
The San Jose Earthquakes have launched a blog written by goalkeeper Jon Busch at here. The colorful ‘keeper shares his unique thoughts as the Quakes make their playoff run.
Quakes Tie Shutout Record
The Earthquakes tied the franchise record for shutouts in a season with their 12th clean sheet of the season on Saturday, October 9 against D.C. United. The record was set in 2005 when the Earthquakes won the lone Supporter’s Shield in club history. Additionally, the Earthquakes are now one of seven teams in the league with double digit shutouts. Real Salt Lake has 14, the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls have 12, the Columbus Crew and Seattle Sounders FC have 11, and FC Dallas has 10.
Wondolowski One Shy of Club Record for Goals in a Season, Moves Up All-Time Lists
Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski scored his 13th and 14th goals of the season in San Jose’s 2-0 win over D.C. United on Saturday, October 9, one shy of the franchise single season record of 15 set by Ronald Cerritos in 1999. Wondolowski’s 14 goals are tied for the second-most scored in a single season with Ariel Graziani’s 14 goals scored in 2002. Wondolowksi is now tied with Earthquakes teammate Ryan Johnson for seventh place on the club’s all-time goals scored list with 17. Finally, Wondolowski moved past Dwayne De Rosario and sits third all-time in franchise history with nine career game-winning goals.
Wondolowski Wins MLS Player of the Week Honors for the Second Time this Season
San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 28 of the 2010 MLS season. Wondolowski scored two goals in the Earthquakes’ 2-0 win over D.C. United on Saturday at RFK Stadium. With the victory, San Jose clinched their first playoff berth since rejoining MLS in 2008. Wondolowski, an MVP candidate and Danville native, won his second MLS Player of the Week Award in the last month. His hat-trick performance in a 3-2 win in Toronto against Toronto FC on September 25 was his first time winning the award. The last time an Earthquakes player won MLS Player of the Week more than once in a season was in 2005, when goalkeeper Pat Onstad won it twice. Additionally, Wondolowski is one of seven players to earn the award twice in the season, along with Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake), Sebastien Le Toux (Philadelphia Union), Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC), Alvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake) and Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls). The Earthquakes are now 9-1-1 when Wondolowski scores a goal this season.
Ward Notches First Assist with San Jose
Defender Tim Ward notched his first assist as a member of the Earthquakes in San Jose’s 2-0 win over D.C. United on Saturday, October 9. Ward assisted on forward Chris Wondolowski’s first goal of the game in the 45th minute. It was Ward’s seventh assist in his six-year career.
Wondolowski Ranks Second in MLS in Goals Scored, First in Game-Winning Goals
With two goals against D.C. United, Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski currently ranks second in MLS with 14 goals this season, behind Edson Buddle of the Los Angeles Galaxy (16). Additionally, Wondolowski leads the league in game-winning goals with eight.
Convey Tied for Third in MLS in Assists, Tied for First in Game-Winning Assists
Earthquakes midfielder Bobby Convey is currently tied for third in MLS in assists with 10, along with Sebastien Le Toux of the Philadelphia Union and Patrick Nyarko of the Chicago Fire. Landon Donovan of the Los Angeles Galaxy leads the league with 14 assists, followed by David Ferreira of FC Dallas (13). Additionally, Convey is tied for first in the league with five game-winning assists. Finally, Convey’s 10 assists are the highest by an Earthquakes player since 2005 when Dwayne De Rosario notched 13. The club record for assists in a season is 14, achieved by Eddie Lewis in both 1997 and 1999.
San Jose Looking for First Season Sweep of Houston
Should the Earthquakes defeat the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, October 16 at Buck Shaw Stadium, it would mark the first time the Earthquakes have swept the season series between the two clubs. A San Jose win would also mark the first time that either the Earthquakes or the Dynamo have swept the season series.
San Jose Keeps Adding to Highest Point Total Since Return
By earning three points against D.C. United on Saturday, October 9th, the San Jose Earthquakes now have a total of 43 points, the most the team has earned in a season since returning in 2008. The previous high was 33 points, achieved in 2008. The club record for points in a season is 64, set in 2005 when the Earthquakes clinched their only Supporter’s Shield in club history. With a win on Saturday, San Jose would have third highest point total in franchise history, surpassing the 45 point 2001 and 2002 seasons.
