The Earthquakes begin a stretch of three straight games against Western Conference opponents this Saturday, June 26 against the Kansas City Wizards at 7:00 p.m. PT at Spartan Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on the radio on 1590 KLIV (English) and on tape delay after the Giants game on 1370 AM KZSF (Spanish). It will also be televised in high definition on HDNet.
Earthquakes vs. Wizards All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 15-13-4
Home: 9-4-3
Away: 6-9-1
Shootout: 3-4 (1996-99)
Overtime: 0-0-3 (2000-03)
Playoffs: 1-0-0; U.S. Open Cup: 0-0-0
All-Time Scoring (Incl. Playoffs): San Jose - 45, Kansas City - 41
Injury Report/Suspensions
Out: Chris Ronér (R - ankle surgery); Eddie Robinson (L - ruptured tendon of left hamstring); Troy Dayak (upper back strain); Jeff Agoos (Red Card Suspension)
Doubtful: Jamil Walker (R - ankle sprain)
Probable: Brian Mullan (R - ankle sprain)
Last Match
Earthquakes 1, Fire 1; Saturday, June 19; Soldier Field; Chicago, Ill.
The San Jose Earthquakes came back from an early deficit to earn a 1-1 tie against the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field. After Nate Jaqua put the Fire up in the seventh minute, Brian Ching scored midway through the second half to help the Quakes earn a point on the road. Pat Onstad saved a late penalty kick from Ante Razov to preserve the tie. The Fire jumped onto the board first with a goal by Jaqua in the seventh minute. Logan Pause sent a cross into the box to Razov, who chested the ball down to Jaqua 10 yards from goal. Jaqua eluded two San Jose defenders before slotting the ball past Onstad for the 1-0 lead. In the 66th minute, the Quakes finally broke through to tie the game. Jeff Agoos swung a corner kick into the goalmouth, where Ching beat his defender to the ball and headed it to the back post. Fire defender Evan Whitfield got a piece of it, but could not keep it out of the net, and the game was tied a one goal apiece. In the 85th minute, Waibel was whistled for a foul on Razov in the box and the Fire was awarded a penalty. Razov drove the spot kick hard down the middle, but Onstad got his leg to the shot and deflected it away, before the ball was cleared by the San Jose defense. The penalty kick save was the second for Onstad against Razov, as he also stopped his penalty attempt in last season's MLS Cup Final.
Last Match vs. Wizards
Earthquakes 3, Wizards 2; November, 15, 2003; Spartan Stadium; San Jose, Calif. - Western Conference Finals
The San Jose Earthquakes advanced to their second MLS Cup Final in three seasons on Landon Donovan's goal in overtime to cap a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over the Kansas City Wizards at Spartan Stadium. The Earthquakes earned another dramatic come from behind win to clinch the Western Conference trophy after trailing 2-1 with just seven minutes remaining in the game. Brian Mullan scored in the 83rd minute to force overtime, and then Donovan received a pass from Ronnie Ekelund in the Wizards penalty box in the 117th minute and beat Kansas City goalkeeper Tony Meola to give San Jose the 3-2 overtime victory. The action started when goalkeeper Pat Onstad was not able to stop Igor Simutenkov's shot in the 57th minute, as he gave Kansas City a 1-0 lead. San Jose tied the game at 1-1 in the 61st minute on a goal from Manny Lagos. Troy Dayak sent a low cross into the middle of the penalty box that a sliding Lagos was able to get to and place to the left of Meola to tie the game. The Wizards took back the lead in the 72nd minute when Chris Klein ran onto a long ball played over the Quakes defense by Preki. The Earthquakes tied the game once again in the 83rd minute on Mullan's goal. Ian Russell beat his man on the left and fired a solid ball into the penalty area. Mullan was able to send a shot to the right of a sprawling Meola to send the game into overtime. Finally, Donovan sent the Quakes to the MLS Cup with a golden goal in the 117th minute. Donovan sent a pass to Ronnie Ekelund, and Ekelund immediately fired a pass back to the streaking forward who had a step on his defender. Donovan received the pass and slipped a shot past Meola at the near post to win the game.
Misc. Notes
In June
June has historically been the Quakes best month as they have posted a 21-14-7 MLS record all-time in the month. In the past three seasons, the team has gone 10-2-4 in June.
Still Unbeaten At Home
With the 3-1 win over the MetroStars on June 12, the Earthquakes extended their unbeaten streak at Spartan Stadium to six in a row, holding strong at home from October 25, 2003 to June 12, 2004. The Earthquakes are the only MLS team to remain unbeaten at home this season with a 2-0-3 record in 2004.
