This Week
The San Jose Earthquakes (19-6-8, 65 pts.) close out their regular season against the Portland Timbers (8-16-9, 33 pts.) at JELD-WEN Field on Saturday. The match kicks off at 3:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports, and 1370 KZSF. The match will feature Chris Wondolowski’s pursuit of the MLS single-season goals record; Wondolowski trails Roy Lassiter’s 16-year mark by one.
Injury Report
Out: Mehdi Ballouchy (L – torn ACL), Jacob Hustedt (L – ankle surgery), Tim Ward (L – non–specific soft tissue injury); Questionable: Cesar Diaz Pizarro (R – groin strain); Probable: Alan Gordon (R – ankle sprain).
Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 0-1-3
Home: 0-0-2 (3 GF, 3 GA)
Away: 0-1-1 (2 GF, 3 GA)
Shootout (1996-99): NA; Overtime (2000-03): NA; Playoffs: 0-0-0; US Open Cup: 2-0-0; U.S. Open Cup Play-In: 1-0-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 5, Portland Timbers– 6
Opponent Info
History of the Quakes – Portland Timbers Rivalry
The Earthquakes and Timbers rivalry dates back to when the teams played in the North American Soccer League … The squads faced off for the first time as members of the NASL in 1975 in San Jose and the Earthquakes were victorious 2-1 with Ilija Mitic scoring both goals for the Quakes … The Timbers evened the series with a 2-1 home victory towards the end of the ’75 season … In 1976 the teams only met once and Portland got the better of the Earthquakes in a 1-0 victory in San Jose … The Earthquakes swept the 1977 season series with a 3-2 victory at home and 2-1 win in Portland … The Timbers came back in 1978 and outscored the Earthquakes 8-2 in two wins on their way to the NASL National Conference Final, where they lost to the New York Cosmos … The teams split the 1979 series with Portland winning 4-3 in San Jose and the Earthquakes winning 2-1 in Portland …In 1980 the Earthquakes dropped both games to the Timbers, losing each match by just one goal … The Timbers got the best of the Earthquakes in 1981 as well, sweeping the season series by finals of 3-0 and 2-1 … 1982 was the last NASL series between the two teams … The Earthquakes won the first game 1-0 in Portland and the Timbers were victorious 1-0 when they traveled to San Jose … The two sides played again in a 2001 exhibition in Portland and the Timbers were victorious 2-1 … The next meeting came in 2004 during the U.S. Open Cup and the Earthquakes won 3-0 … In 2005 the sides met again in the U.S. Open Cup and the Earthquakes were victorious 2-0 … The Earthquakes topped Portland in U.S. Open Cup Qualifying 1-0 on May 3, 2011 with Ike Opara scoring the game winner in the 120th minute … The Earthquakes and Timbers battled to a pair of 1-1 draws in 2011 … Portland got the better of San Jose 2-1 at JELD-WEN Field in the two team’s first meeting of 2012, snapping a three-game winning streak for the Earthquakes … Chris Wondolowski came off the bench to score a pair of second-half goals and rally San Jose from a two-goal deficit in a 2-2 draw at Buck Shaw Stadium on Sept. 19.
Earthquakes All-Time Leaders vs. Portland Timbers
Forward Chris Wondolowski has two goals in four appearances … Forward Alan Gordon has two goals and one assist in three appearances … Goalkeeper Jon Busch is 0-0-3 and has 10 saves in three appearances.
Portland Timbers All-Time Leaders vs. Earthquakes
Midfielder Jack Jewsbury has two goals and one assist in 14 appearances … Forward Danny Mwanga has three goals and two assists in seven career appearances … Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is 1-2-2 with one shutout in six appearances.
Earthquakes– Portland Timbers Connections
Portland defender Eric Brunner played for the Columbus Crew with San Jose Forward Steven Lenhart from 2009-10 ... San Jose All-Star forward Chris Wondolowski played for Houston Dynamo with Portland defender Mike Chabala from 2006-09 ... San Jose defender Justin Morrow attended Notre Dame with Portland forward Bright Dike from 2007-09 ... Portland Midfielder Jack Jewsbury and San Jose Defender Tim Ward both attended St. Louis University … Jewsbury played for the Wizards with San Jose midfielder Khari Stephenson from 2004-05 … Portland defender Steve Purdy (2003-06) and San Jose goalkeeper David Bingham (2008-10) … Portland midfielder Eric Alexander (2006-09) and San Jose defender Jed Zayner (2003-05) both played college soccer at Indiana … Alexander and Wondolowski both played for the United States National Team in a 1-1 draw against Chile on January 22, 2011 … Portland midfielder Lovel Palmer, goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and San Jose midfielder Khari Stephenson have each represented Jamaica internationally … Ricketts played with Quakes forward Alan Gordon for the LA Galaxy in 2009 and 2010 … Timbers defender Kosuke Kimura and Quakes midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy played together in Colorado from 2007-10.
Miscellaneous Notes
6,256 Help Earthquakes Break Guinness World Record
The Earthquakes set a Guinness World Record Sunday afternoon for largest participatory groundbreaking, paving the way for future construction on the club's 18,000 seat, privately financed stadium at 1125 Coleman Ave. The final count was 6,256 participants, smashing the previous mark of 4,532 set by a group in Jaipur, India. An official Guinness World Record adjudicator was on site to verify the record. The stadium is set to open in 2014.
