This Week
The San Jose Earthquakes (16-6-5, 53 pts.) travel to Southern California for a match against Chivas USA (7-12-7, 28 pts.) on Saturday at The Home Depot Center. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet Plus, 95.3 KRTY and 1370 KZSF.
Earthquakes Schedule for the Week of 9/10/12
Tuesday, Sept. 11 – 10:15 a.m. – Practice at Earthquakes Training Facility
Wednesday, Sept. 12 – Off
Thursday, Sept. 13 – 10:15 a.m. – Practice at Earthquakes Training Facility
Friday, Sept. 14 – Travel to Los Angeles
Saturday, Sept. 15 – 7:30 p.m. PT – Earthquakes at Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center, live on CSN Plus, 95.3 KRTY and 1370 KZSF
Sunday, Sept. 16 – Travel to San Jose
Injury Report
Out: Cesar Diaz Pizarro (R – groin strain), Joey Gjertsen (R – knee surgery), Sercan Guvenisik (L – hamstring strain), Tim Ward (L – non-specific soft tissue injury); Probable: Jason Hernandez (R – hamstring strain), Shea Salinas (L – hamstring strain), Jed Zayner (R – quad strain).
Earthquakes All-Time Record vs. Chivas USA
MLS Regular Season: 4-6-5
Home: 3-3-2 (15 GF, 8 GA)
Away: 1-3-3 (7 GF, 10 GA)
Playoffs: 0-0-0; US Open Cup: 0-0-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 22, Chivas USA – 18
Chivas USA Info
Chivas USA Scouting Report
Chivas USA (7-12-7, 28 pts.) enter Saturday’s game seventh in the Western Conference, nine points out of the MLS Cup Playoff race. The squad is winless in its last six games, having been outscored 20-7 during that time. Colombian Designated Player Juan Pablo Angel has scored more than any for Chivas USA, finding the net four times in 16 games this season. Meanwhile, Ryan Smith, Juan Agudelo and Miller Bolanos top the club’s assists list with three apiece. Leading the way defensively has been MLS All-Star goalkeeper Dan Kennedy with seven shutouts and 91 saves, second most in the league.
History of the Earthquakes-Chivas USA Rivalry
The two teams met for the first time on April 9, 2005, at Spartan Stadium, playing to a wild 3-3 draw … During the 2005 season, San Jose and Chivas USA met on three additional occasions: a 1-1 draw on June 12 at The Home Depot Center, a 3-0 win for the Earthquakes on Sept. 10 at Spartan Stadium, and a come-from-behind 2-1 Quakes victory on Sept. 17 in Carson in which Alejandro Moreno notched the 93rd-minute winner against his current club … Following that four-game unbeaten run by San Jose to begin the all-time series between the sides, Chivas USA has held the edge since the Quakes’ return in 2008, posting a 6-1-2 record over nine matches … The Quakes’ lone win during the stretch came on Oct. 20, 2010, when Chris Wondolowski posted a hat trick over 17 minutes after only coming off the bench in the 40th minute, for a 3-0 result at Buck Shaw … Chivas USA got an 85th-minute winner from Mariano Trujillo for a come-from-behind 2-1 win in the last meeting at Buck Shaw on April 23, 2011 … Wondolowski had given the Quakes a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute, with Moreno leveling the score for the Goats in first-half stoppage time … Chivas USA went on to sweep the 2011 season series with a 2-0 home shutout on July 6 … The two teams tied 1-1 in their first meeting of 2012 on May 13 with Alan Gordon providing a dramatic 89th-minute equalizer … On Sept. 2, 2012, the Earthquakes defeated Chivas USA for the second time since rejoining MLS in 2008, knocking off their Southern California counterpart 4-0.
Earthquakes Leaders vs. Chivas USA
Forward Alan Gordon has six goals and two assists in 11 appearances … Forward Chris Wondolowski has five goals in 11 appearances … Wondolowski recorded one of his three career hat tricks against Chivas USA on Oct. 20, 2010 … Defender Ramiro Corrales has two goals and one assist in 10 appearances … Goalkeeper Jon Busch is 5-3-1 with four shutouts.
Chivas USA Leaders vs. San Jose
Forward Alejandro Moreno has five goals and three assists in 16 games … Midfielder Shalrie Joseph has two assists in 14 games … Midfielder Peter Vagenas has one goal and three assists in 18 appearances … Defender Ante Jazic has three assists in seven appearances … Defenders James Riley has two assist in 10 appearances … Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy is 3-1-1 with two shutouts.
