Tag: San Jose Earthquakes

Oakland A’s breaking news: Wolff out – Fisher in as managing partner

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
wolff-fisher
Lew Wolff and John Fisher Photo: USA Today Sports

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Major leadership transition announced

The Oakland Athletics announced on Thursday a major leadership change will be taking place within the organization. Managing partner Lew Wolff will become Chairman Emeritus and majority owner John Fisher will become the managing partner. This management/ownership change was approved by the MLB owners in Chicago today. Wolff will sell most of his shares of the team to the remaining owners with the exception of a small stake.

“It has been an honor serving as Managing Partner and I thank our fans, staff, and players for the opportunity I’ve had to lead this great organization,” said Wolff. “John and I have talked in great length about the future of this club and I am ready to pass the reins to him.”

“I want to thank Lew for his leadership over the last 11 years,” said Fisher. “His initiative and love of the game of baseball brought my family to the A’s, and we would not be involved without him. Lew has given the organization all of his energy and experience for the last 11 years and I look forward to a new chapter in our working relationship and friendship. It is a privilege for me to steward the A’s at this important moment for the franchise.”

There will also be a new club president

A’s president Michael Crowley will also be stepping down from his position and to become a senior advisor to the ownership group. Crowley has been the club president since 1998.

Dave Kaval will replace Crowley as president of the Athletics. Kaval is currently the president of the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer. The Earthquakes built the $100-million privately financed Avaya Stadium which opened in March of 2015.

Kaval also has a baseball background. He was the founder of the independent Golden Baseball League in 2003.

kaval_2016kickoff
Dave Kaval new president of the Oakland Athletics

What does this mean for the A’s

The first major change is the managing partner will be based in the Bay Area and not in Southern California where Wolff bases his business efforts. Fisher is San Francisco based and Bay Area connected. He is also 25-years younger than Wolff, so there may also be a higher energy level.

Since the A’s are in desperate need of a new stadium and that effort is still at square one, a new, younger ownership voice with Bay Area ties may be helpful in moving the project forward. Fisher is also involved in the financial world and may be able to attract local, private investment in a stadium project.

Kaval’s experience in seeing the Avaya Stadium project through to completion has to bring a fresh perspective to Athletics’ stadium push. With Kaval in the president’s office, there may well be some other changes particularly on the business side of the organization.

oakland-as-waterfront-ballpark
Jack London Square Water-front Stadium drawing

* some of the information used in this report was supplied by the Oakland Athletics 

 

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

Published on by Eric HeLeave a comment

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.

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

Published on by Eric HeLeave a comment

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

Wondolowski can’t finish as Earthquakes, NYCFC finish scoreless

Published on by Eric HeLeave a comment
Chris Wondolowski misfired on a few scoring chances in the Earthquakes' scoreless draw against NYCFC on Friday (Kelley L Cox / USA Today Sports)
Chris Wondolowski misfired on a few scoring chances in the Earthquakes’ scoreless draw against NYCFC on Friday (Kelley L Cox / USA Today Sports)

By: Eric He

SAN JOSE – Give Chris Wondolowski a prime scoring chance around the net and he’ll usually convert. On Friday night, he had not one, not two, not three, but four great opportunities in the second half to put one past the goalkeeper. None of them went in.

The result? A disappointing scoreless draw for the San Jose Earthquakes against the New York City FC in front of a sold-out Avaya Stadium.

“Not happy with this point, no,” head coach Dominic Kinnear said. “We should have come out with the win. I think we know that … We had some good looks. To come out with no goals is a bit surprising tonight.”

San Jose applied pressure throughout the second half and consistently knocked on the doorstep. Wondolowski had several chances from in close, none better than in the 69th minute when a deflected shot by Shea Salinas found Wondolowski all alone in front. But his volley bounced off the post to keep the match scoreless.

The captain said that was the opportunity he’d like to have back the most.

“I thought I had a little more time, but I’ve got to finish it,” he said.

Wondolowski also had opportunities in the 52nd and 57th minutes – the first of which was a header from point blank that went wide.

“I wasn’t losing any confidence,” Wondolowski said. “Just bad choices, bad execution, poor finishing.”

