By Matthew T.F. Harrington

The San Jose Earthquakes kept their Western Conference playoff hopes alive Friday night at Avaya Stadium, besting Sporting Kansas City 1-0 to pick up a critical three points. Anibal Godoy scored in the 47^th minute to put San Jose tied with the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders for the final two slots in the West with 47 points riding a three-game lossless stretch.

If Godoy’s goal is a sign of where the football gods’ allegiance lies, the Quakes should start prepping for postseason travel. The difference maker came after Shea Salinas volleyed the cross into the box, looking to connect with Chris Wondolowski, named team Most Valuable Player in a pregame ceremony, on the right post. Wondolowski’s toe flick skittered past a stumbling Kansas City keeper Tim Melia, but was trickling wide left of the goal. There was Godoy to tip in the ball and give San Jose the lead.

Goalkeeper David Bingham held Sporting KC at bay down the stretch, saving all 3 shots he faced to seal the clean sheet for San Jose in his final regular season home contest as starting keeper.

The Quakes still face an uphill climb to lockdown the sixth and final playoff slot. Seattle and Portland still have a game in hand and can pass the Quakes with a victory. Not only that, but San Jose faces conference leaders FC Dallas, winners of 16 this season, on the road in the season finale next weekend at Toyota Stadium.