This Week
The San Jose Earthquakes (13-5-5, 44 pts.) will host Swansea City of the English Premier League on Tuesday, July 31 at Buck Shaw Stadium for the club’s first international exhibition of 2012. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast online at www.sjearthquakes.com.
Earthquakes Schedule for the Week of 7/30/12
Tuesday, July 31 – 7:30 pm. PT – Earthquakes vs. Swansea City, Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Wednesday, Aug. 1– Off
Thursday, Aug. 2 – TBA
Friday, Aug. 3 – TBA
Saturday, Aug. 4 – Off
Sunday, Aug. 5 - Off
Injury Report
Out: Marvin Chavez (L- hamstring strain), Joey Gjertsen (R – knee surgery), Tim Ward (L – non-specific soft tissue injury).
Earthquakes All-Time Record in International Exhibitions
Earthquakes All-Time Record: 5-8-6
Home: 4-7-5 (28 GF, 26 GA)
Away: 1-1-1 (4 GF, 2 GA)
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 32, Opponents- 28
Swansea City Info
Swansea City Season Recap
After gaining promotion to the English Premier League following a third-place finish in England’s second-tier league in the 2010-2011 season, the Swans became the first Welsh side to play in the top-flight since the Premier League’s realignment in 1992. The Swans finished No. 11 in the EPL at 12-15-11 (47 pts.). Victories over perennial English powerhouses Arsenal and Liverpool highlighted Swansea’s impressive debut campaign in the EPL.
Swansea City Scouting Report
Danny Graham led the Swans in scoring in 2011-2012 with 12 goals. Youngsters Scott Sinclair (23), Nathan Dyer (24), and Joe Allen (22) also added offensive firepower and helped command a talented attacking midfield. The Swans’ midfield will be boosted further by the arrivals of Jonathan de Guzman on loan from Spain’s Villareal and Michu from Spain’s Rayo Vallecano. Michu led Rayo in scoring during the 2011-2012 season with 15 goals scored. Welshmen Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor anchor a strong backline that will be bolstered for 2012-2013 by the arrival of Spanish defender Chico. Dutch international Michael Vorm is the Swansea goalkeeper (136 saves, 1.32 GAA in 2011-2012). Allen, Sinclair, and Taylor will miss Tuesday’s exhibition due to their inclusion on Great Britain’s Olympic squad.
Swansea City U.S. Tour Roster
Goalkeepers (2): Michel Vorm, Gerhard Tremmel
Defenders (7): Ashley Williams, Alan Tate, Gary Monk, Angel Rangel, Federico Bessone, Chico, Ben Davies
Midfielders (10): Leon Britton, Andrea Orlandi, Wayne Rutledge, Kemy Agustien, Mark Gower, Jonathan de Guzman, Gwion Edwards, Jazz Richards, Nathan Dyer, Michu
Forwards (4): Danny Graham, Luke Moore, Stephen Dobbie, Leroy Lita
Miscellaneous Notes
Quakes Shine at 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game
San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski scored in the 21st minute to help lead the MLS All-Stars to a 3-2 victory over Chelsea FC in the 2012 MLS AT&T All-Star Game on July 25 at PPL Park in Philadelphia. Defenders Steven Beitashour, Ramiro Corrales, and Justin Morrow each played as well, including 90 minutes from Beitashour, in MLS’ win against the reigning European champions. San Jose led MLS with four players on the All-Star team’s active roster. Goalkeeper Jon Busch and midfielder Marvin Chavez were named to the inactive roster.
Earthquakes Acquire M Mehdi Ballouchy
The Earthquakes acquired midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy from the New York Red Bulls in exchange for a 2013 international spot and a conditional 2013 draft pick on Monday. The seven-year MLS veteran has 13 goals and 24 assists in 174 career games with three different clubs. Most recently, Ballouchy scored four goals and notched four assists in 51 appearances with the New York Red Bulls.