Chad Barrett subbed in and had a great scoring chance in the 76th minute off a terrific lead pass, but he was denied by NYCFC goalkeeper Josh Saunders. Another excellent ball in the 84th minute gave Wondolowski a chance on an odd-man rush, but he once again took to long to shoot and his attempt was blocked.

“Soccer’s always that game,” he said. “It ebbs and flows. I think we created some chances, especially myself. We need to finish them, and that changes the whole course of the game.”

The Earthquakes, who outshot NYCFC 19-10, also had the better of opportunities in the first half, but both teams entered the locker room scoreless. The 10th minute featured a cross by Quincy Amarikwa to Anibal Godoy, but his shot went high. Amarikwa had a chance three minutes later in front, but Saunders gobbled up the ball.

Another chance early in the first half saw Alberto Quintero weave his way through the defense, but he couldn’t get the shot off. Godoy had another opportunity in the 24th minute from point blank, but Saunders made the stop.

“The attitude of the guys, they’re disappointed in the locker room right now,” Kinnear said. “Ties are good, but we’ve got to do better than good right now, we’ve got to get some wins. To win games we need to start scoring some goals.”

David Bingham fended off shots as well on his net, with is biggest save in the half coming in the 31st minute, stopping Frank Lampard. As a whole, the Earthquakes managed to keep NYCFC’s star-power at bay, with the high press proving effective.

In fact, it was the first time NYCFC, the highest scoring team in MLS, had been shutout in 11 matches.

“I felt we were solid defensively tonight,” said defenseman Jordan Stewart. “It didn’t look like we were going to concede a goal tonight the way we were playing.”

This is the Earthquakes’ third consecutive draw. They have 12 games remaining and sit two points out of a playoff spot. That isn’t ideal, Wondolowski admitted, but it’s enough to give him hope.

“I think we have a very special locker room,” he said. “I love what we have here. I still think we can do some great things. Nothing’s changed, nothing’s wavered, and the belief is stronger than ever.”

Welcome aboard

Before the game, the Earthquakes made a trade, acquiring El Salvador National Team captain Darwin Ceren from Orlando City SC for Matias Perez Garcia and an international roster slot.

Ceren subbed in for Fatai Alashe in the 82nd minute, making his Earthquakes’ debut.

“I’m motivated to fit in and continue to play well with these guys,” he said. “Now I have to continue to play hard and earn the right to continue to play significant minutes.”

Earthquakes draw 1-1 with Dynamo on the road

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By: Eric He

sjearthquakes.com photo: San Jose Earthquakes Chris Wondolowski who scored in the 59th minute to help force a draw was the game hero on Sunday in Houston

Chris Wondolowski’s second half goal was good enough to force a 1-1 draw for the San Jose Earthquakes on the road against the Houston Dynamo on Sunday night.

Down 1-0 in the 59th minute, Wondolowski found room in front off a cross from Cordell Cato, and he deflected it in to even the match. It was the captain’s 118th career goal and also marked an important milestone — Wondolowski has now scored against all 21 MLS teams he’s played against. His career actually started with the Dynamo before joining the Earthquakes.

“It’s kind of cool,” Wondolowski said on the accomplishment. “It is special. Houston has always had a special place in my heart and I really spent some great years here. It took a little while but it’s a great feeling.”

He almost had two goals on the night, but his chance from close range late in the first half was denied by Dynamo goalie Joe Willis. Instead, it was Houston which struck first in stoppage time, courtesy of Alex. The Brazilian forward zig-zagged his way around the Quakes’ defense and beat David Bingham to put the Dynamo ahead 1-0.

Opportunities were abound for both teams late to take a 2-1 lead, but the goaltenders stood tall. Simon Dawkins’ try from the left of the box was pushed aside by Willis in the 70th minute. Bingham came up huge in the 90th minute, stopping a free-kick attempt from Cristián Maidana that was headed by Andrew Wenger in on goal.

“We had some real good looks in the second half,” Quakes’ head coach Dominic Kinnear said. “Obviously they were taking control in the last little bit and we were kind of running on fumes there but that goal gave us some real good confidence. We had some real good looks to put up 2-1.”

San Jose outshot Houston 15-13, with shots on target even at three apiece, though the Dynamo controlled nearly 60 percent of the possession.

