This Week
The San Jose Earthquakes (18-6-7, 61 pts.) hit the road to take on the Colorado Rapids (9-18-4, 31 pts.) on Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The match kicks off at 6 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.
Earthquakes Schedule for the Week of 10/1/12
Tuesday, Oct. 2 – 10:15 a.m. – Practice at Earthquakes Training Facility
Wednesday, Oct. 3 – Off\
Thursday, Oct. 4 – 10:15 a.m. – Practice at Earthquakes Training Facility
Friday, Oct. 5 – Travel to Denver, Colo.
Saturday, Oct. 6 – 6:00 p.m. PT – Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., live on CSN California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF
Sunday, Oct. 7 – Off
Injury Report
Out: Mehdi Ballouchy (L – torn ACL), David Bingham (R – wrist sprain), Cesar Diaz Pizarro (R – groin strain), Tim Ward (L – non–specific soft tissue injury); Questionable: Simon Dawkins (R – ankle sprain), Ike Opara (concussion); Probable: Sam Garza (R – ankle sprain).
Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 23-18-9
Home: 12-8-5 (46 GF, 34 GA)
Away: 11-10-4 (29 GF, 32 GA)
Shootout (1996-99): 1-2; Overtime (2000-03): 0-0-2; Playoffs: 0-1-0; US Open Cup: 0-0-0; U.S. Open Cup Play-In: 0-0-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 75, Colorado Rapids – 66
Colorado Rapids Info
Colorado Rapids Scouting Report
The Rapids (9-18-4, 31 pts.) are clinging to their postseason livelihood with three games to play. In order to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs, the club would need to win each of its last three games while making up six points on FC Dallas and eight on Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Colombian forward Jaime Castrillon leads the way offensively with eight goals and two assists. Most recently, he scored Colorado’s lone goal in 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy. Argentine midfielder Martin Rivero paces the Rapids in assists with eight, his last coming in a 4-1 loss against San Jose on Aug. 25.
History of the Earthquakes-Rapids Rivalry
The Earthquakes have a long history with the Colorado Rapids … They played for the first time in 1996 and the Quakes swept the four-game season series, outscoring Colorado 9-3 in the process … In 1997 Colorado won three of four and swept the Quakes in two games at San Jose … Colorado dominated again in 1998 and had a memorable win at Stanford where they edged the Earthquakes 4-3 in penalty kicks … The Earthquakes returned the favor and beat Colorado 4-3 in penalty kicks in the first match of 1999 and they split the season series 2-2 … 2000 saw the teams split the series again with the Earthquakes winning the first two meetings … on August 25, 2001 the Earthquakes scored three goals in four minutes for their second win of the year against the Rapids. Manny Lagos scored his second goal of the match on an assist from Junior Agogo. Two minutes later Landon Donovan scored on an assist from Ian Russel. Then in the 40th minute Donovan assisted Agogo for the fourth goal. The Quakes added one more and then cruised to a 5-2 victory … In 2002 the teams split the series … In 2003 the Quakes opened the season at Colorado and Brian Ching scored 53 seconds into the match and the Quakes were victorious 2-1 … 2004 began an unbeaten streak in which the Earthquakes did not lose to the Rapids from 2004-2010. The Quakes were 8-0-4 during the streak before losing 1-0 on August 7, 2010 … The two teams met again in the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals, but the Rapids beat the Quakes 1-0 on their way to winning the MLS Cup … The Quakes were unable to beat the Rapids last year, with the Rapids defeating the Quakes 2-1 on August 13, 2011 at Buck Shaw Stadium, and the sides tying 1-1 on September 24, 2011 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park … Earlier this season, San Jose scored twice late in the game, including a 92nd minute penalty from Chris Wondolowski, to knock off Colorado 2-1 at DSG Park.
Earthquakes - Colorado Rapids Connections
Rapids midfielder Pablo Mastroeni played briefly in 1998 with Quakes midfielder Ramiro Corrales for the Miami Fusion and on the U.S. National Team with Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch on March 9, 2005 against Colombia … Earthquakes players Jed Zayner (2003-05) and Brad Ring (2005-08) and Rapids defender Drew Moor (2003-04) attended the University of Indiana … Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens played with Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch in 2007 with Chicago … Rapids goalkeeper Ian Joyce played at Seton Hall University, the same school where Quakes defender Jason Hernandez played ... Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan played with the Earthquakes from 2003-05 and played with Chris Wondolowski in Houston from 2006-09 … Wondolowski and Rapids midfielder Jeff Larentowicz were both called up to the USMNT this January for its games against Venezuela on January 22 and Panama on January 25. Wondolowski and Larentowicz appeared in both games, both 1-0 victories for the U.S. … Quakes midfielder Khari Stephenson, Rapids defender Tyrone Marshall, and Rapids forward Omar Cummings all represent Jamaica at the international level … Quakes midfielder Jean-Marc Alexandre and Rapids goalkeeper Stewart Ceus both represent Haiti at the international level.
