The Earthquakes earned their second consecutive victory with a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire on Sunday in front of a sellout crowd of 18,000 in the inaugural match at Avaya Stadium. Rookie midfielder Fatai Alashe recorded his first career goal and the first goal in Avaya Stadium history just five minutes into the match. Defender Ty Harden also tallied his first career MLS goal in what was his 100th MLS appearance. San Jose will hit the road to take on the New England Revolution on Saturday, March 28, at 12:00 p.m. PT at Gillette Stadium. The game will air live on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.
Last Game
Earthquakes 2, Chicago Fire 1; March 22, 2014; Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
The San Jose Earthquakes christened their new home with an electric 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire in the inaugural match at Avaya Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 18,000. San Jose opened the scoring in the fifth minute of the match. Following a corner kick by midfielder Matias Perez Garcia, the ball was headed into the air and redirected goal-ward by defender Clarence Goodson. Rookie midfielder Fatai Alashe found himself between the ball and the goal and headed the ball into the back of the net. It marked Alashe’s first career MLS goal. The Earthquakes doubled their lead in the 21st minute. Perez Garcia whipped in an out-swinging free kick from the left side of the pitch. Goodson created space outside of the six-yard box and volleyed the ball on target with his left foot. The bouncing ball wasn’t played cleanly by Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson and the rebound was slotted home by defender Ty Harden. It marked Harden’s first career MLS goal and his 100th career MLS match. The Fire got a goal back in the 29th minute on the right foot of Harry Shipp. Shipp received a through ball from Joevin Jones near the penalty spot and first-timed the ball past Quakes keeper David Bingham.
OPPONENT INFO
Earthquakes vs. New England Revolution All-Time
MLS Regular Season:
20-13-5
Home:
10-6-3 (38 GF, 25 GA)
Away:
10-7-2 (29 GF, 23 GA)
Shootout (1996-99):
0-0;
Overtime (2000-03):
0-0-1;
Playoffs:
0-0-0;
US Open Cup:
0-0-0
All-Time Scoring:
San Jose – 67, New England – 48
Last Game vs. New England
Earthquakes 1, New England Revolution 2; March 29, 2014; Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
The San Jose Earthquakes gave up a last minute goal to the New England Revolution to lose 2-1 at a rain-soaked Buck Shaw Stadium. Chris Wondolowski scored his second goal of the season in the defeat. The loss snapped the Quakes 21-game unbeaten streak at Buck Shaw Stadium in all competitions. The Revolution jumped ahead in the 35th minute through an own goal. After a ball slipped past Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch, Victor Bernardez recovered to clear the ball, but he slipped and redirected it into the Quakes goal. San Jose came out flying in the second half and found the equalizer as Wondolowski scored for the second straight match at home. After a Cordell Cato cross was deflected, Wondolowski jumped on the loose ball and slammed it past Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth into the far post. Lee Nguyen grabbed the winner for the Revolution on a counter attack in the final seconds. Nguyen took a pass from Scott Caldwell and broke into the San Jose box, before firing a near-post shot past a diving Busch.
History of the Quakes – Revolution Rivalry
The Quakes are 20-13-5 all-time against the Revs in regular-season games, and dominated the series from 2001-05 … The Quakes did not lose to New England for 12 straight games over those five seasons, putting together a 9-0-3 record while out-scoring their opponent 27-11 from May 5, 2001, through Oct. 1, 2005 … The Revs had not beaten the Quakes since July 22, 2000 (2-1), until their 2-0 home victory on May 17, 2008 … On Mar. 10, 2012, forward Chris Wondolowski scored the lone goal in a 1-0 Earthquakes victory … New England won 2-0 on July 6, 2013 at Gillette Stadium with the Earthquakes dressing just 16 on their matchday roster due to national team call-ups, injuries and suspensions … In their most recent matchup on March 29, 2014, New England defeated San Jose 2-1 thanks to a goal by Lee Nguyen in the waning moments of the match.
Earthquakes – New England Revolution Connections
New England midfielder Stephen McCarthy spent the first three years (2006-09) of his college career with Santa Clara at Buck Shaw Stadium prior to transferring to North Carolina for his redshirt senior season in 2010 … Earthquakes midfielder Tommy Thompson (2013), Revs defender Kevin Alston (2006-08) and Revs midfielder Lee Nguyen (2004-05) attended Indiana University … Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez and Revs forward Jerry Bengston both play for the Honduran National Team … Earthquakes defender Paulo Renato and Revs defender Jose Goncalves are both Portuguese … Earthquakes defender Jorden Stewart and Revs midfielder Andy Dorman both hail from England … Earthquakes midfielder Shea Salinas and Revs goalkeeper Brad Knighton played together with Philadelphia in 2010 … Earthquakes defender Marvell Wynne (2004-05) and Revs midfielder Kelyn Rowe (2010-11) attended UCLA … San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski and Revs midfielder Jermaine Jones played alongside each other for team USA at the 2014 FIFA World Cup … Jones and Quakes defender Clarence Goodson have also appeared together for the US National Team … New England goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg and Quakes midfielder Leandro Barrera played together with Chivas USA in 2014 … Revolution general manager Mike Burns played for the Earthquakes with Earthquakes general manager John Doyle during the 2000 season … San Jose and New England were two of the 10 original members of MLS during its inaugural 1996 season.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Inaugural Match at Avaya Stadium
Last weekend against the Chicago Fire, the San Jose Earthquakes opened the brand new, state-of-the-art Avaya Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 18,000. Avaya Stadium is the first soccer-specific stadium in the Bay Area.
Alashe Nets First Goal at Avaya
Midfielder Fatai Alashe, the Earthquakes No. 1 pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, scored the first-ever goal at Avaya Stadium just five minutes into the inaugural match. The historic moment was made even more special because it marked Alashe’s first career goal.
Two Major Milestones
Defender Ty Harden scored the eventual game winner for the Quakes, marking his first career MLS goal. In addition, Harden was appearing in his 100th MLS match.
Center Backs Getting Forward
Due to an injury and a suspension, the Earthquakes were tasked with replacing both of their starting center backs from their match on March 14 heading into the match against the Fire. Not only did San Jose’s defense limit the Fire to one goal, but Clarence Goodson and Ty Harden, each making their first starts of the season, combined for one goal (Harden) and one assist (Goodson), while Goodson also helped begin the attack that led to the eventual game-winner.
Earthquakes, Defender Brandon Barklage Agree to Part Ways
The San Jose Earthquakes and defender Brandon Barklage have mutually agreed to part ways. Barklage, 28, joined the Earthquakes in 2014 and appeared in 13 games for the team last season.
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 defeated the San Mateo County Star 3-2 at San Mateo High School on Saturday, earning their fourth consecutive victory. Leading-scorer Jason Yanez found the back of the net twice, and Adonis Diaz, who had an excellent game on the wing, added a goal. The team also got a stand-out performance by Kenny Amaral defensively.
