This Week
The San Jose Earthquakes (7-2-3, 24 pts.) embark on their season-long four-game road stretch with two matches away from home in the week ahead. The Quakes contest the season’s first California Clasico with rival LA Galaxy (3-6-2, 11 pts.) on Wednesday, May 23. Kickoff at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The match airs live on Comcast SportsNet California, 1590 KLIV (English) and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).
San Jose then travels to take on Eastern Conference contender Sporting Kansas City (7-3-1, 22 pts.) on Sunday, May 27, with that match-up set for a 1:30 p.m. PT start inside LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. The contest marks the Quakes’ debut on NBC Sports Network, with radio coverage also still available on 1590 KLIV (English) and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).
Earthquakes Schedule for the Week of 5/21/12
Monday, May 21 – 10:15 a.m. – Practice at Earthquakes Training Facility
Tuesday, May 22 – Travel to Los Angeles
Wednesday, May 23 – 7:30 p.m. PT – Earthquakes at LA Galaxy, The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., LIVE on Comcast SportsNet California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF
Thursday, May 24 – Return to San Jose
Friday, May 25 – 10:15 a.m. – Practice at Earthquakes Training Facility
Saturday, May 26 – Travel to Kansas City
Sunday, May 27 – 1:30 p.m. PT – Earthquakes at Sporting Kansas City, LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., LIVE on NBC Sports Network, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF
Injury / International Duty Report
Out: Joey Gjertsen (R – knee surgery), Shea Salinas (L – fractured clavicle), Tim Ward (L – non-specific soft tissue injury); Questionable: Victor Bernardez (L – MCL sprain), Marvin Chavez (L – hamstring strain). International Duty: Chris Wondolowski (United States).
Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 15-25-8
Home: 11-9-5 (33 GF, 30 GA)
Away: 4-16-3 (27 GF, 43 GA)
Shootout (1996-99): 1-4; Overtime (2000-03): 0-0-4
Playoffs: 3-4-1; US Open Cup: 0-4-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 60, LA Galaxy – 73
San Jose’s Record in May: The Quakes are 28-28-15 all-time in May in MLS play.
Opponent Info
LA Galaxy Scouting Report
The LA Galaxy (3-6-2, 11 pts.) fell to in-stadium foe Chivas USA, 1-0, in the SuperClasico at The Home Depot Center on Saturday night. That result, coupled with Portland’s 2-1 home victory over Chicago on Sunday, pushed the defending MLS Cup champions to the bottom of the nine-team Western Conference, now 13 points behind the second-place Quakes. Rookie Jose Correa scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot for the host Goats in the 72nd minute after his right-footed volley was contacted on the goal-line by the hand of David Junior Lopes. LA played a man down the rest of the way following a red card to the Brazilian defender, who will miss Wednesday’s match. Robbie Keane, now in his second season in MLS, leads the Galaxy with three goals, while David Beckham and Landon Donovan have tallied two apiece. Both of Beckham’s strikes have resulted in AT&T Goal of the Week honors via fan voting for the iconic English midfielder, the latest a free-kick equalizer at Montreal in Week 10. Beckham, Donovan and Keane also have two assists each. Donovan and Keane, like Chris Wondolowski for San Jose, will also be absent from Wednesday’s first California Clasico of 2012 due to international duty. Bruce Arena’s squad is just 2-3-1 in home matches this season after going an undefeated 12-0-5 in home dates en route to the club’s third MLS championship a year ago. The Galaxy are 0-3-2 over their last five.
