SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes erased a pair of one-goal deficits to earn a 2-2 draw against visiting Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday at Buck Shaw Stadium to improve to 1-1-1 overall.
Khari Stephenson provided the game’s most exciting goal in the 52nd minute. Fresh off a pair of appearances for the Jamaican National Team, Stephenson teed up a shot from 35 yards that he scorched to the upper corner at the far post to knot things up at 2-2.
San Jose initially trailed 1-0 after Brad Evans finished a close-range shot in the 17th minute. That set the stage for Simon Dawkins to score his first career MLS goal in the 32nd minute. Dawkins received a through ball from Ryan Johnson, turned and fired a left-footed shot that beat Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller to the far post.
Sounders FC regained the lead in the 42nd minute when O’Brian White polished off a cross from just in front of goal, but the lead wouldn’t stand as Stephenson came off the bench to level the match in the second half.
San Jose returns to action on Saturday, April 9 when it hosts Toronto FC at 7:30 p.m. PT.
For a full recap of tonight’s match, log on to www.sjearthquakes.com.
San Jose Earthquakes (1-1-1) at Seattle Sounders FC (0-2-2)
April 2, 2011 – Buck Shaw Stadium
Attendance: 10,276
Scoring Summary: SJ – SEA -- Brad Evans 1 (Mauro Rosales 1, Erik Friberg 1) 17; SJ -- Simon Dawkins 1 (Ryan Johnson 1, Bobby Convey 1) 32; SEA -- O'Brian White 1 (Steve Zakuani 1, Osvaldo Alonso 1) 42; SJ -- Khari Stephenson 1 (unassisted) 52.
Misconduct Summary: SJ -- Chris Leitch (caution; Reckless Tackle) 6; SEA -- Nate Jaqua (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 71; SEA -- Leo Gonzalez (caution; Delaying a Restart) 80.
San Jose Earthquakes – Jon Busch, Chris Leitch (Ike Opara 70), Jason Hernandez, Brandon McDonald, Ramiro Corrales, Chris Wondolowski, Sam Cronin, Simon Dawkins (Scott Sealy 85), Joey Gjertsen (Khari Stephenson 45), Bobby Convey, Ryan Johnson.
Statistics: Shots: 12; Shots on Goal: 4; Saves: 3; Fouls: 4; Offsides: 3; Corners: 7.
Seattle Sounders FC – Kasey Keller, James Riley, Patrick Ianni, Jeff Parke, Leo Gonzalez, Erik Friberg (Alvaro Fernandez 46), Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Mauro Rosales (David Estrada 83), Steve Zakuani, O'Brian White (Nate Jaqua 66).
Statistics: Shots: 17; Shots on Goal: 5; Saves: 2; Fouls: 12; Offsides: 3; Corners: 9.
