SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes erased a pair of one-goal deficits to earn a 2-2 draw against visiting Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday at Buck Shaw Stadium to improve to 1-1-1 overall.
Khari Stephenson provided the game’s most exciting goal in the 52nd minute. Fresh off a pair of appearances for the Jamaican National Team, Stephenson teed up a shot from 35 yards that he scorched to the upper corner at the far post to knot things up at 2-2.
San Jose initially trailed 1-0 after Brad Evans finished a close-range shot in the 17th minute. That set the stage for Simon Dawkins to score his first career MLS goal in the 32nd minute. Dawkins received a through ball from Bobby Convey, turned and fired a left-footed shot that beat Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller to the far post.
Sounders FC regained the lead in the 42nd minute when O’Brian White polished off a cross from just in front of goal, but the lead wouldn’t stand as Stephenson came off the bench to level the match in the second half.
San Jose returns to action on Saturday, April 9 when it hosts Toronto FC at 7:30 p.m. PT.
San Jose Earthquakes (1-1-1) at Seattle Sounders FC (0-2-2)
April 2, 2011 – Buck Shaw Stadium
Attendance: 10,276
Scoring Summary: SJ – SEA -- Brad Evans 1 (Mauro Rosales 1, Erik Friberg 1) 17; SJ -- Simon Dawkins 1 (Bobby Convey 1) 32; SEA -- O'Brian White 1 (Steve Zakuani 1, Osvaldo Alonso 1) 42; SJ -- Khari Stephenson 1 (unassisted) 52.
Misconduct Summary: SJ -- Chris Leitch (caution; Reckless Tackle) 6; SEA -- Nate Jaqua (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 71; SEA -- Leo Gonzalez (caution; Delaying a Restart) 80.
San Jose Earthquakes – Jon Busch, Chris Leitch (Ike Opara 70), Jason Hernandez, Brandon McDonald, Ramiro Corrales, Chris Wondolowski, Sam Cronin, Simon Dawkins (Scott Sealy 85), Joey Gjertsen (Khari Stephenson 45), Bobby Convey, Ryan Johnson.
Statistics: Shots: 12; Shots on Goal: 4; Saves: 3; Fouls: 4; Offsides: 3; Corners: 7.
Seattle Sounders FC – Kasey Keller, James Riley, Patrick Ianni, Jeff Parke, Leo Gonzalez, Erik Friberg (Alvaro Fernandez 46), Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Mauro Rosales (David Estrada 83), Steve Zakuani, O'Brian White (Nate Jaqua 66).
Statistics: Shots: 17; Shots on Goal: 5; Saves: 2; Fouls: 12; Offsides: 3; Corners: 9.
QUOTES
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH FRANK YALLOP
On the Match:
We felt a little unlucky tonight that we didn't get the win, but to come back into the game being a goal down twice is very good in any match. I'm very happy with tonight’s match, with the outcome and with the performance by our players. For the most part, I feel we dominated play against a good team.
About Coming From Behind:
What I liked about our play tonight was that we didn't give up. We dominated play in the second half, we got the goal and I felt that we were unlucky that we didn't get the third one to win it.
EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER BOBBY CONVEY
Thoughts on Match:
“I thought we played a good game. We created a lot of chances and fought back. Khari (Stevenson) had a good goal in the second half, (Simon) Dawkins’ goal in the first half helped us get momentum and we completed the comeback.”
On team’s play through 3 games:
“I think we are playing a lot better. Last year we were more defensive and relied on the counter (attack). This year we possess the ball more, creating more chances; last year we only created a few. As long as we continue to play with confidence and keep the ball, we will create the chances and score.”
EARTHQUAKES FORWARD SIMON DAWKINS
On first career MLS goal:
“I had a chance before; I wish I would have taken it earlier. I said to myself the next time I get an opportunity, I will hit first time. I got the opportunity, I hit it, and it went in. I am very happy.”
EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER KHARI STEPHENSON
On Importance of Home Play:
“We haven’t had a good home record for a while now, it was important to play a good team at home and come away with a draw. Starting the season off at home with two losses isn’t a good sign. It was good for us to finally get back into the game and tie it up the way we did.”
On First Goal of the Season:
“I picked up the ball, I’m not sure if it came from Bobby (Convey) or Sam (Cronin). I tried to play the ball to Wondo, made a bad pass and the ball ended up on my feet. I looked up, I had time and space. I had the shot and I took it, and it went in.”
