Category: MLS

San Jose Earthquakes Friday game wrap: The wonder kid shines in pre season play; Wondolowski finds back of the net to tie ball game 1-1

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sjearthquakes.com photo: Chris Wondolowski who scored the tying goal for San Jose against Real Salt Lake FC on Friday night in Tucson AZ

The Wonder Kid Shines in Pre-Season Play

By Barbara Mason

The San Jose Earthquakes took on Real Salt Lake in an early pre-season match-up Friday morning in Tucson, Arizona. The game ended in a draw 1-1 when Chris Wondolowski scored his first goal of the pre-season keeping San Jose undefeated through two matches taking place in the desert. Wondolowski will no doubt be at the top of his game as they head into the 2017 season.

The Quakes gave up a goal 16 minutes into the game giving Real Salt Lake the lead 1-0. San Jose leveled the game soon after for the tie game. Wondolowski got loose unmarked at the top of the penalty area as he was able to curl the ball into the side netting to tie up the game 1-1.

Goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell and defender Nick Lima each played the full 90 minutes in the draw. San Jose will next take on the Seattle Sounders at Kino Sports Complex on Tuesday February 7th at 9:30am PT in another pre-season match-up looking to remain undefeated.

San Jose Earthquakes Tuesday game wrap: Quakes Thompson scores just in time in 1-0 shutout over Sporting Kansas City

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~ Photo credit: San Jose Earthquakes Twitter

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ The San Jose Earthquakes’ Tommy Thompson scored in the final minute for a 1-0 edge over Sporting Kansas City Tuesday morning in Tucson, Arizona.

It was the Quakes’ second straight postseason win and shutout. This was their first taste of MLS action though.

Thompson now has two goals through two games. Him playing a full game, he was the only one, paid off especially this match.

Sporting Kansas City played 30 players in the game, separating them out. San Jose played 21 players amidst the regular first and second half.

Game notes: The Quakes play the second of three in Tucson Friday, facing Real Salt Lake at 10am.

 

San Jose Earthquakes Sunday post game wrap: Whitewash–Rainy day session Whitecaps and Quakes play to a 0-0 draw

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by London Marq

sjearthquakes.com photo: It was a sparse crowd during the last San Jose Earthquakes home game of 2016 against the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps at Avaya Stadium on Sunday afternoon

SAN JOSE–It was a dreary, rain soaked afternoon when the San Jose Earthquakes hosted the Vancouver Whitecaps at Avaya Stadium this Sunday. Both teams entered play battling for nothing more than pride, as both were eliminated from playoff contention earlier this season. The game was dominated in possession by the Earthquakes, but in the end, their finishing left more to be desired.

San Jose controlled just under 60% of possession and amassed 18 shots on goal. 12 of them from inside the box, 7 of them on target. They were in sync as a unit and the ball movement was excellent. The Quakes were just shy of 500 passes total with 490 in the match. It was indicative of their season that they were held scoreless, as they failed to capitalize on more than a few excellent opportunities to bulge the net.

Vancouver was only ever second best and never had any lasting momentum in the match offensively. The Whitecaps conceded 18 fouls on the day and managed only 40% of possession. Their defense should be commended, as they were constantly under pressure from crosses into the box that never seem to find there intended target. They walk away with a draw that probably feel more like a win.

Final Score: Vancouver 0 San Jose 0

The season concludes next Sunday as the Earthquakes travel to Kansas City to face Sporting Kansas City for a 1:00PM kick off  Pearl Lo will have the post game coverage right here at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

London Marq is a radio talk show host at KWDC at facebook.com/LondonMarqRadio

 

 

Earthquakes get much-needed win over Real Salt Lake 2-1

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By: Eric He

sjearthquakes photo: Simon Dawkins and Fatai Alashe both found the back end of the net in the San Jose Earthquakes one goal win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday night at Avaya Stadium

With the schedule dwindling and their playoff hopes fading, the San Jose Earthquakes received a much-needed boost on Saturday night in a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake at Avaya Stadium.

