Earthquakes Weekly Update: September 13, 2010

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After a earning a 0-0 draw against FC Dallas on Saturday, September 11th at Buck Shaw Stadium, the San Jose Earthquakes host the expansion Philadelphia Union for a midweek game on Wednesday, September 15th. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium and will be broadcast live on MLS Direct Kick, 1220 KDOW (English) and 1370 KZSF (in Spanish) and on a tape delay, following the A’s Royals game on Comcast SportsNet California. The National Hispanic University is the title sponsor for Wednesday night’s match and the first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive an NHU drawstring backpack. In the first meeting of the season between the two teams, the Earthquakes won 2-1 on a dramatic goal by forward Arturo Alvarez in the first minute of stoppage time to hand Philadelphia its first home loss at PPL Park.

Earthquakes vs. Philadelphia Union All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 1-0-0
Home: 0-0-0
Away: 1-0-0
Playoffs: 0-0-0; U.S. Open Cup: 0-0-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 2, Philadelphia – 1

Earthquakes Schedule for the Week of 9/13/10
Tuesday, September 14 – 10:15 a.m. – Training at Buck Shaw Stadium
Wednesday, September 15 – Earthquakes vs. Philadelphia Union at 7 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Live on MLS Direct Kick, 1220 KDOW (English) and 1370 KZSF (in Spanish) and on tape delay following the A’s Royals game on Comcast SportsNet California.
Thursday, September 16 – TBD
Friday, September, 17 – Training at Nutrilite Training Facility

Injury Report/National Team Duty:
Out: Andre Luiz (L knee surgery); Ike Opara (L foot fracture); Joe Cannon (L ankle fracture); Ramiro Corrales (L knee sprain); Questionable: Khari Stephenson (L ankle sprain).

Last Game
Earthquakes 0, FC Dallas 0; Sept. 11, 2010; Buck Shaw Stadium; Santa Clara, California
The San Jose Earthquakes earned a 0-0 draw with red-hot FC Dallas on Saturday night, a team riding a MLS-best 14-game unbeaten streak. The Quakes defense preserved their ninth shutout on the season, and Jon Busch picked up his third. San Jose threatened to take all three points late, when Eduardo latched on to the end of a fantastic ball played through by Designated Player Geovanni; however, his attempt on goal went just wide.

Last Game vs. Philadelphia Union
Earthquakes 2, Philadelphia Union 1; July 10, 2010; PPL Park; Chester, Pennsylvania
The San Jose Earthquakes picked up three big points on Saturday night, as they dispatched the expansion Philadelphia Union 2-1, handing them their first home loss in franchise history. The visitors fell behind 1-0 in the 14th minute on a goal by Fred, who was flicked on by first overall pick of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft Danny Mwanga. Fred finished just underneath San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch. San Jose leveled just before halftime, as Chris Wondolowski, the Quakes leading goalscorer, picked out Cornell Glen at the edge of the six yard box, and he finished coolly into the far post for his first goal of 2010. San Jose was able to catch Philadelphia on the counterattack in stoppage time. Substitute Arturo Alvarez received a through ball from Philadelphia native Bobby Convey and took defender Jordan Harvey one-on-one. He slotted the ball to Chris Seitz’s right for the game-winner and his third goal of his season. Convey tallied his career high eighth assist of 2010 in front of a large group of family and friends. Jon Busch posted six saves in goal and picked up his first win with the Quakes.

Misc. Notes

Quakes in the Community
What: Wendy’s Visit
Who: Brad Ring
Location: Wendy’s in Newark
Date: Thursday, Sept. 16
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Details: Ring will pose for pictures and sign autographs.

What: Soccer Silicon Valley Annual Dinner
Who: Players TBD
Location:  History Park in San Jose
Date: Friday, Sept. 17
Time: 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Details: Players and coaches will attend the Annual SSV Dinner.

What: Wendy’s Visit
Who: Steven Beitashour
Location: Wendy’s in Oakland
Date: Saturday, Sept. 18
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Details: Beitashour will pose for pictures and sign autographs.

