Weekly Update: October 21, 2013

Wondo goal #SJvSKC 08/18/13

The Earthquakes host CD Heredia on Wednesday, Oct. 23 in their final game of CONCACAF Champions’ League group play. Kickoff is 7 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium with the winner moving through to the next stage of the tournament. San Jose then wraps up its MLS regular season on Saturday, Oct. 26 against FC Dallas at Buck Shaw Stadium. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. PT on NBC Sports, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.


San Jose’s Record in October
The Quakes are 11-11-14 all-time in October in MLS play.


Last Game

Earthquakes 0, LA Galaxy 0; Oct. 20, 2013; StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.
The Earthquakes earned a 0-0 draw against the LA Galaxy on Sunday at the StubHub Center. While mathematically still alive in the MLS Cup playoff chase, the draw virtually eliminated San Jose from playoff contention with one match remaining in the season. Jon Busch posted his ninth shutout of the season as the Quakes stretched their unbeaten streak to six games (4-0-2). The Quakes allowed only one goal in those six matches. Despite not finding the back of the net, the Quakes created numerous chances in the match. Clarence Goodson nearly got the first goal of the game off a close-range header in the 15th minute.Shea Salinas whipped a ball into the U.S. International, but his powerful header went just past the post. Jaime Penedo came up with a big save for the home side 26 minutes into the match after another great service from Salinas. Salinas’ corner kick found Steven Lenhart open in the middle of the box, but Lenhart’s header was parried wide by a diving Penedo. The big saves continued for Penedo in the 41st as he blocked a great chance from Chris Wondolowski. Salinas had a follow up opportunity, but the Galaxy’s Omar Gonzalez came out to deflect the shot out for a corner. Penedo then denied Sam Cronin on a long-range effortfollowing the corner. Despite a final push late in the second half from the Quakes, they could not find the goal to keep them in the playoff hunt.


OPPONENT INFO

FC Dallas Scouting Report
FC Dallas (11-11-11, 44 pts.) enters Saturday’s match eighth in the Western Conference after a 2-0 win in their last outing against Seattle Sounders FC. Matt Hedges and Michel scored to break a skid of five games without a win. Blas Perez leads the squad with 11 goals while David Ferreira paces the team in assists with nine.


Last Game vs. FC Dallas

Earthquakes 2, FC Dallas 2; Aug. 14, 2013; FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco, Texas
The Earthquakes drew 2-2 on the road against FC Dallas thanks to goals from Alan Gordon and Steven Beitashour. The Earthquakes took control early at FC Dallas Stadium. Cordell Cato burst past his defender, beating him the touchline before calmly cutting a pass back to Gordon just inside the edge of the box. Gordon one-timed his shot into the net in the eighth minute for his fourth goal of the season. The strike was the fastest goal San Jose has scored in 2013. Eight minutes later, Gordon picked up an assist after locating Rafael Baca to start a scoring sequence. Baca chipped a pass from 10 yards outside the box over FC Dallas’ backline, catching Beitashour mid-run. Beitashour leapt to volley home his second career MLS goal and first of the campaign. FC Dallas began their rally with a goal from Blas Perez in the 19th minute. Je-Vaughn Watson headed a cross from Michel toward goal where Perez tapped it past Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch on the volley. Michel capped the night’s scoring with a penalty in the 72nd minute.


History of the Quakes-FC Dallas Rapids Rivalry
The Earthquakes were 9-1-4 in the final 14 games against Dallas prior to San Jose’s relocation to Houston … The Quakes posted a seven-game winning streak during that stretch from July 20, 2002-Apr. 15, 2004 … San Jose and Dallas met in an important match on Oct. 16, 2004, as San Jose needed a win or a tie to advance to the playoffs, while Dallas needed a win to clinch the final berth in the playoffs. The two teams played to a 2-2 tie at the Cotton Bowl, giving San Jose a spot in the playoffs, while Dallas did not qualify. Ramiro Corrales scored the Quakes second goal in that game … On Sept. 27, 2003, San Jose’s Dwayne De Rosario scored the fastest goal from the start of the game in MLS history, netting a goal 11 seconds into the match at Spartan Stadium against Dallas. De Rosario would go on to net a hat trick in the game, the second hat trick in Quakes team history … The Earthquakes won both matches against FC Dallas last season … The Earthquakes defeated FC Dallas in a 2-0 road win in the first meeting of this season on Mar. 26, and closed out the 2011 season with a 4-2 win at Buck Shaw Stadium on Oct. 22 … In their first meeting this season, the two teams battled to a scoreless draw on July 7 at FC Dallas Stadium … The Earthquakes followed up with a 2-1 win on July 18 at Buck Shaw Stadium … The Quakes’ plus-25 goal differential against FC Dallas is the highest against any team in the league … San Jose is riding a six-game unbeaten streak against FC Dallas … The Earthquakes were 1-1-1 against FC Dallas in 2012 … FC Dallas won their first meeting of 2013 1-0 at FC Dallas Stadium thanks to a strike from Fabian Castillo … The Earthquakes took a 2-0 lead at FC Dallas Stadium in their second meeting thanks to early goals from Steven Beitashour and Alan Gordon, but FC Dallas rallied to earn a 2-2 draw.


