The San Jose Earthquakes picked up another important three points in the playoff chase, defeating the Philadelphia Union 1-0 at Buck Shaw Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Quakes posted their fourth straight shutout at home and completed the season sweep of the Union. Chris Wondolowski netted his ninth goal of the season and sixth game-winner to lead San Jose. Wondolowski is now tied for first in the league in game-winning goals.
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The Quakes produced their 10th shutout of the year Wednesday and are now one of four teams in the league to hit double digits in shutouts. The all-time club record for shutouts is 12, set in 2005.
San Jose leap-frogs the Colorado Rapids for fifth in the MLS Cup Playoff standings with the win. The Quakes are two-points ahead of the Rapids with 36 in 23 games.
San Jose Earthquakes (10-7-6) vs. Philadelphia Union (6-12-6)
Sept. 15, 2010 – Buck Shaw Stadium
Attendance: 8,106
Scoring Summary: SJ – Chris Wondolowski (Arturo Alvarez) 69.
Misconduct Summary: PHI - Andrew Jacobson (caution) 20; SJ - Bobby Convey (caution) 90
SJ - Arturo Alvarez (caution) 94+.
San Jose Earthquakes -- Jon Busch, Chris Leitch, Jason Hernandez, Brandon McDonald, Tim Ward, Joey Gjertsen (Arturo Alvarez 46), Sam Cronin, Khari Stephenson (Eduardo 46), Bobby Convey, Geovanni, Chris Wondolowski.
Statistics: Shots: 8; Shots on Goal: 6; Saves: 5; Fouls: 11; Offsides: 6; Corners: 6.
Philadelphia Union -- Brad Knighton, Sheanon Williams, Danny Califf, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Jordan Harvey, Fred (Danny Mwanga 72), Andrew Jacobson, Stefani Miglioranzi, Justin Mapp (Jack McInerney 74), Sebastien Le Toux, Alejandro Moreno (Shea Salinas 58).
Statistics: Shots: 9; Shots on Goal: 5; Saves: 5; Fouls: 11; Offsides: 3; Corners: 8.
QUOTES
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH FRANK YALLOP
On game:
“We did not play well in the first half, and going into halftime being tied 0-0 was something to build on. We made a couple changes and it made a difference in the second half. I am very happy with the performance and their fight throughout the entire match.”
On defensive effort:
“I have been around a long time and good defenses help you win a lot of games. We have done well in the past four games at home. To shut out LA, Dallas, Kansas City and Philadelphia shows how difficult we can be to break down. If you don’t give up many goals, you give yourself a great chance to win a lot of games.”
On goalkeeper Jon Busch:
“He had another great game. Jon knows why we brought him to San Jose; he’s a quality goalkeeper in this league and he proved it yet again tonight.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES GOALKEEPER JON BUSCH
On importance of tonight’s win:
“It’s a great feeling, all season long (Chris) Wondolowski has been doing this for us and he got another big time goal when it counts. You also have to give credit to our defense for being strong throughout the entire game.
On team’s effort:
“We wanted these three points badly and it showed by our play. We deserved this win. For the last five minutes we had all 11 of us defending in our own penalty box and to me that shows how badly we wanted it.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On goal:
“A cross came in from the left side, it found Arturo (Alvarez) on the other side, he whipped in a great cross and I was able to head the ball down past the keeper.”
On tonight’s game:
“Credit to Philadelphia, they’re a very good team and they didn’t start out the best this year, but they have been playing good soccer. We knew we had to keep plugging away, find passes to feet, and we knew we would create chances.”
