This Week
The San Jose Earthquakes (1-0-0, 3 Pts.) host the 2011 MLS Cup finalist Houston Dynamo (1-0-0, 3 Pts.) on Saturday, March 17, in the club’s first-ever game at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. The match is set to air live on Comcast SportsNet California, 1590 KLIV (English) and 1370 KZSF (Spanish). The Quakes and Dynamo will kick off a doubleheader event at AT&T Park, with the Mexico and Senegal Olympic squads facing off at 4:30 p.m. in the final tune-up for both sides ahead of their respective London Games qualifying competitions.
Earthquakes Schedule for the Week of 3/12/12
Monday, March 12 – 10:15 a.m. – Practice at Earthquakes Training Facility
Tuesday, March 13 – 10:15 a.m. – Practice at Earthquakes Training Facility
Wednesday, March 14 – Off
Thursday, March 15 – 10:15 a.m. – Practice at Earthquakes Training Facility
Friday, March 16 – 11 a.m. – Practice at AT&T Park
Saturday, March 17 – 2 p.m. PT – Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., LIVE on Comcast SportsNet California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF
Sunday, March 18 – Off
Injury Report
Out: Joey Gjertsen (R – knee surgery), Alan Gordon (R – hip surgery), Tim Ward (L – non-specific soft tissue injury); Questionable: (R – ankle sprain), Jacob Hustedt (L – ankle surgery).
Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo All Time
MLS Regular Season: 4-4-1
Home: 3-1-1
Away: 1-3-0
Playoffs: 0-0-0; US Open Cup: 0-0-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 13, Houston – 13
San Jose’s Record in March: The Quakes are 6-9-0 all-time in March in MLS play.
Opponent Info
History of the Quakes – Houston Dynamo Rivalry
The history of the Earthquakes-Dynamo rivalry pre-dates their first meeting on the field, as the original San Jose Earthquakes moved to Houston following the 2005 season, with MLS eventually returning to San Jose in 2008 … The Earthquakes own an even 4-4-1 all-time record against the Dynamo, including 3-1-1 at home … The first meeting between the two clubs came on May 22, 2008, when the Earthquakes edged the Dynamo, 2-1, at Buck Shaw Stadium on the strength of second-half goals by Kei Kamara and Ivan Guerrero … On Sept. 13, 2008, the Earthquakes and Dynamo battled to the lone tie in the all-time series between the two clubs, a 1-1 draw at Buck Shaw Stadium … Later that season on Oct. 15, the Dynamo handed the Earthquakes a 2-1 defeat at Robertson Stadium … In 2009, the Earthquakes and Dynamo split the season series, with the Earthquakes winning 3-2 at Buck Shaw on March 28, and the Dynamo earning a 3-1 victory on May 23 at Robertson … With a 2-1 triumph over Houston at Robertson on Sept. 5, 2010, San Jose became the first of the two clubs to record a win on the road, as Earthquakes midfielder Khari Stephenson and former forward Geovanni each scored the first goals of their MLS careers … Houston returned the favor with a 1-0 decision at Buck Shaw on Oct. 16, 2010 … On June 4 of last year, San Jose earned a 2-0 home victory, the second-half goals coming from Steven Lenhart and Simon Dawkins … In the latest match-up, the Dynamo produced a come-from-behind 2-1 win in Houston on Sept. 17 … The match on March 17 will be the only meeting this season between the teams with the unbalanced league schedule in 2012.
