SAN JOSE, Calif. - Anibal Godoy surely made Panama and San Jose Earthquakes’ supporters proud on Friday night.
The cagey Panamanian international scored the goal that kept the Earthquakes' playoff hopes alive in a tense 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City at Avaya Stadium.
- HIGHLIGHTS: Earthquakes vs. Sporting Kansas City
"This game was big," Godoy said. "We had no choice but to win."
In vintage soccer style, the pressure in the scoreless game kept building and building. Then Godoy popped the cork in the 47th minute off a double-assist from Shea Salinas and Chris Wondolowski.
Most importantly, the Quakes (13-12-8, 47 points) moved above the red line in the tight Western Conference. They have one game remaining at Supporters' Shield-contending FC Dallas on Oct. 25.
"Everyone is fighting for everything here … So for us to come away with this win just showed great mental attitude by us," Quakes coach Dominic Kinnear said. "I thought for 90 minutes we were really sharp and the guys were up for it. You saw it tonight, it was a real physical game. And I thought both teams had an appetite for not slowing down."
The Quakes' breakthrough goal was a beauty.
Target man Quincy Amarikwa controlled the ball in the middle, and passed wide left to Salinas. He lobbed a cross to the back post, and Wondolowski one-timed it across for Godoy, who completed his run with a calm finish. Wondo raced over and embraced Godoy, the two internationals sharing a special moment.
It marked Godoy's second goal of the season, both coming in wins against Sporting Kansas City.
"Thankfully I was able to help this team win a game with that goal," Godoy said. "I'm thankful for my teammates as they fought all night and really made that goal possible for me. We commanded the game to our style, and that's something we are proud of."
The Earthquakes got a sharp effort from Matias Perez Garcia in the middle, and the back line persevered playing without suspended center back Victor Bernardez. Regular right back Marvell Wynne was repositioned to the center, a position he played in Colorado, alongside Clarence Goodson, with Cordell Cato and Shaun Francis out wide in the 4-4-2.
The attack was dangerous and at times spectacular in the bruising contest, but Quakes fans had to squirm in their seats for much of the night as the insurance goal eluded the them.
"It was a great team performance -- our back line in particular," said keeper David Bingham, who tied Pat Onstad's club record with his 12th shutout of the season. "I thought we gave away some silly fouls, so we need to work on minimizing that.
Their chances were few and far between and the ones they had we gave them. I take that as us being tough to break down, which is a great thing. Now our focus is on to Dallas and, hopefully, taking three points on the road."
During a stressful second half, Amarikwa nearly upped the margin with a terrific piece of individual brilliance in the 56th minute. He spun around Matt Besler and nearly chipped the coming-out keeper Tim Melia (seven saves), who fended off the shot with his chest. Wondolowski was also denied by Melia from 12 yards out.
Godoy received a yellow card in the 67th minute on a scissor-challenge, and will sit out the FC Dallas match because of it.
SKC squandered huge chance in the 71st minute as Mikey Lopez missed a free header from about 4 yards out off a deft chip from Benny Feilhaber. Shortly after, Perez Garcia was denied from point-blank range.
Kinnear thought Perez Garcia played well overall.
"Good in tight spaces. Good attitude. When you do play the ball to his feet, he's not going to waste it," Kinnear said. "And I thought he was very sharp tonight."
Bingham believes the team's effort overall was a reflection of its character and resilience.
"When we need to win, all the guys show up," he said. "Essentially, we've been playing towards the postseason for the last month. It comes down to the last game in Dallas. … When we defend like we did tonight, we will get three points."
After an alert start by the Quakes, Sporting had the best chance early. In the ninth minute, Dom Dwyer got past Wynne, but his clear shot was hit too close to Bingham, who made the save. Besler got away with a clear handball in the box on a Salinas cross in the 16th minute.
In the 21st minute, Perez Garcia sent a blistering cross from the right to Amarikwa, who chested the ball and moved by the defender, but his hard shot was deflected over the top.
Kinnear didn't exactly give a 'Win one for the Gipper" speech at halftime.
"Pretty much the message was, 'We've done everything except score a goal. So let's not be satisfied with that effort, because it's going to take something a little bit extra at times to get the goal,'" Kinnear said.
