This Week
The San Jose Earthquakes (19-6-7, 64 pts.) play host to the LA Galaxy (15-12-5, 50 pts.) this Sunday, Oct. 21 at Buck Shaw Stadium for Ramiro Corrales Bobblehead Day, presented by Wells Fargo. The sold-out match will start at 4 p.m. PT and air live on Comcast SportsNet California, Galavision, 1590 KLIV, and 1370 KZSF.
Earthquakes Schedule for the Week of 10/15/12
Tuesday, Oct. 16 – 10:15 a.m. – Practice at Earthquakes Training Facility
Wednesday, Oct. 17 – 10:15 a.m. - Practice at Earthquakes Training Facility
Thursday, Oct. 18 – Off
Friday, Oct. 19 – 10:15 a.m. – Practice (Location TBD)
Saturday, Oct. 20 – 10:15 a.m. – Practice (Location TBD)
Sunday, Oct. 21 – 4:00 p.m. PT – Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy, Buck Shaw Stadium, LIVE on Comcast SportsNet California, Galavision, 1590 KLIV, and 1370 KZSF
Injury Report
Out: Mehdi Ballouchy (L – torn ACL), Jacob Hustedt (L - ankle surgery), Cesar Diaz Pizarro (R – groin strain), Tim Ward (L – non–specific soft tissue injury); Questionable: Ike Opara (concussion); Probable: David Bingham (R – wrist sprain), Simon Dawkins (R – ankle sprain), Justin Morrow (R – shoulder sprain).
Earthquakes vs. LA Galaxy All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 15-25-8
Home: 12-9-5 (37 GF, 33 GA)
Away: 5-16-3 (29 GF, 46 GA)
Shootout (1996-99): 1-4; Overtime (2000-03): 0-0-4
Playoffs: 3-4-1; US Open Cup: 0-4-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 64, LA Galaxy – 79
Opponent Info
LA Galaxy Scouting Report
The LA Galaxy (15-12-5, 50 pts.) fell to Western Conference Rival Real Salt Lake 2-1 at The Home Depot Center on Saturday, Oct. 6 in their last match. The result places the team in fourth place in the Western Conference, two points below Seattle Sounders FC, who have a game in hand. The LA Galaxy last played the Earthquakes on June 30 in front of 50,391 fans at a sold-out Stanford Stadium. The Earthquakes stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to win 4-3, including a back-heel winner from MVP frontrunner Chris Wondolowski. Robbie Keane, now in his second season in MLS, leads the Galaxy with 15 goals, while Landon Donovan has nine goals and David Beckham has seven. The Galaxy are 3-1-1 in their last five games.
History of the Quakes – LA Galaxy Rivalry
San Jose is 17-25-8 all-time against the LA Galaxy, including 12-9-5 at home and 1-0-1 at Buck Shaw Stadium … As the two original MLS teams in California, the Earthquakes (then known as the Clash) and the Galaxy met for the first time on April 28, 1996, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. … In front of a crowd of 40,347, the Clash fell to the Galaxy, 2-1 … From 1996-2005, the in-state rivals matched up more than any other teams in the league … Along with playing each other 48 times in the regular season, the Quakes and the Galaxy have also faced off eight times in the postseason and four times in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup … The teams squared off in the playoffs in 1996, 2003 and 2005, as well as the 2001 MLS Cup … The Galaxy captured the 1996 conference semifinal series, two games to one, taking the final two contests at the Rose Bowl by identical scores of 2-0 … In 2001, the sides met in the MLS Cup, with the Quakes producing a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph at Columbus Crew Stadium as Dwayne De Rosario scored the winner in overtime … The 2003 Western Conference Semifinal series produced one of the most memorable games in league history … After dropping the road leg of a two-game set, 2-0, San Jose fell behind by that same score after just 13 minutes of the home return to trail the series, 4-0 on aggregate … The Quakes responded with a four-goal explosion in regulation to level the aggregate, 4-4, getting the fourth from Chris Ronér in the 90th minute just moments after he had come into the game … Fellow second-half substitute Rodrigo Faria then struck six minutes into sudden-death overtime to send San Jose to the Western Conference Finals, and ultimately its second MLS Cup … In 2005, having lost the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals, 3-1, at The Home Depot Center, the Quakes needed another two-goal comeback to win the series … After going up 1-0 on a Brian Ching goal in Game 2 on Oct. 29, 2005, Ned Grabavoy scored for the Galaxy to end the Quakes’ hopes … That match marked the Quakes’ final game before the team was relocated to Houston on Dec. 15, 2005 … Since the Earthquakes rejoined MLS in 2008, the teams have met 10 times … San Jose has gone 3-4-3 during that stretch, including a 1-0 win in front of what was then a stadium-record crowd of 10,799 at Buck Shaw Stadium on Aug. 21, 2010, thanks to a fourth-minute goal by Chris Wondolowski … The sides played to a scoreless draw in front of a new Buck Shaw record crowd of 10,872 in last year’s first meeting on June 25, with the Quakes unable to find a goal despite out-shooting the Galaxy, 25-8, and playing with a man advantage for 47 minutes … The return fixture in Carson resulted in a 2-0 victory for LA as Robbie Keane scored the winner on his MLS debut.