The three points came at a pivotal time as the Earthquakes snapped a seven-game winless streak.

Fatai Alashe netted the game-winner in the 72nd minute, heading a cross from Shea Salinas into the net off the hand of the diving Real Salt Lake goaltender Nick Rimando. It was Alashe’s third goal of the season and biggest one yet to give the Earthquakes a 2-1 lead, which they held on to for the win.

San Jose struck first in the 34th minute on a long-distance shot by Simon Dawkins, who took a back-heel touch from Chris Wondolowski and buried it to give the Earthquakes a 1-0 advantage.

Real Salt Lake answered just six minutes later, though, as the Earthquakes could not a clear a free kick sent into the area, and Justen Glad poked it off the cross and in off goaltender David Bingham’s back.

But Bingham did well to keep the game even and, later, seal the win. He made big save after big save, stopping point-blank opportunities in a duel with Rimando, showing why both goaltenders were recently called upon to play for the U.S. National Team.

With three games left to play, the Earthquakes sit four points behind Seattle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Their next opponent is Colorado on the road Oct. 13.

Quakes Post-Season Looks Bleak After 2-1 Loss at Home

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By: Joe Lami

photo by sjearthquakes.com: They battled they tussled but the San Jose Earthquakes came up a goal and three points short in their loss to Sporting KC at Avaya Stadium on Saturday

SAN JOSE, Calif.–On the same night three MLS team stamped their ticket to the playoffs, the San Jose Earthquakes stubs were torn to shreds by Sporting KC in a 2-1 loss. Dropping three important points for San Jose makes their playoffs dreams extremely bleak with just five games remaining in the season.

The Quakes nightmare started early, as star striker Quincy Amarikwa went down in the opening minute after a mid-air collision with KC keeper, Tim Melia. After reviewing the replay, it appeared that Amarikwa sustained a brutal knee injury that will likely put him out until next summer. Quakes’ head coach, Dominic Kinnear confirmed that Quincy will undergo the proper scans on Sunday.

After Amarkiwa was finally stretchered off the pitch, Sporting added insult to injury burring a goal in the seventh minute. Dom Dwyer found the back of the net heading home a set piece after he spilt between three different Quakes defenders that failed to pick up the assignment.

Kansas City’s second goal also came on a set piece, as Kevin Ellis backheeled a corner kick for the game-winner. Kinnear mentioned the importance of the set piece and how they have not been up to Earthquakes’ standards.

San Jose’s lone goal came from Simon Dawkins, who hit a near empty net after beautiful footwork from Henok Goitom, who picked up his first assist in an Earthquakes kit. Goitom mentioned that the team has to take it one match at a time, “and if you’re thinking about the playoffs, you’re looking too far ahead”.

San Jose has two games remaining at Avaya Stadium, and it is unknown at this time whether or not the Ultras will be making a return this season, as the protested the game on Saturday night due to sanctions placed on them after incidents involving smoke bombs at the September 10th home game.

If the Ultras decide not to support their local team, Avaya Stadium definitely has the potential of being dead silent for the final two games of the 2016 campaign after Saturday night’s near elimination.

The A’s have released Billy Butler

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by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: Oakland A’s Billy Butler hits a sacrifice fly for an RBI off the Boston Red Sox in this Sep 2nd photo is now without a team

Oakland, Ca- The Oakland A’s have announced that they have released Designated Hitter, Billy Butler. The club still owes him 11.67 million dollars on his contract. The move signals that the A’s are in total rebuild mode. Look for other moves later after the season ends.

There has been speculation that the clubhouse altercation with Danny Valencia in August was a factor in the decision, but Butler remarked that it was a non-issue. Butler had a poor year in 2015 hitting just .251. He had 15 homers and 66 RBIs. This year, Butler was used primarily against left-handed pitchers. His average was .276, and he had just four dingers and 31 ribbies on his stat sheet this year.

