The San Jose Earthquakes got their winning ways back on track Saturday night, using a first-half goal from Mark Chung to defeat Real Salt Lake 1-0 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The Earthquakes had seen a three-match winning streak halted last weekend when they were held to a home draw by the Colorado Rapids. But Chung's goal in the 41st minute was all they needed to extend their unbeaten streak to five games and stretch their lead atop the Western Conference to six points while delivering a serious blow to Real's playoff aspirations.
The Quakes' pressure began early as Alejandro Moreno broke through the RSL defense, carrying the ball on a long diagonal run in the 11th minute. His shot beat rookie 'keeper Jay Nolly -- making just his second start of the season -- but not the woodwork.
In the very next minute Ronald Cerritos streaked past RSL defender Brian Dunseth and carried in alone on goal, but the El Salvadoran international's last touch was smothered by Nolly.
Real started to come back into the game, but San Jose was working well on both sides of the ball. Goalkeeper Pat Onstad came up big in the first half, making three top quality saves. On one occasion in the 27th minute, RSL midfielder Andy Williams found himself within range after eluding a defender and unleashed a rocket that was punched over the bar by Onstad.
The continual high pressure from the Earthquakes paid off in the 41st minute. Chung faked his marker, Paul Broome, just enough to open a space to shoot on goal. Chung pounded his shot inside the near post and past Nolly into the back of the net to put the Quakes a goal ahead going into halftime.
Coming out of the intermission, the Quakes confidence was overflowing after the Chung strike, and they continued to pressure RSL all over the pitch.
But the home side had a dangerous opportunity in the 60th minute, as two of their new signings nearly teamed up for the equalizer. Adolfo Gregorio, who had come on at halftime in his RSL debut, was able to get his head onto a free kick from another newcomer, Jamaican international Robert Scarlett. But Onstad, only a few yards away from Gregorio, was able to slap the shot away.
As the game wound to a close RSL continued to throw everything forward in a desperate attack on goal, and a well-placed Gregorio saw another chance go over the bar. But the Earthquakes defense was able to stop everything else and San Jose solidified their hold on the best record in the West.
MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Mark Chung (San Jose Earthquakes)
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
San Jose Earthquakes (11-4-8) vs. Real Salt Lake (5-14-4)
August 20, 2005 -- Rice-Eccles Stadium
Scoring Summary:
SJ -- Mark Chung 5 (unassisted) 41
San Jose Earthquakes -- Pat Onstad, Danny Califf, Eddie Robinson, Wade Barrett, Kelly Gray, Brian Mullan, Ricardo Clark, Dwayne De Rosario, Mark Chung (Ian Russell 81), Alejandro Moreno, Ronald Cerritos (Brad Davis 75).
Substitutes Not Used: Chris Aloisi, Jon Conway, Danny O'Rourke.
TOTAL SHOTS: 7 (Ronald Cerritos 2, Mark Chung 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Ronald Cerritos 2, Mark Chung 2); FOULS: 16 (Eddie Robinson 5); OFFSIDES: 7 (Alejandro Moreno 4); CORNER KICKS: 3 (3 tied with 1); SAVES: 6 (Pat Onstad 6)
Real Salt Lake -- Jay Nolly, Rusty Pierce (Adolfo Gregorio 46), Nelson Akwari, Brian Dunseth (Brian Kamler 85), Paul Broome, Andy Williams, Kenny Cutler, Jason Kreis, Robert Scarlett, Chris Brown, Jordan Cila (Dante Washington 64).
Substitutes Not Used: Matt Behncke, Gustavo Cabrera, D.J. Countess, Leslie Fitzpatrick, Kevin Novak, Seth Trembly.
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Jason Kreis 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Dante Washington 2); FOULS: 15 (Andy Williams 4); OFFSIDES: 2 (Chris Brown 1, Andy Williams 1); CORNER KICKS: 5 (Andy Williams 5); SAVES: 3 (Jay Nolly 3)
Misconduct Summary:
SJ -- Eddie Robinson (caution; Tackle from Behind) 57
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Referee's Assistants: Chris Strickland; Paul Scott
4th Official: Feliciano Palomino
Attendance: 15,127
Time of Game: 1:49
Weather: Sunny-and-95-degrees
All Statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.
