THIS WEEK
The San Jose Earthquakes look to extend their unbeaten streak to four games as the club returns to the road to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, March 30 at 5:30 p.m. PT. The game will be televised live on Comcast SportsNet California and will air on radio on 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.
San Jose’s Record in March
The Quakes are 10-11-1 all-time in March in MLS play.
Last Game
Earthquakes 1, Sounders FC 0; March 23, 2013; Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
The San Jose Earthquakes made it four in a row against Seattle Sounders FC with a 1-0 win in front of a sold out crowd at Buck Shaw Stadium. Chris Wondolowski supplied the firepower for the Earthquakes (2-1-1, 7 pts.) with a first-half stoppage-time goal. Goalkeeper Jon Busch started the scoring play with a drop kick from his box near the end of the 45th minute. Rookie Adam Jahn won the ensuing header, flicking the ball toward the box. Wondolowski was next, snaring the ball with a deft touch to set up a booming right-footed shot from the top of the box, beating Sounders FC (0-2-1, 1 pt.) goalkeeper Michael Gspurning at the far post. Busch and the Earthquakes picked up their first clean sheet of the season. The veteran goalkeeper made four saves on the night, the biggest of which came on a sequence in the 75th minute. Busch first dove to his right to stop a Mauro Rosales shot destined for the net and then blocked David Estrada’s follow-up attempt, preserving San Jose’s 1-0 lead.
OPPONENT INFO
Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 4-5-1
Home: 3-2-1 (8 GF, 6 GA)
Away: 1-3-0 (5 GF, 8 GA)
Playoffs: 0-0-0; US Open Cup: 0-0-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 13, Houston – 14
Houston Dynamo Scouting Report
The Houston Dynamo (2-1-0, 6 pt.) are near the top of the Eastern Conference having won two of their last three matches. On Saturday, the Dynamo handed Vancouver Whitecaps FC a 2-1 loss at BBVA Compass Stadium on to extend their home unbeaten streak to 33-games (includes all competitions, one away from Real Salt Lake’s MLS record). Down a goal going in the second half, Warren Creavalle and Giles Barnes scored the equalizer and game-winner in a span of just seven minutes to earn their team three points.
Last Game vs. Houston Dynamo
Earthquakes 0, Houston Dynamo 1; March 17, 2012; AT&T Park; San Francisco, Calif.
The Earthquakes fell 1-0 to the Houston Dynamo at AT&T Park in San Francisco, a first-half penalty by Brad Davis the difference in the match. Davis netted Houston’s goal in the 14th minute after Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch was whistled for a foul inside San Jose’s box. San Jose wasn’t without chances in the loss, outshooting the Dynamo 22-8 over 90 minutes, including a 14-3 margin in the second half. The 22 shots were the most by the Quakes since reaching that same total in a 2-0 home win over the Chicago Fire on Sept. 10, 2011. Several San Jose players achieved milestones on the day. Captain Ramiro Corrales made his 200th career start in San Jose, becoming the first player in club history to do so. Busch made his 200th MLS appearance in goal, while Colombian midfielder Tressor Moreno and Turkish forward Sercan Guvenisik made their MLS debuts. In recognition of St. Patrick’s Day, San Jose featured green numbers and lettering on the jersey backs of their first-choice black kit.
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 … In 2012, the Houston Dynamo picked up a 1-0 victory thanks to a Brian Ching first-half penalty at AT&T Park in San Francisco on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.
Earthquakes Leaders vs. Houston Dynamo
Forward Steven Lenhart has one goal in four matches … Newcomer Marvin Chavez assisted on one goal in two matches against Houston in 2011 while with FC Dallas … Forward Chris Wondolowski has yet to register a goal or an assist in four games against his former team … Goalkeeper Jon Busch is 2-7-0 and has one shutout in nine career games … Busch is 2-3-0 with a clean sheet against Houston in a Quakes uniform.
