Quakes in the Community
“Changing Lives, Changing Communities”; YMCA of the Central Bay Area’s Annual Celebration and Awards Event
Who: Chris Wondolowski
What: Wondolowski will be receiving the YMCA 2011 Impact Award. The Impact Award is given to those in our community who have made a commitment to or achieved great success in the areas of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Location: Irvin Deutscher Family YMCA, 350 Civic Dr, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Date: Thursday, Nov. 10, 7-8:30 p.m. PT
Details: Wondolowski’s achievements on and off the field have changed the lives of thousands by inspiring and encouraging them to challenge themselves, push themselves harder and further. Wondolowski’s efforts exemplify the spirit of the YMCA – health in body, mind and spirit.
Earthquakes Youth Academy Update
U-16s Win Two in Opening Weekend of Northwest Division Play
The U16s hosted two matches at the Nutrilite Training Facility over the weekend, defeating Seattle Sounders FC 2-1 and Crossfire Premier 3-2.
The match on Saturday against Seattle Sounders FC was a gritty affair but in the end, San Jose defeated last year’s Northwest Division champions 2-1. Seattle got on the scoreboard first with a goal from Duncan McCormick in the 27th minute. San Jose struck back seven minutes later with a goal from Roberto Mendoza (San Jose, Calif.) in the 34th minute. A second-half goal from Andy Perez (San Jose, Calif.) in the 63rd minute concluded the scoring for the match.
Elisama Padilla (Pittsburg, Calif.) found the back of the net twice in the U16s match against Crossfire Premier on Sunday to lead the team to a 3-2 victory. Amir Bashti (San Jose, Calif.) made his first start and scored his first goal in the second minute of the game to open the scoring. Later in the half, Padilla scored his first goal of the match in the 25th minute. Padilla’s success continued when Sam Junqua came off the bench and sent a great pass to Padilla for the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute.
U-18s Draw, Lose in Northwest Division Openers
The U18s played a pair over the weekend at the Nutrilite Training Facility against Seattle Sounders FC and Crossfire Premier. The Earthquakes held their ground for most of their first match, but ultimately allowed two goals in the final four minutes of the game to lose 2-0. On Sunday, San Jose erased a 2-0 deficit to draw even with Crossfire Premier, 2-2.
Both academy teams will take next weekend off, and will resume play on Nov. 19 when they host Cal Odyssey at the Mustang Soccer Complex (Cytomax Field). The U16s kick off at 2:30 p.m. PT and the U18s kick off at 12 p.m. PT.
Misc. Notes
Earthquakes Technical Staff Lines Up International Scouting Trips
The Earthquakes’ technical staff is hitting the road for domestic and international scouting trips. Head coach Frank Yallop and general manager John Doyle arrived in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Nov. 2 to scout players during a weeklong tour. As the duo was leaving, assistant coach Ian Russell was arriving from Stockholm, Sweden where he took in Swedish League (Allsvenskan) games and training sessions. Meanwhile, assistant coach Mark Watson has lined up a series of domestic trips through the NCAA College Cup in December to look at the top college prospects in the nation ahead of the Jan. 12 MLS SuperDraft where the Earthquakes hold the No 6 overall pick. More international trips are on tap upon Doyle and Yallop’s return to San Jose as the club continues to search for potential signings.
Attakora Called to Canadian National Team Duty
Earthquakes defender Nana Attakora joined the Canadian National Team over the weekend with a pair of World Cup qualifiers against St. Kitts and Nevis on tap. The first fixture will be played on Nov. 11 in the St. Kitts and Nevis capital city of Basseterre with a return game slated for Nov. 15 in Toronto.
Canada leads its group with 10 points from four games and needs just one point against St. Kitts and Nevis to advance to the next round of qualifying. Attakora earned his first cap with Canada in a friendly against Jamaica on Jan. 31, 2010. Previously, he represented Canada at the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2007 and made appearances with the Canadian U15 and U17 teams.
The Earthquakes acquired Attakora on July 14, 2011 in a four-player trade that sent Ryan Johnson along with an international player slot and allocation money to Toronto FC for Jacob Peterson, Alan Gordon and the young center back. He played in six matches, starting five, for San Jose.