History of the Quakes – LA Galaxy Rivalry
San Jose is 15-25-8 all-time against the LA Galaxy, including 4-16-3 on the road and 2-6-2 at The Home Depot Center … As the two original MLS teams in California, the Earthquakes (then known as the Clash) and the Galaxy met for the first time on April 28, 1996, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. … In front of a crowd of 40,347, the Clash fell to the Galaxy, 2-1 … From 1996-2005, the in-state rivals matched up more than any other teams in the league … Along with playing each other 48 times in the regular season, the Quakes and the Galaxy have also faced off eight times in the postseason and four times in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup … The teams squared off in the playoffs in 1996, 2003 and 2005, as well as the 2001 MLS Cup … The Galaxy captured the 1996 conference semifinal series, two games to one, taking the final two contests at the Rose Bowl by identical scores of 2-0 … In 2001, the sides met in MLS Cup, with the Quakes producing a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph at Columbus Crew Stadium as Dwayne De Rosario scored the winner in overtime … The 2003 Western Conference Semifinal series produced one of the most memorable games in league history … After dropping the road leg of a two-game set, 2-0, San Jose fell behind by that same score after just 13 minutes of the home return to trail the series, 4-0 on aggregate … The Quakes responded with a four-goal explosion in regulation to level the aggregate, 4-4, getting the fourth from Chris Ronér in the 90th minute just moments after he had come into the game … Fellow second-half substitute Rodrigo Faria then struck six minutes into sudden-death overtime to send San Jose to the Western Conference Finals, and ultimately its second MLS Cup … In 2005, having lost the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals, 3-1, at The Home Depot Center, the Quakes needed another two-goal comeback to win the series … After going up 1-0 on a Brian Ching goal in Game 2 on Oct. 29, 2005, Ned Grabavoy scored for the Galaxy to end the Quakes’ hopes … That match marked the Quakes’ final game before the team was relocated to Houston on Dec. 15, 2005 … Since the Earthquakes rejoined MLS in 2008, the teams have met 10 times … San Jose has gone 3-4-3 during that stretch, including a 1-0 win in front of what was then a stadium-record crowd of 10,799 at Buck Shaw Stadium on Aug. 21, 2010, thanks to a fourth-minute goal by Chris Wondolowski … The sides played to a scoreless draw in front of a new Buck Shaw record crowd of 10,872 in last year’s first meeting on June 25, with the Quakes unable to find a goal despite out-shooting the Galaxy, 25-8, and playing with a man advantage for 47 minutes … The return fixture in Carson resulted in a 2-0 victory for LA as Robbie Keane scored the winner on his MLS debut.
Earthquakes Leaders vs. LA Galaxy
Chris Wondolowski has one goal in six career appearances, with that goal coming in 2010 in one of four meetings as a Quakes player … Alan Gordon has scored in each of two previous match-ups with his former club (both at The Home Depot Center), scoring once for Chivas USA on Oct. 3, 2010, and producing a brace in 47 minutes off the bench for Toronto FC on June 11, 2011, the second goal securing a dramatic 2-2 draw at 94+ … Gordon has yet to face the Galaxy as a Quakes player … Steven Lenhart has two goals in five appearances (one with San Jose), both coming with the Columbus Crew (2008, 2009) … Ramiro Corrales has two assists in 28 appearances, both coming in 2002 among 25 match-ups while with San Jose … Jon Busch is 7-7-4 with six shutouts over 19 career appearances, including 1-1-2 with two shutouts in a Quakes uniform.
LA Galaxy Leaders vs. San Jose
Forward Edson Buddle has eight goals in 14 appearances, including five in six games with the Galaxy … Midfielder Landon Donovan has six goals and five assists in 11 games against his old club … Midfielder David Beckham has one goal and four assists in five games … Forward Robbie Keane has one goal in his only appearance … Goalkeeper Josh Saunders is 1-0-0 with one shutout over two appearances … Saunders received a red-card ejection in the 43rd minute of the scoreless draw at Buck Shaw last June 25 after coming on for an injured Donovan Ricketts in the 24th.