Houston Dynamo Leaders vs. San Jose
Former Quakes forward Brian Ching has netted four goals in seven games against his former team … Midfielder Brad Davis has three goals and five assists in 20 games against San Jose, with all but one assist coming as a Dynamo player … Goalkeeper Tally Hall is 2-1-0 against the Quakes.
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 (4) having earned more MLS titles … Eighth-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 fifth 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 … Wondolowski and Weaver were traded for each other on June 9, 2009 … 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 … 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 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) … Earthquakes Justin Morrow (Cleveland, Oh.) who went to Notre Dame played against Dynamo’s Kofi Sarkodie (Dayton, Oh.) who attended rival collage the University of Akron … Houston’s Tyler Deric made his MLS debut with Houston vs. San Jose on Oct. 16, 2010. Making three saves to post his first career shutout and the first in league play for the Dynamo since July 10, 2010, breaking a streak of 12 games without a shutout … While with Houston, Wondolowski played alongside Corey Ashe (2007) … Earthquakes Evan Newton played with Houston in 2011 … In 2009, Houston’s Weaver was a member of the Earthquakes, appearing in nine matches and scored 1 goal … Houston’s Ricardo Clark was a member of the Earthquakes in 2005, appearing in 30 games, starting all but two of the appearances, and scored three goals.
COMMUNITY UPDATE
What: Celebrity Bartending Event benefitting the San Jose Earthquakes Community Fund as part of the Silicon Valley Capital Club’s 2013 Celebrity Bartending Series
Who: Earthquakes President Dave Kaval, Head Coach Frank Yallop and Forward Chris Wondolowski
When: Tuesday, March 26 at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Silicon Valley Capital Club, 50 W. San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95113
What: Get Earthquakes Fit Closing Ceremony Assembly
Who: Earthquakes midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy
When: Wednesday, March 27 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: L.U.C.H.A Elementary School, 1711 East San Antonio St. San Jose, CA 95116
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Corrales One Away From 300 Career Appearances
Quakes captain Ramiro Corrales continued his pursuit of 300 career appearances Saturday against Seattle Sounders FC. With his start vs. Seattle, Corrales played in his 299th career MLS match (including games played for the Miami Fusion and MetroStars). He has started each of San Jose’s four games this season and leads the team with two assists.
Morrow With U.S. Men’s National Team in Mexico City
Earthquakes defender Justin Morrow is with the United States Men’s National Team for a World Cup Qualifier against Mexico on Tuesday, March 26 at Estadio Azteca. That match kicks off at 7 p.m. PT and will air live on ESPN, WatchESPN and Univision. Morrow was on the bench for a 1-0 win against Costa Rica on Friday in Denver, Colo., but did not enter the game. He made his USMNT debut on Jan. 29 in a friendly against Canada.
Bernardez With Honduras for World Cup Qualifier
Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez and Honduras will face Panama on Tuesday, March 26 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. San Jose’s starting center back played 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw against Mexico on Friday. Bernardez, 30, has 62 career caps with Los Catrachos.
Snapping The Streak
The Houston Dynamo enter this week’s match riding a 33-game home in all competitions, one off the MLS record set by Real Salt Lake. Including only regular season fixtures, the Dynamo are unbeaten in their last 27 games, two away from the league mark held by RSL. The Earthquakes are 1-3-0 all-time on the road against Houston, their lone win coming on Sept. 5, 2010, a 2-1 result at Robertson Stadium. Last year, the Earthquakes led all MLS teams with 30 points on the road thanks to a 9-5-3 record.
Wondo One Start Away from Century Mark
Chris Wondolowski is one start away from No. 100 with San Jose. He debuted with the club on Sept. 10, 2005, playing one minute in a 3-0 win against Chivas USA. He made his first start with the Earthquakes in a 2-1 loss against Seattle Sounders FC on June 13, 2009 at CenturyLink Field.
