The San Jose Earthquakes have the chance to win their opening three games of the season for the first time in franchise history when they face Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. PT at Children’s Mercy Park. Saturday’s game will be broadcast live on CSN Plus, KNBR 1050 and KZSF 1370.
San Jose heads into the third game of the 2017 MLS regular season after turning around a 2-0 deficit to beat Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3-2 on Saturday, March 11. Forward Chris Wondolowksi, defender Nick Lima and midfielder Anibal Godoy each scored to secure the victory. For the second consecutive week, Godoy’s goal has been nominated for
MLS Goal of the Week
and he has been named to MLS Team of the Week.
OPPONENT INFORMATION
Earthquakes vs. Sporting Kansas City All-Time
MLS Regular Season:
24-23-7
Home:
16-5-6 (38 GF, 21 GA
)
Away:
8-17-1 (28 GF, 42 GA)
All-Time Scoring:
San Jose – 66, Sporting KC – 63
Last Game vs. Sporting KC
Sporting Kansas City 2 – 0 Earthquakes; Oct. 23, 2016; Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kan.
The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Sporting Kansas City 2-0 at Children’s Mercy Park, closing out the 2016 campaign. The Quakes finished the season with an 8-12-14 record. In the 10th minute, midfielder Tommy Thompson intercepted a pass and led an odd-man attack towards Sporting’s net. Thompson played a pass to Chris Wondolowski on an overlap and he proceeded to cut back onto his right foot. Wondolowski’s attempt to curl the ball towards the far post was blocked by a last-ditch tackle. Moments later, Thompson received a pass and found himself one-on-one with Kansas City keeper Tim Melia, but a heavy touch allowed the net-minder to scoop up the loose ball. In the 16th minute, a cross by Quakes defender Jordan Stewart found Wondolowski between the penalty spot and the six-yard box. Knowing a defender was looming, Wondolowski headed the ball towards teammate Fatai Alashe, who was unmarked at the near post, but the pass was just out of the midfielder’s reach and rolled harmlessly towards the corner flag. Eight minutes later, a shot from distance by Simon Dawkins forced a diving save by Melia. Wondolowski’s follow-up attempt was also saved. Wondolowski regained possession and forced Melia out to the edge of the penalty area, leaving the goal-mouth unattended, before chipping in a cross over his head. Thompson’s ensuing header pass was intercepted and played out of bounds. Benny Feilhaber gave Sporting a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot in the 27th minute after Cordell Cato was called for a handball inside the box. Graham Zusi later doubled Kansas City’s advantage in the 88th minute, finishing off a fast-break with a shot to the top corner of the net.
History of the Quakes – Sporting KC Rivalry
The San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City, then known as the Kansas City Wiz (later Kansas City Wizards), were two of the 10 original clubs during the inaugural 1996 MLS season … The first meeting between the sides was a thriller on April 21, 2006, at Spartan Stadium … With the game tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, the Clash fell in a lengthy shootout by a score of 8-7 … San Jose’s first win against Kansas City came later that season on May 29, 2-1 at Spartan Stadium, thanks to an Eric Wynalda brace … The teams have faced off twice in the postseason … The Quakes won 3-2 at Spartan Stadium on Nov. 15, 2003, on a 117th-minute Landon Donovan goal in sudden-death overtime, during the Western Conference Finals en route to their second MLS Cup title … The two teams met again in the 2004 MLS Cup Playoffs for a two-game Western Conference Semifinals series … The Quakes took a 2-0 decision in their home leg on Oct. 24, but were then eliminated on aggregate following a 3-0 Wizards victory six days later at Arrowhead Stadium, with current Quake Khari Stephenson grabbing the opener and Jack Jewsbury scoring the all-important third goal in second-half stoppage time … Chris Wondolowski tallied the goal that sealed his first Golden Boot award during the 2010 regular-season finale on Oct. 23 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, his 18th of the year … The Earthquakes played in the second-ever MLS match at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on June 17, 2011, falling 1-0 with C.J. Sapong re-directing a free kick from Graham Zusi for the only goal of the match in the 31st minute … San Jose fell 2-1 on the road against Sporting KC in their lone meeting in 2012 on May 27 … The Earthquakes took the 2013 edition of this matchup 1-0 on Aug. 18 at Buck Shaw Stadium with Chris Wondolowski scoring his fifth career goal against Sporting KC … In their only meeting of 2014, the Earthquakes fell to Sporting KC 1-0 after Dom Dwyer converted a penalty kick early in the second half … The San Jose Earthquakes routed Sporting Kansas City 5-0 in their first meeting of the 2015 season at Sporting Park in Kansas City on Aug. 19 with a pair of braces by Chris Wondolowksi and Cordell Cato, and Anibal Godoy’s first career score … The Quakes shut out Sporting KC again in their last matchup up of 2015 on Oct. 16, with Godoy tallying his second goal of the season against them to lead San Jose to a 1-0 win at Avaya Stadium … San Jose defeated Sporting KC 1-0 at Avaya Stadium in their first matchup of 2016 behind Chris Wondolowski’s penalty on April 24 … Sporting KC leveled the season series with a 2-1 victory over the Quakes in San Jose on Sept. 24. … Kansas City won the final encounter of 2016 with a 2-0 victory at home.