Earthquakes – Chivas USA Connections
Quakes defender Jason Hernandez made 50 appearances for Chivas USA from 2006-07 … Chivas USA forward Alejandro Moreno produced eight goals and four assists in 31 games for San Jose during the Supporters’ Shield season of 2005 … Moreno was teammates with Quakes forward Alan Gordon on the LA Galaxy in 2004, forward Chris Wondolowski in Houston in 2006-07, forward Steven Lenhart in Columbus in 2008-09 and midfielder Shea Salinas in Philadelphia in 2010 … Gordon played for the LA Galaxy with Chivas USA assistant coach Greg Vanney in 2008, and scored one goal in nine appearances for Chivas USA during the 2010 season … Chivas USA defender James Riley made 24 appearances for San Jose in 2008 before being selected by Seattle Sounders FC during the 2008 MLS Expansion Draft … Chivas USA defender Ante Jazic played with the Canadian national team from 2004-06 and the LA Galaxy from 2006-07 under current Quakes head coach Frank Yallop … Jazic was teammates with Gordon on the LA Galaxy from 2006-08 … Quakes midfielder Sam Cronin played with Chivas USA midfielder Nick LaBrocca at Toronto FC for part of the 2010 season … LaBrocca was also a member of the 2008 Colorado Rapids with Quakes defender Tim Ward … Quakes midfielder Marvin Chavez played with Chivas USA defender Heath Pearce for FC Dallas in 2009-10 … Chivas USA assistant coach Carlos Llamosa played for two seasons with Jason Hernandez at Chivas USA (2006-07) … Hernandez and Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy were briefly fellow members of the 2005 New York/New Jersey MetroStars … Kennedy (2001-04) and Quakes rookie midfielder Sam Garza (2010-11) both played at UC Santa Barbara … Lenhart and Kennedy are both natives of Yorba Linda, Calif. … Garza (No. 6) and Chivas USA rookie forward Casey Townsend (No. 5) were selected one pick apart in the first round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft … Quakes midfielder Jacob Hustedt (2008-10) played with reserve Goats goalkeeper Patrick McLain (2007-11) at Cal Poly, with Garza and McLain opposing each other in the Big West Conference the past two seasons … Chivas USA midfielder Michael Lahoud played at Wake Forest with Cronin (2005-08) and Quakes defender Ike Opara (2007-08), with the trio guiding the Demon Deacons to the program’s first national title together in 2007 … Opara and Chivas USA defender/midfielder Jorge Villafaña were both members of the 20-player U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team for CONCACAF Olympic qualifying in late March … Quakes midfielder Simon Dawkins (Edgware) and Chivas USA midfielder Ryan Smith (Islington) are two Englishmen who were born in areas of London.
Miscellaneous Notes
Earthquakes to Attempt to Break Guinness World Record for Largest Groundbreaking Ceremony
Earthquakes Club President Dave Kaval announced the club will break ground on their new stadium on Sunday, Oct. 21 and will try to break a Guinness World Record for the largest groundbreaking ceremony in the process. Fans are invited to the landmark occasion and can RSVP by visiting www.sjearthquakes.com/groundbreaking. Anyone planning to attend can park for free starting at 10:30 a.m. at the new stadium site on the corner of Coleman Ave. and Newhall Ave. Check-in for diggers begins at 11:30 a.m. To ensure participation, fans should arrive before noon. In order to break the Guinness World Record, the club needs 4,533 participants to dig for two minutes.
First to Clinch MLS Cup Playoff Berth
The San Jose Earthquakes became the first team to clinch an MLS Cup Playoff berth following Chivas USA’s 2-1 loss against Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday. The postseason trip is San Jose’s second in three years and the eighth in club history. To purchase tickets for Quakes first home playoff game, visit sjearthquakes.com.
Broadcast Update for Sept. 22 in Seattle
The Earthquakes’ match against Seattle Sounders FC at CentruyLink Field on Saturday, Sept. 22 will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet California. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PT in what will be a key game as the top two teams in the Western Conference take aim in the Supporters’ Shield chase.
7UP Bottling Signs First New Stadium Founding Partnership
The San Jose Earthquakes announced last week that the club has signed its first New Stadium Founding Partner, 7UP Bottling, a subsidiary of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group. The six-year multi-million dollar deal came just days after the Earthquakes established Saturday, Oct. 21 as the groundbreaking date for their new stadium. The partnership includes exclusive rights to the carbonated soft drink, iced tea and water categories.
