This & That: Quakes notes for April 29, 2013

Justin Morrow vs. Columbus Crew

THIS WEEK

The San Jose Earthquakes return home this week to host the Montreal Impact on Saturday, May 4 at Buck Shaw Stadium, presented by State Farm. The match kicks off at 1 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.


San Jose’s Record in May
The Quakes are 29-29-15 all-time in May in MLS play.


Last Game
Earthquakes 2, Chivas USA 2; April 27, 2013; The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Cordell Cato’s first career MLS goal was a timely one, rallying the Earthquakes to a 2-2 draw against Chivas USA. The Earthquakes pressed the action for most of the night, out-shooting Chivas USA (3-3-2, 11 pts.) 21-7 while holding a 58-42 percent advantage in possession. However, after taking an initial 1-0 first-half lead, the hosts scored a pair of early goals in the second stanza to put the pressure on San Jose. Chris Wondolowski tallied for the fourth time in 2013 to open the scoring. He broke loose at the far post on a spot kick from Shea Salinas in the 40th minute, tapping in a looped cross from close range for a 1-0 lead. Chivas USA scored the next two in a four-minute span out of the break. Jorge Villafana sent a cross into the 6-yard box that Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch tried to punch away in the 47th minute. However, the deflection came off of Chivas USA’s Mario de Luna and back into the goal to knot the match at 1-1. Tristan Bowen capped Chivas USA’s scoring in the 51st minute with a blast from inside the area. Eric Avila rolled a cross across the box and found Bowen open on the far edge. The striker punched his shot through traffic to beat Busch at the far post, giving Chivas USA a 2-1 lead. San Jose peppered Chivas USA’s frame for the remainder of the second half, but the equalizer didn’t come until the 76th minute. Cato, who came on for Marvin Chavez in the 67th minute, made a darting run to the near post to finish a Salinas cross from the wing. Nana Attakora was also credited with an assist on the play after chipping a ball past the back line to Salinas in stride. 


OPPONENT INFO

Earthquakes vs. Montreal Impact All-Time
MLS Regular Season:
0-1-0
Home: 0-0-0 (0 GF, 0 GA)
Away: 0-1-0 (1 GF, 3 GA)
MLS Cup Playoffs: 0-0-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 1, Montreal Impact – 3


Montreal Impact Scouting Report
The Montreal Impact (5-1-1, 16 pts.) carry the best points-per-game average heading into Saturday’s match against the Supporters’ Shield trophy holders. They are fresh off a 2-0 home win against the Chicago Fire thanks to goals from Andres Romero and Marco di Vaio. Di Vaio, one of five Italians on the team, has scored four goals in the Impact’s last five games. The Designated Player is tied for No. 4 in MLS with four goals on the year while midfielder Patrice Bernier is tied for the league lead with three assists. Montreal is unbeaten in its last three after losing its first game of the season 2-0 on the road against Sporting Kansas City on March 30.


Last Game vs. Montreal Impact
Earthquakes 1, Montreal Impact 3; Aug. 18, 2012; Saputo Stadium in Montreal, Quebec

The Earthquakes lost 3-1 to the Montreal Impact in their first ever appearance at Saputo Stadium. Chris Wondolowski struck first for the Quakes, but the Impact scored three straight goals to hand San Jose just their sixth loss of the season. The game came to life just past the 20 minute mark. Hassoun Camara and Steven Lenhart were both ejected following an altercation in the Impact’s box. The result of the play was a penalty kick for the Quakes. Wondolowski stepped up and drove a low shot to Impact goalkeeper Troy Perkins’ right for a 1-0 lead for San Jose. Wondolowski improved his league-leading goal total to 18, tying his career high and the Quakes club record, which he set in 2010. Just two minutes after San Jose had moved in front, the Impact struck back. Felipe Martins received a ball on the right wing and maneuvered around a Quakes defender before rolling a cross through the six-yard box. Marco Di Vaio got on the end of it and tapped it into an empty net to tie the match at 1-1. The Impact grabbed the lead in the 62nd minute through a Lamar Neagle goal from the top of the box. Patrice Bernier received a ball from Neagle on the edge of the box and held off two San Jose defenders before dropping it back to Neagle. He then curled a shot to the right corner past a diving Jon Busch. The lead grew to two goals following a penalty kick by Bernier. Di Vaio got in behind the Quakes defense and was pulled down in the box by Jason Hernandez resulting in a red card for a Hernandez and a penalty kick. Bernier pushed the spot kick to the lower right corner for a 3-1 advantage in the 72nd minute. The Quakes played the final 18 minutes a man down.


