all on free kicks -- but the San Jose Earthquakes had to settle for a 3-3 draw with Chivas USA on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Stadium. After burying a direct free kick late in the first half, Davis assisted on second-half goals by Troy Dayak and Brian Ching as San Jose twice came back from one-goal deficits only to concede the tying goal in second-half stoppage time. After a long stretch in the second half in which the game took on a defensive complexion, the match opened up significantly around the 70-minute mark. Chivas USA took a 2-1 lead on a powerful header from Hector Cuadros in the 73rd minute. San Jose answered right back just under two minutes later as Davis floated a free kick across the goalmouth to Dayak, who leaped high at the far post to send a looping header back over goalkeeper Brad Guzan to make it 2-2. The Earthquakes appeared to have a match-winner in hand on a header by Ching in the 75th minute off another Davis free kick, but Chivas USA tied it in the first minute of stoppage time. Center back Douglas Sequeira powered through for a header off a free kick from the left side by midfielder Antonio Martinez for the final scoreline.
Last Match vs. Fire
Fire 2, Earthquakes 1; Wednesday, August 11, 2004; Soldier Field; Chicago, Ill.
The San Jose Earthquakes dropped a 2-1 decision to the Chicago Fire on August 11 at Soldier Field. Despite having a man advantage for 48 minutes following the ejection of Chicago's Logan Pause, the Quakes managed to tie the game on a Ronnie Ekelund penalty kick in the 76th minute, but could not pull out the victory as Damani Ralph's goal in the 81st minute gave Chicago the win. Onstad had no chance to save a blast by Andy Williams in the 41st minute as the Chicago midfielder gave the Fire a 1-0 lead. Nate Jaqua trapped the ball down with his chest, and then bounced it to Williams who ran onto it from about 22-yards out. Williams ripped a volley to the far corner past Onstad to put Chicago up 1-0. Just one minute later, the Quakes gained a man advantage when Pause was issued a red card and ejected for a reckless late tackle on Richard Mulrooney near midfield. The Quakes had a scoring opportunity in the 51st minute as second half substitute Landon Donovan rocked a volley from the right side off the crossbar. San Jose continued their pressure, with Brian Mullan hitting the post in the 62nd minute. The Quakes tied the match at 1-1 in the 75th minute. Donovan carried the ball on the left wing and sent a cross into the middle of the Chicago Fire penalty area, where a waiting Brian Ching turned on his defender and attempted to get to the ball. As he did, Denny Clanton grabbed him, setting up the penalty kick that Ekelund buried to the left of a diving Ring. In the 81st minute, Onstad punched away a cross by Williams. The ball went toward Todd Dunivant and Ralph on the far left post, and Dunivant attempted to clear it, but the ball went to Ralph, who pushed it in for the game-winner.
Reserve League
Chivas USA 2, Earthquakes 0; Saturday, April 9, 2005; Spartan Stadium; San Jose, Calif.
The Chivas USA reserve team defeated the San Jose Earthquakes reserve squad 2-0 in the first MLS Reserve League match in MLS history at Spartan Stadium on Saturday. Played immediately following the Earthquakes 3-3 tie with Chivas USA, the Chivas USA reserves took an early 1-0 lead in the sixth minute on a goal by Victor Arbelaez off an assist by Francisco Mendoza. The Chivas USA reserves extended their lead to 2-0 in the 35th minute as Mendoza placed a close range shot past San Jose goalkeeper Jon Conway off an assist by Milton Blanco.
Scoring Summary:
CHV: Arbelaez (Mendoza) 6; CHV - Mendoza (Blanco), 35
Chivas USA Reserves - Javier Barragan, Victor Arbelaez, Esteban Arias, Armando Begines (Christian Jimenez 55), Milton Blanco, Michael Erush, Alfonso Loera, Antonio Martinez (Raul Rivera 72), Francisco Mendoza, Mike Munoz, Isaac Romo (Jason Thompson 69). Head Coach: Thomas Rongen
San Jose Earthquakes Reserves - Jon Conway, Chris Aloisi, Eddie Robinson, Wes Hart, Kevin Goldthwaite, Roger Levesque, Tighe Dombrowski, Chris Wondolowski, Orlando Ramirez (Brett Rodriguez 58), Julian Nash, Alejandro Moreno (James Twellman 32). Head Coach: Dominic Kinnear
Misc. Notes
Ching Makes it Two in a Row
Brian Ching continued his hot start with a goal in his second straight match to start the season. After connecting for a goal early in the Quakes season opener against New England, the Haliewa, HI native gave San Jose the lead in the 79th minute with a diving header against Chivas USA on Saturday. Ching is now tied for the league lead in goals.
Davis' Hot Start
Newly acquired midfielder Brad Davis, who arrived in an off-season trade with FC Dallas, has gotten off to a quick start with his new club. After notching an assist in the team's first match, Davis struck for his first goal of the season against Chivas USA, while also dishing out two assists. The St. Charles, MO native, who now leads MLS with three assists, has already surpassed his assist total from last season.