Earthquakes – Houston Dynamo Connections
Following the 2005 MLS season, the San Jose Earthquakes relocated to Houston as the Houston Dynamo … The Earthquakes (2001, 2003) and Dynamo (2006, 2007) each have a pair of MLS Cup championships, with only D.C. United (4) and the LA Galaxy (3) having earned more MLS titles … Seventh-year Houston head coach Dominic Kinnear compiled a regular-season record of 27-14-21 as the head coach of the Earthquakes for two seasons (2004-05), after serving as the top Quakes assistant coach for three years (2001-03) and during both MLS Cup runs, and spending the 1997 season as a player for the San Jose Clash … Dynamo assistant coach Wade Barrett played for San Jose from 1998-02, and again in 2005, and still ranks among the club’s all-time leaders in several statistical categories, including No. 5 in appearances (142) … Dynamo goalkeeper coach Tim Hanley was the goalkeeper coach for the Quakes from 2002-05 … Forward Brian Ching, Houston’s all-time leading scorer with 51 goals, is No. 5 on the Earthquakes’ scoring chart, having played in San Jose from 2003-05 and tallied 25 goals in 56 appearances … San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski played for the Dynamo from 2006-09, scoring four goals in 37 games … Houston forward Cam Weaver played in nine games for the Quakes in 2009, scoring one goal and tallying two assists … On June 9, 2009, the Dynamo sent Wondolowski and a second round 2010 SuperDraft pick to San Jose for Weaver … Weaver and San Jose midfielder Joey Gjertsen are both from Tacoma, Wash. … Houston midfielder Brad Davis played with the Quakes in 2005, scoring two goals and notching eight assists in 18 games, and with Ching, makes up the two holdovers from the squad that moved from San Jose … Davis (2000-01) and Quakes defender Tim Ward (2004) both played at Saint Louis University … Former Houston defender Eddie Robinson, who retired following the 2011 season and moved into the Dynamo front office, made 70 appearances for the Quakes from 2001-05 … Quakes midfielder Brad Ring played with Dynamo forward Will Bruin at Indiana University during the 2008 season … Quakes midfielder Anthony Ampaipitakwong played with Houston right back Kofi Sarkodie at Akron for three seasons from 2008-10, with the duo aiding the Zips to their first national title in 2010 … Sarkodie and Quakes defender Ike Opara took part in the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team camp in Texas from Feb. 19-29, with the back-line tandem playing the full 90 minutes of a 2-0 shutout victory for the U.S. over Mexico at FC Dallas Stadium on Feb. 29 … Opara and Sarkodie were also both named to the U.S. U-23 camp roster on March 12 ahead of CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Nashville, Tenn. … Quakes goalkeeper David Bingham (2008-10) and Houston forward Calen Carr (2001-05) both starred at the University of California … Quakes right back Steven Beitashour and Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall spent two seasons together at San Diego State (2005-06) … Quakes midfielder Khari Stephenson, Dynamo midfielder Je-Vaughn Watson and Dynamo defender Jermaine Taylor have all drawn caps for the Jamaica national team … Quakes goalkeeper Evan Newton was originally selected in the first round (No. 7 overall) of the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft by the Houston Dynamo.
Earthquakes Leaders vs. Houston Dynamo
Midfielder Khari Stephenson has two goals in four matches … Forward Steven Lenhart has one goal in three matches, the game-winner in a 2-0 San Jose victory at home on June 4, 2011, in his only match-up with Houston as a Quakes player … Midfielder Simon Dawkins has one goal in two matches, clinching the 2-0 win last June … Newcomer Marvin Chavez assisted on one goal in two matches against Houston last season while with FC Dallas … Forward Chris Wondolowski has yet to register a goal or an assist in three games against his former team … Goalkeeper Jon Busch is 2-6-0 and has one shutout in eight career games … Busch is 2-2 with a clean sheet against Houston in a Quakes uniform over the past two seasons.
Houston Dynamo Leaders vs. San Jose
Former Quakes forward Brian Ching has netted three goals in six games against his former team, but did not play in either meeting in 2011 … Midfielder Brad Davis has three goals and five assists in 19 games against San Jose, with all but one assist coming as a Dynamo player … Defender Andre Hainault has one goal in four games, that being the lone score in Houston’s win at Buck Shaw Stadium on Oct. 16, 2010 … New forward Macoumba Kandji compiled one goal and two assists in three meetings with the Quakes while with the New York Red Bulls … Forward Cam Weaver has not produced a goal or an assist in four games … Goalkeeper Tally Hall is 1-1-0, with both appearances coming a season ago.
