After a tough week with losses to both the Dallas Burn on July 7 and the MetroStars on July 10, the Earthquakes will look to find success in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday when they take on the A-League's Portland Timbers at PGE Park in Portland at 7 p.m, PT. The Quakes will look to move up the Western Conference standings when they return to MLS action on July 17 against the Colorado Rapids at Spartan Stadium at 1 p.m. PT. Saturday's game will be broadcast live on the radio on 1370 AM KZSF (Spanish), and on ESPN2. The first 5,000 fans will receive a lunch cooler bag presented by Radio Shack and the first 7,500 fans will receive an Earthquakes team poster.
Earthquakes All-Time Record vs. Colorado Rapids
MLS Regular Season: 15-16-2
Home: 8-7-1
Away: 7-9-1
Shootout: 1-2 (1996-99)
Overtime: 0-0-2 (2000-2003)
Playoffs: 0-0-0; U.S. Open Cup: 0-0-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose - 52, Colorado - 53
Injury Report/Suspensions
Out: Chris Ronér (R - ankle surgery); Eddie Robinson (L - ruptured tendon of left hamstring); Ian Russell (R - Hamstring Strain)
Doubtful: Troy Dayak (upper back strain)
Questionable: Jeff Agoos (Low back sprain); Ryan Cochrane (R - Hip); Ronnie Ekelund (L- ankle sprain)
Probable: Jamil Walker (Low back sprain)
Last Match
MetroStars 2, Earthquakes 0; Saturday, July 10; Giants Stadium; East Rutherford, NJ
The San Jose Earthquakes, missing leading scorers Brian Ching and Landon Donovan and midfielder Brian Mullan who were with the U.S. National Team, were defeated 2-0 by the MetroStars Saturday afternoon at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The MetroStars took a 1-0 lead in the 63rd minute on a goal from John Wolyniec. Wolyniec received a pass in the penalty area from Craig Ziadie, who dribbled into the Quakes penalty box. Running toward the right post, Wolyniec received the pass and one-timed a shot past a diving Onstad. Minutes later, the Quakes had what appeared to be Dwayne De Rosario's tying goal called back on a controversial offside call. Mulrooney drove a ball into the Metros penalty area, which squirted past the MetroStars defenders and to De Rosario who was open in the middle of the box. De Rosario sent the ball into the goal, but the official promptly disallowed the score. The Earthquakes were inches away from tying the game in the 77th minute as Jeff Agoos sent a free kick from the right side into the Metros penalty area. Sandwiched between two defenders, Craig Waibel flicked the ball toward the far post, where Tighe Dombrowski slid in an attempt to knock it in the goal, but the MetroStars goalkeeper Jonny Walker was able to quickly slide to the post and deflect the ball off the goal line. Guevara provided the final margin of victory for the Metros when he put a penalty kick to the right of a diving Onstad in the 93rd minute after Wes Hart was called for a foul on Mike Magee.
Last Match vs. Rapids
Rapids 1, Earthquakes 0; Saturday, April 24, 2004; Invesco Field at Mile High; Denver, Colorado.
The San Jose Earthquakes fell 1-0 to the Colorado Rapids as a Chris Henderson first-half goal was enough to give Colorado the victory at Invesco Field at Mile High. In the tenth minute, Colorado appeared to take the lead when Kyle Beckerman redirected a cross into the net with his heel. The goal was disallowed, however, for offsides, keeping the game scoreless. The Quakes defense suffered a blow in the 22nd minute when center back Eddie Robinson suffered a serious leg injury while chasing down a Rapids attacker. Robinson managed to crawl off the field, but had to be carried back to the San Jose bench. In the 26th minute, Beckerman played the ball 50 yards downfield to Henderson, who ran onto the ball on the right side of the field with no defenders in sight. Henderson's low drive from inside the penalty area beat San Jose goalkeeper Pat Onstad just inside his right-hand post. The Earthquakes tried to answer the goal, pushing forward with urgency for the last 20 minutes of the half. Their best chance came in the 36th minute when De Rosario took a short pass from Donovan and then beat three Rapids defenders through the box before sending a shot just high and wide. In the closing seconds, the Earthquakes had perhaps their best chance of the game, but Troy Dayak's header was grabbed by Cannon.
