This Week's Match-Up
The Earthquakes take a week off from MLS action this weekend as they take on the Canadian National Team, led by former Quakes head coach Frank Yallop, in an international exhibition on Saturday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Spartan Stadium. The match will mark the first time in club history that San Jose has faced a country's national team. The game will be broadcast on the radio on 1590 KLIV (English) and 1370 AM KZSF (Spanish). The Earthquakes return to MLS play on Saturday, June 12 with a game against the MetroStars at 7:00 p.m. PT at Spartan Stadium.
Earthquakes Schedule for the Week of 5/31/04
Monday, May 31: Off
Tuesday, June 1: Off
Wednesday, June 2: 10:15 a.m. Training at West Valley College
Thursday, June 3: 10:15 a.m. Training at West Valley College
Friday, June 4: 10:15 a.m. Training at Spartan Stadium
Saturday, June 5: 7:00 p.m. Earthquakes vs. Canada at Spartan Stadium live on 1590 KLIV and 1370 AM KZSF.
Canadian National Team Schedule for the Week of 5/31/04
Wednesday, June 2: Arrive in San Jose
Thursday, June 3: 10:30 p.m. Training at Santa Clara University
Friday, June 4: 12:30 p.m. Training at Spartan Stadium
Saturday, June 5: 7:00 p.m. Earthquakes vs. Canada at Spartan Stadium live on 1590 KLIV and 1370 AM KZSF.
*All times Pacific
Injury Report/Suspensions
Out: Chris Ronér (R - ankle surgery); Eddie Robinson (L - ruptured tendon of left hamstring);
Doubtful: Troy Dayak (upper back strain)
Questionable: Ronnie Ekelund (neck infection); Todd Dunivant (L - quadriceps strain); Chris Brown (L - ankle sprain)
Last Match
Crew 1, Earthquakes 0; Saturday, May 29, 2004; Crew Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
The San Jose Earthquakes had their four-game unbeaten streak snapped as they lost to the Columbus Crew 1-0 at Crew Stadium. The Crew's Jeff Cunnigham scored a second half goal to keep San Jose winless at Crew Stadium in its history. The Quakes first chance came in the opening minutes of the match after a strong run by forward Jamil Walker from the middle of the field. Walker eluded two defenders before finding Ian Russell on the left wing.
With Columbus goalkeeper Jon Busch coming out to cut down the angle, Russell shot past Busch, but Columbus rookie defender Chad Marshall slid and cleared the ball off the goal line to keep the match scoreless. Ramiro Corrales nearly broke the deadlock off a corner kick 18 minutes into the contest. Jeff Agoos sent a ball from the right corner to the back post, where Corrales had gotten free. He then powered a header just over the near post and off the cross bar. Walker had a chance of his own in the 20th minute when Landon Donovan found him with a through ball inside the 18-yard box. Donovan collected a knock down from Brian Ching and slipped the ball through for Walker, who tried to place it past Busch, but the ball bounced up on him at the last second and his shot was easily saved.
Ching almost put the Quakes ahead with under 10 minutes to play in the first half. Richard Mulrooney swung a ball into the box to Walker, who knocked the ball down to Ching 10 yards from goal. Ching hit a low left-footed shot, but Busch dove to his right to smother the ball and end the threat. The Crew jumped onto the scoreboard first with a goal by Cunningham in the 69th minute. Former Quakes midfielder Manny Lagos received the ball in the penalty box played the ball out to Eric Denton on the left wing. Denton then hooked a cross into the front of the goal to Cunningham, who nodded the ball past Conway into the net.
Misc. Notes
In May
San Jose possesses an 18-17-8 all-time record in the month of May. The Quakes finished the past month 2-1-2.
In June
June has historically been the Quakes best month as they have posted a 20-14-6 record all-time in the month. In the past three seasons, the team has gone 9-2-3 in June.
Unbeaten Streak Snapped
The Quakes had their four game unbeaten streak snapped on Saturday against the Crew with a 1-0 loss. However, the team still possesses a four-game home-unbeaten streak this season, and a five-game home-unbeaten streak dating back to last season.
Firsts
Tighe Dombrowski made his first MLS appearance, entering as a sub in the 81st minute on Saturday against the Crew. The rookie midfielder had made his Quakes debut in an exhibition against Sporting Club of Portugal on May 12. Jamil Walker made his first-ever regular season start on Saturday after appearing 22 times as a sub in the regular season the past two seasons. Walker did start three playoff games in 2003 for San Jose.
Record Low
The Earthquakes held the Columbus Crew to a club record low five shots against on Saturday night. It marks the fifth time in club history that the Quakes have held an opponent to only five shots. The last time the Quakes accomplished this feat was on April 14, 2001 against the Dallas Burn, also a 1-0 loss.
Corrales Joins Century Club
Quakes midfielder Ramiro Corrales played in his 100th career game for San Jose on Saturday against the Crew. Overall in his MLS career, he has played in 157 games with San Jose, the Miami Fusion and the MetroStars.
Mulrooney, Russell Hot in June
Quakes midfielder Richard Mulrooney has typically played well in June in his career as he has notched 11 of his club record 39 assists in the month. June has been the best month in his career for points as well as he has racked up 13 points in the month. Ian Russell has also been strong in June, scoring two goals and notching six assists for 10 career points in the month.