Agoos Suspended
For just the second time in his MLS career and the first time in his Earthquakes career, Earthquakes defender Jeff Agoos was ejected from a game. The Quakes captain received his second yellow card late in the Quakes 1-1 tie with Chicago on June 19 for dissent. Agoos is now suspended for the Quakes next match, this Saturday's game at home vs. Kansas City. The only other ejection of Agoos' career was on July 29, 1998 in a 2-2 tie against Tampa Bay.
Ching Is Goal-Scoring King
Earthquakes forward Brian Ching took over the MLS goal-scoring lead when he headed in his seventh goal of the season in the 66th minute. Ching also leads the league in total points scored with 15 on his seven goals and one assist. It was the second-straight game in which Ching has scored for San Jose, and his seven goals is already an MLS career high. Last season, Ching scored six goals in an injury-shortened season. The three-year MLS veteran scored 16 goals for the A-League Seattle Sounders in 2002.
Onstad and De Rosario Return To Action
Earthquakes goalkeeper Pat Onstad and forward Dwayne De Rosario returned to action for the Quakes on June 19 after missing the previous two San Jose games while with the Canadian National Team. Onstad and De Rosario helped the Canadian team advance through the first round of World Cup Qualifying with a pair of 4-0 victories over Belize on June 12 and June 16. Onstad and De Rosario both started and played both matches, with De Rosario scoring two goals for Canada in the 63rd and 73rd minute in the second game. Onstad earned his 16th and 17th international shutouts in the matches as Canada won the series 8-0 on aggregate goals. The pair met the rest of the Quakes in Chicago on Thursday and each played 90 minutes against the Fire.
Onstad Penalty Kick Saves
Earthquakes goalkeeper Pat Onstad preserved the Quakes tie on June 19 with his late save of an Ante Razov penalty kick. It was the fourth penalty kick Onstad has faced in his two-year MLS career, and the second he has saved. Both saves have been on Razov, as the 2003 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year stuffed the Fire forward in the 2003 MLS Cup as well.
Donovan Leads U.S. To Qualifying Victory
Earthquakes forward Landon Donovan helped push the United States National Team to a 3-2 victory over Grenada on June 20 in the second-leg of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying, helping the U.S. advance into the second round. Donovan played all 90 minutes and scored the first goal for the U.S. in the sixth minute, in addition to assisting on Josh Wolff's goal in the 19th minute. The goal was Donovan's first in World Cup Qualifying. Donovan will rejoin the Quakes in San Jose this week and will be eligible to play for the club Saturday against Kansas City.
Alvarez Shines For U.S. Under-20 National Team
Eighteen-year old Earthquakes midfielder Arturo Alvarez played 88 minutes for the U.S. Under-20 National Team on June 16 in an international exhibition match against the Brazil Under-20 team. Despite out-shooting the Brazilians, Alvarez and the U.S. lost 2-0. Alvarez met the Quakes in Chicago on Thursday and played 26 minutes on June 19 against Chicago, coming on as a second-half substitute.
Quakes Host Breast Cancer Awareness Night On June 26
The San Jose Earthquakes will host Breast Cancer Awareness Night on Saturday, June 26 when the Quakes take on the Kansas City Wizards at 7:00 p.m. PT at Spartan Stadium. Proceeds from tickets purchased for the June 26 match from a Breast Cancer 3-Day booth outside the stadium will benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust's efforts to fight breast cancer. The Breast Cancer 3-Day booth will be manned by volunteers who are currently training for the three-day, 60-mile walk that will be held in San Francisco on Oct. 15-17, and in nine other U.S. cities this year. Breast Cancer 3-Day t-shirts will be randomly distributed to the crowd during half time as Breast Cancer 3-Day volunteers and the Earthquakes attempt to raise awareness for this event and help promote the fight against breast cancer. For more information on purchasing these special Quakes tickets, contact Jenny Tsong at the Earthquakes at (408) 288-2644 or Alvin Yu from the Breast Cancer 3-Day event at (650) 589-8712.
Earthquakes In The Community
Monday, June 21 - 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Where: Garrahan Park - Boulder Creek
Who: Brian Ching & Earthquakes mascot "Q"
Details: Brian Ching & Earthquakes mascot "Q" will be signing autographs for the soccer camp kids of Juventus Soccer Club.
Wednesday, June 23 - 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM
Where: Kindercare Learning Center - San Jose
Who: Ryan Cochrane
Details: Ryan Cochrane will be visiting the kids at the Kindercare Summer Camp to talk to them about soccer, perform a mini-demonstration and sign autographs.
