The Quakes earned three points on Saturday after defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC, who are ranked at the top of the Western Conference, 1-0 at Avaya Stadium. Midfielder Sanna Nyassi scored the game-winning goal in the 75th minute, rifling a shot into the back of the net off a rebound. The score marked his first goal of the season and as a member of the San Jose Earthquakes. Matias Perez Garcia added seven corner kicks to his league-leading total and 19-year-old midfielder Tommy Thompson made his first appearance of the season after entering as a second-half sub. The Quakes next match is on Friday, April 17 against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena at 4:00 p.m. PT. The match will air live on UniMas and 1370 KZSF.
Last Game
Earthquakes 1, Whitecaps 0; April 11, 2015; Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California
The San Jose Earthquakes walked off the pitch with three points after defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1-0 on Saturday night. The Quakes used sound, consistent defending and a spectacular goal by Sanna Nyassi to earn their third win of the season, and treated the sold-out crowd of 18,000 to a victory in Avaya Stadium's first-ever night match. The Earthquakes created the first scoring opportunity of the match in the eighth minute. Midfielder Matias Perez Garcia whipped in an in-swinging cross from the left side of the pitch and onto the foot of forward Adam Jahn. Jahn controlled the ball and slotted it past Whitecaps FC goalkeeper David Ousted, but the goal was called back for offsides. Vancouver's best opportunity in the first half came in the 41st minute. Forward Ocatvio Rivero entered the penalty area in a dangerous position and laid the ball off to midfielder Pedro Morales, who was charging ahead for a shot, but Quakes midfielder Shea Salinas did well to hustle back and intercept the pass. In the 69th minute, Salinas took a short corner from Perez Garcia and whipped in a cross. The ball was just too high for a leaping Adam Jahn and Clarence Goodson's sliding effort at the back post narrowly missed wide right. San Jose broke the deadlock in the 75th minute. Perez Garcia played a through ball to Cordell Cato, who cut back and ripped a shot with his right foot. The shot was blocked and the rebound fell to Salinas, who one-timed the ball back on target, but his attempt was blocked as well. The loose ball then rolled out to midfielder Sanna Nyassi, who blasted a left-footed strike past goalkeeper David Ousted and into the back of the net. It marked his first goal as a member of the Earthquakes. The two teams each finished the match with 10 players after Whitecaps FC midfielder Pedro Morales and Quakes forward Adam Jahn were both sent off in the 88th minute. San Jose's stout defense was evidenced by the fact that Vancouver recorded no shots on target, and the team's four starting defensemen - Wynne, Goodson, Bernardez and Cato - each played the entire 90 minutes. Also, Matias Perez Garcia's dangerous left foot saw plenty of action on set pieces once again, adding seven corner kicks to his league-leading total.
OPPONENT INFO
Earthquakes vs. New York Red Bulls All-Time
MLS Regular Season:
16-10-9
Home:
12-2-3 (36 GF, 17 GA)
Away:
4-8-6 (18 GF, 33 GA)
Playoffs:
1-1-0;
US Open Cup:
0-0-0
All-Time Scoring:
San Jose – 54, New York– 50
Last Game vs. New York Red Bulls
Earthquakes 1, New York Red Bulls 1; July 19, 2014; Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
Steven Lenhart powered home a late goal to give the Earthquakes a 1-1 tie against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls scored near the end of the first half from the penalty spot, but the Quakes fought their way back into the game to earn the road point. The Red Bulls grabbed the lead on a penalty kick from Bradley Wright-Phillips just under 15 minutes before the halftime break. The Red Bulls swung a corner kick to the edge of the 18-yard box with players from both teams battling for the ball. The referee signaled a hand ball on the Quakes and Wright-Phillips converted the spot kick to put his team up 1-0. San Jose nearly had the equalizer just before halftime off the head of Lenhart. Salinas curled a free kick in for Lenhart and he beat his defender to the ball and headed one to the lower corner, but Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles tipped the ball just past the post to keep the Red Bulls up 1-0. After dodging some early scares from the Red Bulls in the second half, San Jose nearly tied the score through Wondolowski with under 20 minutes to go in the match. A quick counter by the Quakes found Lenhart at the top of the box. He fed Djalo, who laid a ball off to Wondolowski on his right. Wondolowski cut back around a defender to free himself but his left-footed shot sailed over the net. Jon Busch kept San Jose close with a big save on Wright Phillips in the 82nd minute. The MLS Golden Boot leader got in behind the Quakes defense and blasted a shot to the far post, but Busch got low to make the save. Lenhart finally broke through for San Jose with five minutes to go. Atiba Harris worked himself free on the right wing and unloaded a low shot that was deflected to Lenhart. He collected the ball and blasted a volley past an outstretched Robles to make it 1-1. Jason Hernandez made his second goal line clearance of the match just before stoppage time to keep the game tied. He snuck behind Busch to block Lloyd Sam’s shot. He previously saved a goal early in the first half.
