2015

Match Preview: Quakes set for showdown in Houston

IMAGE_MLS_MATCHDAY_2015-08-08-HOU-v-SJ

Kickoff: August 8, 6:00 p.m. PT at BBVA Compass Stadium
Television: CSN California
Radio: 1370 KZSF, 1590 KLIV


WATCH: Quakes welcomed by fans at SJC before traveling to Houston

OPPONENT INFORMATION
Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 6-7-1
Home: 4-3-1 (11 GF, 8 GA)
Away: 2-4-0 (6 GF, 10 GA)
Playoffs: 0-0-0; US Open Cup: 0-0-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 17, Dynamo – 18

Last Game vs. Houston Dynamo 
Earthquakes 0, Houston Dynamo 2; July 10, 2015; Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California 
The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Houston Dynamo 2-0 at Avaya Stadium. Forward Quincy Amarikwa made his first appearance with San Jose since being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Fire, starting and playing 84 minutes, while Designated Player Matias Perez Garcia returned from his one-game absence due to injury. Houston took a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. Midfielder Alexander Lopez whipped in an in-swinging cross and midfielder Ricardo Clark’s diving header got past Quakes keeper David Bingham and into the back of the net. In the 21st minute, Quakes midfielder Fatai Alashe played the ball off his chest and ripped a volley from 25 yards out, forcing keeper Tyler Deric to make an uncomfortable save and knock the ball out for a corner kick. In the 32nd minute, San Jose was awarded an indirect free kick inside the penalty area. Defender Victor Bernardez received a quick pass and blasted a shot that beat the keeper, but smacked the woodwork, causing a scramble in front of net. The loose ball was eventually cleared to safety. Houston doubled their lead in the 81st minute. Dynamo midfielder Leonel Miranda intercepted a back pass to the keeper and fed forward Will Bruin across the box, who slotted his shot into the empty net. 

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 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, 2011, San Jose earned a 2-0 home victory, the second-half goals coming from Steven Lenhart and Simon Dawkins … At the end of 2011, 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 … Houston won the two teams’ first meeting at BBVA Compass Stadium 2-0 on March 30, 2013 thanks to goals from Will Bruin and Giles Barnes … San Jose routed Houston in a 3–0 victory on May 25, 2014 at Buck Shawn Stadium in Santa Clara, CA … With the help of a second half goal by forward Adam Jahn, the Earthquakes defeated the Dynamo 1-0 on May 5, 2015 at BVAA Compass Stadium … In their second meeting of the season, the Quakes fell to the Dynamo 2-0 at Avaya Stadium on July 10.