This Week
Following a thrilling 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo last weekend, the San Jose Earthquakes face the two-time defending MLS Cup champions for the second straight week this Saturday, Sept. 20. The match is set for 5:30 p.m. PT at Robertson Stadium in Houston. The Quakes will be looking to stretch their unbeaten streak to 10 games. The game will air live on Comcast SportsNet West and on tape delay on the radio on KLOK 1170 AM.
Earthquakes vs. Houston All-Time
2008 Season Series:
San Jose leads 1-0-1
MLS Regular Season:
1-0-1
Home:
1-0-1
Away:
0-0-0
Shootout (1996-99):
0-0
Overtime (2000-03):
0-0-0
Playoffs:
0-0-0;
U.S. Open Cup:
0-0-0
All-Time Scoring:
San Jose - 3, Houston - 2
Injury Report
Out - Ramiro Corrales (L - MCL sprain); Gavin Glinton (R - adductor release surgery)
Doubtful - Nick Garcia (L - hamstring strain)
Questionable - Ronnie O'Brien (L - ankle sprain)
Last Match and Last Match vs. Houston
Earthquakes 1, Houston Dynamo 1; Sept. 13, 2008; Buck Shaw Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.
The San Jose Earthquakes' bid to become the first expansion team in ten years to reach the playoffs took a slight detour on Saturday, as a ten-man Houston Dynamo side claimed a 1-1 tie at Buck Shaw Stadium. San Jose had broken on top in the 50th minute thanks to a wonder blast from Ronnie O'Brien, but substitute Brian Ching equalized in the 71st minute, nodding home Brian Mullan's cross. Houston then had to survive the final five minutes a man down after Eddie Robinson received his second yellow card of the match, but managed to hang on for the draw. Houston broke out of the gate quickly, and nearly went on top after just five minutes when Brad Davis' cross was shot just wide by Mullan. This signaled a sustained spell of pressure that saw the Dynamo win several corner kicks. The Quakes looked none too convincing in dealing with the aerial assault, but managed to keep their net clean. Houston's domination ended abruptly in the 16th minute, when an attempted back-pass by Robinson went straight to Quakes' winger Darren Huckerby. But Dynamo keeper Pat Onstad produced a fabulous double-save, first denying Huckerby and then touching Scott Sealy's follow-up attempt wide. San Jose also went close on the ensuing corner, but Robinson made amends for his earlier gaffe, clearing Ned Grabavoy's goal-bound effort off the line after Onstad had deflected Huckerby's cross. The Dynamo picked up where they left off to start the second half, with Mullan's cross back-heeled towards goal by Nate Jaqua, but Cannon held his ground and saved with his feet. But just four minutes later, the Quakes found themselves in the lead thanks to O'Brien. The Irishman collected a ball from Arturo Alvarez and rather than cross, hit a rocket that snuck just inside the far post. Houston nearly equalized straight away, with Kamara's header from a Jaqua knockdown going just wide. That was to be Jaqua's last contribution, as he made way for Ching. But it was San Jose who were next to threaten, as Huckerby's cross in the 65th minute was headed by substitute Ryan Johnson right into the chest of Houston defender Wade Barrett who was standing on the goal line. The Quakes would end up ruing that miss, as six minutes later Ching headed home Mullan's cross after defender James Riley had mistimed his leap.
Unbeaten in Nine
The Earthquakes are now unbeaten in their past nine MLS matches after tying the Houston Dynamo 1-1, posting four wins and five ties in that stretch. It is the third-longest unbeaten streak in team history. The team posted a 14-game unbeaten run from July 20-Oct. 15, 2005 and a 12-game unbeaten run from April 28-July 4, 2001. The streak is the longest unbeaten streak in MLS this season and the second longest ever by an expansion team. The Chicago Fire had an 11-game unbeaten run as an expansion team in 1998.
Expansion Watch
Including the San Jose Earthquakes, four expansion teams have entered the league since 2005. In 2005, Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake earned four and five wins, respectively, while Chivas picked up 18 points and RSL 20 points. Last season, Toronto FC had six wins and 25 points for the entire season. After defeating D.C. Unted 2-1 Sept. 6, the Earthquakes earned their seventh win of the season. Their tie against the Houston Dynamo on Sept. 13 gives them 29 points for the season with six matches remaining. The Quakes have now moved past Toronto as the winningest expansion team of this decade in MLS.
Home Dominance
After a slow start at home this season, the Earthquakes have become dominant at home, especially at Buck Shaw Stadium. After earning two losses and a tie at home to start the season, San Jose has posted a 5-1-3 record at home in the past nine games. They are now 4-1-4 at Buck Shaw Stadium this year. The team won four straight matches at home from Aug. 3-Sept. 6.
O'Brien Red Hot
Earthquakes midfielder Ronnie O'Brien is making a great case to be named MLS' Comeback Player of the Year. After being limited to just 13 games with Toronto FC last season due to a knee injury, O'Brien has had one of the best seasons of his career this year with the Quakes. He has scored four goals and notched five assists, while helping San Jose get back into the thick of the playoff chase. He has three goals and two assists in the past five games for the Quakes. He is now two goals shy of his career high of six, which he set in 2005 with FC Dallas.