Quakes Hit Twelve Wins
The San Jose Earthquakes recorded their 12th win of the regular season on Saturday, October 9th, the most wins the club has had in a season since returning in 2008. In their first season back in 2008, the Earthquakes went 8-13-9, and in 2009 the club went 7-14-9.
Busch Among MLS Leaders in Two Categories
San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch currently ranks fourth in goals against average (0.93) and fourth in saves percentage (78.2) in MLS. Busch has amassed a record of 6-4-5 in 15 games this season while notching six shutouts.
Quakes With Great Record in One-Goal Games
With a 3-2 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday, September 25, the San Jose Earthquakes improved their record in one-goal games to 9-3-0, which is tied for the second best record in MLS with the Los Angeles Galaxy (9-3-0) and FC Dallas (6-2-0). The Columbus Crew have the best record at 7-2-0 in one-goal games.
Earthquakes, Club Quake and SSV Team up for LLS Light the Night Walk
The San Jose Earthquakes announced that they have partnered with their supporter’s group, Club Quake, and the Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation for the third straight year to participate in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk on Saturday, Oct. 23 in San Jose. Earthquakes players, members of the team’s front office, along with Earthquakes fans will walk in the event that raises funds and awareness for blood cancers. This year the team will walk in honor of former Earthquakes player Joe Vide, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma earlier this year. The Earthquakes hosted The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) at Buck Shaw Stadium on Aug. 21 and Sept. 11.
Road Warriors
With a road record this season of 6-4-4, the Earthquakes have more wins on the road than the team had in 2008 and 2009 combined. In 2008, the Earthquakes went 2-8-5 on the road in their first season back. In 2009, the Earthquakes went 1-10-5 with the lone win coming against D.C. United on September 27, 2009 at RFK Stadium. With 22 points on the road so far this season, the Earthquakes have doubled the 11 points the team had in 2008 for the most points earned on the road since the team returned. The franchise record for points on the road in a single season is 30 points, achieved in 2005. This season the Earthquakes have the third highest winning percentage on the road in the MLS with a .571 clip. The Los Angeles Galaxy have the highest (.700), followed by FC Dallas (.615). Finally, the six wins the Earthquakes have on the road are tied for the second most road wins along with the Seattle Sounders FC. The Los Angeles Galaxy have the most road wins in MLS with nine.
Johnson, Glen Play in International Friendly
Earthquakes forwards Ryan Johnson and Cornell Glen each played in an international friendly between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, October 10th in Kingston, Jamaica. Johnson entered in the second half for Jamaica, while Glen started and played the full 90 minutes for Trinidad and Tobago. Jamaica won 1-0 on a penalty kick from Dane Richards in the 19th minute.
History of the Quakes – Houston Dynamo Rivalry
The Earthquakes own a 3-2-1 all-time record against the Houston Dynamo … The first meeting between the two clubs came on May 22, 2008 when the Earthquakes defeated the Dynamo 2-1 at Buck Shaw Stadium on the strength of goals by Kei Kamara and Ivan Guerrero … On September 15, 2008, the Earthquakes and Dynamo battled to the lone tie in the all-time season series between the two clubs, a 1-1 draw at Buck Shaw Stadium … Later that season the Dynamo would return the favor, handing the Earthquakes a 2-1 loss on October 15 at Robertson Stadium … In 2009, the Earthquakes and Dynamo would split the regular season series, with the Earthquakes winning 3-2 at Buck Shaw Stadium on March 28, and the Dynamo earning a 3-1 victory on May 23 at Robertson Stadium … With a 2-1 victory over Houston at Robertson Stadium on September 5 this season, San Jose became the first of the two clubs to record a win on the road … Earthquakes midfielder Khari Stephenson and forward Geovanni each scored the first goals of their MLS careers in San Jose’s 2-1 win on September 5.
