SAN JOSE, Calif. - What better way to start the most historic weekend in San Jose Earthquakes history than by clinching the league's top regular-season honor?
On the eve of the club's new stadium groundbreaking ceremony, the Earthquakes were crowned Supporters' Shied winners Saturday night following Sporting Kansas City's 0-0 draw with the New York Red Bulls. The Shield is San Jose's second in club history and first since 2005.
As winners of the Supporters’ Shield, the Earthquakes claim home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup Playoffs.
While the team has two games remaining, the Earthquakes’ record of 19-6-7 for 64 points is just four points shy of the all-time MLS record for points in a season (68) set by the LA Galaxy in 1998.
Of the 16 teams to hoist the Supporters’ Shield trophy, six have gone on to win MLS Cup, one has lost in the final, five have been eliminated in the semifinals, and the remaining four fell in the quarterfinals.
The Supporters’ Shield represents a history unlike many others in sport. Fans conceptualized the trophy in the early years of Major League Soccer and unveiled it at the inaugural Supporters’ Summit prior to MLS Cup in 1998.
The Earthquakes will now turn their attention to Groundbreaking Day and their match against the LA Galaxy on Sunday. The club will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for largest participatory groundbreaking. With over 5,500 RSVP'd to attend, San Jose is on pace to top the previous mark of 4,532. The ceremony begins at noon PT at 1125 Coleman Ave. in San Jose (more info: www.sjearthquakes.com/groundbreaking). Following the event, the Earthquakes host the LA Galaxy at 4 p.m. on CSN California, Galavision, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF for Ramiro Corrales Bobblehead Day, presented by Wells Fargo.