Earthquakes All-Time Leaders vs. Colorado Rapids
Forward Chris Wondolowski has four goals and one assist in 11 games against … Forward Alan Gordon has five goals in 15 games … Forward Steven Lenhart has two goals in seven appearances … Defender Ramiro Corrales has six assists in 33 games … Midfielder Marvin Chavez has two goals in seven games … Goalkeeper Jon Busch is 6-7-4 and has three shutouts in 17 games.
Colorado Rapids All-Time Leaders vs. Earthquakes
Forward Conor Casey has three goals in six appearances … Midfielder Brian Mullan has one goal and two assists in 13 games ... Defender Tyrone Marshall has one goal and three assists in 27 matches … Midfielder Jeff Larentowicz has one goal and one assist in 10 appearances … Goalkeeper Matt Pickens is 3-3-1 with one shutout in seven appearances.
Community Update
Get Earthquakes Fit Closing Ceremony Assembly
Who: Earthquakes player Jason Hernandez
What: Get Earthquakes Fit Closing Ceremony Assembly
Where: Cedar Grove Elementary School, 2702 Sugar Plum Drive, San Jose, CA 95148
When: Monday, October 1 at 1:30 PM
Details: Specifically designed for third and fourth grade students, this fun, five-week fitness program is designed to encourage and teach kids to lead more active and healthy lives. At this closing ceremony assembly, the Earthquakes player will congratulate the kids on completing the program and sign autographs.
Get Earthquakes Fit Closing Ceremony Assembly
Who: Earthquakes player Justin Morrow
What: Get Earthquakes Fit Closing Ceremony Assembly
Where: Guadalupe Elementary, 6044 Vera Cruz Drive, San Jose, CA 95120
When: Tuesday, October 2 at 1:30 PM
Details: Specifically designed for third and fourth grade students, this fun, five-week fitness program is designed to encourage and teach kids to lead more active and healthy lives. At this closing ceremony assembly, the Earthquakes player will congratulate the kids on completing the program and sign autographs.
Shea Salinas School Visit
Who: Earthquakes player Shea Salinas
What: Speaking to Students at Roosevelt Elementary School
Where: Roosevelt Elementary School, 2223 Vera Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94061
When: Wednesday, October 3 at 10:30 AM
Details: Shea will be speaking to the students about the importance of leading an active and healthy lifestyle. After the assembly he will take photos with each of the classes alongside the Earthquakes mascot, Q.
Get Earthquakes Fit Closing Ceremony Assembly
Who: Earthquakes player Jake Hustedt
What: Get Earthquakes Fit Closing Ceremony Assembly
Where: Taylor Elementary School, 410 Saunter Drive, San Jose, CA 95123
When: Wednesday, October 3 at 1:30 PM
Details: Specifically designed for third and fourth grade students, this fun, five-week fitness program is designed to encourage and teach kids to lead more active and healthy lives. At this closing ceremony assembly, the Earthquakes player will congratulate the kids on completing the program and sign autographs.
Miscellaneous Notes
Earthquakes to Attempt to Break Guinness World Record for Largest Groundbreaking Ceremony
Earthquakes Club President Dave Kaval announced the club will break ground on their new stadium on Sunday, Oct. 21 and will try to break a Guinness World Record for the largest groundbreaking ceremony in the process. Fans are invited to the landmark occasion and can RSVP by visiting www.sjearthquakes.com/groundbreaking. Anyone planning to attend can park for free starting at 10:30 a.m. at the new stadium site on the corner of Coleman Ave. and Newhall Ave. Check-in for diggers begins at 11:30 a.m. To ensure participation, fans should arrive before noon. In order to break the Guinness World Record, the club needs 4,533 participants to dig for two minutes.
Individual MLS Cup Playoff Tickets on Sale
Individual tickets to the Earthquakes’ first home MLS Cup Playoff are on sale. They are available at www.sjearthquakes.com or by calling 1-800-225-2277 while groups of 10 or more should call the club’s headquarters at 408-556-7700.
Quakes First in Western Conference, Supporters’ Shield Standings
The Earthquakes (18-6-7, 61 pts.) remain atop the Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings following last week’s results. San Jose holds a three-point advantage over Sporting Kansas City (17-7-7, 58 pts.) in the Supporters’ Shield race. Meanwhile, the Earthquakes are nine points ahead of Real Salt Lake (16-11-4, 52 pts.) in the Western Conference table.
Magic Numbers
The Earthquakes are seven points away from clinching their second-ever Supporters’ Shield. A San Jose win on Saturday against Colorado coupled with a Sporting Kansas City loss against Columbus on Sunday would all but seal the Earthquakes’ spot atop the league with the tiebreaker being goals scored; San Jose has scored 26 more goals than SKC. Meanwhile, the Quakes’ magic number to clinch the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs is one point.