Earthquakes – Sporting KC Connections
SKC defender Ike Opara played for the Earthquakes from 2010-12, making 35 appearances and recording three goals … Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski have played alongside Sporting KC defender Matt Besler and midfielders Benny Feilhaber and Graham Zusi with the USMNT … SKC midfielder Roger Espinoza and Quakes defender Victor Bernardez were both born in Honduras … SKC forward Dom Dywer and San Jose midfielder Simon Dawkins are both from England.
EARTHQUAKES IN THE COMMUNITY
Get Earthquakes Fit presented by Sutter Health
Who:
Earthquakes front office and forward Tommy Thompson
What:
Get EQ Fit Closing Assembly
When:
Monday, March 13
Where:
Almond Elementary in Los Altos
Get Earthquakes Fit presented by Sutter Health
Who:
Earthquakes front office
What:
Get EQ Fit Closing Assembly
When:
Wednesday, March 15
Where:
Lowell Elementary in San Jose
Get Earthquakes Fit presented by Sutter Health
Who:
Earthquakes front office
What:
Get EQ Fit Opening Assembly
When:
Friday, March 17
Where:
Glen View Elementary in Gilroy
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Scoreless Kansas City
The Earthquakes head to Kansas City to face one of three teams that have been unable to find the back of the net in the opening two games of the season.
Road Record
Chris Wondolowski is one goal away from leveling Landon Donovan’s record for most goals scored on the road in MLS history (63).
Even Stevens
San Jose is 24-23-7 all-time against Sporting KC, slightly outscoring the Midwest club 66-63 in 54 regular season matches.
In Search of Three
The Earthquakes are looking to win their opening three matches of the season for the first time in franchise history.
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Preseason Preview
Saturday’s match will not be the first time these two sides have faced each other in 2017. The Earthquakes beat SKC 1-0 in a preseason friendly thanks to a Tommy Thompson goal.
The Early Goal Gets the Win
The last time the Quakes lost against SKC after scoring first was in July 27, 2002 when they lost 2-1 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Journeyman
Chris Wondolowski broke 20,000 career minutes in MLS during the Quakes’ 3-2 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC last Saturday (20,084). He is second all-time in minutes played for the Earthquakes (19,167), trailing only to Ramiro Corrales (20,188).
THIS WEEK IN EARTHQUAKES HISTORY
A look back on important moments in Earthquakes history that took place during the week of March 13 – 20
March 13, 2003 – Signed goalkeeper Pat Onstad as discovery player
The Earthquakes signed goalkeeper Pat Onstad as a discovery player. During his first season with the club, Onstad helped lead the Earthquakes to their second MLS Cup in 2003 and was named Goalkeeper of the Year, along with earning MLS Best XI honors. The following season, Onstad was an MLS All-Star and earned the Earthquakes’ Defensive Player of the Year Award. In 2005, Onstad’s final season with the Quakes, he received the Earthquakes’ Defensive Player of the Year Award again and along with Goalkeeper of the Year and MLS Best XI honors for a second time.
