The San Jose Earthquakes had three members representing their national team in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on Friday night. Alan Gordon entered as a 73rd minute substitute for the U.S. Men's National team and assisted Eddie Johnson on the game-winning goal to secure a 2-1 U.S. victory over Antigua and Barbuda. Victor Bernardez played the full 90 minutes and Marvin Chavez entered in the 81st minute to give Honduras a 0-0 tie with Panama in Panama City.
It didn't take long for Alan Gordon to make a "Goonies-Never-Say-Die" impact for the U.S. Men's National team. Gordon, the Earthquakes' second leading scorer with 13 goals, earned his first cap as a subsitute for forward Herculez Gomez in the 73rd minute. Despite erratic weather in North Sound, Antigua, the U.S. gained a crucial victory ahead of Tuesday's grudgematch against Guatemala in Kansas City. An injury-plagued U.S. looked as if they would settle for a draw but a Sacha Kljestan pass fell perfectly to Gordon on the top of the box in stoppage time. Not hesistating, Gordon hit a first time cross to an unmarked Eddie Johnson on the far post. Johnson headed the ball back across the goal and into the net to give him a brace and the U.S. a vital three points.
"We were just pushing. Sacha [Kljestan] played me a good ball and I wanted to put a dangerous ball in. Eddie did a great job of getting up and heading away," said Gordon in a post-match interview.
The U.S. sits tied for first place with Guatemala with 10 points each after five games played.
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In Panama City, Victor Bernardez and Marvin Chavez helped Honduras secure a point against Panama after a 0-0 tie in World Cup Qualifying on Friday night. Victor Bernardez played the entirety of the match in his usual center back role. Marvin Chavez entered in the 81st minute for Martinez Mario to support the midfield.
Honduras sits in third place in their group with eight points, only two points behind leaders Panama with 10.
The Earthquakes will return to action at 4 p.m. on Oct. 21 when they face the LA Galaxy at Buck Shaw Stadium in another edition of the California Clasico.