Top of the League
Through 31 games, the Earthquakes are No. 1 in MLS with 65 goals scored and 69 assists. With 39 goals conceded, the Quakes are also No. 1 in the league with a +26 goal differential. Additionally, San Jose leads the league with 40 second-half goals and a +23 goal differential in the second half.
Stoppage-Time Shenanigans
The Earthquakes extended their MLS record for second-half stoppage-time goals with Steven Lenhart’s late equalizer in Saturday’s 3-3 draw against FC Dallas, San Jose’s ninth such strike in 2012. The Earthquakes have earned an additional 13 points in the standings thanks to stoppage-time heroics.
Lenhart’s Century Mark
Quakes forward Steven Lenhart made his 100th career MLS appearance memorable, recording a brace while scoring the equalizer in a 3-3 draw against FC Dallas on Saturday. The target man began his career with the Columbus Crew in 2008, making 63 appearances before being traded to the Earthquakes on Jan. 13, 2011. He has since scored 15 goals in 27 games during his time in San Jose.
Race for the Budweiser Golden Boot
Chris Wondolowski remains in front of the pack in the race for the Budweiser Golden Boot. The Danville native has 22 goals, five more than his closest pursuer Real Salt Lake’s Alvaro Saborio.
Unbeaten Streak Continues at Buck Shaw
The Earthquakes extended their Buck Shaw Stadium unbeaten streak to 17 games with a 3-3 draw against FC Dallas on Sept. 29. The Quakes’ last loss at their primary venue came against the Colorado Rapids on Aug. 13, 2011. San Jose’s all-time home-unbeaten streak record is 18 games, set from Sept. 25, 2004-Oct. 8, 2005 at Spartan Stadium. The Earthquakes are 9-0-5 at Buck Shaw this season and 10-1-5 at home including matches played at AT&T Park and Stanford Stadium.
Another Unbeaten Streak
The Earthquakes are unbeaten in their last six MLS regular season games. Since dropping a 3-1 road loss against the Montreal Impact on Aug. 18, San Jose is 4-0-2 while outscoring opponents 17-7 in the process.
All-Time Wins/Points Records
The Earthquakes are one win away from tying the club’s all-time mark for wins in a season, set in 1999. Of the team’s 19 wins in 1999, 10 came via shootout with only nine in regulation. With 61 points and three games remaining, San Jose is also closing in on the club record for points in a season, set in 2005. The team ended 2005 with 64 points and an 18-4-10 record.
Road Warriors
The Earthquakes enter Dick’s Sporting Goods Park with an 8-5-2 road record, the second-best mark in MLS. San Jose’s club record for road wins in a single season is nine, set in 2005 when the Earthquakes were 9-4-3.
Three-Headed Monster
Earthquakes forwards Chris Wondolowski (22), Alan Gordon (13) and Steven Lenhart (10) became the first trio from the same team to score 10 or more goals in a season since 2002 thanks to Lenhart’s brace on Saturday. Their haul is the most by three players in club history, 12 more than the previous San Jose benchmark set in 1996. Additionally, those three have accounted for more goals (45) than every MLS team except for the LA Galaxy (55), New York Red Bulls (54), D.C. United (48) and Seattle Sounders FC (45).
Wondolowski Closing in on Club Scoring Mark
Chris Wondolowski is two goals away from matching Ronald Cerritos’ club record for career goals scored. Cerritos scored 61 goals in 148 games over six seasons in San Jose. Meanwhile, Wondolowski has 59 goals in 103 games over five seasons for the Earthquakes.
Efficient Scorers
Alan Gordon and Chris Wondolowski lead MLS in goals per 90 minutes among players with at least 1,000 minutes logged in 2012. Gordon has scored an amazing clip of 0.95 goals per 90 minutes while Wondolowski is next on the list with a 0.78 rate. New York’s Thierry Henry and Real Salt Lake’s Alvaro Saborio are next at 0.69.
Corrales Bobblehead Day, Presented by Wells Fargo
The Earthquakes unveiled last week that their final home game of the season, Oct. 21 vs. the LA Galaxy, will be Ramiro Corrales Bobblehead Day, presented by Wells Fargo. Per the promotion, 5,000 fans will receive a Corrales bobblehead.
Fifth Annual Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation Banquet Set for Oct. 12
The Fifth Annual Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation Awards Banquet is slated for Friday, Oct. 12 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif. featuring former Earthquakes defender Jimmy Conrad as the keynote speaker. The event also includes the Andrew Bedard “Spirit of the Game” Award given to an Earthquakes player for the charitable works throughout the year. For ticket, donation and sponsorship information visit www.ssvcf.org/annualdinner.html.
Wells Fargo Goals for Education
Wells Fargo has again pledged to donate $250 for each goal the Earthquakes score in 2012 through the Goals for Education program. With 65 goals through 31 games, the donated total for this season already stands at $16,250. Thanks to 40 goals in 2011, the partnership raised $10,000 for local youth soccer and athletic development programs a year ago.