Earthquakes – LA Galaxy Connections
Quakes head coach Frank Yallop was the head coach of the LA Galaxy from 2006-07, compiling a record there of 18-21-12 … Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan began his MLS career with the Earthquakes, producing 32 goals and 29 assists over 87 appearances from 2001-04 and helping lead San Jose to both of its MLS Cup titles in 2001 and 2003 … Donovan still ranks No. 3 on the club’s all-time goal-scoring chart … Quakes forward Alan Gordon played for the Galaxy from 2004-10, scoring 16 goals in 99 games … David Beckham made his Galaxy debut in a friendly against Chelsea as part of the World Series of Soccer at The Home Depot Center on July 21, 2007, entering the game for Gordon in the 78th minute … Quakes assistant coach Ian Russell played three games for Frank Yallop with the Galaxy in 2007 … Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant was San Jose’s first-round selection in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft (No. 6 overall) out of Stanford, and played 46 games for the Earthquakes from 2003-04, producing one goal and six assists … Current Galaxy starting goalkeeper Josh Saunders was also a member of that Earthquakes draft class (Round 4, No. 36) out of California (2001-02), and was on the roster of the 2003 MLS Cup champions, but did not appear in any games for the franchise … Galaxy assistant coach Curt Onalfo played in six matches for San Jose in 1997 … First-year Galaxy assistant coach Jovan Kirovski played in nine matches for the Quakes in 2008 … Quakes defenders Jason Hernandez and Tim Ward were teammates with Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in 2005 … Quakes goalkeeper David Bingham (2008-10) and Galaxy midfielder Hector Jimenez (2006-10) were teammates at Cal … Galaxy forward Chad Barrett played with Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch in Chicago in 2007-08 and Quakes midfielder Sam Cronin in Toronto from 2009-10 … Quakes midfielder Simon Dawkins is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, where second-year Galaxy forward Robbie Keane played from 2002-08, and around loan moves from 2009 until his departure for MLS … Dawkins is also acquainted with fellow Englishman Beckham, with Beckham also having trained with Spurs for several weeks during the 2011 MLS preseason … Quakes defender Ike Opara and Galaxy midfielder Michael Stephens were teammates on the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team during CONCACAF Olympic qualifying in late March, as well as the U.S. squad at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
Earthquakes vs. Sporting Kansas City All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 20-19-7
Home: 13-4-6 (34 GF, 19 GA)
Away: 7-15-1 (22 GF, 37 GA)
Shootout (1996-99): 3-4; Overtime (2000-03): 0-0-4
Playoffs: 2-1-0; US Open Cup: 0-1-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 56, Sporting Kansas City – 56
Opponent Info
Sporting Kansas City Scouting Report
Sporting Kansas City (7-3-1, 22 pts.) had lost three straight after seven consecutive wins to open the 2012 season, before a 2-2 road draw at the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. SKC had taken a 2-0 lead through a Teal Bunbury brace over the first 14 minutes in the third-year forward’s second start of 2012 before the host Rapids produced their comeback, getting first goals of the year from defenders Tyrone Marshall and Kosuke Kimura in the 52nd and 60th minutes, respectively. Over this four-game stretch, Sporting have fallen from the top of the Eastern Conference standings, where they also completed the 2011 regular season, now into third behind the New York Red Bulls (8-3-1, 25 pts.) and D.C. United (7-4-3, 24 pts.). Former Quakes player Kei Kamara leads SKC with four goals, while fellow forward C.J. Sapong and defender Aurelien Collin have tallied three apiece. Midfield general Graham Zusi has six assists, second-most in MLS, with a league-best four of them coming on game-winners, but like Quakes striker Chris Wondolowski, is likely to miss Sunday’s match-up due to a U.S. Men’s National Team call-up. The Sporting goalkeeper is Danish national Jimmy Nielsen (0.82 GAA, 23 saves, five shutouts). Sporting are idle in midweek prior to welcoming San Jose for the Quakes’ second-ever visit to LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, which opened during the 2011 MLS season.