Earthquakes – FC Dallas Connections
Earthquakes defender Clarence Goodson began his career as a member of the Dallas Burn in 2004 (they re-named the club FC Dallas one year later) … Goodson was a No. 7 overall pick for Dallas in the 2004 SuperDraft and went on to record three goals and two assists in 74 appearances during his four seasons in Texas … Earthquakes midfielder Marvin Chavez played for FC Dallas from 2009-2011, making 54 appearances and scoring six goals … Quakes goalkeeper David Bingham (2008-10) and FC Dallas midfielder Andrew Jacobson (2003-2007) played college soccer for Cal … Jacobson is from Palo Alto, Calif. … FC Dallas defender Bobby Warshaw is a 2011 SuperDraft first-round pick out of Stanford … FC Dallas defender Zach Lloyd and Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski have played together three times with the U.S. Men’s National Team, against Chile on January 22, 2011, against Venezuela on January 21, 2012, and against Panama on January 25, 2012 … Earthquakes midfielder Walter Martinez and FC Dallas Ramon Nunez were both born in Tegucugalpa, Honduras … Martinez, Nunez and Earthquakes players Victor Bernardez and Marvin Chavez have each played for the Honduran national team … Earthquakes midfielder Shea Salinas grew up in the Dallas area and played USL soccer in the summer for Dallas-Fort Worth Tornados in 2005 and 2006 … Salinas played with FC Dallas Eric Hassli for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2011 … Salinas also played with FC Dallas midfielder Andrew Jacobson for the Philadelphia Union in 2010 … Earthquakes midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy and Rapids defender Stephen Keel were teammates with the Colorado Rapids in 2007 and 2008 and then again for the New York Red Bulls in 2011 and 2012 … Earthquakes defender Dan Gargan also played with Keel and Ballouchy in Colorado in 2007 and 2008 … FC Dallas defender Bobby Warshaw (2007-10) played college soccer for Stanford.


Earthquakes All-Time Leaders vs. FC Dallas
Defender Ramiro Corrales has four goals and six assists in 27 appearances … Forward Chris Wondolowski has three goals and one assist in 17 career appearances … Forward Steven Lenhart has two goals and one assist in seven appearances … Goalkeeper Jon Busch is 7-4-6 with five shutouts in 17 career appearances.


FC Dallas All-Time Leaders vs. Earthquakes
Midfielder David Ferreira has two goals and four assists in 10 appearances … Forward Eric Hassli has three goals and one assist in six games … Forward Kenny Cooper has five goals and one assist in eight games.


MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Milestone Alert
Chris Wondolowski (33) is tied with Ante Razov (33) for No. 3 on the all-time MLS game-winning goals list … Ramiro Corrales is one game away from No. 250 in his Earthquakes’ career … Steven Lenhart (19) and Alan Gordon (18) are both closing in on Jeff Baicher (20) for No. 7 on the club’s all-time goals list. … Shea Salinas (20) is tied with Ian Russell for No. 10 on the club’s all-time assists list and is three behind Brian Mullan for No. 9 … Sam Cronin (8,563) is 104 minutes behind Eddie Lewis (8,867) for No. 10 on the club’s all-time minutes played list … Jon Busch (976) is six saves behind Zach Thornton (987) for No. 7 on the league’s all-time list … Busch (76) is tied with Thornton (76) for No. 4 on the league’s all-time shutouts list … Busch (104) is also three wins behind Scott Garlic (107) for No. 6 on the all-time MLS list.


Earthquakes to Host Inaugural Awards Gala, Presented by Franco Uomo
The Earthquakes will host the inaugural Earthquakes Awards Gala, presented by Franco Uomo, on Sunday, Oct. 27 at the Fourth Street Summit Center in Downtown San Jose. In addition to the awards ceremony, attendees will be treated to a fashion show courtesy of Franco Uomo. The event will also include hor d’oeuvres and cocktails. Tickets are available through a special early bird sale for $80 starting. To purchase a ticket, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/gala.


CONCACAF Champions League Schedule
The Earthquakes wrap up CONCACAF Champions League group play on Wednesday, Oct. 23 against CD Heredia with the winner advancing to the next phase of the tournament. San Jose’s full schedule / results are as follows:


Wednesday, Aug. 7 – Earthquakes 0, Montreal Impact 1 at Saputo Stadium
Wednesday, Aug. 28 – Earthquakes 0, CD Heredia 1 at Cemento Progreso Stadium in Guatemala City
Tuesday, Sept. 17 – Earthquakes 3, Montreal Impact 0 at Buck Shaw Stadium
Wednesday, Oct. 23 – 7 p.m. PT – CD Heredia at San Jose Earthquakes


Busch Moves Up MLS All-Time Shutouts List
Jon Busch recorded his 76th career shutout in the Earthquakes’ scoreless draw against the LA Galaxy on Sunday, moving him into a tie with Zach Thornton for No. 4 in MLS history. The clean sheet is Busch’s ninth of the season, one shy of his career high.