Misc. Notes
In July
The Earthquakes are looking to improve on their play in the month of July. Since 1996, the Quakes have a 16-25-4 MLS regular season record in the month. Last season, San Jose went 2-1-2 during July. In 2004, the Quakes are currently 0-3-0 in July.
San Jose To Partake in U.S. Open Cup
The San Jose Earthquakes will begin play in the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, July 14 against the A-League's Portland Timbers at 7 p.m. PT at PGE Park in Portland. The Timbers advanced to the fourth round with a 2-1 win over the Utah Blitzz on June 30. San Jose is making the seventh Open Cup appearance in team history and will be looking to advance to the quarterfinals for the sixth time. Last season, the A-League's Seattle Sounders eliminated the Earthquakes from the tournament in the fourth round with a 1-0 victory. In 2002, the Quakes fell to the Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 in overtime in the quarterfinals. Overall in U.S. Open Cup play, the Earthquakes are 7-6 in their history.
Earthquakes - Timbers Connections
Former Earthquakes goalkeeper Josh Saunders now plays for the Timbers ... Quakes midfielder Chris Brown grew up in Portland and played soccer for the University of Portland ... Portland is also the hometown of defender Ryan Cochrane, who went to high school in Milwaukie, OR ... Timbers defender Lee Morrison attended Stanford University and played with Todd Dunivant ... Timbers midfielder Alex Bengard played with Craig Waibel, Brian Ching and Brian Mullan on the Los Angeles Galaxy ... Timbers midfielder Andrew Gregor played with Chris Brown on the Kansas City Wizards and with Brian Ching on the Seattle Sounders.
San Jose - Portland History
The Earthquakes have played the Timbers once before, losing 2-1 to Portland in an exhibition game on June 4, 2001 at PGE Park. San Jose also played in Portland on May 5, 1998, tying Mexican club Chivas de Guadalajara 1-1 at Portland's Civic Stadium on May 5, 1998.
Alvarez With U.S. Under-20 Team
Arturo Alvarez has been called in to the U.S. Under-20 national team for the 2004 Milk Cup, which takes place in Northern Ireland from July 16-23. Head coach Thomas Rongen has called in a roster similar to the one that competed in the Busan Four Nations International Tournament in Busan, South Korea, in late June, as nine of the 18 players will be making their second trip overseas in the past month. Alvarez will leave on July 13 and have a couple days of training with the U.S. before opening up the tournament in Group 2 against Denmark on July 17 at the grounds of Donegall Celtic FC in Belfast. The U-20s will then face Turkey two days later at the Ballymena Showgrounds before finishing group play in the eight-team tournament against Wales at the Coleraine Showgrounds on July 21. Depending on how they finish in Group 2, the U.S. will play for their final standing on July 23 in the placement match, going up against the team in Group 1 (Brazil, Russia, Northern Ireland and Israel) that finishes in the same position.
Starting Line-Up Turmoil
Due to numerous injuries, national team duties and suspensions, the Earthquakes have not been able to use the same starting lineup twice in 2004. In the 15 games the Quakes have played so far this year, they have had 13 different starting line-ups. Landon Donovan missed three games to play with the U.S. National Team, while Dwayne De Rosario and Pat Onstad both missed two games for Canadian National Team duty. Also, the team has lost 60 man games to injury over the first 15 games of the season.
Earthquakes To Host Diabetes Awareness Day On July 17
The Earthquakes will host Diabetes Awareness Day on Saturday, July 17 at 1:00 p.m. PT when the Quakes face the Colorado Rapids at Spartan Stadium. Proceeds from special promotions for and during the July 17 match will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in their fight to find a cure for children who suffer from diabetes. The Quakes will raffle off a team jersey at Spartan Stadium, with proceeds from raffle ticket sales benefiting JDRF. Fundraiser game tickets are available to the public for $15 each, with partial proceeds also going towards JDRF. In order for JDRF to receive ticket proceeds from this event, tickets must be ordered by calling Jenny Tsong at the Earthquakes (408) 288-2644 and referencing JDRF or visiting www.jdrfgreaterbay.org "events" to download an order form. The Earthquakes will also provide tickets for the July 17 game to JDFR families and children who suffer from juvenile diabetes via the Quakes' Kicks4Kids program.