History of the Quakes – Sporting Kansas City Rivalry
The Earthquakes are 20-19-7 all-time against Sporting Kansas City, including 7-15-1 on the road and 0-1-0 through one meeting at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park … San Jose has not won at Kansas City since rejoining MLS in 2008 … The Quakes last won at Kansas City on Aug. 14, 2004, a 2-0 shutout at Arrowhead Stadium through a Landon Donovan brace, losing six straight in MLS play and eight straight there in all competitions since then … San Jose and Sporting, then known as the Kansas City Wiz (later Kansas City Wizards), were two of the 10 original clubs during the inaugural 1996 MLS season … The first meeting between the sides was a thriller on April 21, 2006, at Spartan Stadium … With the game tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, the Clash fell in a lengthy shootout by a score of 8-7 … San Jose’s first win against Kansas City came later that season on May 29, 2-1 at Spartan Stadium, thanks to an Eric Wynalda brace … The teams have faced off twice in the postseason … The Quakes won 3-2 at Spartan Stadium on Nov. 15, 2003, on a 117th-minute Landon Donovan goal in sudden-death overtime, during the Western Conference Finals en route to their second MLS Cup title … The two teams met again in the 2004 MLS Cup Playoffs for a two-game Western Conference Semifinals series … The Quakes took a 2-0 decision in their home leg on Oct. 24, but were then eliminated on aggregate following a 3-0 Wizards victory six days later at Arrowhead Stadium, with current Quake Khari Stephenson grabbing the opener and Jack Jewsbury scoring the all-important third goal in second-half stoppage time … Chris Wondolowski tallied the goal that sealed his first Golden Boot award during the 2010 regular-season finale on Oct. 23 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, his 18th of the year … The Earthquakes played in the second-ever MLS match at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on June 17, 2011, falling 1-0 with C.J. Sapong re-directing a free kick from Graham Zusi for the only goal of the match in the 31st minute … The teams most recently played to a 1-1 draw in Santa Clara last Oct. 1, with Chris Wondolowski and Teal Bunbury trading 85th-minute goals.
Earthquakes Leaders vs. Sporting Kansas City
Chris Wondolowski has four goals in six appearances, having scored once in each of his four games with the Quakes since 2009, including the game-winners in a pair of 1-0 victories at Buck Shaw Stadium, at 93+ on Aug. 22, 2009, after coming on in the 83rd minute, and the 35th minute on Aug. 14, 2010 … Alan Gordon has two goals and one assist (all with LA) in nine games, but has yet to appear in a Quakes uniform … Marvin Chavez had one goal in five games with FC Dallas … Ramiro Corrales has one goal and four assists (all with SJ) in 26 appearances (22 with SJ) … Jon Busch is 5-8-6 with five shutouts, including 0-2-1 in a Quakes uniform.
Sporting Kansas City Leaders vs. Earthquakes
Forward C.J. Sapong has one goal and one assist in two appearances a year ago, including the game-winner on June 17 … Forward Kei Kamara has one goal in seven appearances, that goal coming in 2009 while with Houston … Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen is 1-1-1 with one shutout.
Earthquakes – Sporting Kansas City Connections
Quakes midfielder Khari Stephenson made his MLS debut for the then-Kansas City Wizards, playing in nine games from 2004-05 … Sporting Kansas City midfielder Bobby Convey produced three goals and 14 assists, including a team-high 10 en route to 2010 MLS Comeback Player of the Year honors, over 75 games for the Quakes from 2009-11 … SKC forward Kei Kamara scored two goals in 12 appearances for the Earthquakes in 2008 … Kamara also played with current Quakes Jon Busch (2006) and Tim Ward (2006-07) while in Columbus and Chris Wondolowski (2008-09) in Houston … Quakes defender Victor Bernardez (52), midfielder Marvin Chavez (27) and SKC midfielder Roger Espinoza (21) have all earned full caps for the Honduras national team … Quakes defender Justin Morrow and SKC defender Matt Besler played together at Notre Dame from 2006-08 … Quakes midfielder Anthony Ampaipitakwong and SKC forward Teal Bunbury played together at Akron from 2008-09 … Bunbury and Quakes defender Ike Opara were both members of the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team during CONCACAF Olympic qualifying in late March.
