The Earthquakes dropped the season opener 1-0 to FC Dallas on Saturday, March 7, at Toyota Stadium. San Jose will play the second of back-to-back road games when they take on Seattle Sounders FC this Saturday, March 14, at 7:00 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field. Last weekend against FC Dallas, three members of the San Jose Earthquakes made their MLS debut. Portuguese defender Paulo Renato started and played the entire 90 minutes. In addition, Fatai Alashe, the team’s first-round pick (No. 4 overall) in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, and Swiss Designated Player Innocent Emeghara, both entered the game as second-half substitutes.
OPPONENT INFO
Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders FC All-Time
MLS Regular Season:
8-6-2
Home:
5-1-1 (11 GF, 4 GA)
Away:
3-5-1 (7 GF, 13 GA)
Shootout (1996-99):
0-0;
Overtime (2000-03):
0-0-0;
Playoffs:
0-0-0;
US Open Cup:
0-2-0
All-Time Scoring:
San Jose – 18, Seattle – 17
Last Game
Earthquakes 1, Seattle Sounders FC 1; Aug. 20, 2014; CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash.
The Seattle Sounders and San Jose Earthquakes traded some shoves, a couple of rough tackles and a goal apiece, ending their Western Conference clash at CenturyLink Field in a 1-1 draw. Without superstar forward Clint Dempsey in the starting line-up, the Sounders used an early second-half goal from replacement Chad Barrett to seize the lead and the momentum. But an equalizer from San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski later in the half would ultimately be enough for the Earthquakes to salvage the point. Seattle managed 11 attempts on goal in the first half compared to four for San Jose. However most came from long-distance and were either blocked by San Jose defenders or saved easily by Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch. Seattle did have a good opportunity in the 43rd minute after forward Obafemi Martins unleashed a rocket shot from just outside the San Jose penalty box. But Busch made a diving save to keep the game a scoreless going into the break. The scoreless tie would prove to be short-lived as the Sounders snatched the lead in the opening minute of the second half after Barrett found himself in space off a beautiful through pass from Martins. The veteran forward calmly tucked the ball by Busch and into the San Jose net to give Seattle the 1-0 advantage. But the Earthquakes struck back in the 65th minute after Cordell Cato knocked a cross past Seattle defender DeAndre Yedlin to find Wondolowski poaching on the back post for a simple equalizing tap-in, stunning the crowd of 38,909. Neither side managed to tally a game-winning goal after that, although both teams had chances down the stretch. Dempsey had perhaps the best look deep into stoppage time, managing to get a look at a header off a long pass from Martins. But J.J. Koval was able to do just enough to put Dempsey off, giving Busch a relatively easy save to end the threat and seal the result.
History of the Quakes-Seattle Sounders FC Rivalry
The two teams first met in regular season play in 2009 when the Sounders joined MLS … San Jose won all three meetings in the 2012 regular season, including two wins at CenturyLink Field in Seattle … Chris Wondolowski scored the winner in a 1-0 win on March 31 in Seattle on a penalty kick, following a foul by Marc Burch on Steven Lenhart … Lenhart then scored a dramatic game-winner on Aug. 11 at Buck Shaw Stadium, netting a stoppage time goal following a late equalizer by Sounders FC … San Jose then took a 2-1 win on Sept. 22 at CenturyLink Field with goals from Simon Dawkins and Chris Wondolowski … Seattle did win 1-0 over San Jose in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match at Kezar Stadium. Current Quakes midfielder Cordell Cato scored the winner for Seattle that night … The Quakes and Sounders FC played three times in 2009, with Seattle taking both meetings at what was then called Qwest Field (2-0 on April 25 and 2-1 on June 13), before the Earthquakes registered a 4-0 triumph at Buck Shaw Stadium on Aug. 2 … In 2010, the Earthquakes edged the Sounders FC at Qwest Field, 1-0 on May 22 thanks to a Chris Wondolowski goal, while Seattle returned the favor at Buck Shaw on July 31 through a Fredy Montero strike … In 2011, the two teams battled to a 2-2 draw at Buck Shaw on April 2, while Seattle took a 2-1 decision at CenturyLink Field on Oct. 15 … San Jose won each of their three regular-season matches in 2012, each by one goal … Seattle Sounders FC knocked the Earthquakes out of the 2012 U.S. Open Cup in the quarterfinals, upending San Jose 1-0 on June 26 at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco … They have squared off twice this season, with each team winning their home game. In the first meeting, San Jose won 1-0 thanks to a Chris Wondolowski goal in first-half stoppage time … After dropping their second meeting of 2013 4-0 at CenturyLink Field, the Earthquakes bounced back for a gritty 1-0 win … San Jose dropped their first meeting of 2014 against Seattle after a golazo from Obafemi Martins, a chipped shot from near the end line on May 17 at CenturyLink Field … The San Jose Earthquakes evened the season series on Saturday, Aug. 2, topping Western Conference leading Seattle Sounders FC 1-0 thanks to a goal from Portuguese forward Yannick Djalo … The two teams finished off the 2014 season with a 1-1 draw at CenturyLink Field on Aug. 20, with goals by Sounders FC forward Chad Barrett and Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski.