This is the Earthquakes’ ninth tie of the season, and they remain winless on the road at 0-5-6. They are still eighth in the West, and will face New York City FC at Avaya Stadium next on Friday.

Quakes draw with Real Salt Lake on the road

Published on by Eric HeLeave a comment

By: Eric He

sjearthquakes.com photo by Quakes team president David Kaval:  San Jose Earthquakes in Real Salt Lake on Friday

The San Jose Earthquakes couldn’t hang on to a one-goal lead as their match against Real Salt Lake on Friday night ended in a 1-1 draw.

Chris Wondolowski scored in the ninth minute to give the Quakes an early lead, but Luke Mulholland equalized in the 64th minute. Both teams had chances in the final third of the match to break the tie, thought neither was able to convert.

Real Salt Lake outshot San Jose 14-12 and held the majority of possession. Mulholland’s goal was a thing of beauty, as he converted off a clever lob pass by Javier Morales.

The goal answered Wondolowski’s strike from close range, finding the loose ball off a corner kick and converting past the goalkeeper.

Shea Salinas banged a shot off the crossbar in the 80th minute, as the Quakes’ best chance to re-take the lead came up inches high. Goaltender David Bingham and the Quakes’ defense stood their ground to salvage a draw.

San Jose is still without a road win this year and remains outside the playoff picture in the West at 26 points. Next up, the Quakes take on Houston on the road on July 31.

Earthquakes blanked at home by FC Dallas as winless streak continues

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The Earthquakes dropped their first home match all year on Friday against FC Dallas (Kelley L Cox / USA Today Sports)
The Earthquakes dropped their first home match all year on Friday against FC Dallas (Kelley L Cox / USA Today Sports)

By: Eric He

SAN JOSE – The San Jose Earthquakes’ winless streak reached seven matches on Friday night with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of FC Dallas at Avaya Stadium.

The away team scored the match’s lone goal in the 51st minute off the foot of Maximiliano Urruti, who delivered a bicycle-kick strike to put FC Dallas ahead six minutes into the second half.

The Quakes had their chances in the match, outshooting Dallas 12-7, but were unable to capitalize and find the equalizer. A ball put in the net in the 68th minute was waved off due to goaltender interference. Matias Perez Garcia’s long-range shot in the 70th minute skipped all the way through, but went wide.

“When we were down 1-0, our whole focus was to get that equalizer until the final whistle because we thought we were going to get [it],” midfielder Anibal Godoy said, via a translator. “We’ve done it over the last couple of games, especially at home. But it didn’t work out for us.”

A quality chance for Simon Dawkins 12 minutes later from the left was turned aside by FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz. And Perez Garcia’s poor ball handling despite having room at midfield in the 89th minute was all she wrote for the Quakes, who have been shutout in back-to-back matches.

“Right now we’re just not scoring enough goals,” head coach Dominic Kinnear said. “We’re playing from behind. It’s easier said than done to go out there and get the first goal. It’s a frustrating period for us right now. We’re a little bit disappointed in ourselves.”

The first half featured plenty of action but no goals. Urruti, the forward who had the bulk of the opportunities for FC Dallas, nearly put his club ahead in the 19th minute when he broke in alone, but Quakes’ goaltender David Bingham deflected it just enough to glance off the crossbar.

San Jose was inches away as well. A free kick by Godoy in the 32nd minute clanked off the post. Ten minutes later, Shea Salinas received a cross at point-blank range but his attempt was denied by Seitz. A header by Quincy Amarikwa on the ensuing corner kick sailed just high.

“This game we had a lot of chances,” Salinas said. “We hit the post. We had a bunch of other times where we were in on goal and it just wasn’t falling our way.”

The two teams went into halftime scoreless, but it didn’t take long for FC Dallas to seize control out of the break.

“We knew they were good in the counterattack and lost the ball in the middle of the field in the counterattack and they scored on us,” Salinas said on Urruti’s goal, which was set up on the rush by a long centering feed that was knocked down, deflected off Quakes’ defender Victor Bernardez, and right to Urruti, who timed his bicycle kick perfectly.

San Jose out-possessed FC Dallas, 54.2 percent to 45.8, and had eight corner kicks to FC Dallas’ five. But it wasn’t enough to get on the scoresheet.