History of the Quakes – Montreal Impact Rivalry
The Earthquakes played the Montreal Impact for the first time in club history on Saturday, Aug. 18 at Saputo Stadium in Quebec with the hosts winning 3-1.


Earthquakes-Montreal Impact Connections
Earthquakes midfielder Shea Salinas and Impact midfielder Jeb Brovsky were teammates on Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2011 … Earthquakes defender Justin Morrow and Brovsky are both Notre Dame alumni, and played together for the Fighting Irish from 2007-09 … Earthquakes midfielder Ramiro Corrales beat Impact midfielder Justin Mapp in 2003 MLS Cup when Mapp was a member of the Chicago Fire … Earthquakes midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy and Impact midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic were teammates on the New York Red Bulls in 2010 … Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop, Earthquakes assistant coach Mark Watson, Earthquakes defender Nana Attakora, Impact midfielder Patrice Bernier have all represented Canada at the international level … Earthquakes forward Mike Fucito played with Impact goalkeeper Troy Perkins for the Portland Timbers in 2012 … .


Earthquakes Leaders vs. Montreal Impact
Forward Chris Wondolowski has one goal in one appearance … Goalkeeper Jon Busch is 0-1-0.


Montreal Impact Leaders vs. San Jose
Forward Marco di Vaio and midfielder Patrice Bernier each have one goal in one appearance … Bernier also has one assist along with midfielder Felipe Martins from the Impact’s lone meeting with San Jose in 2012 … Midfielder Justin Mapp has two assists in 15 appearances … Goalkeeper Troy Perkins is 2-2-3 in seven appearances.


COMMUNITY UPDATE

What: Get Earthquakes Fit Opening Ceremony
When: Tuesday, April 30 at 1:45 p.m.
Where: Castlemont Elementary School in Campbell


What: REACH Youth Scholarship Awards Breakfast
Who: Earthquakes defender Steven Beitashour
When: Wednesday, May 1 at 8 a.m.
Where: San Jose Marriott


What: Get Earthquakes Fit Opening Ceremony
When: Wednesday, May 1 at 2 p.m.
Where: Goss Elementary School in San Jose


What: Shop with a Cop Fundraiser
Who: Earthquakes player TBD
When: Thursday, May 2 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Gordon Biersch in San Jose


What: Get Earthquakes Fit Opening Ceremony
When: Friday, May 3 at 1:45 p.m.
Where: Horace Cuerton Elementary School in San Jose


MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Cato Scores First Career MLS Goal
Earthquakes midfielder Cordell Cato scored his first career goal in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center. After entering the game for Marvin Chavez in the 67th minute, Cato made a darting run at the near post and polished off a Shea Salinas cross to cap the scoring in the 76th. Cato, 20, debuted in MLS with Seattle Sounders FC in 2012, making eight appearances. He has one goal in six appearances for San Jose in 2013 after joining the club via trade from Seattle for a fourth round pick in the 2014 MLS Supplemental Draft on March 1.


Salinas Notches Fourth Career Multi-Assist Game
San Jose midfielder Shea Salinas recorded his fourth career multi-assist game in the club’s 2-2 draw against Chivas USA on Saturday. His first came on a free kick in the 40th minute, springing Chris Wondolowski for an initial 1-0 lead; the second came in the 76th minute as he slid a cross to the near post, finding Cordell Cato in stride for an equalizer. Three of Salinas’ multi-assist games have come with San Jose; he also notched one in 2011 as a member of Vancouver Whitecaps FC.