Earthquakes-Seattle Sounders Connections
Seattle Sounders FC was brought into MLS as an expansion franchise ahead of the 2009 season, a year after the San Jose Earthquakes rejoined the league following a two-season absence … Sounders FC sporting director Chris Henderson played with Quakes general manager John Doyle in the early 1990s for the U.S. Men’s National Team … Earthquakes forward Steven Lenhart, Seattle midfielder Brad Evans, and Seattle defender Chad Marshall played together for the Columbus Crew in 2008 … Earthquakes defender Shaun Francis and Marshall were teammates with the Columbus Crew from 2010-12 … Sounders FC forward David Estrada grew up in Salinas, Calif., starring at Alisal High School before moving on to UCLA … Quakes forward Cordell Cato made eight appearances for the Sounders FC in 2012, recording one assist … San Jose forward Mike Fucito played for Seattle from 2009-11, scoring three goals in 23 appearances … Fucito and midfielder Lamar Neagle were both traded from Seattle to the Montreal Impact on Feb. 17, 2012 for forward Eddie Johnson … After spending the majority of 2012 with the Portland Timbers, Fucito joined the Earthquakes on Feb. 13, 2013 … Seattle reacquired Neagle on Jan. 27, 2013 for an international roster spot … Seattle midfielder Brad Evans scored his first career goal against San Jose … Earthquakes defender Marvell Wynne (2004-05), Seattle forward Chad Barrett (2003-04), and Seattle defender Andy Rose (2008-11) played at UCLA … Wynne and Barrett were teammates at UCLA in 2004 … Earthquakes defender Clarence Goodson and Sounders FC forward Kenny Cooper were teammates with FC Dallas from 2006-07 … Earthquakes defender Brandon Barklage and Cooper were teammates with the New York Red Bulls in 2012 … Earthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham, and Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei played at Cal … Earthquakes forward Adam Jahn (2009-12), midfielder JJ Koval (2010-13), Seattle midfielder Aaron Kovar (2012-13), and Seattle defender Chad Marshall (2002-03) played at Stanford … Jahn, Koval and Kovar were teammates at Stanford in 2012 … Quakes midfielder Sanna Nyassi made 38 appearances for Seattle from 2008-10 … Earthquakes midfielder Khari Stephenson and Sounders FC defender Damion Lowe were both born in Kingston, Jamaica … Earthquakes goalkeeper Bryan Meredith played for Seattle from 2011-12 … Seattle Tyrone Mears and Quakes defender Jordan Stewart were both born in England … Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski and Sounders FC forward Clint Dempsey played together for the United States National Team during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with Wondolowski replacing Dempsey in the 87th minute against Portugal … Dempsey (2001-03) and Quakes midfielder Shea Salinas (2004-07) both played at Furman University.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Looking to continue recent success against Seattle
Since 2012, the Earthquakes have had success against Seattle Sounders FC, going 6-2-1 in nine meetings. The Quakes six wins against Seattle since 2012 is the most against any opponent during that time span.
Wondolowski finds the net against Sounders FC
Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski has seven career goals against Seattle, three more than any other player in MLS history.
1. Chris Wondolowski – 7 goals
T2. Diego Fagundez – 4 goals
T2.
Robbie Keane – 4 goals
T2.
Kekuta Manneh – 4 goals
T2. Michel – 4 goals
T2. Camilo Sanvezzo – 4 goals
Thompson’s first career start
On August 20, 2014, Earthquakes midfielder Tommy Thompson made his first career start at CenturyLink Field. He played 87 minutes in a 1-1 draw.
Earthquakes announce traffic and parking plans for Avaya Stadium
The San Jose Earthquakes announced the traffic and parking plans for Avaya Stadium. The Earthquakes began working with the City of San Jose, City traffic engineers and the San Jose Police Department (SJPD) in 2014, analyzing the traffic flow to and from the stadium. The resulting data found was then incorporated into a traffic management plan, designed to maximize the efficiency of arrival and departure from all events held at the facility. The Earthquakes also worked with VTA to put in place the Earthquakes Shuttle. Beginning two hours before game time and then continuing one hour after game completion, the shuttle will make round-trips from San Pedro Square with stops at Santa Clara and First, Market and St. John, Market Center on Coleman and Avaya Stadium. In addition, fans have the option of taking VTA Bus 10, the free shuttle connecting Caltrain at the Santa Clara Transit Center to the Metro Airport Light Rail Transit station, with drop-off points at Avaya Stadium. The complete plan is available at sjearthquakes.com and includes driving directions, parking maps and parking lot entrance and exit plans. Avaya Stadium maps and driving directions: //www.sjearthquakes.com/newstadium/parking-directions.
