Earthquakes Partner with Evergreen United Education Foundation
The San Jose Earthquakes and the Evergreen United Education Foundation (EUEF) announced on Sept. 15 at a press conference at Leyva Middle School in San Jose that they have established a new partnership to jointly develop soccer and education programs for local youth. The partnership will provide an afterschool tutoring program along with a soccer club named San Jose Earthquakes EU. San Jose Earthquakes EU will feature both competitive and recreational soccer for a number of age levels. For the first year of the partnership, teams will be created for U-9 through U-12. All players in the program will wear adidas jerseys with an Earthquakes logo. Former Earthquakes assistant coach Jorge Espinoza has signed on to serve as the Director of Coaching for the club. All of the competitive teams will be formed through an open tryout process and fully licensed coaches will direct the teams. The competitive teams will be entered into the NorCal Premier league, while the remaining teams will play AYSO. On the educational side, the program consist of afterschool tutoring from top quality local teachers on a wide range of subjects, including Mathematics, English, Student Essential Enrichment and Filmmaking. Students will be bused from their school sites to the afterschool programs at schools in the Evergreen School District. Additionally, the partnership has created the “Earthquakes Awards” program to reward students for high achievement. At the end of each quarter, students that improve their grades will be eligible to win “Earthquakes Awards”.
Comcast SportsNet Plus to Air SJ-POR
San Jose's match against the Portland Timbers has been picked up by Comcast SportsNet Plus and will air live starting at 7:30 p.m. PT from JELD-WEN Field. Local listings for Comcast SportsNet Plus include: Comcast Cable: 410 (SD), 780 (HD); DirecTV: 697 (SD), 697-1 (HD); AT&T U-verse: 771 (SD), 1771 (HD).
Wondolowski Nears Donovan for No. 2 on Quakes’ All-Time Scoring Chart
Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski continues to inch up the franchise’s all-time scoring charts. Wondo added to his total with a goal against the Chicago Fire in a 2-0 win on Sept. 10 at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, giving him a total of 31 in 67 games with the Quakes. The Danville, Calif. native passed Dwayne De Rosario, who scored 27 for the team from 2001-2005, for No. 3 on the all-time list. Next up is Landon Donovan, who scored 32 goals in 87 games in his Earthquakes career. The career leader for the Quakes is Ronald Cerritos, who notched 61 from 1997-2001 and in 2005.
Stephenson Gets on Scoresheet
Earthquakes midfielder/forward Khari Stephenson scored his fourth goal of 2011 on Sept. 17 in a 2-1 loss against the Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium. The Jamaican international volleyed home a cross by second-year right back Steven Beitashour to give the Quakes an initial 1-0 lead. His strike is up against four others from around the league for MLS Goal of the Week (http://www.mlssoccer.com/gotw).
Beitashour Extends Team Lead in Assists
Second-year right back Steven Beitashour extended his team lead in assists with his fifth of the season on Sept. 17 in a 2-1 loss against the Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium. The San Jose native made a run down the right sideline and chipped a pass to Khari Stephenson for the finish to give the Quakes an initial 1-0 lead.
MLS Budweiser Golden Boot Update
Chris Wondolowski remains in the thick of the Budwesier Golden Boot chase with 10 goals and six games remaining. Here’s a glance at the standings heading into this week:
1. Landon Donovan (LA) – 12 goals, 5 games remaining
2. Thierry Henry (NY) – 12 goals, 6 games
3. Andres Mendoza (CLB) – 11 goals, 5 games
4. Charlie Davies (DC) – 11 goals, 8 games
5. Chris Wondolowski (SJ) – 10 goals, 6 games
6. Brek Shea (FCD) – 10 goals, 5 games
7. Dominic Oduro (CHI) – 10 goals, 6 games
8. Eric Hassli (VAN) – 10 goals, 6 games
Last year, Wondolowski won the Budweiser Golden Boot with 18 goals. He scored 10 in San Jose’s final eight games to overtake LA Galaxy’s Edson Buddle.
Griffin Debuts for Earthquakes
Forward Maxwell Griffin made his MLS debut for the Earthquakes on Sept. 17 in a 2-1 loss against the Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium. Griffin subbed on for Sam Cronin in the 83rd minute with San Jose searching for an equalizer. He joined the club on loan from Orlando City Soccer Club on Sept. 15 fresh off winning a USL Professional Division title with the Lions. Griffin was the third-leading scorer in USL Pro with nine in 2011.