Houston Dynamo Scouting Report
Like the Quakes, the Houston Dynamo are off to a 1-0-0 start following a 1-0 season-opening triumph. The Dynamo snatched three points in the waning moments of their match against Chivas USA on March 11, with defender Andre Hainault hammering home a left-footed effort in the 92nd minute. Teammate Adam Moffat gained credit for the assist, while fourth-year goalkeeper Tally Hall notched his first shutout of the year, making a pair of saves. Houston visits the Bay Area in the midst of a seven-game road stretch to begin the season as the franchise awaits the official opening of its new, 22,000-seat BBVA Compass Stadium in the city’s downtown district on May 12 against D.C. United. Dominic Kinnear, a former Quakes player (1997) who served as the San Jose head coach in 2004 and 2005, is in his seventh year in charge of the Dynamo.
Quakes in the Community
Appearance at Longfellow Elementary School
Who: Earthquakes defender Justin Morrow
What: Morrow will be visiting kids in the Bay Area SCORES program at Longfellow Elementary School in San Francisco
When: Monday, March 12, at 3:15 p.m.
Where: Longfellow Elementary School, 755 Morse Street, San Francisco, CA 94112
Details: With the upcoming soccer doubleheader scheduled at AT&T Park on March 17, the Quakes are focusing their community efforts this week on the city of San Francisco. At this appearance, Morrow will speak to students about the importance of leading an active and healthy lifestyle. Then he will sign autographs for all the kids and participate in their after-school soccer program. Founded in 2001, America SCORES Bay Area inspires urban youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world. America SCORES partners with urban schools to provide a high-quality, team-based program that integrates soccer, poetry and service- learning.
Appearance at Hillcrest Elementary School
Who: Earthquakes forward Steven Lenhart and midfielder Shea Salinas
What: Lenhart and Salinas will be visiting kids in the Bay Area SCORES program at Hillcrest Elementary School in San Francisco
When: Tuesday, March 13, at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Hillcrest Elementary School, 810 Silver Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94134
Details: Similar to Monday’s appearance at Longfellow, Lenhart and Salinas will be speaking to students in the Bay Area SCORES program at Hillcrest about the importance of leading an active and healthy lifestyle. Then they will sign autographs for the students and participate in their after-school soccer program.
Visit to San Francisco General Hospital
Who: Earthquakes midfielder Khari Stephenson and defender Jason Hernandez
What: Visiting kids in the pediatric unit of San Francisco General Hospital
When: Tuesday, March 13, at 3 p.m.
Where: San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110
Details: Stephenson and Hernandez will be meeting with the in-patient and out-patient pediatric patients, talking to them about the importance of health and fitness and what it’s like to be an Earthquakes player. They will be doing bed-side visits and playing with the kids in their community playroom.
Appearance at Saint Philip School
Who: Earthquakes midfielder Sam Cronin
What: Cronin will be speaking to children at Saint Philip School about the importance of leading an active and healthy lifestyle, as well as signing autographs.
When: Wednesday, March 14, at 1:45 p.m.
Where: Saint Philip School, 655 Elizabeth Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
Details: Cronin will talk about the importance of health and fitness and what he does to stay active and fit.
Misc. Notes
A Wondo-ful Start: Quakes Blank Revs in Front of Packed House on Opening Night
Chris Wondolowski picked up right where he left off in 2011, and Jon Busch produced a clean sheet with the help of his defense to lead San Jose to a 1-0 season-opening victory over the New England Revolution in front of another capacity crowd at Buck Shaw Stadium on March 10. Taking advantage of a Revs giveaway in midfield, Quakes winger Shea Salinas pounced on the ball and sent Wondolowski through for a one-on-one with New England net-minder Matt Reis, with the star forward making no mistake with his finish in the 15th minute. Busch and his teammates made the lone tally hold up from there, as the two sides combined for 12 total shots, with just one each on target. While the Quakes extended a club-record streak of home sellouts to seven, Wondolowski upped his league and personal-best scoring run to six games, and Busch collected his 61st career shutout.
