Earthquakes 4v4, Presented by Wells Fargo
The San Jose Earthquakes will host their next 4v4 Tournament on Sunday, Aug. 28 at Cesar Chavez Academy in East Palo Alto, followed by the final event of 2011 on Sept. 18 at Alden Oliver Sports Park in Hayward. Divisions include boys and girls U-8 through U-19, Men’s and Women’s Rec, Adult CoEd and Men’s Open. Prizes will be awarded to the first and second place teams in all divisions. All participants receive an Earthquakes ticket, event t-shirt, and other gifts. There will also be appearances by Earthquakes players. Participation fees are $120 for Youth and Adult Rec, and $150 for Men’s Open. Registration is open at www.sjearthquakes.com/4v4.
Zura Makes First Appearance
Ecuadorian forward Edmundo Zura made his Earthquakes debut on Aug. 20 against the LA Galaxy, subbing on for Khari Stephenson in the 71st minute. San Jose acquired Zura on loan from El Nacional, a member of the Ecuadorian First Division. The 27-year-old made 30 appearances and scored 10 goals for El Nacional from 2009-11.
Battle of the Keepers
Saturday’s match will feature two of the best goalkeepers in MLS with San Jose’s Jon Busch and Toronto FC’s Stefan Frei. The TFC keeper leads the league with 97 saves in 25 matches and Busch is not far off the pace at No. 3 with 87 saves in 25 matches. Additionally, among goalkeepers with 20 or more appearances in 2011, both rank in the top 10 in save percentage with Busch at 71 percent and Frei at 68 percent.
Peterson, Attakora to Face Former Team
On July 14, the San Jose Earthquakes swapped forward Ryan Johnson, allocation money and an international roster spot with Toronto FC for midfielder Jacob Peterson, defender Nana Attakora and forward Alan Gordon. With Gordon still recovering from abdominal surgery Johnson, Peterson and Attakora will all have an opportunity to take on their former squads. Peterson has one assist in four starts for San Jose and Attakora and Gordon have each made two appearances. Johnson has scored one goal and notched one assist in five games since making the move to TFC.
Undefeated in Toronto
San Jose is unbeaten in three games against Toronto FC since the Reds joined MLS in 2007. The Quakes are 1-0-2 over that stretch. The first match between the two teams in Canada was a 0-0 draw in 2008 followed by a 1-1 draw in 2009. The Quakes then beat TFC 3-2 in 2010 with Chris Wondolowski scoring all three goals for San Jose.
White, Wondolowski in as New Academy Coaches
Former Colorado Rapids forward Marquis White and former Houston Dynamo defender Stephen Wondolowski were named by the San Jose Earthquakes as head and assistant coaches for the club’s U-16 and U-18 Developmental Academy. White and Wondolowski were members of the technical staff in San Jose’s inaugural season at the academy level in 2010-11. After one season with the program, the duo will take over with White as the head coach and Stephen Wondolowski, younger brother of current Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski, serving as the assistant coach. White started his soccer career in the Bay Area at the youth levels and eventually worked his way up to stints in Europe, South America and the U.S. The former University of San Francisco standout played internationally with NEC in Holland in 1993 and the Santa Cruz Destroyers in Bolivia. He joined the Colorado Rapids in 1998, scoring four goals and recording two assists in 42 appearances. He also coached at San Ramon High School, De La Salle, and St. Mary’s College. Wondolowski was a regular on the Houston Dynamo reserve squad and made several appearances in CONCACAF Champions League play. He also scored a goal in U.S. Open Cup Play and picked up an MLS Cup Championship ring in 2007.
Night Out With the Quakes at The Republic
Earthquakes players and the Shakers will be at The Republic in San Francisco on Sept. 2 at 9:30 p.m. PT serving drinks and interacting with fans. Those in attendance will get to meet the players and enjoy the atmosphere at The Republic until 1 a.m. PT. The Earthquakes will also raffle off free prizes.
Hernandez Moves Up All-Time Starts List
With his start against the Galaxy on Aug. 20, Jason Hernandez moved to within seven starts of Eddie Lewis for No. 8 on the Earthquakes’ all-time starts list. The defender has started 93 games since joining San Jose at the outset of the 2008 campaign. Next on the list is Eddie Lewis who started 100 games during his Quakes career.
Quakes Continue Road Stretch
The Earthquakes are in the midst of a road-heavy stretch. Six of the Quakes’ final 9 games will be on the road, including trips to face Toronto FC, Houston Dynamo, Portland Timbers, Colorado Rapids, New England Revolution and Seattle Sounders FC.
Gordon Undergoes Successful Surgery
Forward Alan Gordon underwent successful surgery two weeks ago to repair a torn rectus abdominis and tears in his left and right hip adductors. The veteran scored his first goal with the Earthquakes in a 1-1 draw against Portland on Aug. 6 after being brought over in a trade on July 14. Gordon will remain at his home in Southern California before rejoining the Earthquakes to begin the rehabilitation process.
Busch the Shot Stopper
Twenty-five games into the season, Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch No. 3 in the league in saves with 87. Next on the list is New England Revolution keeper Matt Reis with 94 saves in 22 matches. Toronto FC’s Stefan Frei leads the pack with 97 saves in 25 matches.
