SAN JOSE - The San Jose Earthquakes clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs on Saturday night and kept alive their record-chasing home unbeaten runs, courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Western Conference rival FC Dallas on Saturday night at Spartan Stadium.
The Hoops' Ramon Nunez had put the visitors in front with a second-half penalty, but the Quakes equalized just 10 minutes after through Brian Ching to claim a share of the points. Dallas extended their unbeaten streak to three matches, while San Jose are unbeaten in their last 11 games.
Despite losing out on the conference crown, Dallas had plenty to be encouraged about, especially given the makeshift nature of the lineup fielded by head coach Colin Clarke. With an eye clearly on Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup Final against the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Hoops' starting 11 contained only four nominal starters in Scott Garlick, Arturo Alvarez, Simo Valakari and Ramon Nunez. Stalwarts Ronnie O'Brien, Greg Vanney and Mark Wilson didn't even make the trip to the Bay Area, and will join up with their teammates on Monday.
Despite the changes, it was Dallas who created the better chances in the first half. Not only were FCD looking dangerous from set pieces, but their harassing play in midfield did much to disrupt the Quakes' attack.
The visitors created the game's first clear chance in the sixth minute, when Alvarez's inswinging corner was headed just wide by defender Alex Yi.
Dallas threatened again in the 15th minute when a giveaway by San Jose defender Wade Barrett allowed Abe Thompson a clear look at goal, but his low shot was well saved by Pat Onstad in the Quakes' goal.
San Jose finally responded in the 22nd minute when Mark Chung fed Dwayne De Rosario near the top of box, but the Canadian international's low drive was blocked and eventually covered up by Dallas goalkeeper Scott Garlick.
The Hoops were quickly back on the attack, and threatened twice within a three-minute span. A Nunez free kick in the 26th minute hit the side netting, and the second-year man followed up that effort with another set piece delivery that was headed wide by Carey Talley.
The second half began with little in the way of action until the 57th minute. Thompson latched on to a Nunez through ball, only to be upended by Onstad, winning an obvious penalty. Nunez then sent Onstad the wrong way, and easily converted the spot kick for his third goal of the season.
The match boiled over in the 60th minute when a sideline scuffle involving Eddie Robinson and Talley saw both players sent off, reducing each side to 10 men.
The extra space clearly benefited the home side, and their spell of pressure paid off with an equalizer in the 68th minute. Ricardo Clark's shot attempt was deflected right into the path of Brian Mullan on the right wing, and his cross was stabbed home at the far post by Ching for his sixth goal of the season.
San Jose almost nosed in front, just a minute later, but Mark Chung's effort from the left side of the box flew narrowly over the bar.
The Quakes continued to apply most of the pressure thereafter, but with the final pass just missing, the home side failed to create any clear cut chances, and Dallas hung on for a deserved draw.
MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Ramon Nunez
Jeff Carlisle is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