“It’s getting that goal,” Kinnear said. “We’re lacking goals right now. To win games we need to score.”

This is the Quakes’ first loss in Avaya Stadium in 2016; the last defeat came in September of last year. It came at a bad time too, with the team looking to break out of a stale stretch of winless matches and stay afloat in the playoff picture. The Quakes remain at 22 points and eighth in the Western Conference; with a win, they would have been tied for fifth.

“We’re missing opportunities here,” Kinnear said. “Other teams have something to say about it, but we’re good enough to take these opportunities presented for us and put pressure on other teams.”

He added: “Things aren’t falling for us right now but that doesn’t mean we give up; we work harder.”

Next up, San Jose takes on Toronto FC a week from Saturday at home.

Earthquakes Force Draw With A Late Score Against D.C

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By Shawn Whelchel

SAN JOSE, California-The San Jose Earthquakes nearly avoided dropping their second consecutive game after returning home to Avaya Stadium on Saturday night, as some late game heroics saw the retro-clad home team escape with a 1-1 draw against D.C. United.

After 87 frustrating minutes that saw San Jose squander multiple looks at the net, the Quakes finally broke through their string of misfortunes when Adam Jahn made a sprinting strike off of a beautiful cross from Shea Shalinas to notch the Quakes one and only goal.

The goal would be all San Jose needed to avoid consecutive losses after a 3-1 downing in Los Angeles two weeks ago.And while the outcome isn’t ultimately what head coach Dominic Kinnear would have hoped for, it was a welcomed sight at the end of a trying effort.

“I though the effort tonight was great. Ties aren’t the same, they’re a little bit different where if we got scored on late, the feeling would have been sickening. But it does give you a lift when you score late and you can get something.”

The score came from an unlikely hero in Jahn, who played a game-low eight minutes. But Kinnear said that the substitution was intended to take advantage of his height to break the opposing defense.

“I thought with Adam we could get a little more territory…I think at that time it helped to have Adam’s height and his eagerness to get on the other side of crosses. Good for him.”

Despite being the aggressors early and often, the San Jose Earthquakes couldn’t find the back of the net in what turned out to be a frustrating first-half for the home team.

San Jose had multiple looks at the net, including tries from Tommy Thompson, Chris Wondolowski and Quincy Amarikwa, but couldn’t cash in on the stumbling D.C. defense. But despite the aggressive pushes from the Quakes, it was United who struck first, as Patrick Nyarko took advantage of a momentary lapse in the San Jose’s defense to put the first goal on the board with a sprinter header past the outstretched hands of David Bingham at the 34′ minute mark.

San Jose would nearly add an equalizer just moments later off a beautiful feed from a Wondolowski header near the net, but Amarikwa would be caught jumping offsides to negate the goal. Nyarko’s goal energized the previous lackluster D.C squad, leading to another dangerous attempt from Fabian Espindola at the 38′ minute mark before the Earthquakes would retreat to the locker room at the half with a one score deficit.

The frustrations continued to spill over from the first half for San Jose, as the home team frantically sought to appease the loud Avaya crowd with a flurry of shots to open the second frame.

Alberto Quintero played spoiler to his team’s own cause on a three-man rush towards the net for San Jose. Quintero found himself alone on the left wing with two attacking Quakes on the far side of the pitch, but couldn’t chip the ball over Travis Worra for the score. Moments later, Amarikwa would put his second and third shots on the goal, only to be denied in back-to-back attempts. Both Tommy Thompson and Wondolowski would later find themselves in front of the goal, only to send lazy attempts into the chest of Worra in what seemed like a contest where the Quakes couldn’t buy a goal.

But with the time winding down on San Jose’s efforts, a pair of substitutes would breathe new life into San Jose’s lackluster offense. With San Jose seeming desperate for a solution, Shea Salinas would shake his man on the wing to send a cross towards the sprinting Adam Jahn, whose split-legged slide would add the equalizer for the Earthquakes in the 88′ minute.

The Earthquakes would add one last furious attempt to find the back of the net before the whistle would sound on stoppage time, sending D.C home still in search of their first win of the season, while sneaking away with a point of their own.