History of the Quakes – New York Red Bulls
Traditionally, the home side has had the advantage in the all-time series between two of the 10 original MLS clubs from the league’s inaugural 1996 season, when these teams were named the San Jose Clash and New York/New Jersey MetroStars … The Earthquakes had a 10-game unbeaten streak against New York from Aug. 9, 1998 - July 2, 2003, posting a 6-0-4 record during that stretch … That 10-game unbeaten streak is the third-longest against a single opponent in San Jose club history … New York and San Jose had a pair of classic shootouts in 2003 and 2004 … On July 2, 2003, the Quakes and then-MetroStars tied 4-4 at Giants Stadium, with Landon Donovan tying the game in stoppage time … The following year, the two teams combined for 10 goals in a 5-5 draw at Spartan Stadium on May 8 … The two teams met in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time on Oct. 30, 2010, at Buck Shaw Stadium in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, as the Red Bulls won 1-0 on a goal by Joel Lindpere … They faced off again on Nov. 4, 2010, and the Earthquakes defeated top-seeded New York at Red Bull Arena, 3-1, with Chris Wondolowski’s 81st-minute goal assuring the Quakes of continuing their improbable postseason run that year in advancing 3-2 on aggregate to the Eastern Conference Championship … Most recently, the Red Bulls took a 3-0 home decision last April 16, with the teams playing to an entertaining 2-2 draw at Stanford Stadium on July 2 in front of 41,028 spectators, the largest single-game crowd in club history … With the league’s unbalanced schedule in 2012, the two sides played just once, a 2-2 draw at Red Bull Arena on April 14 … The Quakes won in dramatic fashion in their lone meeting of 2013, a 2-1 result after San Jose fell behind 1-0. Chris Wondolowski scored the game-winner from the penalty spot in stoppage time … San Jose tied the Red Bulls 1 -1 in their last meeting on July 19, 2014 at Red Bull Arena.
Earthquakes – New York Red Bulls Connections
Former Quakes defender and current Quakes Youth Development Academy technical director Chris Leitch had two stints in New York, one from 2003-05, and another from 2007-08 … Quakes defender Clarence Goodson (2005-07) and Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty (2006-10) were teammates with FC Dallas … Red Bulls midfielder Eric Alexander (2006-09) and Quakes midfielder Tommy Thompson (2013) both played at Indiana … Red Bulls midfielder Bobby Convey played for the Quakes from 2009-11, scoring three goals in 75 MLS matches with the club … Earthquakes defender Shaun Francis, midfielder Khari Stephenson and Red Bulls defender Kemar Lawrence were all born in Jamaica … Quakes midfielder Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi and Red Bulls defenders Damien Perrinelle and Ronald Zuber were all born in France … San Jose defender/midfielder Jordan Stewart and Red Bulls Lloyd Sam and Bradley Wright-Phillips were all born in England.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Recent Success Against Red Bulls
The Earthquakes have earned at least one point in four consecutive matches against the Red Bulls, going 1-0-3 in the process, including two draws at Red Bull Arena. The last time San Jose dropped a match to New York came on April 16, 2011.
Two Quakes Named to the Team of the Week
After defeating Vancouver 1-0 on Saturday at Avaya Stadium, two members of San Jose’s backline were named to the MLSSoccer.com Team of the Week – Clarence Goodson and Marvell Wynne. Goodson and Wynne both played all 90 minutes in a tight affair against Whitecaps FC, holding Ocatvio Rivero, the league’s leading scorer this season, and the rest of the team without a single shot on target.
Wondolowski Passes Former Earthquakes’ Midfielder Richard Mulrooney
After starting and playing 64 minutes against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Wondolowski passed Richard Mulrooney and now sits in sole possession of the fourth most starts in Earthquakes history (156).
Close Matches
All six of the Earthquakes matches so far in 2015 have been decided by one goal. In fact, the Quakes have only trailed by more than one goal for 25 total minutes this season (at NE on 3/28) and have only led by more than one goal for 14 minutes (at Sea. on 3/14).
Quakes Among MLS Leaders
Through six weeks of the 2015 season, several Earthquakes rank near or at the top of numerous statistical categories. Among them are:
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Matias Perez Garcia – 31 corner kicks (Most in MLS)
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Chris Wondolowski – 3 goals (Tied for second in MLS)
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David Bingham – 20 saves (Third in MLS)
Kinnear Can Keep a Lead
Teams under head coach Dominic Kinnear are 119-10-41 when scoring first, a .821 winning percentage. As head coach of the Earthquakes, Kinnear has only lost one game when his team scored first, a 23-1-6 record overall.
Halftime Success
Since the beginning of the 2000 season, the Quakes are 106-3-21 when leading at the half, including a 2-0-0 mark so far in 2015. They were 6-0-2 in 2014, 6-0-3 in 2013 and an impressive 12-0-1 in 2012, with the only draw coming against Portland on Oct. 27 at JELD-WEN Field. In 2011, the club was 4-2-2, 7-0-2 in 2010, 4-0-3 in 2009, 6-1-0 in 2008, 7-0-3 in 2005, 7-0-1 in 2004 and 8-0-1 in 2003. Despite holding a 1-0 halftime lead on May 10, 2008, vs. Columbus, the Quakes were edged by the final score of 3-2. That game marked the team’s first loss since 1999 when holding a halftime advantage.
