By: Joe Lami

SAN JOSE, Calif.—The San Jose Earthquakes were victorious with a 2-nil victory over the Columbus Crew at Avaya Stadium on Saturday Night.  The Quakes can thank Mohammed Saeid for the three points, after he was given two yellow cards in the first 33 minutes and getting sent off.  The first yellow came in the 14 minute when Saeid grabbed Matias Perez Garcia from behind.  Referee, Kevin Scott, then handed Saeid his second yellow, ending in a red card, when Saeid had a nasty tackle on Shea Salinas in the 33rd minute.

San Jose coach, Dominic Kinnear, commented on the importance of making sure they use the advantage, “The red card is a red card, you got to make sure you take advantage of it. Sometimes ten men can be your own enemy, you can’t be taking your foot off of the gas”.

Columbus had the advantage in pretty much every stat in the first 33 minutes.  They were out-possessing San Jose 53-47%, which ended in the shot totals being 4-3  in favor of Columbus.  However, their numbers went down substantially after the sending off and San Jose was able to take advantage.

The Quakes jumped in front in the 55th minute, when Chris Wondolowski would give San Jose the eventual game winner.  Jordan Stewart sent in the cross from just inside the 18-yard box on the left side and it found Wondolowski’s face, where he was able to direct it past Columbus keeper Steve Clark.

It marks Wondolowski’s 99th career MLS goal. Wondolowski commented on the importance of coming close to hitting the century mark “100 is a number, but it’s a number that some of the best players to have played in this league have. It’s unbelievable that I’m so close”.  Kinnear added “99 is an incredible achievement, it’s great that all of his hard work is showing off”.

The goal also marks Wondo’s first at Avaya Stadium and his sixth of the year. He commented on getting the monkey off his back in his new home “it’s always nice to score at home, especially when it’s in front of the Ultras”.

San Jose was buzzing and extended their lead just five minutes after, when Shea Salinas found the back of the net for his first of the year.  Salinas ripped it into the back of the net with his right foot from eight yards.  The second tally came off of a give and go with the assist coming from Perez Garcia.

The Quakes up their record to 5-4-2 (17 points) on the young season, good enough for fourth in the Western Conference