Quakes renew partnership with 1590 KLIV and KZSF La Kaliente
The San Jose Earthquakes announced that they have renewed both their English language and Spanish language radio partnerships. Quakes games will air on 1590 KLIV in English and KZSF “La Kaliente” in Spanish for the fifth straight year. KLIV is a locally-owned station that serves the community and focuses on the news, events and people of Silicon Valley. An affiliate of CNN Radio, KLIV is Silicon Valley’s only all-news radio station. Besides local news coverage, 1590 KLIV is known for its frequent traffic reports covering Silicon Valley roads and freeways. The broadcast team on the radio will include Ted Ramey, Anthony Passarelli and Joe Cannon. KZSF is a locally-owned Spanish language station that hosts daily sports talk shows and also plays a wide variety of popular music. Carlos Cesar Rivera returns for his eighth consecutive season as the Spanish-language voice of the Quakes and his 11th overall.
Avaya Stadium to host World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup
USA Rugby and the San Jose Earthquakes announced that Avaya Stadium will play host to a World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup double-header on Saturday, July 18. The Pacific Nations Cup – a World Rugby tournament designed to expose Pacific Rim teams and players to a greater number of international test matches – features Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, and USA. Avaya Stadium will host two PNC matches July 18, Canada vs. Japan and the USA Men’s Eagles vs. Samoa. Tickets for the matches held at Avaya Stadium will be released mid-March. Notifications on ticket release dates and pre-sale access to tickets for the U.S.-based 2015 PNC matches will be provided to those on the USA Rugby Ticket Pre-Sale List, for which fans can sign up here: www.usarugby.org/tickets.
Quakes Announce 2015 Local TV Schedule
The San Jose Earthquakes and Comcast SportsNet announced their local broadcast schedule for the upcoming season, a slate that includes 20 games in high-definition. The entire broadcast team returns with Anthony Passarelli and Chris Dangerfield in the booth and Kate Scott back for her third season as the sideline reporter. In total, the Earthquakes appear on Comcast SportsNet California 11 times, with four games on CSN Bay Area and five on CSN Plus. San Jose also has 14 national broadcasts, with four games on Fox Sports 1, three on ESPN2, five on UniMas and two on Univision Deportes Network.
Avaya Stadium Opener Sold Out
The club’s home opener against the Chicago Fire at Avaya Stadium sold out on Jan. 16, over two months before the date of the match. San Jose will host Chicago on Sunday, March 22 (4 p.m. PT / FOX Sports 1) in the first-ever game at the new venue.
U.S. Women’s National Team to Play at Avaya Stadium on Sunday, May 10
The U.S. Women’s National Team will open up its three-game Send-Off Series against the Republic of Ireland at Avaya Stadium on Sunday, May 10. The Mother’s Day match will kick off at 11:30 a.m. PT and be broadcast on FOX Sports 1. Ticket information will be announced at a later date, but Earthquakes season ticket holders will have an exclusive window to purchase seats. This game will mark the beginning of the WNT’s final preparations at home prior to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. It will also be the WNT’s first trip to Avaya Stadium. The home of the Earthquakes is set to open on March 22, setting the stage for the WNT to be one of the first teams to play in the new facility.
ACADEMY NOTES
U-12 Pre-Academy Update
The Earthquakes’ U-12 Pre-Academy teams competed in the Juventus Showcase, finishing first and second in the large local tournament. The two teams are coached by André Luiz, who played on the San Jose Earthquakes and the Brazilian National Team, and Simon Tobin, who currently coaches the San Jose State men’s soccer team.
U-14 Update
The Earthquakes’ U-14 Academy squad defeated the De Anza Force 3-0 at De Anza College. The Quakes used two goals by second half substitute Thomas Barrera, one goal by Marco Campos and a clean sheet by goalkeeper Eric De La Cerda, to earn a victory on Saturday.
U-16 Update
The Quakes U-16 Academy squad suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the De Anza Force. Making his debut following a call up from the U-14 squad, forward Oscar Govea scored in the first minute of the match. Govea earned a call up after scoring 15 goals with the U-14 team this season.
U-18 Update
The San Jose Earthquakes U-18 Academy team earned their third consecutive win, defeating the De Anza Force 2-0 on Saturday. Goals by Desmond Madrigal and Jonathan Partida were enough for the Quakes to improve to 15-6-2 on the season.