Earthquakes Clinch Supporters’ Shield
The Earthquakes clinched their second-ever Supporters’ Shield thanks to Sporting Kansas City’s scoreless draw against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. As winners of the Supporters’ Shield, the Earthquakes claim home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup Playoffs. While the team has one games remaining, the Earthquakes’ record of 19-6-7 for 64 points is just four points shy of the all-time MLS record for points in a season (68) set by the LA Galaxy in 1998. Of the 16 teams to hoist the Supporters’ Shield trophy, six have gone on to win MLS Cup, one has lost in the final, five have been eliminated in the semifinals, and the remaining four fell in the quarterfinals. The Supporters’ Shield represents a history unlike many others in sport. Fans conceptualized the trophy in the early years of Major League Soccer and unveiled it at the inaugural Supporters’ Summit prior to MLS Cup in 1998.
Wondolowski One Goal Away From MLS Single Season Record
Chris Wondolowski’s 73rd-minute equalizer against the LA Galaxy on Sunday leaves him one away from tying Roy Lassiter’s record of 27 in a single season. Lassiter, whose record has stood since Major League Soccer’s inaugural season in 1996, was on hand for last night’s game and plans to attend San Jose’s match in Portland on Saturday (3:30 p.m. PT / NBC Sports).
First Home Playoff Game Sold Out; Game Two Now on Sale
The Earthquakes announced last week that their first home playoff game is sold out. The club has now placed tickets on sale for the Western Conference Final, should San Jose advance past their first postseason series. Fans can make a purchase by visiting www.sjearthquakes.com or calling 1-800-225-2277. To purchase groups of 10 or more or for more information, fans should call the Earthquakes Front Office at 408-556-7700.
Unbeaten Streak Continues at Buck Shaw
The Earthquakes extended their Buck Shaw Stadium unbeaten streak to 18 games with a 2-2 draw against the LA Galaxy on Sunday, matching the club’s record at a single venue. The Quakes’ last loss at their primary venue came against the Colorado Rapids on Aug. 13, 2011. The Earthquakes were also unbeaten during an 18-game stretch from Sept. 25, 2004 to Oct. 8, 2005 at Spartan Stadium. The Earthquakes are 9-0-6 at Buck Shaw this season and 10-1-6 at home including matches played at AT&T Park and Stanford Stadium.
Another Unbeaten Streak
The Earthquakes are unbeaten in their last eight MLS regular season games. Since dropping a 3-1 road decision against the Montreal Impact on Aug. 18, San Jose is 5-0-3 while outscoring opponents 23-10 in the process.
Chavez Eyes Club’s Season Assists Record
Marvin Chavez notched his team-leading 12th assist of the season in San Jose’s 2-2 draw against the LA Galaxy on Sunday. His output is tied for the third-most in club history, two behind Eddie Lewis who had 14 in 1997 and 1999. Chavez is the 12th San Jose player ever to reach double-digit assists.
Biggest Turnarounds
The San Jose Earthquakes have improved by 27 points and 11 wins from their 2011 season, one of the best turnarounds in MLS history. The 27-point difference from 2011 to 2012 is fourth on the MLS all-time list, 12 behind the 1999 MetroStars. Meanwhile, the Earthquakes’ 11 additional wins this season rank No. 1 all-time, one-upping the 1999 MetroStars and 2009 New York Red Bulls.
Multi-Goal Feats
The Earthquakes notched their 21st multi-goal game of the season in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against the LA Galaxy, moving them ahead of the 2000 Chicago Fire and 2000 and 2005 MetroStars for the most multi-goal games in a single season since 2000.
Top of the League
Through 33 games, the Earthquakes are No. 1 in MLS with 71 goals scored and 73 assists. With 42 goals conceded, the Quakes are also No. 1 in the league with a +29 goal differential. Additionally, San Jose leads the league with 44 second-half goals and a +24 goal differential in the second half.
Race for the Budweiser Golden Boot
Chris Wondolowski remains well in front of the pack in the race for the Budweiser Golden Boot. The Danville native has 26 goals, nine more than his closest pursuer, Real Salt Lake’s Alvaro Saborio.
All-Time Wins/Points Records
The Earthquakes set a new club record for points in a season with their 2-2 draw against the LA Galaxy on Sunday. San Jose has 65 points this year, one more than the previous record from 2005. Additionally, the club is tied for their all-time wins record and will have one more opportunity to surpass their 19-win effort from 1999 (Note: 10 wins in 1999 came via shootout and only nine in regulation).
Road Warriors
The Earthquakes tied a club record for road wins in a season after defeating the Colorado Rapids 4-1 on Oct. 6 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. San Jose is 9-5-2 on the road this season, matching their full-point output from 2005. San Jose is tied with Sporting Kansas City for the best road winning percentage (.625) in 2012.
Three-Headed Monster
Earthquakes forwards Chris Wondolowski (26), Alan Gordon (13) and Steven Lenhart (10) are the first trio from the same team to score 10 or more goals in a season since 2002. Additionally, those three have accounted for more goals (49) than every MLS team except for the LA Galaxy (58), New York Red Bulls (54), D.C. United (52) and Seattle Sounders FC (51). Their haul combined is the most by three players in club history, 16 more than the previous San Jose benchmark set in 1996. The last time the Quakes had three players score 10 goals in a season was 1997 when Ronald Cerritos (12), Lawrence Lozzano (10) and Jeff Baicher (10) all reached double digits.
Efficient Scorers
Alan Gordon and Chris Wondolowski lead MLS in goals per 90 minutes among players with at least 1,000 minutes logged in 2012. Gordon has scored an amazing clip of 0.90 goals per 90 minutes while Wondolowski is next on the list with a 0.86 rate. Injured Toronto FC forward Danny Koevermans is third at 0.68 followed by Real Salt Lake’s Alvaro Saborio at 0.67.
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 71 goals through 33 games, the donated total for this season already stands at $17,750. Thanks to 40 goals in 2011, the partnership raised $10,000 for local youth soccer and athletic development programs a year ago.