What: Player Visit at LGUSL Photo Fun Day
Who: Cornell Glen/Player TBD
Location: Fisher Middle School
Date: Sunday, Sept. 19
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Details: Players will pose for pictures and sign autographs

The National Hispanic University Named Presenting Sponsor for Sept. 15 Against Philadelphia
The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that The National Hispanic University (NHU) will be the presenting sponsor for the Earthquakes game against the Philadelphia Union on September 15 at Buck Shaw Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT. NHU invited 100 students to watch the game and participate in half-time show festivities. Dr. David López, president of NHU and member of the California Board of Education, will take part in the game’s kickoff. Additional events for Hispanic Heritage Month have been planned by NHU student groups, faculty departments and staff members in coordination with the City of San Jose Mexican Consulate, San Jose State University and Santa Clara University. A list of all activities and events is available online at www.vivemexicoensanjose.com.

Geovanni Makes First Home Start
Forward Geovanni made his first home start on Saturday, September 11th in a 0-0 draw against FC Dallas, playing the full 90 minutes. It was Geovanni’s fourth appearance and second start with the Earthquakes.

Eduardo Returns to Action
Forward Eduardo returned for the first time since he played 31 minutes against the Colorado Rapids on May 1st on Saturday, September 11th against FC Dallas at Buck Shaw Stadium. Eduardo entered the game as a substitute in the 70th minute for forward Cornell Glen and nearly scored a goal late in the match. Eduardo missed 16 games due to a right oblique strain and a right hip flexor strain.

Hernandez, Alvarez Make 100th Starts of Career
Defender Jason Hernandez and forward Arturo Alvarez each made the 100th starts of their careers on Saturday, September 11th against FC Dallas at Buck Shaw Stadium. Hernandez is a six-year veteran in his third season with the Earthquakes, while Alvarez is an eight-year veteran in his fifth year overall in San Jose.

McDonald to Make 50th Start on Wednesday
Should San Jose defender Brandon McDonald start against the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, September 15th, it will be the 50th start of McDonald’s career. McDonald already set another career milestone when he made the 50th appearance of his career on July 31st against Seattle Sounders FC. McDonald is playing in his third MLS season, second with the Earthquakes.

Quakes Tie Shutout Record Since Return
The San Jose Earthquakes recorded their ninth shutout of the season on Saturday, September 11th in a 0-0 draw against FC Dallas, which ties the record for shutouts in a season since the club returned in 2008. The Earthquakes also recorded nine shutouts in their first season back in 2008. The all-time club record for shutouts in franchise history for a season is 12, set in 2005.

Current Home Shutout Streak Ties For Second-Longest in Club History
With a 0-0 draw against FC Dallas on Saturday, September 11th at Buck Shaw Stadium, the San Jose Earthquakes have now recorded a shutout in their last three home games which ties for the second-longest home shutout stretch in club history. The current streak started on August 14th with a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Wizards and continued on August 21st with a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Earthquakes have recorded shutouts in three consecutive regular season home games two additional times in team history, coming during the 2002 and 2004 seasons. In 2002, the Earthquakes recorded shutouts against Los Angeles (1-0), Dallas (4-0) and Chicago (1-0) from July 7th until July 24th. In 2004, the Earthquakes recorded shutouts against D.C. United (2-0), Dallas (3-0) and Colorado (0-0) from August 7th until August 28th. The longest home shutout streak is five games, coming during the 2005 season when the Earthquakes tied Dallas (0-0) and D.C. United (0-0), and defeated Real Salt Lake (3-0), Los Angeles (3-0) and Colorado (1-0).

Quakes Tie Highest Point Total Since Return
By earning one point against FC Dallas on Saturday, September 11th, the San Jose Earthquakes increased their point total to 33, which ties for the most points earned in a season since returning in 2008. The club record for points in a season is 64, set in 2005 when the Earthquakes clinched their only Supporter’s Shield in club history.

Quakes Hit Nine Wins
The San Jose Earthquakes recorded their ninth win of the regular season on Sunday, September 5th, the most wins the club has had in a season since returning in 2008. In their first season back in 2008, the Earthquakes went 8-13-9, and in 2009 the club went 7-14-9.