Earthquakes Leaders vs. LA Galaxy
Chris Wondolowski has two goals in eight career appearances … Alan Gordon has scored three goals in four matches against his former club including the stoppage time game winner for the Quakes against the LA Galaxy on May 23 as the Quakes rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 at the Home Depot Center … Steven Lenhart has four goals in seven appearances (three with San Jose), including goals on May 23 and June 30 … Ramiro Corrales has three assists in 29 appearances with the most recent coming on June 30 … Jon Busch is 9-7-4 with six shutouts over 19 career appearances, including a 3-1-2 record with two shutouts in a Quakes uniform.
LA Galaxy Leaders vs. San Jose
Forward Edson Buddle has eight goals in 14 appearances, including five in six games with the Galaxy … Midfielder Landon Donovan has six goals and five assists in 11 games against his old club … Midfielder David Beckham has one goal and four assists in five games … Forward Robbie Keane has one goal in two appearances … Goalkeeper Josh Saunders is 1-0-0 with one shutout over two appearances … Josh Saunders received a red-card ejection in the 43rd minute of the scoreless draw at Buck Shaw last June 25 after coming on for an injured Donovan Ricketts in the 24th.
Earthquakes – LA Galaxy Connections
Quakes head coach Frank Yallop was the head coach of the LA Galaxy from 2006-07, compiling a record of 18-21-12 … Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan began his MLS career with the Earthquakes, producing 32 goals and 29 assists over 87 appearances from 2001-04 and helping lead San Jose to both of its MLS Cup titles in 2001 and 2003 … Donovan still ranks No. 3 on the club’s all-time goal-scoring chart … Quakes forward Alan Gordon played for the Galaxy from 2004-10, scoring 16 goals in 99 games … David Beckham made his Galaxy debut in a friendly against Chelsea as part of the World Series of Soccer at The Home Depot Center on July 21, 2007, entering the game for Gordon in the 78th minute … Quakes assistant coach Ian Russell played three games for Frank Yallop with the Galaxy in 2007 … Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant was San Jose’s first-round selection in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft (No. 6 overall) out of Stanford, and played 46 games for the Earthquakes from 2003-04, producing one goal and six assists … Current Galaxy starting goalkeeper Josh Saunders was also a member of that Earthquakes draft class (Round 4, No. 36) out of California (2001-02), and was on the roster of the 2003 MLS Cup champions, but did not appear in any games for the franchise … Galaxy assistant coach Curt Onalfo played in six matches for San Jose in 1997 … First-year Galaxy assistant coach Jovan Kirovski played in nine matches for the Quakes in 2008 … Quakes defenders Jason Hernandez and Tim Ward were teammates with Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in 2005 … Quakes goalkeeper David Bingham (2008-10) and Galaxy midfielder Hector Jimenez (2006-10) were teammates at Cal … Galaxy forward Chad Barrett played with Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch in Chicago in 2007-08 and Quakes midfielder Sam Cronin in Toronto from 2009-10 … Quakes midfielder Simon Dawkins is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, where second-year Galaxy forward Robbie Keane played from 2002-08, and around loan moves from 2009 until his departure for MLS … Dawkins is also acquainted with fellow Englishman Beckham, with Beckham also having trained with Spurs for several weeks during the 2011 MLS preseason … Quakes defender Ike Opara and Galaxy midfielder Michael Stephens were teammates on the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team during CONCACAF Olympic qualifying in late March, as well as the U.S. squad at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
Community Update
Get Earthquakes Fit Closing Ceremony
WHO: Earthquakes player Chris Wondolowski
WHAT: Get Earthquakes Fit Closing Ceremony Assembly
WHERE: Alexander Rose Elementary School, Milpitas
WHEN: Monday, October 15 at 1:15 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
WHO: Earthquakes player Rafa Baca
WHAT: Get Earthquakes Fit Closing Ceremony Assembly
WHERE: Ruskin Elementary School, San Jose
WHEN: Tuesday, October 16 at 1:15 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
WHO: Earthquakes player Shea Salinas
WHAT: Get Earthquakes Fit Closing Ceremony Assembly
WHERE: Vargas Elementary School, Sunnyvale
WHEN: Wednesday, October 17 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
WHO: Earthquakes player Justin Morrow
WHAT: Get Earthquakes Fit Closing Ceremony Assembly
WHERE: Cherry Chase Elementary School, Sunnyvale
WHEN: Thursday, October 18 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
WHO: Earthquakes player Rafa Baca
WHAT: Get Earthquakes Fit Closing Ceremony Assembly
WHERE: A.J. Dorsa Elementary School, San Jose
WHEN: Friday, October 19 at 1:15 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.