Many people were shocked last year when the A’s signed Butler to a three-year, thirty million dollar deal last year. He numbers were on the downside in Kansas City and for a team with limited resources as the A’s,  the news of his signing was shocking. They made a mistake, and now they have to take their lumps as Butler is no longer a member of the A’s.

Earthquakes Draw In Crucial Match Against Sounders

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By Shawn Whelchel

sjearthquakes.com photo: San Jose Earthquakes Chris Wondolowski scores his tenth goal becomes the first player to score ten or more goals in seven seasons as he faces off here against the Seattle Sound on Saturday night at Avaya Stadium

SAN JOSE, Calif.-The Earthquakes struck early, but failed to fend off a late surge from an aggressive Seattle Sounders team on Saturday night, settling for a 1-1 draw in a crucial game in the Western Conference race.

The draw between the Western Conference rivals caps off a frustrating four-game skid for San Jose in which the team has been held without a win while sitting in the 7th spot in the standings.

While the Earthquakes will certainly take the one point allotted to them in Saturday night’ tie, the frustration is mounting within an organization that’s on the fringe of being eliminated from the playoff race.

“It hurts,” said head coach Dominic Kinnear. “If you look at New York, Houston and even tonight, you walk off the field with two points out of those three games. It hurts you in the standings and it hurts because I think we should have had more.”

Entering the day just three points behind the red line in a tight race for the final playoff position, San Jose looked to snap their untimely winless streak with a relentless attack that kept Seattle on their heals through most of the early going.

San Jose tested Seattle’s net minder Stefan Frei early and often while scrapping their way to multiple set pieces early on in the match, sending multiple dangerous attempts towards the net that were just barely turned away.

But it would be none other than Chris Wandolowski who would snap the Earthquakes’ streak of 235 straight minutes without a goal, as the captain would flick a shot passed the outstretched hands of Frei in the 20′ minute after a nice touch by Jordan Stewart sent the ball towards the front of the net.

Wandolowski’s score would mark his 10th career goal against Seattle, the most by a single player in MLS history against the team.

The Sounders would respond with a tempered attack of their own, as Seattle’s Tyrone Mears threatened an equalizer after skipping a ball across the front of the San Jose goal just minutes later, but San Jose would escape the half holding their 1-0 advantage.

Entering the final half of play in a desperate bid to keep their own playoff hopes alive, the Sounders pushed forward against the San Jose defense with relentless pressure of their own, dominating the control of the game.

San Jose’s defense would eventually break on a costly mistake, allowing a free kick from Nicolas Lodeiro to squeak past goaltender David Bingham to notch things up at 1-1.

San Jose fought desperately for a last-minute score to reclaim the lead, sending multiple threatening free kicks and a botched strike by Chad Barrett towards Seattle’s net, but had their efforts turned away to end the night with just one point.

After the game, both coaches expressed dismay at the outcome that barely helped either of the two playoff hopefuls.

“You can’t creep up, you have to take big steps,” said Kinnear. “But right now we’re creeping instead of taking big steps.”

San Jose will look for the elusive three-point win next Saturday in the tough confines of the Colorado Rapids

 

Earthquakes fall short at home in international friendly

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by Michael Martinez

SAN JOSE- The San Jose Earthquakes invited C.F. Pachuca, a club from Mexico and last year’s Liga MX champions, to play in an international friendly in San Jose. The Quakes attempted a big comeback but ultimately fell short, losing 4-3 as time expired.

The first half was all Pachuca as the international club netted two first half goals to hold a two goals to none lead. It appeared that if the first half continued into the second, San Jose was headed for some major trouble.

And when the second half begun, it looked troubling as the visiting team struck first with another goal early in the half from a penalty kick. Fortunately, San Jose was poised to fight back down by  three goals and they did just that.

In minute 64, the Earthquakes were on the scoreboard, when midfielder Tommy Thompson found the back of the net for the first time this season. Thompson has been on loan from SJ’s affiliate, the Sacramento Republic FC, since July. Four other players from the Sac Republic squad came on loan to compete in the friendly as well.