Making the First One Count
The Earthquakes are 104-12-30 since 2001 when scoring the first goal. The club is 2-0-0 so far in 2015, after going 5-1-4 in 2014. They were 11-1-3 when scoring first in 2013. In 2012, San Jose was 14-2-2, their two losses coming at Vancouver (2-1) on May 5 and at Montreal (3-1) on Aug. 18. The club was 7-4-5 in 2011, 12-0-2 in 2010, 6-1-5 in 2009 and 8-1-3 in 2008. Prior to 2010, San Jose also went undefeated in 2001 (13-0-2), 2003 (11-0-1) and 2005 (14-0-5) when scoring first. The Earthquakes were 12-2-0 in 2002 when finding the back of the net first, only giving up leads two times in losing 2-1 at the LA Galaxy on July 4, and falling at Kansas City by the same score on July 27. In 2004, the Quakes went 8-1-1 when scoring first, the best mark in MLS. The Quakes surrendered a 1-0 advantage and dropped a 2-1 decision at the LA Galaxy on July 4, 2004, losing for just the first time since July 27, 2002, when striking first. The Quakes are also impressive in the playoffs when scoring first, posting an 8-0-1 record all-time.
Earthquakes Forward Chris Wondolowski Named to U.S. National Team Roster for Match vs. Mexico
San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski was among 22 players called to United States Men’s National Team by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for the match against Mexico on Wednesday, April 15 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The match kicks off at 5:30 p.m. PT live on FOX Sports 1, UniMas and Univision Deportes Network. Wondolowski has made two appearances this year for the United States and now has 27 career caps and nine career goals for his country. He appeared in a 3-2 loss to Chile on Jan. 28 and a 2-0 win against Panama on Feb. 8.
Earthquakes Match on Saturday, April 25 Rescheduled to Wednesday, September 16
The San Jose Earthquakes announced that their match at Avaya Stadium on Saturday, April 25 against the Montreal Impact has been rescheduled to Wednesday, September 16 at 7:30 p.m. PT. The match was rescheduled due to the Impact’s advancement to the CONCACAF Champions League final.
Earthquakes Announce Partnership with Ethos Soccer to Strengthen Youth Development System
The San Jose Earthquakes announced that they have partnered with Ethos Soccer to help strengthen the presence of the team’s youth development system in the Sacramento region. Through the partnership, Ethos Soccer will become a Regional Development Partner in the Sacramento region and will be a feeder for the Quakes academy programs. The partnership will create a pathway to the PDL for all Ethos players, while helping Ethos position itself as the premier youth development program in its region for both boys and girls.Ethos will initially launch three Earthquakes programs in 2015, including a 5-12 year old development school for boys and girls, a U12 boys elite development program and a U14 boys pre-academy program. Ethos is also working with the Earthquakes organization and other Regional Development Schools to launch a girls academy program.
San Jose Earthquakes Announce Launch of Official Avaya Stadium App
The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the team has launched the Avaya Stadium app for both Android and iOS. The Avaya Stadium app will be powered by a high quality wireless network that will also debut on Sunday. The wireless network will be called GOQUAKES and will allow fans to connect from anywhere in the stadium. The app will feature access to Ticketmaster’s mobile ticketing platform, stadium and parking maps, searchable stadium amenities and driving routes, along with Earthquakes player information and other fan engagement tools. Season Ticket Holders may quickly log in to their Ticketmaster Online Account Manager and will be able to easily view or transfer their tickets through the app, while also using their mobile device for entry at gates. The Avaya Stadium app is the ultimate resource for fans getting acquainted with the Earthquakes new home. Users can easily navigate their way through the concourse to find exactly what they are looking for, from a brand new jersey to vegetarian food options to the nearest family restroom. FAQ’s and an A to Z guide will help to answer questions which come up when visiting a new stadium for the first time. Fans may also contact guest services during a match using the app to report an issue or concern. While the app focuses on the fan experience at Avaya Stadium, it also doubles as a connection point between fans and the San Jose Earthquakes. Player profiles feature links to their Twitter and/or Instagram accounts.
San Jose Earthquakes Reach 12,000 Season Tickets for First Year at Avaya Stadium
The San Jose Earthquakes have reached 12,000 season ticket holders for the 2015 season at Avaya Stadium. The club has now capped season tickets for the year, but fans can be placed on the season ticket waiting list for 2016 season tickets. In order to be placed on the waiting list, fans can call the Earthquakes Front Office at 408-556-7700 and place a $50 refundable deposit. Group and individual tickets are still available for the season, excluding the home opener. For group tickets, fans should contact the Earthquakes Front Office at 408-556-7700. For individual tickets, fans can visit sjearthquakes.com, Ticketmaster.com or call 1-800-745-3000. Fans can also purchase tickets at Ticketmaster locations in the Bay Area, including Walmart and Chavez Supermarkets.
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.
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-14 Update
The Earthquakes U-14 Academy squad beat Merced Atlas Soccer Academy 5-2 at John Mise Park on Saturday, April 11, thanks in large part to three goals by Oscar Govea.