Quakes in the Community
Get Earthquakes Fit Presented by Kaiser Permanente Closing Ceremony Assembly
Who: Earthquakes defender Steven Beitashour
What: Closing Ceremony and autograph session for Get Earthquakes Fit presented by Kaiser Permanente at Randall Elementary
When: Monday, May 21, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Robert Randall Elementary School, 1300 Edsel Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035
Details: Get Earthquakes Fit presented by Kaiser Permanente is a fun, five-week program designed by Earthquakes head athletic trainer Bruce Morgan and the Santa Clara County Office of Education to increase physical activity in the classroom and at home. This spring, 12 local schools will be incorporating this program in their 3rd and 4th grade curriculum.
Get Earthquakes Fit Presented by Kaiser Permanente Closing Ceremony Assembly
Who: Earthquakes defender Justin Morrow
What: Closing Ceremony and autograph session for Get Earthquakes Fit presented by Kaiser Permanente at Scott Lane Elementary
When: Thursday, May 24, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Scott Lane Elementary School, 1925 Scott Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Details: Get Earthquakes Fit presented by Kaiser Permanente is a fun, five-week program designed by Earthquakes head athletic trainer Bruce Morgan and the Santa Clara County Office of Education to increase physical activity in the classroom and at home. This spring, 12 local schools will be incorporating this program in their 3rd and 4th grade curriculum.
Get Earthquakes Fit Presented by Kaiser Permanente Closing Ceremony Assembly
Who: Earthquakes midfielder Rafael Baca
What: Closing Ceremony and autograph session for Get Earthquakes Fit presented by Kaiser Permanente at Luther Burbank Elementary
When: Friday, May 25, 2 p.m.
Where: Luther Burbank Elementary School, 4 Wabash Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128
Details: Get Earthquakes Fit presented by Kaiser Permanente is a fun, five-week program designed by Earthquakes head athletic trainer Bruce Morgan and the Santa Clara County Office of Education to increase physical activity in the classroom and at home. This spring, 12 local schools will be incorporating this program in their 3rd and 4th grade curriculum.
Inaugural Earthquakes 5K/10K Challenge
Who: Earthquakes players
What: Signing autographs at the end of the Earthquakes 5K/10K Challenge
When: Sunday, May 27, 9-10:30 a.m.
Where: 1125 Coleman Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110
Details: The inaugural Earthquakes 5K/10K Challenge is a running race benefiting the San Jose Earthquakes Community Fund and Health Trust Silicon Valley. The race will take place at the Earthquakes' new stadium site in San Jose. The event features a 10K race, 5K run/walk and 1K kids fun run. For more information and to register, visit www.QuakesChallenge.com.
Miscellaneous Notes
Wondolowski Called to U.S. Men’s National Team Training Camp
Star Quakes forward Chris Wondolowski was named on Sunday to the U.S. Men’s National Team training camp roster by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. He reported the same day to Orlando, Fla. Wondolowski was part of an 11-player second wave of call-ups for this camp following Saturday’s MLS action, after 16 initial selections were made largely from internationally-based candidates early last week. The group of 27 will vie for 23 spots on the squad set to contest a rigorous five-game slate from May 26 to June 12, with a trio of friendlies preceding the first two CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Having made his debut for the U.S. MNT on Jan. 22, 2011, Wondolowski has earned seven full caps. The MLS scoring leader with 11 goals, he will miss San Jose’s match Wednesday night at the LA Galaxy. Should he make Klinsmann’s final 23-player list, he will also miss Sunday’s road date with Sporting Kansas City.