The Quakes showed a ton of fight, even though their opponent scored on a penalty kick again just two minutes later. San Jose battled back down by three goals and actually scored a minute after Pachuca. Midfielder Shea Salinas was the shooter as he nailed the far side netting.

In between minutes 60 and 70, the two teams scored three goals altogether as both offenses hit their stride with a little bit of help from chippy play. Pachuca’s midfielder, Ruben Botta, received two yellow cards and was sent off the field around the same time as all the goals.

With their opponents down a man, the Earthquakes hoped to take advantage and cut the two goals lead. However, it took the team too long as they  were finally able to cut the lead to one in the second minute of extra play.

Once again it was Salinas who got it past the goalkeeper, but ultimately the Earthquakes fell short, 4-3.

Salinas had a tremendous game and some incredible  goals to go with it. The Quakes have struggled to score recently so Saturday night’s friednly was a positive for them going forward.

San Jose’s next matchup is against the Seattle Sounders, next Saturday in San Jose at Avaya Stadium.

 

Earthquakes fall 2-0 to Crew on the road in Columbus

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By: Eric He

photo by sjearthquakes.com: The Columbus Crew stopped the San Jose Earthquakes at every turn for a shutout at Mapfre Stadium

In a battle for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, the San Jose Earthquakes couldn’t move up in the standings after a 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew on the road on Saturday.

The Crew scored a goal in each half in their shutout of the Quakes, who were outshot 14-7. Ethan Finley converted in the 32nd minute off a cross from Justin Meram. Finley slid the ball past David Bingham to give Columbus a 1-0 lead.

Bingham had to leave the game late in the first half, after an apparent back injury sustained while diving for a ball. That allowed Andrew Tarbell to make his MLS debut in net, and he impressed immediately with a big save off Adam Jahn.

But Tarbell had little help in front of him. The Earthquakes managed few offensive chances, with Chris Wondolowski not making much of an impact.

Meanwhile, the Crew put the game away in the in the 84th minute on a penalty kick goal by Meram. Merman drew the penalty attacking the net and was taken down by Marvell Wynne. Up 2-0, Columbus was well on its way to winning three points.

The Earthquakes’ next match will be Sept. 10 against the Sounders. They are currently tied with the Timbers for the sixth and final playoff spot

Quakes and Revs Draw Out Nil-Nil

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By Matthew T.F. Harrington

ISI photos: San Jose Earthquakes and New England Revolution deadlock to a 0-0 draw at Avaya Stadium on Wednesday night

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Earthquakes saw a valuable three points slip away Wednesday night at Avaya Stadium with the Quakes settling for a nil-nil draw with the visiting New England Revolution. With only nine games remaining in the regular season the Quakes are locked with the Portland Timbers for the sixth and final playoff spot with 32 points.

Right on their heels are the Seattle Sounders (31 points) and Vancouver Whitecaps (30 points) pushing for the final berth in postseason play. The Revs, likewise, are trying to move up to the top of the table. They sit in eight place in the Eastern Conference, two points behind D.C. United (29 points) for the East’s last playoff spot.

The Quakes were dealt an early blow when forward Quincy Amarikwa had to be subbed for in the 34th minute with an injury. His replacement Chad Barrett failed to produce much in terms of offensive pressure, leading Quakes boss Dominic Kinnear to sub in Henok Goitom in the 76th minute.

The match itself was quite chippy, with the two teams combining for 28 fouls. Anibal Godoy, Darwin Ceren and Simon Dawkins all received yellow cards for the Quakes while the Revs’ Gershon Koffie and Teal Bunbury were also booked.

San Jose managed only seven shots, with one actually hitting the target of New England keeper Brad Knighton. David Bingham was forced to make saves on 3 of New England’s 12 shots on net.

The Quakes hit the road Saturday to face another team struggling to stay relevant in the East. San Jose faces the Columbus Crew, dead last in the division with 23 points, Saturday at 4:30 pm.