Quakes Extend Unbeaten Streak to Six
The Earthquakes extended their unbeaten streak to six (4-0-2) with a scoreless draw against the LA Galaxy on Sunday. That streak moves up to seven including a 3-0 win against the Montreal Impact on Sept. 17 in CONCACAF Champions League action. San Jose’s last loss came against the LA Galaxy on Aug. 31 at the StubHub Center. The Quakes have allowed just one goal during the unbeaten streak.


Home-Unbeaten Streak at 15
The Earthquakes are 10-0-5 since dropping their 2013 home opener on March 3 against Real Salt Lake. That stretch includes a 3-2 win against the LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium on June 29. San Jose is 7-0-1 at home under interim head coach Mark Watson. 


Iron Man
The Earthquakes have one player that has played every minute of all 33 matches this season, Jon Busch. Sam Cronin is the only other player on the squad to start all 33 matches; he has logged 2,881 minutes in the process.


Clean Sheets Galore
The Earthquakes have recorded shutouts in five of their last six regular season games. Including a 3-0 win against the Montreal Impact in CONCACAF Champions League action On Sept. 17, San Jose has six clean sheets in their last seven matches.


Mr. October
No player has scored more goals in October than Chris Wondolowski. San Jose’s striker added to his total in last week’s 1-0 win against the Colorado Rapids on Oct. 9, upping his career haul to 17 during the month. The next-closest total is 12 from Rapids striker Edson Buddle. Of those 17 goals, six have been game-winners, three more than any other MLSer.


International Update
The Earthquakes led MLS with six players reporting to their respective national teams during the latest FIFA dates. Here’s a rundown of each player’s activity:


Clarence Goodson (United States) – Called in on Oct. 10 following the club’s 1-0 win against Colorado, played 90 minutes in the United States’ 3-2 win against Panama on Oct. 15
Chris Wondolowski (United States) – Called in on Oct. 10 following the club’s 1-0 win against Colorado, DNP vs. Panama on Oct. 15
Victor Bernardez (Honduras) – Played 90 minutes in a 1-0 win vs. Costa Rica on Oct. 11 and in a 2-2 draw vs. Jamaica on Oct. 15
Marvin Chavez (Honduras) – DNP in both qualifiers for Honduras
Steven Beitashour (Iran) – Played 13 minutes as a second-half substitute in a 2-1 win for Iran vs. Thailand in an Asian Cup Qualifier on Oct. 15, his first international appearance
Cordell Cato (Trinidad & Tobago) – DNP vs. New Zealand on Oct. 15


New Stadium Update
The Earthquakes celebrated their latest milestone in the construction process on Friday, Sept. 17 with a Foundation Pour Ceremony attended by randomly selected season ticket holders, front office personnel and other stakeholders. The construction crew poured 670 yards of concrete using over 70 trucks, laying the foundation for the future locker rooms and Earthquakes office building. General manager John Doyle and Merryl Zuparko, a longtime season ticket holder, participated in a “lever pull” ceremony. As part of the club’s commitment to keep its closest stakeholders involved in every step of the construction process, select season ticket holders were invited to take part in the momentous event. That list included: Virginia Gelczis, Mitch Diamond, Jennifer Echeverri, Nelson Celada Ned and Merryl Zuparko.


Limited Tickets Available for Deciding Champions League Match at Buck Shaw
The Earthquakes will decide their CONCACAF Champions League fate when they host CD Heredia on Wednesday, Oct. 23. San Jose can advance to the next stage of the tournament with a win. Only 5,000 tickets will be sold for the match. For more information and to secure your seat, visit www.sjearthquakes.com


Quakes President Dave Kaval’s Office Hours
Earthquakes president Dave Kaval’s office hours are held every Tuesday between 3 and 5 p.m. Participants are welcome to call or visit in person at our Front Office at 451 El Camino Real, Suite 220 in Santa Clara. In addition, Dave will be holding his office hours from the new stadium site located at 1135 Coleman Ave, San Jose, Calif., on the second Tuesday of each month between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. To make an appointment during his office hours, email Dave directly at president@sjearthquakes.com. Office hour dates are subject to change. Be sure to read his blog, Kaval’s Kickoff, available exclusively at www.sjearthquakes.com, and follow him on Twitter at @QuakesPrez.  


Wells Fargo Goals for Education
Wells Fargo has again pledged to donate $250 for each goal the Earthquakes score in 2013 through the Goals for Education program. The club has raised $8,250 so far this season thanks to 33 goals. The Earthquakes raised $18,000 in 2012 after scoring a club record 72 goals.


ACADEMY NOTES

U-14 Update
The Earthquakes’ U-14 Academy squad beat Juventus SC 6-2 on Saturday thanks to an Alex Guevara hat trick off the bench. Ivan Valencia also had a brace while Amado Lozano accounted for the final goal. The U-14s are 5-0-0 this season and return to action against the San Mateo County Stars on Saturday, Oct. 26.


U-16 Update
The Earthquakes’ U-16s were idle over the weekend and return to action against the De Anza Force on Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Earthquakes Training Facility.


U-18 Update
The Earthquakes’ U-18s were idle over the weekend and return to action against the De Anza Force on Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Earthquakes Training Facility.