March 17, 2008 – Signed midfielder Shea Salinas to a senior roster contract
The Earthquakes signed midfielder Shea Salinas to a senior roster contract after being selected 15th overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. Salinas has spent eight seasons with the Quakes and holds various records for the club, including third all-time in games played (193) and third all-time assists (38).
March 16, 2011 – Acquired midfielder Simon Dawkins on loan from Tottenham Hotspur
The Earthquakes acquired midfielder Simon Dawkins on loan from English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. The Jamaican international recorded 14 goals and 3 assists during his two seasons on loan with the Quakes from 2011-2012. Dawkins returned to England after his loan, but was later signed by the Quakes as a Designated Player on Jan. 6, 2016. The midfielder is currently ninth all-time in goals scored for the Quakes with 19 goals in 84 appearances.
ACADEMY UPDATE
The San Jose Earthquakes Academy U-12, U-13 and U-14s each had a successful weekend as all three teams recorded wins against San Joaquin Valley Soccer Academy. The U-12s and U-14s both won their matches 4-0, while the U-13s edged their opponents 1-0. The Quakes’ academy teams will return to action next weekend with games against Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-16s and U-18s, Placer United SC U-12s, U-13s and U-14s, and Crossfire Premier U-16s and U-18s.
NEWS ARTICLES
Earthquakes rally, tally three straight in 3-2 win over Vancouver
By Martin Gallegos, The Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/03/12/earthquakes-rally-tally-three-straight-in-3-2-win-over-vancouver/
Earthquakes' "key in the midfield" Anibal Godoy adds goals to arsenal
By Robert Jonas,
MLSsoccer.com
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/03/12/earthquakes-key-midfield-anibal-godoy-adds-goals-arsenal
Earthquakes 2-0 in 2017 after thrilling comeback versus Vancouver
By David Barclay, Dunk360
http://dunk360.com/earthquakes-2-0-in-2017-after-thrilling-comeback-versus-vancouver/
Instant replay: Quakes complete comeback, beat Whitecaps to start 2-0
By Julio Lara, CSN Bay Area
http://www.csnbayarea.com/earthquakes/instant-replay-quakes-complete-comeback-beat-whitecaps-start-2-0
Never Say Die: Quakes overturn two goal deficit to defeat Vancouver 3-2
By Alex Morgan, Quakes Talk
http://quakestalk.com/2017/03/11/never-say-die-quakes-overturn-two-goal-deficit-to-defeat-vancouver-3-2/
All Aboard! Wondolowski conducting the Nick Lima Hype Train
By Alex Morgan, Quakes Talk
http://quakestalk.com/2017/03/11/all-aboard-wondolowski-conducting-the-nick-lima-hype-train/
Panamanian Anibal Godoy exhibits his talent and composure in San Jose triumph (Spanish)
By Henry Cardenas P., La Prensa
http://www.prensa.com/deportes/Godoy-serenidad-triunfo-San-Jose_0_4709529014.html
Panamanian AnÃbal Godoy with another goal in MLS (Spanish)
By Staff, TVMAX Panama
http://www.tvmax-9.com/somoslasele/panameno-Anibal-Godoy-golazo-MLS_0_4709529053.html
AnÃbal Godoy scores another goal and gives San José the victory (Spanish)
By Raul Eduardo Cotes, Telemetro
http://www.telemetro.com/deportes/futbol/noticias/Aniba-Godoy-victoria-San-Jose_0_1007299456.html
The left-foot in fashion (Spanish)
By Roberto Acuña N., Panama America
http://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/10-deportivo/la-zurda-de-moda-1062750
The key man (Spanish)
By Roberto Acuña N., DÃa a DÃa
http://www.diaadia.com.pa/aficion/el-hombre-clave-311742
Ex-Lion Jungwirth shines in his debut in the USA (German)
By Staff,
TZ.de
https://www.tz.de/sport/1860-muenchen/ex-loewe-jungwirth-glaenzt-bei-seinem-debuet-in-usa-7590216.html
Even without numbers, this game shows why the Earthquakes-49ers soccer partnership adds up
By Jody Meacham, Silicon Valley Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2017/03/07/san-jose-earthquakes-49ers-gold-cup-north-america.html