Earthquakes – Houston Dynamo Connections
Following the 2005 MLS season, the San Jose Earthquakes relocated to Houston where the team became the Houston Dynamo … Houston forward Brian Ching played for the Earthquakes from 2003-2005, scoring 25 goals in 56 appearances … Houston midfielder Corey Ashe, goalkeeper Tyler Deric, defender Eddie Robinson and San Jose defender Chris Leitch played at the University of North Carolina … Houston defender Ryan Cochrane played two different stints with the Earthquakes. His first stint was from 2004-2005, appearing in 32 games during that span. Cochrane returned to San Jose in 2008, making 21 appearances before being traded to Houston on August 14, 2009 … Cochrane played at nearby Santa Clara University from 2001-2003 … Houston midfielder Brad Davis played with the San Jose Earthquakes for 2005 season, scoring two goals and notching eight assists in 18 games … San Jose midfielder Steven Beitashour and Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall played two seasons together at San Diego State University (2005-2006) … Houston midfielder Richard Mulrooney played with San Jose from 1999-2004 and ranks second all-time in franchise history in assists with 44 … Mulrooney played with San Jose forward Arturo Alvarez with FC Dallas from 2005-2006 … Houston forward Joseph Ngwenya played with San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch and defender Chris Leitch with the Columbus Crew in 2006, and under current Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2006 … Houston forward Dominic Oduro played with San Jose forward Arturo Alvarez with FC Dallas from 2006-2008 … Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad played with the Earthquakes from 2003-2005 and ranks second in San Jose franchise history in goalkeeper appearances (84), goalkeeper games started (84), goalkeeper minutes played (7,640), saves (306), wins (39) and shutouts (27) … Houston midfielder Lovel Palmer played with San Jose forward Ryan Johnson with the Jamaican National Team … Houston defender Eddie Robinson played with the Earthquakes from 2001-2005, making 70 appearances … Houston defender Adrian Serioux played with San Jose forward Arturo Alvarez with FC Dallas from 2007-2008 and with San Jose midfielder Sam Cronin with Toronto FC in 2009 … Houston forward Cam Weaver played with the Earthquakes for nine games last season, scoring one goal and tallying two assists … San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski played for the Dynamo from 2006-2009, scoring four goals in 37 games … San Jose forward Arturo Alvarez was born in Houston, Texas … Houston forward Cam Weaver and San Jose midfielder Joey Gjertsen are both from Tacoma, Washington … Houston coach Dominic Kinnear coached the Earthquakes for two seasons (2004-2005), amassing an overall record of 27-14-21.
Earthquakes All-Time Leaders vs. Houston Dynamo
Forward Arturo Alvarez has three goals and three assists in 15 career appearances … Forward Ryan Johnson has two goals in six career appearances … Forward Scott Sealy has one goal and one assist in seven career appearances … Midfielder Geovanni has one goal and one assist in his lone career appearance … Defender Chris Leitch has two assists in seven career appearances.
Houston Dynamo All-Time Leaders vs. Earthquakes
Forward Brian Ching has three goals in six career appearances … Midfielder Brad Davis has two goals and four assists in 16 career appearances … Forward Joseph Ngwenya has one goal and one assist in four career appearances … Midfielders Geoff Cameron and Richard Mulrooney each have one assist.
Quakes Potent in the Final 15 Minutes
With forward Arturo Alvarez’s goal in the 90th minute on July 10 against the Philadelphia Union, the Earthquakes now have scored seven goals in the final 15 minutes this season. On April 10, rookie defender Ike Opara scored the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute of a 2-1 victory on the road against the Chicago Fire. On April 24, midfielder Steven Beitashour scored in the 90th minute of a 3-2 road loss to Chivas USA. On May 8, forward Chris Wondolowski scored in the 76th minute, and defender Bobby Burling scored in the 85th minute of a 4-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls at Buck Shaw Stadium. On May 29, captain Ramiro Corrales scored in the 75th minute of a 3-1 home loss to Toronto FC. On June 2, Wondolowski scored in the 79th minute of a 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew at Buck Shaw Stadium.
Alvarez Approaching 25 Career Goals
Quakes forward Arturo Alvarez scored his 24th career goal on Saturday, July 10 against the Philadelphia Union. This season, Alvarez has three goals in seventeen games.
Earthquakes Solid When Scoring First and Leading at Halftime
This season, the Earthquakes are 11-0-2 when scoring the first goal and 7-0-2 when leading at halftime.
San Jose in October
The Quakes are 6-8-10 all-time in October in MLS play.
