Houston – The San Jose Earthquakes tied the Houston Dynamo 1-1 at BBVA Compass Stadium Sunday night. Alex gave the home side the lead in stoppage time in the first half, but Chris Wondolowski scored his ninth goal of the season to equalize the game.
Alberto Quintero saw the first chance on goal in the 10th minute. Quintero received a pass from forward Quincy Amarikwa and dribbled to the edge of the 18-yard box. Looking for a repeat performance of the last time the teams met in which he scored twice to earn the Quakes a 3-1 victory, Quintero shot hard and low but the ball went just wide of Joe Willis’ goal.
Simon Dawkins almost gave the Quakes the lead in the 18th minute from a beautiful free kick after Amarikwa was fouled just outside of the area. The Englishman sent the ball painfully close to the Houston goal, but just missed the target as ball landed on top of the netting.
Quakes’ keeper David Bingham made an important save in the 21st minute to keep the score level. Houston’s captain Ricardo Clark dribbled into the 18-yard box and had a shot, but Bingham’s hand sent the ball over the crossbar.
At the 45-minute mark, Wondolowski almost made the score 1-0 when Dawkins’ pass found the forward just outside the Dynamo’s six-yard box. Wondolowski shot but Willis denied the chance.
It was the home side that made the first mark on the scoreboard shortly after Wondolowski’s attempt. In the second minute of stoppage time in the first half, Alex found the bottom left corner of the Quakes’ goal to make the score 1-0 in the Dynamo’s favor.
Wondolowski equalized in the 59th minute volleying in Cordell Cato’s cross to make the score 1-1. The goal marks the forward’s first goal against the Dynamo and his 60th all-time goal on the road. Wondolowski and New England’s Kei Kamara are the only two players in MLS history to score against 21 different MLS clubs.
Both teams saw chances on goal during the remainder of the match, but neither found the back of the net. In the end, both teams walked away with a point.
The Quakes return to action at Avaya Stadium after two consecutive away games on Friday, Aug. 5 against New York City FC with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. PT.
Notes:
• San Jose is now 6-6-9 on the season and 0-5-6 on the road.
• San Jose now has a 7-8-2 all-time record against the Houston Dynamo and a 2-5-1 record at Houston.
• Chris Wondolowski scored his 60th career road goal and first against Houston Dynamo. In his career, Wondolowski has scored more goals on the road than at home.
• Wondolowski and Kei Kamara are the only two players in MLS history to score against 21 different MLS clubs.
Wondolowski Goals
◦ Chicago – 8/30/06
◦ San Jose – 3/28/09
◦ New York Red Bulls – 5/16/09
◦ Seattle – 8/2/09
◦ Kansas City – 8/22/09
◦ Colorado – 9/23/09
◦ New England – 4/17/10
◦ Chivas USA – 4/24/10
◦ Columbus – 6/2/10
◦ Los Angeles – 8/21/10
◦ Philadelphia – 9/15/10
◦ Toronto – 9/25/10
◦ D.C. United – 10/9/10
◦ FC Dallas – 3/26/11
◦ Vancouver – 5/11/11
◦ Real Salt Lake – 6/23/12
◦ Montreal – 8/18/12
◦ Portland – 9/19/12
◦ Orlando – 5/24/15
◦ NYCFC – 9/19/15
◦ Houston – 7/31/16
• The Quakes and Houston are still tied in all-time scoring (22-22)
• Cordell Cato notched his second assist of the season and ninth in his career.
• Andres Imperiale made his first appearance since April 24 when he played the full 90 minutes against Sporting Kansas City.
• The Earthquakes have held opponents to no more than one goal in 16 of their 22 matches this season, including 10 of their last 11.
MLS Regular Season
Houston Dynamo 1 – San Jose Earthquakes 1
July 31, 2016 – BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston
Attendance: 15,045
Scoring Summary: HOU – Alex 45+2’. SJ – Chris Wondolowski (Cordell Cato) 59’
Misconduct Summary: HOU – Abdoulie Mansally (caution) 18’. HOU – Alex (caution) 40’. Jordan Stewart (caution) 90’
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: David Bingham; Cordell Cato, Marvell Wynne, Victor Bernardez, Jordan Stewart; Simon Dawkins (Andres Imperiale 87’), Anibal Godoy, Fatai Alashe, Alberto Quintero (Shea Salinas 73’); Chris Wondolowski ©, Quincy Amariwka (Chad Barrett 83’).
SHOTS: 15, SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; SAVES: 2; FOULS: 12; CORNER KICKS: 5; OFFSIDES: 3.
HOUSTON DYNAMO: Joe Willis; Sheanon Williams, David Horst, Jalil Anibaba, Abdoulie Mansally; Cristian Maidana, Alex, Boniek Garcia, Ricardo Clark (Andrew Wenger 84’) ©; Collen Warner (Eric Alexander 61’); Will Bruin (Mauro Manotas 72’).
SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 11; CORNER KICKS: 8; OFFSIDES: 2.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR
On the team having chances in the game:
“We had some real good looks in the second half. Obviously they were taking control in the last little bit and we were kinda running on fumes there but that goal gave us some real good confidence. We had some real good looks to put up 2-1.”
On Chris Wondolowski’s first goal against Houston:
“I was aware of it and, yes, surprised because he seems to pop open goals against everybody. We had talked to him and teased him a little bit about it this week and I’m glad he got his first goal against these guys. It would have been nice if we had gotten a second one. I don’t care who would have got it, it would have been nice if Chris had got it, but I am glad he got one tonight.”
On playing against the Houston Dynamo:
“First part is getting numbers behind the ball. It is hard to play here, no matter if you are the home team or the visiting team. For the visiting team it is a bit more difficult because you are not used to it. We just want to make sure that the lines of contact between the midfield and Will, or the other guys up front, was kinda closed down. We had Chris kinda play underneath Quincy that way. We had some good looks in the first half too, but we just tried to be hard to play against and catch them on a break. I think we did a better job in the second half at that.
On being prepared for Houston despite All-Star week:
“I felt fully prepared for this one. I don’t think my involvement in practice is really the end all when it comes to a result. I was around every practice, bar one, which was an easy day, and I had a meeting I had to attend. Wade has them organized. They are tough to play against. The major is on set pieces with the players they have and swinging some real good balls. We know it wasn’t going to be an easy one. I’ve said this many times: there are no easy games in MLS. You are dealing with elements, travel, but in the end you are playing against good teams. I do not care what the records are. Each team puts up a good fight every week.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES CAPTAIN CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI
On the game:
We knew it was going to be a very tough place to play. Houston are always very organized and disciplined and we knew it was going to be a battle. In the first half I think it was both sides trying to feel each other out, trying to get comfortable. We had a chance that was late in the first half. I think we came out and started well in the second half. It is a little bit frustrating to leave with a point.
On becoming the second player to score against 21 different MLS teams:
It’s kinda cool. It is special. Houston has always had a special place in my heart and I really spent some great years here. It took a little while but it’s a great feeling.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER SIMON DAWKINS
On the game:
“I thought we should have won the game. I personally had a few chances where I could have scored.”
On his free kick:
“In the first half that was obviously a good chance to score. It didn’t go in but I had many chances after that I should have put away.”
On Houston:
“They are a team that needed beating. We need that first road win, but we didn’t get it. We have to go on to the next game.”
