a wild 5-5 tie on May 8 -- there was still plenty of attacking from both sides. The first two chances of the night fell to MetroStars youngster Eddie Gaven.
After a strong cross-field run into San Jose's defensive third, the second-year midfielder let go of a fierce left-footed strike. However, the score remained tied at 0 as the ball found the wrong side of the left post.
Gaven's second chance early in the game was created by defender Chris Leitch. Leitch took a quick throw-in that put Gaven into Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Conway's box. Though, a strong shot by Gaven again whistled wide of the mark.
The home side only had one good chance to beat Metros 'keeper Zach Wells in the opening period, but it was the only one they would need to grab a lead. Veteran defender Agoos, who is the only player to have won five MLS Cups, tee'd up a free kick from 25 yards. After a touch by Mulrooney to widen the angle, Agoos lifted the ball over the defensive wall and just inside the right post, leaving Wells with no chance.
The home side had two opportunities to widen the the gap shortly after the break. On the first, Ching was sent in alone to face Wells, but his shot sailed high over the bar. Just one minute later it was Mullan charging in on Wells. Mullan's shot was on target, but Wells saved nicely to keep it a one-goal game.
His teammates took advantage at the other end one minute later after Mulrooney was whistled for a foul on Magee. Mark Lisi struck a free kick from the top of the box and Conway made the initial save. However, he couldn't hold onto the ball and it rebounded off of Agoos and into the crossbar before rookie defender Parke put it away with a diving header.
With the result the Quakes go above .500 with a 4-3-3 record. San Jose will hit the road next weekend when they face the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field at 8:30 p.m. ET (FSW/FSE). The MetroStars return home Saturday to host the Western Conference leading Los Angeles Galaxy at Giants Stadium at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN2).
MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Brian Mullan (San Jose)
MetroStars (3-3-4) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (4-3-3)
June 12, 2004 -- Spartan Stadium
Scoring Summary:
SJ -- Jeff Agoos 1 (Richard Mulrooney 4) 27
MET -- Jeff Parke 1 (unassisted) 59
SJ -- Brian Ching 6 (Richard Mulrooney 5) 79
SJ -- Brian Mullan 2 (unassisted) 89
MetroStars -- Zach Wells, Ricardo Clark, Kenny Arena, Chris Leitch, Jeff Parke, Joselito Vaca, Gilberto Flores (Tim Regan 67), Mark Lisi (Pablo Brenes 85), Eddie Gaven, Mike Magee, John Wolyniec.
Substitutes Not Used: Seth Stammler, Andrew Terris.
TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Eddie Gaven 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Eddie Gaven 2); FOULS: 14 (John Wolyniec 5); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 3 (Mike Magee 2); SAVES: 4 (Zach Wells 4)
San Jose Earthquakes -- Jon Conway, Wes Hart, Jeff Agoos, Ryan Cochrane, Craig Waibel, Ian Russell, Ramiro Corrales, Richard Mulrooney, Arturo Alvarez, Brian Ching, Brian Mullan.
Substitutes Not Used: Chris Brown, Steve Cronin, Tighe Dombrowski, Todd Dunivant, Ronnie Ekelund, Roger Levesque.
TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Brian Ching 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 7 (Brian Mullan 2); FOULS: 19 (Arturo Alvarez 3, Ian Russell 3); OFFSIDES: 9 (Brian Mullan 4); CORNER KICKS: 9 (Richard Mulrooney 7); SAVES: 3 (Jon Conway 3)
Misconduct Summary:
SJ -- Wes Hart (caution; Tackle from Behind) 1
MET -- Gilberto Flores (caution; Tackle from Behind) 26
MET -- Jeff Parke (caution; Dissent) 30
SJ -- Ramiro Corrales (caution; Reckless Foul) 44
SJ -- Richard Mulrooney (caution; Reckless Foul) 58
MET -- John Wolyniec (caution; Reckless Foul) 69
MET -- Chris Leitch (caution; Tackle from Behind) 80
Referee: Ramon Hernandez
Referee's Assistants: -Robert Fereday; Jose Corro
4th Official: Yader Reyes
Attendance: 9,999
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Clear-and-70-degrees
All Statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.