Quakes Unbeaten Streak at Home Ends
The Earthquakes had their seven-game unbeaten streak at Spartan Stadium snapped with their 2-1 loss to the Dallas Burn on July 7. The July 7 win was the first for Dallas at Spartan Stadium since April 14, 2001. Up until July 7, the Quakes were the only team in MLS with no losses at home during the 2004 season, holding strong from October 25, 2003 to June 26, 2004. The Quakes now own a 2-1-4 record at Spartan Stadium this year.
Dunivant Returns To the Field
Earthquakes defender Todd Dunivant saw his first MLS action of the 2004 season on July 7 when he came on as a substitute for Ryan Cochrane in the 65th minute. Dunivant also appeared in the July 10 match in New Jersey when he made his first start of the year. The Stanford University product started and played in all 30 games of the 2003 season as a rookie, playing the most field minutes of any player in the MLS with 2,778. Dunivant missed playing time earlier this year while he recovered from a quadriceps strain in his left leg.
Earthquakes Trio Impacts U.S. National Team
Quakes players Brian Ching, Landon Donovan, and Brian Mullan all played for the U.S. Men's National Team in a 1-1 tie with Poland on Sunday, July 11 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Donovan, who earned his 52nd cap, was named the Man of the Match while contributing an assist on Carlos Bocanegra's goal. Mullan made his first international appearance for the U.S. National Team when he came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute. Brian Ching made his second appearance with the U.S., entering as a substitute in the 65th minute for captain Brian McBride.
Penalty Kick Woes
Penalty kick outcomes have not been on the Earthquakes side lately. On July 7 against the Dallas Burn, San Jose was awarded a penalty kick in stoppage time with a chance to even the score at 2-2. However, Landon Donovan's strike was blocked by Burn goalkeeper Jeff Cassar and San Jose fell 2-1 at Spartan Stadium. Another penalty went against the Quakes on July 10 when the MetroStars were awarded a penalty kick in the 93rd minute of the match. Amado Guevara scored from the penalty spot, giving the Metros a 2-0 lead just seconds before the end of the game.
Earthquakes - Rapids Connections
Earthquakes defender Todd Dunivant is originally from Wheat Ridge, Col. and played for the Boulder Rapids Reserve team of the PDL in 2002 ... Earthquakes defender Wes Hart is from Littleton, Col. and played four seasons for the Rapids before joining the Earthquakes in a trade on Feb. 23, 2004 ... Midfielder Brian Mullan grew up in Littleton, Colo and was the 1997 Colorado High School Player of the Year at Regis Jesuit High School ... Earthquakes defender Craig Waibel played in two games for the Rapids in 2000 ... Earthquakes head coach Dominic Kinnear played for the Rapids in 1996 and also played under current Colorado head coach Tim Hankinson in Tampa Bay in 1999 and 2000 ... Colorado defender Jeff Stewart went to college at Santa Clara University ... Colorado goalkeeper Joe Cannon played four seasons in San Jose, winning the 2001 MLS Cup and the 2002 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award. Cannon is still the Quakes all-time leader in wins and shutouts.
History vs. Rapids
The Earthquakes series against the Rapids has been very close since 1996, with the Quakes trailing in the all-time series 15-16-2, with the Rapids holding a slim edge in goals 53-52 ... Last year the Rapids became the first team since Columbus in 1999 to defeat the Quakes twice in one season at Spartan Stadium ... Currently the Quakes are on a four-game winless streak vs. the Rapids ... The Quakes last win over the Rapids was on April 12, 2003 in the first game of the 2003 season ... San Jose has scored 13 goals in the last 15 minutes of their games against Colorado.
Earthquakes Leaders vs. Colorado
Landon Donovan is the Earthquakes leading scorer against the Rapids, scoring three goals and registering five assists in 12 games. Midfielders Richard Mulrooney and Ian Russell both have tallied five points against Colorado, with Mulrooney scoring one goal and registering three assists and Russell springing for five assists.
Rapids Leaders vs. Earthquakes
Forward John Spencer has scored three goals and registered five assists for 11 points in 12 career games vs. San Jose, while midfielder Mark Chung now has four goals and one assist in nine games against the Quakes.
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 111-117-31.
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 3-1-1 when scoring first. 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 42-3-4 record in their last 49 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.
