The San Jose Earthquakes shut out their Western Conference rival LA Galaxy 1-0 on Friday night at Avaya Stadium in the final installment of the 2015 California Clasico. The Quakes earned their fourth consecutive shutout victory and second win over the defending MLS Cup champions this year. Head coach Dominic Kinnear earned his 150th Major League Soccer victory and became just the third coach to ever reach the milestone. Quakes goalkeeper David Bingham hasn't allowed a goal in 374 minutes and has now recorded 90 saves so far this season, second most in the MLS. Midfielder Shea Salinas scored the game-winning goal and has now found the back of the net three times this year, a new career high. Additionally, Clarence Goodson was named to the MLS Team of the Week (Week 26) for the fifth time this season for his shutdown defensive performance against the Galaxy. Goodson is now the only defender who has been named to the MLS Team of the Week five times.
The Earthquakes play their second of four consecutive matches at Avaya Stadium against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, September 5, presented by Pierry Software. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and will air live on CSN Plus, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.
Last MLS Game
Earthquakes 1, LA Galaxy 0; August 28, 2015; Avaya Stadium, San Jose, CA
The San Jose Earthquakes defeated the LA Galaxy 1-0 in front of a sold-out, raucous crowd at Avaya Stadium. The Galaxy brought their new additions, midfielder Steven Gerrard and forward Giovani dos Santos, to San Jose for the first time, but couldn't overcome a red-hot Earthquakes team that earned its fourth consecutive shutout victory. Midfielder Marc Pelosi stepped in for Alashe and had a standout performance and center backs Clarence Goodson and Victor Bernardez helped the Quakes post their fourth consecutive clean sheet, stifling the league's highest-scoring team. In the 12th minute, midfielder Anibal Godoy chipped a pass over the Galaxy's backline and in front of forward Quincy Amarikwa. Amarikwa attempted to slot a pass across the box, but LA goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts was able to get down and secure the save. The Earthquakes got on the board first in the 18th minute. Defender Marvell Wynne lofted a pass to the back post, where Amarikwa was able to beat his defender and head the ball on frame. Ricketts lunged to his left and punched it away, but only as far as midfielder Shea Salinas, who headed it into the back of the net. It marked Salinas' career high third goal of the season and the first time he's scored in consecutive games since October 2008. San Jose has now scored within the first 20 minutes in three consecutive games. In the 27th minute, Salinas was at it again, dribbling past several Galaxy defenders and into the penalty area. He took the ball to the end line and attempted a left-footed cross, but Ricketts was able to grab it. Eleven minutes later, Wynne sent another dangerous cross into the box and Wondolowski's header nearly doubled the home side's advantage, but his attempt hit the back post. In the 47th minute, Amarikwa's speed helped bring Los Angeles down to 10 men. A long ball over the top led to a foot race between Amarikwa and Galaxy defender Leonardo. Amarikwa was able to get behind Leonardo and force a tough challenge, drawing the red card. In the 82nd minute, Quakes defender Shaun Francis sprinted nearly the length of the field, outrunning Galaxy midfielder Gyasi Zardes, and had a shot from just inside the penalty area. However, he didn't make clean contact and his attempt on goal missed wide right. Quakes goalkeeper David Bingham hasn't allowed a goal in 374 minutes and has now recorded a league-high 90 saves so far this season.
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 LA Galaxy
August 28, 2015 - Avaya Stadium
Attendance: 18,000
Scoring Summary: SJ - Shea Salinas (unassisted) 18.
Misconduct Summary: LA - Leonardo (ejection) 47; LA - Robbie Rogers (caution) 74; SJ - Victor Bernardez (caution) 90.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: David Bingham, Marvell Wynne, Victor Bernardez, Clarence Goodson, Shaun Francis, Cordell Cato (Sanna Nyassi 90), Marc Pelosi, Anibal Godoy, Shea Salinas, Chris Wondolowski, Quincy Amarikwa (Adam Jahn 85).
SHOTS: 17; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; SAVES: 4; FOULS: 13; CORNER KICKS: 5; OFFSIDES: 4.