Quakes First in the Western Conference, Supporters’ Shield Standings
The Earthquakes (13-5-5, 44 pts.) retained their spot atop the Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings after rescuing a point with a 1-1 draw at Buck Shaw Stadium against the Chicago Fire. San Jose is 2 points clear of Real Salt Lake (13-7-3, 42 pts.) for the Western Conference lead. RSL also currently holds second-place in the Supporters’ Shield, with the New York Red Bulls (11-6-5, 36 pts) sitting four points back of RSL and six back of the Quakes. San Jose has a game in hand over New York.
Blonde-Haired Bedlam at Buck Shaw
The Earthquakes welcomed the return of forward Steven Lenhart after a four-game absence due to concussion symptoms on Saturday when the Chicago Fire visited Buck Shaw Stadium. He entered the match in the 59th minute and scored a dramatic stoppage time goal to equalize for the Quakes on a night that also happened to be Steven Lenhart Wig Night.
Iron Man Morrow
Quakes all-star defender Justin Morrow has now appeared in all 23 games for San Jose this season, following his 90-minute performances against the Chicago Fire on Saturday. He is tied for the league lead in games played, and leads MLS with 2,070 minutes played. Fellow defender Steven Beitashour appeared in the first 22 games of the season but was suspended for Saturday’s clash with the Fire due to yellow-card accumulation.
Earthquakes Remain Undefeated at Buck Shaw Stadium
The Earthquakes are 6-0-3 at Buck Shaw Stadium this season after tying the Chicago Fire 2-1 on Saturday and the team is 7-1-3 when playing in the Bay Area. San Jose has also played home MLS matches at AT&T Park (1-0 loss vs. Houston on March 17) and Stanford Stadium (4-3 win vs. LA Galaxy on June 30). The last time San Jose lost at Buck Shaw Stadium was Aug. 13, 2011, 2-1 against the Colorado Rapids.
Wondolowski Approaching MLS Single Season Record for Game-Winning Goals
Chris Wondolowski is one game-winning goal away from tying an MLS record that he shares with former LA Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz. Wondolowski (2010) and Ruiz (2002) have each recorded nine game-winning goals in a single season. San Jose’s striker has scored the game winner in eight of San Jose’s 13 victories to date. The Earthquakes have 12 games remaining for Wondolowski to try and match the record.
Wondolowski Closing in on Club Scoring Mark
Chris Wondolowski is seven goals away from matching Ronald Cerritos’ club record for career goals scored. Cerritos scored 61 goals in 148 games over six seasons in San Jose. Meanwhile, Wondolowski has 54 goals in 95 games over five seasons for the Earthquakes. Additionally, with 17 goals this year, Wondolowski is one goal away from tying his own record for goals in a single season. He scored 18 goals in 2010.
Top of the League
Through 23 games, the Earthquakes are No. 1 in MLS with 45 goals scored and 50 assists. With 28 goals conceded, the Quakes are also No. 1 in the league with a +17 goal differential. The Quakes also lead MLS with six road victories and 29 second half goals.
Single Season Goals Record
The San Jose Earthquakes have now scored 45 goals in 2012 to lead MLS. The team has scored more goals this year than any season since returning to MLS in 2008. The all-time team record for goals scored in a season is 55, set in 1997.
Wine & Dine with the Earthquakes Set for Sept. 9 at Guglielmo Winery
The club will host its Wine and Dine with the Earthquakes wine tasting and fundraising event on Sunday, Sept. 9 at the Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill. The event includes wine tasting, VIP catering and the opportunity to mingle with Earthquakes players, coaches and front office members. Tickets to the event are available to all Earthquakes fans starting at www.sjearthquakes.com/wine. Tickets for this exclusive event are $100 per person or a table of eight for $800. You can also purchase one of five VIP tables for eight guests for $1,200 and have Chris Wondolowski, Steven Lenhart, Jon Busch, Alan Gordon or Frank Yallop as the guest at your table. Guests must be 21 years of age or older in order to attend. No one under the age of 21 will be admitted. All proceeds will benefit the Earthquakes Community Fund.
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 44 goals through 21 games, the donated total for this season already stands at $11,000. Thanks to 40 goals in 2011, the partnership raised $10,000 for local youth soccer and athletic development programs a year ago.