Earthquakes Reserves Win Fourth Straight
The San Jose Earthquakes won their fourth-straight Reserve League match on Monday, knocking off Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2-1 on the road thanks to goals from guest player Matt Fondy and academy midfielder Jesus Morales. The Earthquakes are 5-2-2 in Reserve League play and wrap up their season at Seattle on Tuesday, Sept. 25.
Stoppage-Time Wondo Winner Sends Quakes Past San Luis FC, 1-0
Chris Wondolowski scored in the second minute of second-half stoppage time to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-0 win against San Luis FC in an international friendly at Buck Shaw Stadium on Sept. 6. The Earthquakes improved to 6-8-7 all-time in international friendlies, including a 4-0-3 clip at Buck Shaw Stadium.
Quakes First in Western Conference, Supporters’ Shield Standings
The Earthquakes (16-6-5, 53 pts.) remain atop the Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings following an idle weekend. San Jose holds a three-point advantage over Sporting Kansas City (15-7-5, 50 pts.) in the Supporters’ Shield race. Meanwhile, the Earthquakes are six points ahead of Seattle Sounders FC (13-6-8, 47 pts.) in the Western Conference table.
Top of the League
Through 27 games, the Earthquakes are No. 1 in MLS with 56 goals scored and 58 assists. With 33 goals conceded, the Quakes are also No. 1 in the league with a +23 goal differential. Additionally, San Jose leads the league with 35 second-half goals and a +21 goal differential in the second half. Following San Jose’s 4-0 win over Chivas USA on Sept. 2, San Jose also leads the league with nine 3-goal games in 2012.
All-Time Wins/Points Records
The San Jose Earthquakes are three wins away from tying the club’s all-time mark for wins in a season, set in 1999. Of the team’s 19 wins in 1999, 10 came via shootout with only nine in regulation. With 53 points and seven games remaining, San Jose is also closing in on the club record for points in a season, set in 2005. The team ended 2005 with 64 points and an 18-4-10 record.
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 16 victories to date.
Wondolowski Closing in on Club Scoring Mark
Chris Wondolowski is six 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 55 goals in 99 games over five seasons for the Earthquakes. Additionally, Wondolowski’s goal against Montreal on Aug. 18 tied his club record for tallies in a single season with 18.
New Stadium Club Seats Sold Out
The Earthquakes announced on Saturday that club seats at the new stadium are sold out. With luxury suites and club seats sold out, general seating in the new stadium will go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 23. Current season tickets holders will have first priority to purchase tickets for the new stadium. The priority order will be set based on tenure as a season ticket holder. Season ticket holders will receive more information in the coming week regarding their specific account. In order to reserve a spot in the priority queue for the new stadium, fans can purchase season tickets for 2013, the final season at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Earthquakes are currently taking deposits for season tickets for 2013. Please call 408-556-7700 or visit www.sjearthquakes.com/2013 for more information.
Child, Mandaric to be Inducted to Earthquakes Hall of Fame
The Earthquakes announced last week that former star forward Paul Child and the team’s original owner Milan Mandaric have been named to the Earthquakes Hall of Fame. The two former members of the North American Soccer League (NASL) Earthquakes will be inducted to the club’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony during halftime of San Jose’s match on Sept. 29 against FC Dallas. To celebrate the occasion, 5,000 fans will receive a commemorative pin courtesy of XFINITY.
MLS Cup Playoff Tickets Now on Sale
Earthquakes 2012 MLS Cup Playoff tickets are now on sale at www.sjearthquakes.com/2012playoffs through the March to the Cup Mini-Plan. The mini-plan includes a ticket San Jose’s matches against Portland on Wednesday, Sept. 19 and FC Dallas on Saturday, Sept. 29 and the club’s first MLS Cup Playoff home game since 2010. Prices start at $54 per package. For groups of 10 or more, call the club’s front office at 408-556-7700.
Fifth Annual Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation Banquet Set for Oct. 12
The Fifth Annual Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation Awards Banquet is slated for Friday, Oct. 12 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif. featuring former Earthquakes defender Jimmy Conrad as the keynote speaker. The event also includes the Andrew Bedard “Spirit of the Game” Award given to an Earthquakes player for the charitable works throughout the year. For ticket, donation and sponsorship information visit www.ssvcf.org/annualdinner.html.
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 56 goals through 27 games, the donated total for this season already stands at $14,000. Thanks to 40 goals in 2011, the partnership raised $10,000 for local youth soccer and athletic development programs a year ago.