LA GALAXY: Donovan Ricketts, Omar Gonzalez, Robbie Rogers, AJ DeLaGarza (Dave Romney 57), Leonardo, Steven Gerrard, Gysai Zardes, Sebastian Lletget (Alan Gordon 76), Juninho (Ignacio Maganto 88), Robbie Keane, Giovani dos Santos.
SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; SAVES: 3; FOULS: 12; CORNER KICKS: 4; OFFSIDES: 0.
OPPONENT INFORMATION
Earthquakes vs. Philadelphia Union All-Time
MLS Regular Season: 4-2-1
Home: 2-0-1 (2 GF, 0 GA)
Away: 2-2-0 (6 GF, 7 GA)
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 8, Philadelphia – 7
Last Game vs. Philadelphia Union
Earthquakes 2, Philadelphia Union 4; Aug. 24, 2014; PPL Park in Chester, Penn.
The Earthquakes fought back from an early 2-0 deficit to tie the game, but gave up two late goals to fall 4-2 to the Philadelphia Union. The Union struck first with a goal from Andrew Wenger on a well-executed counter attack. After a touch to free himself, Wenger blasted a shot to the far post upper corner for a 1-0 advantage. The Union quickly stretched the lead to two goals off the foot of Le Toux after a short clearance in front of the Quakes goal. A cross into the box was redirected away from goal and Le Toux volleyed home the Union’s second goal of the night. Sam Cronin brought the Quakes to within a goal with a great hit from outside the box. He volleyed a shot into the upper corner, earning a AT&T MLS Goal of the Week nomination. Wondolowski knotted the game at two goals apiece with a volley at the back post in the 70th minute thanks to a Shea Salinas cross. Sheanon Williams immediately hit back for the Union with a header at the near post. Le Toux whipped in a free kick to the near post and Williams flicked it past Busch for a 3-2 advantage. Wenger scored the fourth for Philadelphia with a strong individual effort, breaking behind the Quakes’ defense at midfield and finishing near post.
History of the Earthquakes – Philadelphia Rivalry
San Jose and Philadelphia have played just seven times in their history, with the Union only joining MLS as an expansion franchise ahead of the 2010 season … The Quakes hold a 4-2-1 series edge, and have split a pair of meetings at PPL Park … The Quakes swept the series in 2010 … A goal by Arturo Alvarez at 91+ gave San Jose a come-from-behind 2-1 road win at PPL Park on July 10, before a 1-0 victory courtesy of a 69th-minute Chris Wondolowski strike at Buck Shaw Stadium on Sept. 15 … The Union won the first match-up 1-0 at PPL Park on April 30, thanks to a 76th-minute penalty kick by Sebastien Le Toux … That match featured Anthony Ampaipitakwong, Justin Morrow and Steven Lenhart in their first starts for San Jose … The return fixture ended in a scoreless stalemate at Buck Shaw on July 9 … In their lone meeting in 2012, Steven Lenhart came off the bench to score twice, including a 93rd-minute game-winner, to lead San Jose to a 2-1 victory at PPL Park on April 28 … The Quakes won their only meeting 1-0 in 2013 after a goal from Shea Salinas at Buck Shaw Stadium on Sept. 8, 2013 … Although the Quakes fought back from an early two goal deficit, the Philadelphia Union defeated the Earthquakes 4-2 in their only match-up of 2014.