Earthquakes Currently Tied for Seventh in Playoff Race
With 33 points in 22 games, the San Jose Earthquakes are currently tied for seventh place in the playoff race with Seattle Sounders FC. Seattle has 33 points yet has played 24 games, two more than the Earthquakes. Additionally, the Earthquakes are five points clear of ninth place Toronto FC (28). San Jose has not reached the postseason since returning in 2008.

Earthquakes Among MLS Leaders in Saves, Fewest Goals Allowed
The Earthquakes have notched 85 saves in 22 games, ranking fourth in the MLS. Only the New England Revolution (92), New York Red Bulls (91) and Toronto FC (89) have more saves. The Earthquakes also rank tied for fourth in the league in goals allowed with the Columbus Crew with 23 goals in 22 games. Real Salt Lake leads the league, allowing just 16 goals, followed by FC Dallas (17) and the Los Angeles Galaxy (18).

San Jose Earthquakes Launch Pepsi Refresh Project
The San Jose Earthquakes are asking their fans to join them in making a difference in the Bay Area community. As part of the Pepsi Refresh Project, the Quakes will partner with the San Jose Unified School District to help gain funding for intramural sports at middle schools in the South Bay for low-income students whose sports programs are being threatened by state budget cuts. The Quakes will compete against MLS’ 15 other teams, vying for fan votes and an ultimate $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant to fulfill the project. Launching today through Monday, September 20 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, fans can cast their votes at www.MLSsoccer.com/PepsiRefresh <https://mail.oaklandathletics.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.mlssoccer.com/PepsiRefresh>  for the ideas they believe should receive a grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Wondo Ranks Second in Game-Winning Goals
San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski is currently second in MLS in game-winning goals with five, trailing Edson Buddle of the Los Angeles Galaxy (6). Wondolowski has eight goals overall in 21 games this season.

Convey Ranks Tied for Third in Assists, Third in Game-Winning Assists
San Jose midfielder Bobby Convey currently ranks tied for third in assists in MLS with nine, along with Fredy Montero of Seattle Sounders FC and David Ferreira of FC Dallas. Landon Donovan of the Los Angeles Galaxy leads the league with 14, followed by Sebastien Le Toux of the Philadelphia Union (10). Convey also ranks third in MLS in game-winning assists with four, behind Donovan and Ferreira (5).

Busch Among MLS Leaders in Two Categories
San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch currently ranks fourth in goals against average (0.90) and fifth in saves percentage (77.0). Busch has amassed a record of 3-3-4 in 10 games this season while notching three shutouts.

Morrow Starts for FC Tampa Bay
Defender Justin Morrow started and played the full 90 minutes in FC Tampa Bay’s 3-0 loss to the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday, September 11th. Morrow was loaned to the Rowdies of the USSF D-2 by the Earthquakes on September 7th. Morrow, a rookie drafted in the second round (28th overall) by the Earthquakes in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, appeared in two regular season matches, two exhibitions and one U.S. Open Cup play-in game.

Earthquakes, Club Quake and SSV Team up for LLS Light the Night Walk
The San Jose Earthquakes announced that they have partnered with their supporter’s group, Club Quake, and the Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation for the third straight year to participate in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk on Saturday, Oct. 23 in San Jose. Earthquakes players, members of the team’s front office, along with Earthquakes fans will walk in the event that raises funds and awareness for blood cancers. This year the team will walk in honor of former Earthquakes player Joe Vide, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma earlier this year. The Earthquakes will also host The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Sept. 11. Six-year old Aidan Bowen, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007, will perform the honorary First Kick at this Saturday’s game against the LA Galaxy. At the following match on Sept. 11 against FC Dallas, the Earthquakes will also host a silent auction for signed Earthquakes jerseys. Proceeds from the auction will benefit both LLS and the San Jose Earthquakes Community Fund. Fans will be able to sign up for the Light The Night Walk at the LLS booth in the pregame vendor area this weekend and on Sept. 11.

Road Warriors
With a road record this season of 4-4-3, the Earthquakes have more wins on the road than the team had in 2008 and 2009 combined. In 2008, the Earthquakes went 2-8-5 on the road in their first season back. In 2009, the Earthquakes went 1-10-5 with the lone win coming against D.C. United on September 27, 2009 at RFK Stadium. With 15 points on the road so far this season, the Earthquakes have surpassed the 11 points the team had in 2008 for the most points earned on the road since the team returned. The franchise record for points on the road in a single season is 30 points, achieved in 2005.