Light the Night Walk at Discovery Meadow, San Jose
WHO: Earthquakes players, families and front office staff
WHAT: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk
WHERE: Discovery Meadow, San Jose
WHEN: Saturday, October 20 at 7:00 PM
DETAILS: The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that for the fifth-consecutive year the club will participate in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk on Saturday, Oct. 20 in San Jose. Earthquakes players and members of the team’s front office will join fans to walk in the event. People interested in walking with the Earthquakes at Light The Night can register online at the club’s team page: www.sjearthquakes.com/lightthenight.
Miscellaneous Notes
Earthquakes First Playoff Home Game is Sold Out
The San Jose Earthquakes announced that their first home playoff game is sold out. The team also announced that individual tickets to their second home MLS Cup Playoff game, the Western Conference Championship, will go on sale to the general public Thursday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. PT. Visa and the Earthquakes will offer all Visa cardholders access to a private advanced ticket sale for the Western Conference Championship match. The private sale starts Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. and is only available at www.sjearthquakes.com. The only payment method accepted through the presale will be Visa, the preferred card of the San Jose Earthquakes. Fans can also guarantee their seat by placing a $50 deposit on 2013 season tickets. That deposit also secures a spot in the club’s new stadium seat selection queue. For more information about season ticket packages, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/newstadium. Once tickets go on sale to the public on Thursday, fans can make a purchase by visiting www.sjearthquakes.com or calling 1-800-225-2277. To purchase groups of 10 or more or for more information, fans should call the Earthquakes Front Office at 408-556-7700.
Gordon, Bernardez, and Chavez Star for National Teams
Alan Gordon entered as a 73rd minute sub for striker Herculez Gomez to make his debut with the U.S. Men’s National Team on Oct. 12. The Quakes striker did not wait long to make an impact for his country. Off of a Sacha Kljestan pass, Gordon hit a one-time cross to find an open Eddie Johnson. Eddie Johnson headed the ball into the net to give the United States a 2-1 victory over Antigua and Barbuda in FIFA World Cup Qualifying. Victor Bernardez and Marvin Chavez helped Honduras earn a point against rivals Panama in a 0-0 tie in Panama City. Bernardez played the entire game while Chavez entered as an 81st minute sub. Gordon and the U.S. face Guatemala on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at LIVEStrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, while Chavez and Bernardez play Canada in Honduras.
Earthquakes Attempt to Break Guinness World Record for Largest Groundbreaking Ceremony
The Earthquakes 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.
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.
Wondolowski Breaks Club Scoring Mark
Chris Wondolowski’s hat trick in a 4-1 win against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday moved him past Ronald Cerritos for the club’s career goals record. The MVP frontrunner has scored 25 goals in 2012 and 62 in his 104-game San Jose career. Cerritos previously held the record with 61 goals in 148 games.
Watch Out, Roy
Chris Wondolowski’s hat trick against Colorado brought the Budweiser Golden Boot leader to within two goals of Roy Lassiter’s all-time single-season record of 27. Lassiter’s mark has stood since Major League Soccer’s inaugural season in 1996. Wondolowski will have two games to try and pass Lassiter, at home against the LA Galaxy on Sunday, Oct. 21 (4 p.m. PT / CSN California) and Sunday, Oct. 27 at the Portland Timbers (3:30 p.m. PT / NBC Sports).
Wondolowski Sets Three-Year MLS Scoring Record
No player has scored more goals over a three-year span than Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski following his hat trick in a 4-1 victory against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. Wondolowski scored 18 in 2010, 16 in 2011 and has 25 in 2012 for a total of 59 goals with two games remaining this season. Raul Diaz Arce previously held the record after scoring 56 with D.C. United (1996-97) and the New England Revolution (1998).
Chavez Eyes Club’s Season Assists Record
Marvin Chavez notched his team-leading 11th assist of the season in San Jose’s 4-1 win against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. His output is tied for the fourth-most in club history, three behind Eddie Lewis who had set the club record with 14 in 1997 and 1999. Chavez is the 12th San Jose player ever to reach double-digit assists.