Quakes Second in the Western Conference
The San Jose Earthquakes (7-2-3, 24 pts.) are currently in second-place in the MLS Western Conference. Real Salt Lake (8-3-2, 26 pts.) tops the standings, but has still played one more game than the Quakes. The Quakes would vault above RSL and into sole possession of first-place once again with a win over bitter rivals LA Galaxy at The Home Depot Center on Wednesday night. Seattle Sounders FC is currently third (7-2-2, 23 pts.) with one game in hand over the Quakes. RSL hosts FC Dallas on Saturday (6 p.m. PT), while Seattle hosts Columbus on Wednesday (7 p.m. PT) and plays at Chivas USA on Saturday (7:30 p.m. PT).
Quakes Among MLS Category Leaders
Through 11 weeks of the 2012 MLS season, the Earthquakes are third in MLS with 23 goals scored and second with 26 assists. With 13 scores conceded, the Quakes boast the top goal differential in MLS at +10.
Race for the Budweiser Golden Boot
Chris Wondolowski remains alone atop the 2012 Budweiser Golden Boot race with 11 goals. Kenny Cooper of the New York Red Bulls is right behind with 10 goals, while teammate Thierry Henry is third with nine, having missed four straight games due to a hamstring injury. MLS newcomer Saer Sene of New England and D.C. United’s Maicon Santos have scored six times each to round out the top five on the leaderboard.
Vote Alan Gordon for AT&T Goal of the Week
Quakes forward Alan Gordon’s acrobatic 90th-minute equalizer against the Columbus Crew on Saturday night is up for AT&T Goal of the Week. Trailing by a goal in the waning moments, Gordon took a lay-off by Chris Wondolowski in the penalty box and hammered a left-footed shot off the crossbar, before gathering himself for a diving, right-footed volley into the corner off the rebound. Vote for Gordo by clicking HERE.
Inaugural Earthquakes 5K/10K Challenge on Sunday
The San Jose Earthquakes will stage the first annual Quakes 5K/10K Challenge, benefitting The Health Trust and the San Jose Earthquakes Community Fund, this Sunday, May 27. The 5K/10K Challenge begins at 8 a.m. with three options for runners of all ages. The costs of entry are $50 for the 10K, $40 for the 5K and $15 for a Kids Fun Run. All participants get a race t-shirt, a ticket to a future Earthquakes home game at Buck Shaw Stadium, and access to a post-race celebration. The Memorial Day Weekend event will start and finish at the site of the Quakes’ planned new stadium at 1125 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. Supervisor Ken Yeager of District 4 will serve as honorary chair. More information and a registration link are available at www.quakeschallenge.com.
Earthquakes to Host US Open Cup Match at Stanford’s Cagan Stadium
The San Jose Earthquakes announced last Friday that the club will host a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup third-round match at Stanford’s Cagan Stadium on Tuesday, May 29, at 7:30 p.m. The Quakes await the winner of a May 22 second-round tilt in Florida between the Fresno Fuego (PDL) and Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL). Tickets are $10 for Quakes season ticket holders and $15 for the public. All seating is general admission. Fans can purchase tickets at Cagan Stadium on the day of the game. Advanced purchase is available at the club’s headquarters at 451 El Camino Real, Suite 220 in Santa Clara, on sjearthquakes.com starting on Tuesday, May 22, at 10 a.m., or by calling 408-556-7700. Season ticket holders should call or email their fan relations representative to buy tickets.
Take Advantage of the Red, White & Blue Mini Plan for June 30
Quakes fans can enjoy the best possible seating for the Earthquakes’ highly-anticipated meeting with the rival LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium on June 30, and three more home games of their choice at Buck Shaw Stadium this season in the Sideline section, by taking advantage of the Red, White & Blue Mini Plan. Packages start at $100 per person and include a commemorative Independence Day scarf. To learn more about this plan, click HERE, call (408) 556-7700 or email seasontickets@sjearthquakes.com.