Huckerby's Impact
Quakes midfielder Darren Huckerby has made an immediate impact for San Jose this season. The former Norwich City star has scored four goals and notched four assists in eight games for the Quakes since signing on July 14. He scored the winning goals on both Aug. 30 vs. Kansas City and Sept. 6 vs. D.C. United and is now tied for the team lead in goals.
Alvarez Hot
Arturo Alvarez has scored or notched an assist in the past three matches. After scoring on Aug. 30 against Kansas City and Sept. 6 against D.C. United, he set up Ronnie O'Brien for San Jose's lone goal on Sept. 13. He has now scored three goals and notched one assist for San Jose since arriving in a trade from FC Dallas prior to the Quakes match against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Aug. 3. For the season he has a career-high six goals and has tied a career high with four assists.
Defense Rules
The Earthquakes have allowed only 28 goals this season after allowing one goal against the Houston Dynamo Saturday night. That total places them tied for second in the league in goals allowed. Only the Chicago Fire has allowed fewer goals this season (20).
Sealy Career High
Since coming to the Earthquakes prior to the Quakes game on July 19, forward Scott Sealy has notched three assists in eight games. That total surpasses his career high for a season. His previous career high for assists in a season was two.
Unbeaten With New Arrivals
The Earthquakes added Darren Huckerby, Francisco Lima and Scott Sealy prior to the team's match against Toronto FC on July 19. Since their arrival, the Quakes are unbeaten in eight matches with a 4-0-4 record. The team has tied Toronto FC (July 19), the New York Red Bulls (July 27), Chivas USA (Aug. 23) and the Houston Dynamo and earned wins over the Los Angeles Galaxy (Aug. 3), New Revolution (Aug. 16), Kansas City Wizards (Aug. 30) and D.C. United (Sept. 6). Also, since the arrival of Arturo Alvarez, another recent acquisition, the Quakes are 4-0-2.
Quakes to Participate in Light the Night Walk
The Earthquakes have partnered with their supporter's group, Club Quake, and the Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation to participate in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walk on Saturday, Oct. 4 in Palo Alto. Earthquakes players, members of the team's front office, along with Earthquakes fans will walk in the event that raises funds and awareness for blood cancers. On Oct. 4, the Light The Night Walk festivities at Palo Alto High School will begin at 5 p.m. PT, with the walk starting at 7 p.m.
Habana Cuba Fundraising Nights
The San Jose Earthquakes have teamed up with Habana Cuba this fall to provide good food for a good cause. Fans that bring in an Earthquakes ticket stub or mention the special Earthquakes Night will have 15 percent of their purchase donated to the San Jose Earthquakes Community Fund. The special Earthquakes nights will take place on Oct. 10 and Oct. 24. Habana Cuba is located at 238 Race Street in San Jose.
Hobee's Restaurants
The San Jose Earthquakes have teamed up with participating Hobee's Restaurants to support the San Jose Earthquakes Community Fund. When attending the Palo Alto, Stanford, Campbell, and Sunnyvale Hobee's Restaurant locations for dinner (after 5 p.m. PT) on Sept 26, 20 percent of diners' total bills will be donated to the Quakes Community Fund if diners mention the San Jose Earthquakes to their server. All proceeds from this promotion will be added to the Earthquakes Community Fund, which was established for the purpose of growing soccer at the grassroots level in Northern California and to provide underprivileged youth with the opportunity to attend Earthquakes matches. For more information about Hobee's and for directions to participating locations, log on to hobees.com.
O'Brien Sixth in League in Corner Kicks
Ronnie O'Brien now has taken 56 corner kicks this year, placing him sixth in the league this season in corner kicks.
Corrales in Record Books
Ramiro Corrales started and played 14 minutes Aug. 23 against Chivas USA to record his 126th start and 11,266 minutes as a member of the Quakes. He is now sixth all-time in club history in minutes and fifth in starts. Next on the list for minutes played and starts for the Quakes is general manager John Doyle (1996-2000), who recorded 11,385 minutes and started 129 games. With 142 appearances, Corrales is now tied for third on the all-time appearances list. He is tied with Wade Barrett (1998-2002, 2005), who has made 142 appearances.
Cannon in Quakes Record Books
Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon played 90 minutes Sept. 13 against the Houston Dynamo to record his 125th career game as a member of the Earthquakes. He is eighth on the all-time list. Cannon has also recorded 11,421 minutes. He is currently ranked fourth on the all-time list. With 125 starts, he is sixth all-time in team history.
Earthquakes - Dynamo Connections
Eleven members of the Houston Dynamo were a part of the 2005 San Jose Earthquakes and 12 members of the team have San Jose ties from first incarnation of the team from 1996-2005.. The former Quakes players currently on the Dynamo are listed below. Richard Mulrooney is the only player below that was not a member of the 2005 Earthquakes. He left the team following the 2004 season.