Biggest Turnarounds
The San Jose Earthquakes have improved by 26 points and 11 wins from their 2011 season, one of the best turnarounds in MLS history. The 26-point difference from 2011 to 2012 is tied with the 2004 New England Revolution for fourth on the MLS all-time list, 13 behind the 1999 MetroStars. Meanwhile, the Earthquakes’ 11 additional wins this season rank No. 1 all-time, one-upping the 1999 MetroStars and 2009 New York Red Bulls.
Multi-Goal Feats
The Earthquakes notched their 20th multi-goal game of the season in Saturday’s 4-1 win against the Colorado Rapids, tying the club with the 2000 Chicago Fire and 2000 and 2005 MetroStars for the most multi-goal games in a single season since 2000. Additionally, Chris Wondolowski recorded his fourth-career hat trick for his sixth multi-goal game of 2012, two back of the all-time single-season record.
Quakes Clinch Top Seed in Western Conference, Inch Closer to Supporters’ Shield
The Earthquakes (19-6-7, 64 pts.) secured the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs and inched closer to their second-ever Supporters’ Shield thanks to a 4-1 win against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. Coupled with Sporting Kansas City’s (17-7-8, 59 pts.) 1-1 draw with the Columbus Crew on Sunday, San Jose’s Supporters’ Shield magic number is down to two. The last time San Jose won the Supporters’ Shield and finished on top of the Western Conference was 2005.
Top of the League
Through 32 games, the Earthquakes are No. 1 in MLS with 69 goals scored and 72 assists. With 40 goals conceded, the Quakes are also No. 1 in the league with a +29 goal differential. Additionally, San Jose leads the league with 42 second-half goals and a +24 goal differential in the second half.
Race for the Budweiser Golden Boot
Chris Wondolowski remains well in front of the pack in the race for the Budweiser Golden Boot. The Danville native has 25 goals, eight more than his closest pursuer, Real Salt Lake’s Alvaro Saborio.
Lucky Number 7
The Earthquakes are unbeaten in their last seven MLS regular season games. Since dropping a 3-1 road decision against the Montreal Impact on Aug. 18, San Jose is 5-0-2 while outscoring opponents 21-8 in the process.
All-Time Wins/Points Records
The Quakes 4-1 win against the Colorado Rapids on Oct. 6 tied club records for wins (19) and points (64) in a season. The club last won 19 games in 1999, 10 of which came via shootout with only nine in regulation. Meanwhile, San Jose ended 2005 with 64 points thanks to an 18-4-10 record. With two games remaining in the regular season, the Earthquakes have a chance to best both marks.
Road Warriors
The Earthquakes tied a club record for road wins in a season after defeating the Colorado Rapids 4-1 on Saturday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. San Jose is 9-5-2 on the road this season, matching their full-point output from 2005. San Jose is tied with Sporting Kansas City for the best road winning percentage (.625) in 2012.
Three-Headed Monster
Earthquakes forwards Chris Wondolowski (25), Alan Gordon (13) and Steven Lenhart (10) are the first trio from the same team to score 10 or more goals in a season since 2002. Additionally, those three have accounted for more goals (48) than every MLS team except for the LA Galaxy (56), New York Red Bulls (54), D.C. United (49) and Seattle Sounders FC (48). Their haul combined is the most by three players in club history, 15 more than the previous San Jose benchmark set in 1996. The last time the Quakes had three players score 10 goals in a season was 1997 when Ronald Cerritos (12), Lawrence Lozzano (10) and Jeff Baicher (10) all reached double digits.
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 0.90 goals per 90 minutes while Wondolowski is next on the list with a 0.85 rate. Injured Toronto FC forward Danny Koevermans is third at 0.68 followed by Real Salt Lake’s Alvaro Saborio at 0.67.
Corrales Bobblehead Day, Presented by Wells Fargo
The Earthquakes will host Ramiro Corrales Bobblehead Day, presented by Wells Fargo, on Oct. 21 vs. the LA Galaxy. Per the promotion, 5,000 fans will receive a Corrales Bobblehead.
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 69 goals through 32 games, the donated total for this season already stands at $17,250. Thanks to 40 goals in 2011, the partnership raised $10,000 for local youth soccer and athletic development programs a year ago.
Academy Recap
The Earthquakes’ Academy faced San Diego rivals Nomads and Surf Soccer Club on Saturday, Oct. 6 and Sunday, Oct. 7, respectively. The U-16 Earthquakes beat Nomads 3-1 from goals by Alex Liua (17th minute), Nicholas Perez (43rd minute), and Rufus Wollo (69th minute). On Sunday, the U-16s lost to Surf 2-0. Meanwhile, the U-18s won both of their matches. They defeated Nomads 4-1 and Surf 2-1 with goals from Jesse Moralles Garcia and Elisama Padilla against Surf.