Earthquakes – Philadelphia Union Connections
Quakes forward Steven Lenhart and Union midfielder Brian Carroll were teammates with the Columbus Crew from 2008-10 … Quakes midfielder Shea Salinas was played for San Jose in 2008 and 2009 before being selected by the Philadelphia Union in the ’09 MLS Expansion Draft … Salinas made 17 appearances during his one season with the Union … Earthquakes defender Clarence Goodson (2000-03), Ethan White (2009-10 ) and Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath (2008-10) played for the University of Maryland … Earthquakes forward Mike Fucito played with Union midfielder Sebastien Le Toux for Seatte Sounders FC in 2009 … Le Toux, Union midfielder Vincent Nogueira and Quakes midfielder Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi are all from France … Fucito and Union forward Andrew Wenger played with the Montreal Impact in 2012 … Quakes forward Quincy Amarikwa and Union defender Austin Berry both played together for the Chicago Fire (2013) … Amarikwa also played with Union forward Conor Casey for the Colorado Rapids (2010-2012) … Union goalkeeper Andre Blake and Quakes defender Shaun Francis are both from Jamaica … Union midfielder Maurice Edu was born in Bakersfield, California … Union midfielder Crisitan Maidana, San Jose midfielders Matias Perez Garcia and Leandro Barrera were all born in Argentina.
EARTHQUAKES IN THE COMMUNITY
Modelo Appearance
Who: Earthquakes forward Mark Sherrod
What: Signing autographs & taking photos with fans
Where: Brittania Arms Almaden: 5027 Almaden Expy, San Jose CA 95118
When: Thursday, September 3 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Shutout Streak
With San Jose’s 1-0 victory over the LA Galaxy on Friday, the Quakes have now recorded four consecutive shutout victories dating back to August 14. The Earthquakes tallied four consecutive shutouts for the first time since 2010 [5/1/10 – 5/22/10], four consecutive MLS wins for the first time since 2005 [8/27/05 – 9/21/05], and four consecutive shutout wins for the first time in club history.
Changing MLS Record Books
By earning shutout victories against the Colorado Rapids, Sporting Kansas City, D.C. United and Los Angeles Galaxy, the Quakes have become just the third team in MLS history to record four consecutive shutout wins [NE – 2005; COL – 2003]. San Jose could become the first team in league history to extend the streak to five games when they host Philadelphia this Saturday.
Double Digit Shutouts
The Quakes most recent victory marked the team’s 10th clean sheet of the year. It’s just the fourth time that San Jose has recorded 10 or more shutouts in a single season [2010 – 13; 2005 – 12; 2003 – 10].
Making a Case for Goalkeeper of the Year
David Bingham is making a serious case for himself for Goalkeeper of the Year. He posted his 10th shutout of the year on Friday against Los Angeles, placing him in a tie for third in the league. He is second in MLS in saves (90) and is fourth in save percentage (74.4). He is also currently riding a 374-minute shutout streak.
Kinnear Reaches 150 Wins
The Earthquakes victory over LA marked head coach Dominic Kinnear’s 150th win in Major League Soccer. He became just the third coach to reach the milestone, joining Sigi Schmid and Bruce Arena. Kinnear also recorded his 79th shutout victory, which ranks third all-time.
Team of the Week (Week 26) Selection
San Jose defender Clarence Goodson was named to the MLS Team of the Week for his dominant defensive performance against the LA Galaxy. Goodson has now earned Team of the Week honors five times this season (Week 6, Week 17, Week 18, Week 24, Week 26), most among all defenders in the league. Midfielder Shea Salinas was also listed as an honorable mention.
Salinas Scores Again
With his game-winning goal against the Galaxy on Friday, Salinas has now scored three goals this season, a new career high. He also scored in consecutive games for the first time since October of 2008, his rookie season. Salinas has tallied two goals and two assists over the last three matches.
Amarikwa Causing Havoc
Amarikwa has played great since joining the Quakes, recording four goals and three assists in nine games. Amarikwa has also helped the team in other ways, drawing a penalty against Sporting Kansas City and forcing an opposing defender to draw a red card in two of the last three matches. Amarikwa also set up the game-winning goal against LA, when his header was saved and redirected goal-ward by Salinas.
Stabilizing Force
Midfielder Anibal Godoy has been a stabilizing force for the Quakes in the middle of the pitch, leading the club to a spotless 4-0-0 record since his arrival. Godoy has not only been tasked with immediately trying to fit in with a new club, but also build a relationship with his partner in the center of the Earthquakes midfield. In four games with San Jose, Godoy has played alongside three different players – Matias Perez Garcia, Fatai Alashe and Marc Pelosi, due to various injuries and suspensions – and the club hasn’t missed a beat.