Earthquakes Set to Host Swansea City on July 31
The San Jose Earthquakes have announced their 2012 international friendly, with Welsh side Swansea City of the English Premier League coming to Buck Shaw Stadium on Tuesday, July 31, for a 7:30 p.m. kick-off. Individual tickets for the match are on sale now, and can be purchased by visiting sjearthquakes.com or by calling Tickets.com at (800) 225-2277. Season ticket holders should use their Bonus Game “A” ticket for the contest. Swansea City, founded in 1912, is the first Welsh club to reach the Premiership since the league was formed. The Swans, who have lifted the Welsh Cup 10 times, went 12-15-11 this season, beating Liverpool on the last day of an impressive debut Premier League campaign to place 11th in the table.
Date Change for Seattle Return
The Earthquakes’ third and final meeting of 2012 with Sounders FC at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field has been moved to Saturday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m. PT. The game was originally scheduled for the following night.
Tickets on Sale Now for LA Galaxy at Buck Shaw Stadium
The Earthquakes are now selling tickets to both season tickets holders and the general public to their Oct. 21 match against the LA Galaxy at Buck Shaw Stadium. The match, presented by Wells Fargo, marks the end of San Jose’s 2012 regular-season home slate.
Wells Fargo Goals for Education
Wells Fargo has again pledged to donate $250 for each goal the Earthquakes score in 2012 through the Goals for Education program. With 23 goals through 12 games, the donated total for this season already stands at $5,750. Thanks to 40 goals in 2011, the partnership raised $10,000 for local youth soccer and athletic development programs a year ago. After fielding dozens of applications, the Earthquakes and Wells Fargo awarded 16 grants to deserving organizations, and with Quakes midfielder Anthony Ampaipitakwong on hand, made special check presentations at America SCORES Bay Area and Castro Valley Soccer Club in January.
Earthquakes, Wondolowski Support Street Soccer USA
Two-time MLS leading goal-scorer Chris Wondolowski and Street Soccer USA, a non-profit organization that seeks to end homelessness through sports, have partnered to make a difference in the lives of the homeless in the Bay Area through the “One Goal at a Time” campaign. For every goal Wondolowski scores during the 2012 season, the Quakes star has pledged a $100 donation to Street Soccer USA (SSUSA), and is asking fans to join in his mission. Additionally, the Earthquakes Community Fund will match Wondolowski’s donations. Wondolowski, who has been a national ambassador for SSUSA since August of 2011, got an early start on his 2012 scoring account with a strike in San Jose’s season opener on March 10, and has a league-leading 11 goals through 12 contests.
Quakes President Dave Kaval’s Office Hours
Earthquakes President Dave Kaval’s office hours continue during the 2012 season. 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. Be sure to follow his blog, Kaval’s Kickoff, exclusively at www.sjearthquakes.com, and new this year, follow him on Twitter at @QuakesPrez.
Earthquakes Youth Academy Update
National Team Call-Ups for Academy Pair
Earthquakes Youth Development Academy U-16 players Amir Bashti and JT Marcinkowski were named Monday by head coach Tony Lepore to the U.S. Under-15 Boys’ National Team that will compete at the International Marveld Tournament in Groenlo, Holland. Among the 20-player roster, Bashti (Cupertino, Calif.) was one of nine midfielders and Marcinkowski (Alamo, Calif.) one of two goalkeepers selected. Both were born in 1997. The U.S. was drawn into a pool with Dutch sides FC Twente, Feyenoord and Ajax, Spanish giants Real Madrid and German outfit Bayer Leverkusen.
Weekly Honor for Academy’s Cruz
Earthquakes Youth Development Academy product Cristian Cruz was one of 11 players named last week to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Development Academy Team of the Week. Cruz, who had produced three goals in 23 games for the Earthquakes Academy U-16 side this season prior to turning 17 late last month, opened the scoring in the 28th minute of a 4-0 U-18s victory over Santa Cruz Breakers Academy in Morgan Hill on Saturday, May 12. The Hercules High School junior had previously been called up earlier in the year to the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team for a week-long training camp in Carson, Calif., from March 25-April 1.