Wednesday, June 23 - Time TBD
What: Enterprise Rent A Car Charity Golf Tournament
Where: TBD
Who: Jeff Agoos, Todd Dunivant, Ronnie Ekelund & Brian Mullan
Sunday, June 27 - 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Where: Eden Housing Mini-Clinic - San Jose
Who: Earthquakes President & General Manager Alexi Lalas and Earthquakes Players
Details: Lalas and two Earthquakes players will be hosting a mini-clinic for the residents at Eden Housing.
Donovan Doing It Against Kansas City
Earthquakes forward Landon Donovan has played nine career regular season games against the Wizards. Donovan has recorded four goals and one assist for nine points in those games, including the first hat trick in club history on Sept. 20, 2003. Donovan also scored the game-winning golden goal against Kansas City in the 2003 Western Conference Championship.
Wizards Seek Revenge
Saturday's game will be the first meeting between the Quakes and the Wizards since the dramatic overtime 2003 Western Conference Championship on Nov. 15. Twice the Quakes came from behind in the game to force overtime in the 83rd minute on Brian Mullan goal before Landon Donovan won it in overtime with a brilliant goal to put the Quakes into MLS Cup 2003.
Goalscoring at Home
The Earthquakes are currently on a hot streak at Spartan Stadium as they have scored 12 goals in their past three home matches, setting a club record for the most goals in three consecutive games at home. The team is tied for second in MLS with 13 goals scored at home in 2004.
Mulrooney, Russell Hot in June
Quakes midfielder Richard Mulrooney has typically played well in June in his career as he has notched 13 of his club-record 41 assists in the month. June has been the best month in his career for points, racking up 15 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.
Earthquakes - Wizards Connections
Earthquakes forward Dwayne De Rosario played for the A-League's Richmond Kickers in 1999 under Wizards General Manager Curt Johnson, who served as the GM for the Kickers...Kansas City defender Jimmy Conrad played in 84 games in four seasons with San Jose before joining the Wizards in a trade in January, 2003...Kansas City midfielder Francisco Gomez is from Watsonville, Calif...Earthquakes defender Jeff Agoos and Wizards goalkeeper Tony Meola were teammates at the University of Virginia in the late 80's and were long-time teammates on the U.S. National Team...Richard Mulrooney and Kansas City's Carey Talley were teammates for the Memphis FC club team.
Earthquakes vs. Wizards Match-Up
The Earthquakes took the season series from Kansas City 2-0-2 in 2003...The Earthquakes own a 9-4-3 all-time record over the Wizards at Spartan Stadium...The Wizards last defeated San Jose on July 27, 2002 in a 2-1 game...Kansas City last won a game at Spartan Stadium on August 16, 2000 in a 3-0 win... Since 1996, San Jose has out-scored Kansas City 42-39 in regular season games...The Earthquakes out-scored the Wizards 6-2 in four regular season games in 2003.
History vs. Wizards
The Quakes lead the all-time regular season series between the two teams 15-13-4...Earthquakes defender Eddie Robinson scored his first career MLS goal against the Wizards on July 27, 2002...Earthquakes midfielder Ramiro Corrales was ejected for the first time in his MLS career against the Wizards on June 20, 1999 while with the MetroStars...Corrales scored the game-winning goal against the Wizards in a 2-1 Quakes win on June 29, 2002... Brian Ching scored his first career goal and notched his first career assist against the Wizards on June 13, 2001 while with the Galaxy...Landon Donovan scored the Quakes first-ever hat trick on Sept. 20, 2003 in a 4-1 win at Arrowhead Stadium.
Top Earthquakes Against Wizards
Forward Landon Donovan is the Quakes current leading scorer against the Wizards, scoring four goals and one assist in nine games...Dwayne De Rosario has two goals and four assists in 10 career games...Brian Mullan has three goals and one assist in eight regular season games and Richard Mulrooney has one goal and seven assists in 20 regular season games.
Wizards Leaders Against Earthquakes
Injured Wizards midfielder Preki has scored a total of 31 regular season points against the Quakes in 27 games...Josh Wolff has three goals and two assists in 10 career regular season games...Chris Klein has one goal and five assists in 22 career games vs. the Quakes...Francisco Gomez has one goal and two assists for four points against the Quakes in 15 games.
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 111-114-30.
League Leaders
Midfielder Richard Mulrooney is tied for first in the league with five assists...Donovan is tied for fifth in the league with four assists...The Earthquakes are second in the league 20 goals.
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 38-0-5 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 3-0-1 when scoring first. Dating back to the 2000 season, the Earthquakes own a 42-2-4 record in their last 48 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.