Earthquakes – Philadelphia Union Connections
San Jose midfielder Bobby Convey was born in Philadelphia, PA … Philadelphia defender Danny Califf played for the Earthquakes in 2005, scoring two goals in 20 appearances … Philadelphia midfielder Andrew Jacobson played at Cal from 2003-2006 … Philadelphia midfielder Justin Mapp played with San Jose midfielder Bobby Convey with D.C. United in 2002, and with goalkeeper Jon Busch (2007-2009), forward Ryan Johnson (2006) and defender Tim Ward (2009-2010) with the Chicago Fire … Philadelphia midfielder/defender Stefani Miglioranzi played with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2006 under current San Jose head coach Frank Yallop … Miglioranzi also played with defender Tim Ward (2007) with the Columbus Crew and forward Cornell Glen with the Los Angeles Galaxy (2006) … Philadelphia forward Alejandro Moreno played with the Earthquakes in 2005, scoring eight goals in 31 games … Moreno also played with defender Tim Ward with the Columbus Crew (2007) and forward Chris Wondolowski with the Houston Dynamo (2006-2007) … Philadelphia forward Danny Mwanga and San Jose forward Ryan Johnson both played at Oregon State … Philadelphia midfielder Amobi Okugo was born in Hayward, CA … Philadelphia midfielder Shea Salinas played for the Earthquakes from 2008-2009 … San Jose forward Ryan Johnson and Philadelphia defender/midfielder Sheanon Williams are both from Boston, MA … Philadelphia head coach Peter Nowak coached San Jose midfielder Bobby Convey on D.C. United in 2004.

Earthquakes All-Time Leaders vs. Philadelphia Union
Forwards Arturo Alvarez and Cornell Glen both scored goals in the first meeting between the two teams … Forward Chris Wondolowski, defender Jason Hernandez and midfielder Bobby Convey notched assists in the lone meeting between the two teams … Goalkeeper Jon Busch notched the win.

Philadelphia Union All-Time Leaders vs. Earthquakes
Midfielder/forward Fred scored a goal and forward Danny Mwanga notched an assist in the first meeting between the two teams … Forward Alejandro Moreno has four goals and three assists while with the Los Angeles Galaxy and Columbus Crew … Midfielder Justin Mapp has two assists while with the Chicago Fire.

Quakes Potent in the Final 15 Minutes
With forward Arturo Alvarez’s goal in the 90th minute on Saturday, July 10, the Earthquakes now have scored seven goals in the final 15 minutes this season. On April 10, rookie defender Ike Opara scored the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute of a 2-1 victory on the road against the Chicago Fire. On April 24, midfielder Steven Beitashour scored in the 90th minute of a 3-2 road loss to Chivas USA. On May 8, forward Chris Wondolowski scored in the 76th minute, and defender Bobby Burling scored in the 85th minute of a 4-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls at Buck Shaw Stadium. On May 29, captain Ramiro Corrales scored in the 75th minute of a 3-1 home loss to Toronto FC. On June 2, Wondolowski scored in the 79th minute of a 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew at Buck Shaw Stadium.

Alvarez Approaching 25 Career Goals
Quakes forward Arturo Alvarez scored his 24th career goal on Saturday, July 10 against the Philadelphia Union. This season, Alvarez has three goals in fifteen games.

Earthquakes Solid When Scoring First and Leading at Halftime
This season, the Earthquakes are 8-0-2 when scoring the first goal and 5-0-2 when leading at halftime.

San Jose in September
The Quakes are 25-21-6 all-time in September in MLS play.

Quakes Individual Tickets
Individual tickets for all remaining 2010 Earthquakes home games are on sale now. The Quakes significantly reduced prices for the 2010 season with prices ranging from $20-50. Tickets for the 2010 campaign are available online at sjearthquakes.com or by calling 1-800-225-2277. The new, reduced prices for the 2010 season are as follows; Premier Midfield $50 per game ($60 in 2009), Center Circle $35 per game ($40 in 2009), Sideline $25 per game ($35 in 2009) and Goal View $20 per game ($22 in 2009).