• Dominic Kinnear (Player: 1997; Assistant Coach: 2001-03; Head Coach: 2004-05) - With San Jose as a player: 28 GP, 2 goals, 2 assists; Coaching record: 27 wins, 14 losses, 21 ties
• Wade Barrett (1998-2002, 2005) - With San Jose: 142 GP, 6 goals, 24 assists
• Richard Mulrooney (1999-2004) - With San Jose: 163 GP, 4 goals, 44 assists Mulrooney holds San Jose career records for appearances (163), games started (155), minutes played (14,204 minutes) and corner kicks (456)
• Brian Ching (2003-05) - With San Jose: 56 GP, 25 goals, 11 assists
• Ricardo Clark (2005) - With San Jose: 30 GP, 3 goals, 2 assists
• Brad Davis (2005) - With San Jose: 18 GP, 2 goals, 8 assists
• Dwayne De Rosario (2001-05) - With San Jose: 108 GP, 27 goals, 31 assists
• Brian Mullan (2003-05) - With San Jose: 83 GP, 12 goals, 23 assists
• Pat Onstad (2003-05) - With San Jose: 84 GP, 306 SV, 92 GA, 1.08 GAA
• Eddie Robinson (2001-05) - With San Jose: 70 GP, 4 goals, 3 assists
• Craig Waibel (2003-05) - With San Jose: 53 GP, 1 goal, 4 assists
• Chris Wondolowski (2005) - With San Jose: 2 GP
Kamara Faces Old Team Again
Former Quakes forward Kei Kamara faces his former team for the second straight week Saturday night at Robertson Stadium. Kamara played 12 games for San Jose this season and scored two goals, before being traded to the Houston Dynamo on July 24 in exchange for allocation money. One of his goals for San Jose came against Houston on May 22 at Buck Shaw Stadium, a 2-1 Quakes victory.
Cochrane, Gray See Familiar Faces
Ryan Cochrane and Kelly Gray will face their former team this weekend for the second straight week. Cochrane spent two years with the Houston Dynamo in 2006 and 2007, helping the Dynamo win two MLS Cups. He was then selected by the Quakes in the first round of the 2007 MLS Expansion Draft. Gray spent a season and a half with the Dynamo in 2006 and 2007. He helped Houston capture the 2006 MLS Cup before being traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.
Cannon Among League Leaders
Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon has not missed a minute this season, tying him for first in the league with 2,160 minutes played. He is ranked third in goals against average with a 1.17 mark and is third in saves with 93. He is tied for second in shutouts with eight, two behind Chicago's Jon Busch, who has 10.
Approaching Milestones
Ryan Cochrane played the 99th game in his MLS career against the Houston Dynamo Sept. 13 ... Ramiro Corrales played his 199th career game in MLS versus Chivas USA Aug. 23 ... Jason Hernandez will tie his career high for starts in a season with 24 if he starts Saturday night against Houston. He had 24 in 2006 with Chivas USA.
Cannon Among the All-Time Leaders
Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon is among the all-time league leaders in Major League Soccer history in a number of goalkeeping categories. He is currently third all-time in MLS in appearances (239), third in minutes (21,615), fourth all-time in saves (995), second all-time in shutouts (64), fifth all-time in wins (91) and tied for seventh all-time in goals against average (1.29). For San Jose goalkeepers, Cannon is first in club history in appearances (125), first in minutes played (11,421), first in saves (527), first in wins (53), first in shutouts (34) and second in goals against average (1.24) and saves percentage (74.8). He also holds the team's all-time record for saves in a game with 12 on July 8, 2000 at Colorado.
Quakes in September
San Jose is 23-20-3 all-time in September in MLS play and 1-0-1 in 2008 in September.
Quakes Above .500
The Earthquakes all-time MLS record is above the .500 mark. The Quakes all-time regular season MLS record is 141-134-55. They had the third-best regular season record in MLS history at the conclusion of the 2005 season at 134-125-47.
Making the First One Count
The Quakes scored first Sept. 13 against the Houston Dynamo and earned a 1-1 tie. The Earthquakes now own a 68-4-11 record in their last 83 matches when they score the first goal of the game. They are 7-1-2 this season when scoring first. They lost to Columbus 3-2 on May 10 after scoring first. In 2005, San Jose went undefeated at 14-0-5 when scoring first. 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 and lost to Los Angeles on July 4, 2004 for the first time since July 27, 2002 against Kansas City. The Quakes are also impressive in the playoffs when scoring first, posting a 6-0-0 record.
Scoring First Under Yallop
During Frank Yallop's first tenure with San Jose, the Earthquakes were one of the best teams in the league when scoring the first goal. The team went 36-2-1 from 2001-03 when scoring the first goal of the game. 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. Yallop's team is now 7-1-2 in 2008 when scoring first after tying the Houston Dynamo on Sept. 13.
Halftime Success
The Earthquakes remain amongst the best in league history in holding onto a half-time lead after defeating D.C. United on Sept. 6. Since the beginning of the 2000 season, the Earthquakes are now 53-1-8 in games when leading at the half, including 8-0-1 in 2003, 7-0-1 in 2004 and 7-0-3 in 2005. Despite holding a halftime lead on May 10 vs. Columbus, the Quakes fell 3-2. That game marked the team's first loss since 1999 when holding a halftime lead.