Morrow Makes 50th Career Start
Earthquakes defender Justin Morrow made his 50th career start in the Earthquakes’ 2-2 draw against Chivas USA on April 27. The 2012 MLS All-Star left back started 33 of San Jose’s 34 games one year ago – logging 2,970 minutes of a possible 3,060 in the process – and had put in 90-minute efforts in six of the club’s seven matches so far in 2013. His one missed start came due to U.S. Men’s National Team duty in March; he was on the bench for the USMNT’s 1-0 win against Costa Rica in Denver, Colo. on March 22 and their scoreless draw against Mexico in Mexico City on March 26.


Quakes Tie Club Mark for Corner Kicks in a Game
San Jose tied the club record for corner kicks in a game with 15 in a 2-2 draw against Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center on Saturday. The Earthquakes peppered Chivas USA’s goalmouth, outshooting their hosts 21-7 in the process, but couldn’t find a go-ahead goal after Cordell Cato equalized in the 76th minute. San Jose also had 15 corners in a 3-0 loss against the LA Galaxy on Aug. 26, 2000 and in a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA on May 13, 2012.


May 18 Match vs. Colorado Sold Out
The Earthquakes announced last week that their May 18 match against the Colorado Rapids, presented by Kaiser Permanente, is sold out. The club has held a limited number of seats that are available through mini-plans and season ticket packages, but group and individual tickets are no longer available. Tickets are still available for the club’s remaining fixtures up to that date. Those matches include: Sunday, April 21 vs. Portland Timbers at 8:00 p.m. PT; Saturday, May 4 vs. Montreal Impact at 1 p.m. PT; and Wednesday, May 8 vs. Toronto FC at 7:30 p.m. PT.


Earthquakes 5K/10K Challenge
The club will host its second annual Earthquakes 5K/10K Challenge, benefiting The Health Trust of Silicon Valley and the San Jose Earthquakes Community Fund, on Sunday, Aug. 18. More information and a registration link are available at www.quakeschallenge.com. The 5K/10K Challenge begins at 8 a.m. with three options for runners of all ages. The club is offering an Early Bird Registration Special of $45 for the 10K, $30 for the 5K, and $20 for the Kids Fun Run (ages 12 and under). Prices will go up starting June 1 so fans are encouraged to sign up early. All participants receive a race t-shirt and access to a post-race celebration. The event will feature a new course this year, taking participants from the Earthquakes’ current venue at Santa Clara University, past the construction at the site of the club’s new stadium on Coleman Ave. in San Jose and back to Buck Shaw Stadium. The event is co-produced by Threshold Racing and Firstwave Events, the same companies that organize the San Jose Turkey Trot, Santa Cruz Half Marathon, and the San Jose Metro Triathlon.


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 25,000 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 $2,000 so far this season thanks to eight goals. The Earthquakes raised $18,000 in 2012 after scoring a club record 72 goals.


ACADEMY NOTES

2013 College Commitments
The Earthquakes Academy’s class of 2013 produced 13 commitments to colleges around the country. Here’s a glance at where they’re heading:


Malek Bashti (Monta Vista HS) – UC San Diego
Randell Austin Black (Pivot HS) – Cal
Isaiah Dargan (De La Salle HS) – Chico State
Emilio Huerta (Saint Francis HS) – San Diego State
John Knutsen (St. Ignatius HS) – Washington
Myles Lark (Bullard HS) – Cal State Fullerton
Trevor Long (Granada HS) – Cal
Anthony Ruiz (Miramonte HS) – San Jose State
Tommy Thompson (Granite Bay HS) – Indiana
Andy Perez (The Harker School) – UC Santa Barbara
Christian De Luna (Bentley HS) – University of San Francisco
Chad Radulovich (California HS) – Western Washinton
Jose Navarro (Concord HS) – Western Iowa