Home Sellout Streak Continues
With another capacity crowd on hand at Buck Shaw Stadium for MLS First Kick 2012 against the New England Revolution on March 10, the Earthquakes extended their franchise-record streak of consecutive home sellouts to seven. The streak dates back to San Jose’s game against D.C. United on July 30, 2011, and also includes matches against Portland on Aug. 6, Colorado on Aug. 13, Chicago on Sept. 10, Sporting Kansas City on Oct. 1 and FC Dallas on Oct. 22.
Wondolowski Continues Career-Best Scoring Streak
Chris Wondolowski’s 15th-minute game-winner against the New England Revolution at Buck Shaw Stadium on March 10 extended his current MLS-best goal-scoring streak to six games dating back to last season. From Sept. 24 to Oct. 22, Wondolowski scored in the Quakes’ last five matches of the 2011 campaign, with six strikes in all during that period. That five-game stretch tied Landon Donovan of the LA Galaxy for the longest in MLS in 2011, and was the longest active streak heading into 2012. This is the longest such run of Wondolowski’s MLS career, with a previous best of four straight matches.
Corrales on Verge of 200 Starts for Quakes
Veteran defender and team captain Ramiro Corrales is one starting assignment away from No. 200 for his illustrious Earthquakes career. Corrales is the franchise’s all-time career leader in games played (217), starts (199) and minutes played (17,741). Now in his 11th season in San Jose, he also shares the club record with 14 playoff appearances. Corrales played in his 200th game for the Earthquakes on July 2, 2011, against the New York Red Bulls. Corrales, who is celebrating his 35th birthday on March 12, made his MLS debut as a 19-year-old on April 28, 1996, at the LA Galaxy.
Earthquakes to Play Dynamo at AT&T Park on March 17
The Quakes will host the Houston Dynamo at AT&T Park in San Francisco this Saturday, March 17, as part of a doubleheader with Olympic hopefuls from Mexico and Senegal. The Earthquakes open the twin bill by taking on 2011 MLS Cup finalist Houston at 2 p.m., with Mexico facing Senegal at 4:30 p.m. in a final tune-up before Olympic qualifying. Tickets can be purchased at www.tickets.com, the AT&T Park box office, Giants Dugout stores, or by calling 1-800-225-2277. For more information about special packages for the March 17 event, fans can call 408-556-7700, or email seasontickets@sjearthquakes.com.
Next Stop on Bay Area Tour: AT&T Park
The Earthquakes’ meeting with the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, March 17, at AT&T Park in San Francisco will mark the club’s first-ever game at the current home of Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants. Having called Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara home since the franchise returned to MLS for the 2008 season, and spent the 1996-2005 seasons at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, the Earthquakes have also played previous matches at Candlestick Park, Kezar Stadium, Oakland Coliseum, Stanford Stadium, and even Negoesco Stadium in the City. The Quakes are 2-2-3 all-time in San Francisco, with five of those games exhibitions, and one a US Open Cup match. San Jose’s only other MLS regular-season contest in San Francisco ended in a 3-0 loss to the Columbus Crew at Candlestick Park on Aug. 8, 2009.
Earthquakes, Wondolowski Support Street Soccer USA
Street Soccer USA, a non-profit organization that seeks to end homelessness through sports, announced last week that Chris Wondolowski, MLS’ leading goal-scorer for the past two seasons, has partnered with it to make a difference in the lives of the homeless in the Bay Area through the “One Goal at a Time” campaign. For every goal Wondolowski scores during the 2012 season, the Quakes star has pledged a $100 donation to Street Soccer USA (SSUSA), and is asking fans to join in his mission. Additionally, the Earthquakes Community Fund will match Wondolowski’s donations. Wondolowski, who has been a national ambassador for SSUSA since August of 2011, already opened his scoring account with a goal on March 10.