Bingham Joins United States U-23 Camp in Germany
San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham joined the United States U-23 National Team for camp in Duisburg, Germany on Sunday. He and 36 players will train from Nov. 7 to Nov. 16 at Sportschule Wedau, a German sporting school, as head coach Caleb Porter works to establish a pool of players for 2012 Olympic qualifying.
The Pleasanton, Calif. native featured in one match as a rookie with the Earthquakes in 2011, a 2-1 win against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Oct. 8. He made four saves in that match and recorded his first career assist after launching a ball off the turf 70 yards down field to set up a goal by Chris Wondolowski.
Bingham also saw time in exhibition and Reserve League matches. Bingham started and kept a clean sheet for 45 minutes against West Bromwich Albion of the English Premier League on July 13 at Buck Shaw Stadium. He also scored a goal against the Baggies, a 90-yard strike off the grass that bounced over West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill for San Jose’s first goal in a 2-1 win (Watch: www.sjearthquakes.com/binghamgoal). Bingham also started in three Quakes Reserve League games, compiling a 1-1-1 record with a 0.67 goals-against average and one shutout.
Wondolowski Named Castrol Index Player of the Year
San Jose Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski was named the Castrol MLS Index Player of the Year for 2011 on Nov. 3 after finishing on top of the final rankings of the Castrol Index. Wondolowski, who finished tied with D.C. United’s Dwayne De Rosario for the lead in goals scored with 16, edged out Seattle Sounders midfielder Alvaro Fernandez and New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry for the top spot on the final Castrol Index.
The 2010 Golden Boot winner, Wondolowski jumped from No. 4 to No. 1 in the rankings after scoring six goals in his final five matches. He finished the season with 9.31 cumulative points (out of 10), just ahead of Fernandez’s total of 9.26. De Rosario, who won the Golden Boot this year thanks to his higher number of assists, finished at #31. His cumulative score was hindered by the number of penalties he scored (4); meanwhile, 15 of Wondolowski’s 16 goals were scored from open play, which boosted him in the point total. He was also helped by his relatively high ranking in “good passes.”
After Wondolowski, Fernandez, and Henry, the top 10 of the final rankings is filled up with defenders, including emerging LA Galaxy center back Omar Gonzalez and FC Dallas defender George John.
Earthquakes at San Jose’s Christmas in the Park
With the holiday season approaching, the Earthquakes are ready to plan out their annual participation in a local tradition, San Jose’s Christmas in the Park. This year, the club plans to decorate its tree using ornaments designed by the community. Fans are encouraged to make their own Quakes-themed ornament and mail or drop it by the club’s Front Office at 451 El Camino Real, Suite 220 in Santa Clara, Calif. by Nov. 18 to participate.
Quakes President David Kaval’s Office Hours
Earthquakes President David Kaval’s office hours will continue during the offseason. Fans can drop by his office at 451 El Camino Real, Suite 220 in Santa Clara, Calif. Mondays between 3 and 5 p.m. PT. Participants will be seen on a first come, first served basis.
Earthquakes Hold No. 6 Overall Pick in SuperDraft
The San Jose Earthquakes will be sixth on the board when the 2012 MLS SuperDraft takes place in Kansas City on Jan. 12. The expansion Montreal Impact hold the No. 1 overall pick for the national televised event on ESPN2. This year’s draft has been reduced to two rounds. The Earthquakes have picked within the top-six in nine previous MLS drafts. The club’s last top-six pick was Ike Opara at No. 3 overall in 2010. San Jose has picked out of the No. 6 slot twice, selecting Luchi Gonzalez in 2002 and Todd Dunivant in 2003.
2012 Season Tickets on Sale
Season tickets for the San Jose Earthquakes’ 2012 campaign are now on sale. Packages include 20 games at a significantly discounted rate as well as a bevy of exclusive season ticket benefits. Prices start at $2,300 for Netsuite VIP On-Field seats and are as affordable as $260 in the Supporters Section. For more information about pricing, payment plans and more, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/season-tickets or call an Earthquakes sales rep at 408-556-7700.