First Start at Avaya
Quakes midfielder Marc Pelosi made his first-career start at Avaya Stadium on Friday, playing 90 minutes in the victory.
Scoring Early
San Jose has taken an early lead in each of the last three games by finding the back of the net within the first 20 minutes. Head coach Dominic Kinnear has an all-time record of 127-11-43 (.820) when his team scores first, including a tidy 9-1-2 record this season.
Bernardez Hits Century Mark
Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez made his 100th career appearance for the Quakes last Friday night and would reach 100 career starts should he be in the starting XI on Saturday.
Lockdown in the Back
The Earthquakes have had an impressive month of August defensively as they have posted five shutouts in their six August matches. Additionally, they have posted four consecutive shutouts and the team has not allowed a goal since the 76th minute of their Aug. 8 match against the Houston Dynamo, a 374-minute shutout streak.
Wonderful in White
The Earthquakes have performed tremendously well while donning their white and red alternate uniforms. In seven matches this season with the white kits the Quakes are 6-1-0 and have outscored opponents 17-5 in those matches. Individually, forward Chris Wondolowski has tallied seven goals in those seven contests.
Lock Down Defense at Home
San Jose’s defense has been stellar at Avaya Stadium this season, allowing a total of four goals in nine MLS matches. With their clean sheet against the LA Galaxy on Friday, the Quakes have now shut out their opponents in six of their last seven matches at their new venue [W 1-0 vs. VAN (4/11); W 2-0 vs. CLB (5/16); D 0-0 vs. DAL (6/7); D 0-0 vs. POR (8/2); W 1-0 vs. COL (8/14); W 1-0 vs. LA (8/28)].
Loans at Sacramento
The Earthquakes loaned three players – midfielders Tommy Thompson and JJ Koval and forward Mark Sherrod – to the club’s USL affiliate Sacramento Republic FC for their match on Saturday. Thompson recorded a goal and an assist, Sherrod scored a goal and Koval started and played 90 minutes in the 3-1 victory over Tulsa Roughnecks FC.
Drawing Free Kicks and Taking Them
Not only does Quakes midfielder Matias Perez Garcia take the majority of the team’s free kicks, but he earns them as well. Perez Garcia has drawn 64 fouls this season, the 3rd most in Major League Soccer.
Quakes Among MLS Leaders
Currently, several Earthquakes rank near or at the top of numerous statistical categories. Among them are:
· Matias Perez Garcia – 4 game-winning assists (t-1st in MLS)
· Matias Perez Garcia – 64 fouls suffered (3rd in MLS)
· Matias Perez Garcia – 94 corner kicks (3rd in MLS)
· David Bingham – 90 saves (2nd in MLS)
· David Bingham – 10 shutouts (t-2nd in MLS)
· David Bingham – 11 wins (t-3rd in MLS)
· David Bingham – 74.4 save pct. (4th in MLS)
· Chris Wondolowski – 12 goals (6th in MLS)
Greatest Six-Year Span in MLS History
Including 12 goals so far this year, Chris Wondolowski has tallied 98 goals since the start of the 2010 season, the most by any player over a six-year span in MLS history. Wondolowski still has the remainder of this season to add to his league record. Only three other players ever registered more than 80 goals in a six-year span – Taylor Twellman (91 from 2002-07), Roy Lassiter (88 from 1996-01) and Carlos Ruiz (81 from 2002-07).
MLS Goals Since 2010
Chris Wondolowski has been by far the league’s most efficient striker since 2010, leading the league in goals during that time span:
1. Chris Wondolowski - 98 goals
2. Robbie Keane – 68
3. Alvaro Saborio – 64
4. Kei Kamara – 55
T5. Thierry Henry – 51
T5. Sebastien Le Toux – 51
T7. Landon Donovan – 48
T7. Fabian Espindola – 48
9. Dominic Oduro – 45
10. Dwayne De Rosario – 42
Kinnear Can Keep a Lead
Teams under head coach Dominic Kinnear are 127-11-43 when scoring first, a .820 winning percentage. As head coach of the Earthquakes, Kinnear has only lost twice when his team scored first, a 28-2-8 record overall.
