Misc. Notes:
New Stadium Appeal Meeting Set for February 22
The Earthquakes’ appeal date with the San Jose Planning Commission for the club’s new stadium has been set for Wednesday, Feb. 22. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at San Jose City Hall in the Council Chambers.
Season Opener Less Than a Month Away
The San Jose Earthquakes’ 2012 season opener against the New England Revolution is now less than a month away, in just 26 days. Start time at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday night, March 10, is slated for 7:30 p.m. as part of MLS First Kick 2012, with the Quakes launching their fifth season since returning to MLS as an expansion franchise in 2008.
Wondolowski Nabs Late Winner as Earthquakes Edge Rapids in Preseason Tilt, 2-1
Chris Wondolowski scored the 69th-minute winner as the Earthquakes took a 2-1 decision over the Colorado Rapids in a preseason affair on Feb. 10 at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo as part of the MLS Central Coast Challenge hosted by Cal Poly Athletics.
It was Wondolowski’s second goal in as many matches during the 2012 lead-up, and second winner in as many years in San Luis Obispo over the Rapids. With the result, the Quakes improved to 4-0-1 all-time at Spanos Stadium. Wondolowski’s unassisted decider was a blast from the top of the penalty box. Khari Stephenson had answered a 13th-minute Jaime Castrillon goal for Colorado in the 32nd, heading home a Marvin Chavez corner kick for the Honduran newcomer’s second assist of the preseason.
Quakes Sign Chris Wondolowski to New Deal
The San Jose Earthquakes rewarded forward Chris Wondolowski with a new contract on Feb. 9. Wondolowski has earned at least a share of the league scoring title in each of the past two seasons while totaling 34 goals. The Danville native tallied eight times in the Quakes’ final nine games of 2011, closing the campaign on a current MLS-best active stretch of five straight matches with a goal scored. He finished with 16 goals and a career-high three assists, ultimately earning a spot on the MLS Best XI, as well as the inaugural Castrol Index MLS Player of the Year award, among other honors along the way.
Earthquakes Unveil 2012 Jerseys
The San Jose Earthquakes unveiled the club’s new jerseys, training gear and other official team attire for the upcoming 2012 campaign on Feb. 6. Once again, the colors of the Quakes’ three jersey options will be black, blue and white. However, the club will change up the order of preference for its kits, with blue becoming the secondary option, while white will be the third alternative. Black remains San Jose’s primary color. The updated merchandise is available for purchase at the team’s headquarters at 451 El Camino Real, Suite 220 in Santa Clara, or by visiting the club’s online store at earthquakes.yorder.it.
Earthquakes to Play Dynamo at AT&T Park on March 17
The Quakes have announced that the club will host the Houston Dynamo at AT&T Park in San Francisco on Saturday, March 17, as part of a doubleheader with Olympic hopefuls from Mexico and Senegal. The Earthquakes open the twin bill by taking on 2011 MLS Cup finalist Houston at 2 p.m., with Mexico taking on Senegal at 4:30 p.m. in a final tune-up before Olympic qualifying. Tickets can be purchased at www.tickets.com, the AT&T Park box office, Giants Dugout stores, or by calling 1-800-225-2277. For more information about special packages for the March 17 event, fans can call 408-556-7700, or e-mail seasontickets@sjearthquakes.com.
2012 Earthquakes Pre-Season Schedule
The Earthquakes continue their preseason in Ventura, Calif., this week, with a pair of matches on tap against the Houston Dynamo (Feb. 14) and Chicago Fire (Feb. 18) at Oxnard Community College.
The Earthquakes will later participate in a four-team round-robin tournament in Portland. All games will be held at JELD-WEN Field. Individual tickets for the tournament, which start at $10 per doubleheader session, are on sale now at the JELD-WEN Field box office and area Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Participating teams and match schedule are below:
San Jose Earthquakes Preseason Schedule (schedule subject to change):
Jan. 15 – Report Date
Jan. 16-29 – San Jose, Calif. at Earthquakes Training Facility
Jan. 30 – Travel to Tucson, Ariz.
Feb. 1 – Earthquakes vs. FC Tucson (T 1-1) at Kino Sports Complex
Feb. 4 – Earthquakes vs. Sporting Kansas City (L 1-2) at Kino Sports Complex; Return to San Jose after match
Feb. 5-9 – San Jose, Calif. at Earthquakes Training Facility
Feb. 10 – Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids (W 2-1) at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo, Calif
Feb. 11- Travel to Ventura, Calif.
Feb. 14 – Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo at Oxnard Community College in Ventura, Calif.
Feb. 18 – Earthquakes vs. Chicago Fire at Oxnard Community College in Ventura, Calif.; Return to San Jose after match
Feb. 20-25 – San Jose, Calif. at Earthquakes Training Facility
Feb. 26 – Travel to Portland, Ore.
Portland Preseason Tournament Schedule
Monday, Feb. 27 – Chivas USA vs. AIK / 5 p.m., San Jose vs. Portland – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 1 – AIK vs. San Jose / 5 p.m., Chivas USA vs. Portland – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 – San Jose vs. Chivas USA / 2:30 p.m., AIK vs. Portland – 5 p.m.
March 10 – MLS First Kick
Quakes President David Kaval’s Office Hours
Earthquakes President David Kaval’s office hours continue during the offseason. Fans can drop by his office at 451 El Camino Real, Suite 220 in Santa Clara, Calif., on Tuesdays between 3 and 5 p.m. PT. Participants will be seen on a first come, first served basis.
2012 Season Tickets on Sale
Season tickets for the San Jose Earthquakes’ 2012 campaign are on sale now. Packages include 20 games at a significantly discounted rate, as well as a bevy of exclusive season ticket-holder benefits. Prices start at $2,300 for Netsuite VIP On-Field seats and are as affordable as $260 in the Supporters’ Section. For more information about pricing, payment plans and more, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/season-tickets or call an Earthquakes sales rep at 408-556-7700.
Earthquakes Youth Academy Update:
Academy U-18s Split a Pair of Close Matches
The San Jose Earthquakes gained a weekend split of two out-of-division home matches in Danville by blanking Arsenal FC, 1-0, on Feb. 12 after falling 2-1 against Real SoCal the previous afternoon. With the results, the U-18s moved their overall record to 7-7-2 while remaining 3-2-1 in divisional play. The U-18s take on division-leading South Bay rival De Anza Force on Feb. 18. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. at Danville’s Mustang Soccer Complex.
Academy U-16s Open Weekend With 3-1 Victory
Like their U-18 counterparts, the San Jose Earthquakes U-16s won one and lost one in Danville over the weekend. The Quakes fell 2-1 against Arsenal FC on Feb. 12 one day after a 3-1 victory over Real SoCal. The U-16s are 7-6-3 overall and 3-2-1 in the Northwest Division.