In other recent community news, the Earthquakes set up bins all over Buck Shaw Stadium for an equipment drive during the MLS First Kick match with the New England Revolution on March 10, to collect donations for San Jose midfielder Jean-Marc Alexandre’s youth soccer academy in his hometown of Verrettes, Haiti.
Earthquakes Sign GK Evan Newton, M Jacob Hustedt and D Josh Suggs
The Earthquakes signed goalkeeper Evan Newton, midfielder Jacob Hustedt and defender Josh Suggs last week. Suggs and Newton are both second-year professionals who began training camp with the club in San Jose as trialists back on Jan. 16 while Hustedt was taken by the Quakes in the second-round (No. 25 overall) of the 2012 SuperDraft.
Newton was a first-round selection (No. 7 overall) of the Houston Dynamo in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft, but did not make any league appearances for the MLS Cup finalists. The former standout at Old Dominion spent time on loan at FC Tampa Bay of the NASL.
Hustedt spent his senior year in 2011 with Washington following three years at Cal Poly. He helped the Huskies to a 12-4-2 record en route to All-Pacific 12 Conference First Team honors while accumulating six goals and five assists in 18 matches.
Suggs, a star at Humboldt State during his college days, was with the Los Angeles Blues of USL PRO a year ago. He had a week-long trial with the Quakes last September, making one MLS Reserve League appearance in Vancouver.
Quakes, Aurasma Kick Off Partnership
The Earthquakes and Aurasma, the world’s leading augmented reality platform, announced a partnership last week to transform the club’s 2012 logo and promotional materials into cross-media experiences that will draw fans closer to their favorite Major League Soccer team. Using the free Aurasma Lite app for iPhone, iPad and Android, fans can now aim their devices at San Jose Earthquakes logos anywhere in the world and view a special video message from star forward Chris Wondolowski, followed by game highlights.
Following Go-Ahead on New Stadium, Two Suites Remain
The San Jose Earthquakes have already sold 10 of 12 available field-level luxury suites for its new stadium, generating over $3.5 million in revenue for the project. For more information about the remaining suites, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/newstadium, email suites@sjearthquakes.com or call 408-556-7700. The San Jose Planning Commission voted 6-0 to uphold the Earthquakes’ Planned Development Permit on Feb. 22, paving the way for the club to break ground on its new stadium at 1125 Coleman Avenue.
Quakes President Dave Kaval’s Office Hours
Earthquakes President Dave Kaval’s office hours continue during the preseason. Fans can drop by his office at 451 El Camino Real, Suite 220 in Santa Clara, Calif., on Tuesdays between 3 and 5 p.m. PT. Participants will be seen on a first come, first served basis. Be sure to follow his blog, Kaval’s Kickoff, exclusively at www.sjearthquakes.com, and new this year, follow him on Twitter at @QuakesPrez.
2012 Season Tickets on Sale
Season tickets for the San Jose Earthquakes’ 2012 campaign are on sale now. Packages include 20 games at a significantly discounted rate, as well as a bevy of exclusive season ticket-holder 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 representative at 408-556-7700.
New Quakes Jerseys and Other Merchandise Available for Purchase
Fans can purchase new San Jose Earthquakes jerseys and other merchandise by logging on to the club’s online store at earthquakes.yorder.it, or in person by visiting team headquarters at 451 El Camino Real, Suite 220, Santa Clara, CA 95050. The Quakes unveiled their full set of kits for the 2012 season, including colors for the shorts and socks accompanying their jersey tops. The first-choice kit features a black top with blue trim, black shorts with blue trim and black socks with white hoops. The new No. 2 kit includes a blue top with black trim, blue shorts with black trim and blue socks with white hoops. The club’s third kit features a white top with black and blue trim, white shorts with black and blue trim and white socks with black hoops.
Earthquakes Youth Academy Update
Academy U-18s and U16s Idle
The Earthquakes U-18s and U16s were idle this past week. Both academy squads will head to Southern California for a pair of games on March 17-18.