Wondo Finds First in Run of Play
Earthquakes leading goal scorer Chris Wondolowski bagged his second of the season in a 1-0 win against Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday. The reigning Volkswagen MLS MVP and Budweiser Golden Boot winner trapped and fired from just outside the 18-yard box in first half stoppage time to seal three points for San Jose. His first goal of 2013 came from the penalty spot in the 92nd minute of a 2-1 comeback win vs. New York on March 10.
Wondolowski Searching for First Goal vs. Houston
Chris Wondolowski has scored against every current MLS team – including the Earthquakes – except one: the Houston Dynamo. He has played four games, 90 minutes in each, against the Dynamo while placing four of his 12 shots on goal, but has yet to find the net. Wondolowski was originally drafted by San Jose in the fourth round (No. 41 overall) of the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft. He remained with the club during its move to Houston following the 2005 season, but returned to the Bay Area in a trade along with Houston’s natural second round pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft for forward Jed Weaver.
Yallop, Kinnear Ready for Reunion
Eighth-year Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear began his career as an assistant for current Frank Yallop with the Earthquakes from 2001-03. After winning MLS Cups in 2001 and 2003, Yallop departed to take a job with the Canadian national team, leaving Kinnear as the new head coach in San Jose. Kinnear would go on to win a Supporters’ Shield with the Quakes in 2005 and Houston in 2008 as well as MLS Cups with Houston in 2006 and 2007. Yallop is 6-7-3 all-time against his former pupil, including matches with the LA Galaxy in 2006 and 2007.
Four in a Row vs. Seattle
Following Saturday’s 1-0 win, the Earthquakes have now won four in a row against Seattle Sounders FC. That stretch includes a trio of one-goal wins in 2012. San Jose’s last loss against the Pacific Northwest club came on Oct. 15, 2011, a 2-1 loss in front of 64,140 fans at CenturyLink Field in Kasey Keller’s home sendoff match.
T-Mobile 4G Power Zone Back for 2013
The Earthquakes announced last week that they have teamed with T-Mobile for the second year in a row to create the “T-Mobile 4G Power Zone” at all home games for the 2013 season. The promotion will give fans the opportunity to purchase great seats for only $17 – a discount of $10 off the day-of-game price, the most affordable Earthquakes tickets available to the public. Through the agreement, T-Mobile has rebranded the Corner Flag Section 107 at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara as the “T-Mobile 4G Power Zone.” For more information, visit www.sjearthquakes.com/tickets.
Quakes President Dave Kaval’s Office Hours
Earthquakes President Dave Kaval’s office hours will continue in 2013. Fans can drop by his office at 451 El Camino Real, Suite 201 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 read his blog, Kaval’s Kickoff, exclusively at www.sjearthquakes.com, and follow him on Twitter at @QuakesPrez.
Season Tickets on Sale/Priority for New Stadium
Season tickets for the 2013 season at Buck Shaw Stadium are still available. By purchasing season tickets for the final season at Buck Shaw Stadium, fans can enter the queue for priority seating for the Earthquakes New Stadium. Season ticket holders are currently selecting their seats for the New Stadium. To purchase season tickets or for more information, please contact the Earthquakes headquarters at 408-556-7700.
Stanford Stadium Tickets Now on Sale
Ticket sales for the Quakes match at Stanford on June 29 against the LA Galaxy, presented by XFINITY, have started quickly with 20,000 tickets already sold following the first month of sales. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.sjearthquakes.com or calling 800-225-2277. Groups of 10 or more should call the club’s headquarters at 408-556-7700. Last year’s match drew a capacity crowd of 50,391 for a 4-3 Earthquakes win against the Galaxy.
Wells Fargo Goals for Education
Wells Fargo has again pledged to donate $250 for each goal the Earthquakes score in 2013 through the Goals for Education program. The club has raised $1,000 so far this season thanks to four goals. The Earthquakes raised $18,000 in 2012 after scoring a club record 72 goals.