Busch Auctions Gear for Navy SEAL Foundation
Tuesday, Sept. 20 is the final chance to bid on Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch’s game-worn gear from San Jose’s match against the Chicago Fire on Sept. 10. Busch honored all United States servicemen and women by wearing commemorative gloves and cleats during the match. At the game, fans participated in a silent auction and winner Stephanie Hawk took home the game-worn gloves for $500 and cleats for $1,000. Busch’s jersey, gloves and cleats from the second half are available on eBay. The listings can be found by visiting www.sjearthquakes.com. All proceeds from the auctions will go to benefit the Navy SEAL Foundation.
Hernandez Earns Humanitarian Award for September
As part of Childhood Cancer Awareness month, MLS W.O.R.K.S. awarded Earthquakes defender Jason Hernandez as well as New York’s Mehdi Ballouchy, Chivas USA’s Michael Lahoud and Chicago’s Logan Pause the Humanitarian of the Month for September. Hernandez visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital long with the other players as MLS Ambassadors to the Goals for St. Jude program, which is part of the league’s “Soccer Kicks Cancer” initiative. The visit and their support in the fight against cancer earned the players recognition as Humanitarians of the Month. Hernandez and Pause met with the young patient, Stephanie, before the kickoff on Sept. 10 when the Earthquakes hosted the Chicago Fire at Buck Shaw Stadium.
Vote for the Next Krazy George
The Next Krazy George Contest is down to three finalists: The Jester, Vinsanity, and MC Quake. Fans can log on and vote as often as they would like for their favorite entrant until Monday, Sept. 26 at midnight PT. The winner will perform alongside Krazy George at Buck Shaw Stadium on Oct. 1 when the Quakes host Sporting KC. To watch the audition videos and to vote, visit //www.sjearthquakes.com/vote-next-krazy-george.
Academy Season Kicks Off
The Earthquakes Academy season kicked off on Sept. 17 and Sept. 18 as the club’s U16s and U18s faced hosted Strikers FC and Pateadores at Nutrilite Training Facility. The U16s defeated Strikers FC 4-2 and tied the Pateadores 2-2 to open their season while the U18s tied Strikers FC 0-0 and lost to the Pateadores 2-0. The Earthquakes Academy returns to action against the San Diego Surf in Oceanside, Calif. on Sept. 24 with the U16s at 12:30 p.m. PT and U18s at 10 a.m. PT.
Hernandez Moves Up All-Time Starts List
Hernandez moved to within five starts of No. 8 on the Earthquakes’ all-time starts list on Sept. 10 with his 61 minutes played against the Chicago Fire. The defender has started 95 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 from 1996-1999. He missed San Jose’s match against the Houston Dynamo on Sept. 17 due to a left quadriceps strain.
Busch the Shot Stopper
Twenty-eight games into the season, Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch is No. 3 in the league in saves with 95. Next on the list is Toronto FC’s Stefan Frei with 100 saves in 26 matches. New England Revolution keeper Matt Reis leads the pack with 108 saves in 25 matches.
Quakes Resume Road Stretch
The Earthquakes are in the midst of a road-heavy stretch. Four of the Quakes’ final six games will be on the road, including trips to face Portland Timbers, Colorado Rapids, New England Revolution and Seattle Sounders FC.
Earthquakes Aim to Raise $10,000 for Leukemia, Lymphoma Research in Light the Night Walk
For the fourth consecutive year, the Earthquakes will participate in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk. On Saturday, Oct. 15 in Palo Alto, Earthquakes players and members of the team’s front office will join fans to walk in the event. This year the team will walk in honor of Matt Luzunaris and his girlfriend Austen. Luzunaris has been very committed to cancer causes during his first season with the Earthquakes, establishing partnerships with local hospitals and cancer outreach groups. His life has been touched by cancer in multiple ways. He lost his brother, Sean, to cancer in 2001 and Austen is currently undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in Seattle. Click here to read Matt’s story. The club will also host The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1 for the game against Sporting Kansas City. There will be a silent auction featuring items such as: Quakes game-worn jerseys, a team-signed West Bromwich Albion jersey and signed memorabilia from the 1994 World Cup Reunion hosted by the club on July 2. All proceeds from the auction will benefit LLS. Additionally, fans can participate in pregame activities in the fan zone that will require a donation to LLS, player autograph signing, soccer kick game, etc. People interested in walking with the Earthquakes at Light The Night can register online at the club’s team page: www.sjearthquakes.com/lightthenight.
