SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Steven Lenhart is back on the hunt for his first goal as a member of the San Jose Earthquakes.
Lenhart, traded in January to San Jose after spending three seasons with the Columbus Crew, was initially credited with a score in the 59th minute Saturday against his former team, whom the Quakes beat 3-0.
WATCH: Lenhart heads off McDonald's back
Lenhart made a strong run from 14 yards out to the middle of the six-yard box and rose up for a free header on Joey Gjertsen’s corner-kick delivery. But the well-struck ball, heading for the back post, hit Quakes defender Brandon McDonald in his lower back before nestling in the back of the net.
And MLS, upon reviewing replays, ruled Monday that Lenhart’s shot would not have been on target without McDonald’s redirection — inadvertent though it may have been. Lenhart will now receive credit for an assist on that play.
Lenhart also lost an assist for San Jose's third goal of the night, which Khari Stephenson finished from 25 yards out in the 62nd minute. Initially it looked as though Lenhart flicked on Bobby Convey's pass to Stephenson, though further review showed he didn't make contact with the ball as it made its way toward the Jamaican.
For McDonald, it goes down as his fourth career MLS goal in 71 matches and his first score since tallying last July 22 against the LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center.
Geoff Lepper covers the Earthquakes for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached at sanjosequakes@gmail.com. On Twitter: @sjquakes