Fouls Suffered
After finishing in the top-10 in fouls suffered in MLS in 2004, Brian Ching and Brian Mullan again find themselves amongst the lead leaders in that category after two matches. Mullan is tied for third in the league with nine fouls suffered, while Ching is fifth with eight.
Quakes All-Time in April
The Quakes are now 17-16-8 all-time in the month after the Quakes 3-3 tie on Saturday.
Home in April
The Earthquakes have three of their first four games at Spartan Stadium, where they have posted a 32-9-18 record over the past five seasons. 2005 marks the first year since 2000 that the Quakes have enjoyed three games in April at home and the first time since 1999 that they have opened with three out of four at home.
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 116-121-39.
Halftime Success
Despite relinquishing a halftime lead on April 2 against the New England Revolution in a game that ended 2-2, the Earthquakes remain amongst the best in league history in holding on to a half-time lead. Since the beginning of the 2000 season, the Earthquakes are 42-0-6 in games when leading at the half, including 8-0-1 in 2003 and 7-0-1 in 2004.
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 went 8-1-1 when scoring first, the top mark in MLS. The Quakes gave up their lead to Los Angeles on July 4, 2004 for the first time since July 27, 2002 against Kansas City. Dating back to the 2000 season, the Earthquakes own a 47-3-5 record in their last 55 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.
Quakes Set Unbeaten Streak Record At Home
The Earthquakes set an MLS record with their August 7 win against D.C. United, extending their unbeaten streak at home to 46 games when scoring first. That streak now stands at 48 games after San Jose's tie with the New England Revolution on April 2, 2005. It started on April 3, 1999.
First Time The Charm?
For the first time in team history, the Earthquakes did not come out victorious in their first match against an expansion team on Saturday against Chivas USA. San Jose defeated the Miami Fusion 2-0 at Spartan Stadium on May 16, 1998 in the teams first-ever meeting, and also downed the then-expansion Chicago Fire in the teams first meeting 1-0 on April 11, 1998. Against Chivas USA, the Quakes earned a 3-3 tie.
Quakes Leaders vs. Fire
Quakes forward Ronald Cerritos has scored four goals in his career against the Fire to lead all current Quakes in that category. He has also dished out two assists vs. the Fire in his career.
Top Fire Players vs. Earthquakes
In just five games against San Jose, Fire forward Nate Jaqua has netted one goal and notched two assists to lead current Fire players in scoring against the Quakes.
History vs. Fire
The Quakes are 5-8-7 all-time against the Chicago Fire in the regular season, but San Jose defeated Chicago 4-2 in the most important match between the two teams, the MLS Cup Championship match in 2003...Since 2000 in the regular season, the teams have played to a draw seven times and only two matches have been decided by more than one goal...Chicago has outscored the Quakes 32-25 all-time...Pat Onstad earned MLS Player of the Week honors by making six saves and earning a shutout against Chicago on May 10, 2003...Onstad shut out the Fire offense again on April 10, 2004 and earned MLS Player of the Week honors for the second time in his career...Midfielder Ricardo Clark scored his first career MLS goal against Chicago on June 28, 2003 while playing for the MetroStars...Midfielder Ian Russell scored his first career MLS goal on June 24, 2000 against Chicago, tying the game in stoppage time.
Quakes on the Road Against Fire
San Jose has struggled on the road against Chicago having won only one game in the series in Chicago. That win came via the shootout on June 23, 1999 at Soldier Field. Since that win, San Jose has posted a 0-2-4 record at Chicago. The teams played to four consecutive ties from May 26, 2001 - June 19, 2004, before Chicago earned a 2-1 victory on August 11, 2004.
Earthquakes - Chicago Connections
Chicago midfielder C.J. Brown is from Hayward, Calif. and played college soccer at San Jose State...Chicago defender Kelly Gray is from San Jose...Quakes defender Kevin Goldthwaite played with Chicago defender Jack Stewart at the University of Notre Dame.
Individual Tickets Now on Sale
Individual tickets for 2005 San Jose Earthquakes games are now on sale. Individual ticket prices for the Earthquakes 2005 regular season are $45 (VIP), $30 (West Sideline), $16 (East Sideline and Corners) and $13 (Endzone). Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Earthquakes Ticket Office at 100 North Almaden Ave., by logging onto www.sjearthquakes.com
, or by calling Ticketmaster at 408-998-TIXS, 415-421-TIXS, 510-625-TIXS, 925-685-TIXS, or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including Tower Records, Rite Aid and Ritmo Latino. Discounted tickets for groups of 15 or more are available by calling 408-985-GOAL.
Season Tickets on Sale Now
San Jose Earthquakes season ticket packages for the 2005 season at Spartan Stadium are now on sale. The Earthquakes 2005 season ticket package features all the regular season games plus two bonus games. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Earthquakes Ticket Office at 100 North Almaden Ave., by logging onto www.sjearthquakes.com or by contacting the Earthquakes Ticket Office at (408) 985-GOAL.