Yallop Returns to Spartan
Saturday against Canada marks the return of former Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop, who coached San Jose to two MLS Cups in three seasons from 2001 - 2003. He posted a 41-25-18 record in those three years in the regular season to lead San Jose in all-time wins and winning percentage.
Ching Scoring Streak Snapped
Earthquakes forward Brian Ching had his three game goal scoring streak snapped on Saturday against the Crew. However, the Hawaii native finished May with a team-high four goals and one assist, the highest scoring month of his career.
De Rosario and Onstad Both Play in Wales
Earthquakes forward Dwayne De Rosario and goalkeeper Pat Onstad both started for Canada in its 1-0 loss to Wales on Sunday, May 30 in Wrexham, Wales. Onstad started and played the full 90 minutes in goal and allowed just Paul Parry's 21st minute goal, while De Rosario started at forward. De Rosario then moved to left midfield in the second half, before coming out of the game in the 80th minute. The pair will remain with Canada this week and are expected to suit up for Canada in the match this Saturday against the Quakes.
Conway Makes First Start
Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Conway made his first start of the 2004 season against the Crew. It was his first appearance in the regular season since shutting out the Colorado Rapids on October 10, 2003 at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Donovan With National Team
Forward Landon Donovan flew from Columbus to New England on Sunday to join his United States National Team teammates as they prepare for a match on Wednesday, June 2 against Honduras at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. PT and will broadcast on Telemundo on tape delay at 11:30 p.m. PT. The match will also air in high definition on HDNet. Fans can follow the game live on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker. Donovan will then rejoin his San Jose teammates on Thursday in San Jose and will be available for the match on Saturday, June 5 against Canada.
Earthquakes Against International Competition
The Earthquakes defeated Sporting Club of Portugal 4-1 on May 12 in their last match against international competition with two goals each from Landon Donovan and Brian Mullan. Saturday's match against Canada will mark the first time San Jose will face a country's national team. The Quakes do have a long history of success against a number of high-profile international opponents. The Earthquakes have played such renowned clubs such as Germany's Bayer Leverkusen, England's Aston Villa, Mexico's Club America and Chivas de Guadalajara, Norway's Rosenborg Trondheim and the Ukraine's Dynamo Kiev. Against a collection of teams from a total of 14 different nations, the Earthquakes have compiled an all-time 12-13-6 record against international teams that includes exhibitions, CONCACAF Champions Cup matches and the pre-season La Manga Cup. In exhibition games vs. international teams, the Quakes are 7-9-6 and the team owns a 5-3-0 record in CONCACAF Champions Cup play.
Home Field Advantage
San Jose won the first-ever meeting against the Columbus Crew in Columbus in 1996, but since that game the Crew has reeled off an MLS record 11 straight wins over San Jose at home, including eight straight at Crew Stadium. The Quakes, however, do own a six-game unbeaten streak against the Crew at Spartan Stadium, including four straight wins. The Quakes and Crew square off one more time this season on September 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Spartan Stadium.
Quakes Closing In On .500
The Earthquakes are closing in on bringing their all-time regular season MLS record to the .500 mark. The Quakes all-time regular season MLS record is 110-114-29.
League Leaders
Earthquakes forward Brian Ching is tied for third in the league with 11 points on five goals and one assist. Forward Landon Donovan is currently tied for fifth in MLS with eight points. Ching is tied for second in the league with five goals. Donovan is tied for the league lead with four assists. The Earthquakes are second in the league in with 16 goals and second with 15 assists. The Quakes lead MLS with eight first half goals this season.
Halftime Success
If the Earthquakes enter the half-time break with the lead, recent history suggests they will keep it. Since the beginning of the 2000 season, the Earthquakes are 37-0-5 in games when leading at the half, including 8-0-1 in 2003.
Making The First One Count
The Earthquakes were 25-2-2 in 2001 and 2002 when finding the back of the net first. The Quakes only gave up leads two times in 2002, losing 2-1 to Los Angeles on July 4 and falling 2-1 to Kansas City on July 27. The team continued that trend in 2003, possessing an 11-0-1 mark in the regular season when they scored the first goal. In 2004, the Quakes are 2-0-1 when scoring first after beating Los Angeles 4-2 on May 22. Dating back to the 2000 season, the Earthquakes own a 41-2-4 record in their last 47 matches when they score the first goal of the game. The Quakes are also impressive in the playoffs when scoring first, posting a 6-0-0 record.
"We Believe" - The Story of the 2003 San Jose Earthquakes DVD on Sale Now
For the first time ever, Earthquakes fans can relive the Quakes incredible ride to the 2003 MLS Cup Championship with "We Believe, The Story of the 2003 San Jose Earthquakes." This special two-disc DVD set captures all of the drama and excitement from the Earthquakes unbelievable season. In addition to a 33-minute season in review that includes player interviews and game action, Disc One features an exclusive behind the scenes package as well as a highlight reel. Disc Two of this one-of-a kind set is the original television broadcast of the "Greatest Game In MLS History," the Earthquakes dramatic 5-2 win over Los Angeles in the Western Conference Semifinals on Nov. 9, 2003. Earthquakes fans can Believe Again with this extraordinary two-disc DVD set. Fans can purchase this special two DVD set on the Earthquakes website at sjearthquakes.com or by calling 408-985-GOAL.