Halftime Success
Since the beginning of the 2000 season, the Quakes are 111-4-23 when leading at the half, including a 7-1-2 mark so far in 2015. They were 6-0-2 in 2014, 6-0-3 in 2013 and an impressive 12-0-1 in 2012, with the only draw coming against Portland on Oct. 27 at JELD-WEN Field. In 2011, the club was 4-2-2, 7-0-2 in 2010, 4-0-3 in 2009, 6-1-0 in 2008, 7-0-3 in 2005, 7-0-1 in 2004 and 8-0-1 in 2003. Despite holding a 1-0 halftime lead on May 10, 2008, vs. Columbus, the Quakes were edged by the final score of 3-2. That game marked the team’s first loss since 1999 when holding a halftime advantage.
Making the First One Count
The Earthquakes are 110-13-32 since 2001 when scoring the first goal. The club is 9-1-2 so far in 2015, after going 5-1-4 in 2014. They were 11-1-3 when scoring first in 2013. In 2012, San Jose was 14-2-2, their two losses coming at Vancouver (2-1) on May 5 and at Montreal (3-1) on Aug. 18. The club was 7-4-5 in 2011, 12-0-2 in 2010, 6-1-5 in 2009 and 8-1-3 in 2008. Prior to 2010, San Jose also went undefeated in 2001 (13-0-2), 2003 (11-0-1) and 2005 (14-0-5) when scoring first. The Earthquakes were 12-2-0 in 2002 when finding the back of the net first, only giving up leads two times in losing 2-1 at the LA Galaxy on July 4, and falling at Kansas City by the same score on July 27. In 2004, the Quakes went 8-1-1 when scoring first, the best mark in MLS. The Quakes surrendered a 1-0 advantage and dropped a 2-1 decision at the LA Galaxy on July 4, 2004, losing for just the first time since July 27, 2002, when striking first. The Quakes are also impressive in the playoffs when scoring first, posting an 8-0-1 record all-time.
Earthquakes to Host Fatai Alashe Inaugural Goal Bobblehead Night on September 12
The San Jose Earthquakes will host a commemorative Fatai Alashe Inaugural Goal Bobblehead Night, presented by Wells Fargo, on Saturday, September 12 when the club welcomes in Seattle Sounders FC at 7:30 p.m. Fans will be given a coupon when they arrive to Avaya Stadium that they can redeem for a bobblehead upon exiting the stadium at the conclusion of the match. The bobblehead, available to 7,500 fans, will honor Quakes rookie midfielder Fatai Alashe scoring the first goal in Avaya Stadium history on March 22. This year marks the fifth consecutive season the Earthquakes and Wells Fargo have teamed up for a bobblehead giveaway.
Earthquakes Midfielder Marc Pelosi Called to U.S. U-23 Camp
San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Marc Pelosi was among 24 players called to England by head coach Andi Herzog for a final preparation camp for the United States U-23’s ahead of the 2015 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in October. Pelosi has previously spent time with the U.S. U-17’s, U-20’s, and most recently represented the U-23’s at the 2015 Toulon Tournament in France. Pelosi also appeared in his first camp with the Senior Team earlier this year. The camp will run in Manchester, England, from Aug. 30-Sept. 8 and will feature friendlies against England on Sept. 3 at Deepdale Stadium in Preston, and Qatar on Sept. 8 at Gigg Lane in Bury.
Earthquakes Partner with Gyft as Official Digital Gift Card Provider
The San Jose Earthquakes announced that they have partnered with Gyft, the #1 e-gift card platform, to be the club’s official digital gift card provider. Gyft enables consumers to buy, send and redeem e-gift cards using a wide range of payment types, from Apple Pay and Bitcoin to Google Wallet, PayPal and credit cards. Upon download of the Gyft app, Quakes fans can get 10% off any gift card valued at $75 or more redeemable at the Earthquakes Team Store, powered by Gyft.
