Earthquakes Extend Home Unbeaten Streak to 13 with 1-0 Win Against Philadelphia Union

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Shea Salinas’ first-half goal held up for a 1-0 San Jose Earthquakes win against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday at Buck Shaw Stadium, extending the club’s home-unbeaten streak to 13.

Despite playing a man down for much of the second half, the Earthquakes (10-11-7, 37 pts.) kept their fifth clean sheet of the season and picked up a crucial three points to keep in contact with the MLS Cup Playoff race. Since losing their season opener 2-0 against Real Salt Lake on March 3, the Earthquakes are 9-0-4 at home, including a 6-0-0 mark under interim head coach Mark Watson.

After applying pressure in the early going, San Jose broke through in the 15th minute as Sam Cronin found Shea Salinas for the speedy winger’s second goal of 2013. Cronin lofted a ball over Philadelphia’s backline, finding Salinas in stride. Salinas took a touch with his right foot, keeping the ball in the air as he continued his penetrating run toward the end line, and then slid to volley his shot past Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath.

San Jose took its lead into the half and continued to be the aggressors at the outset of the final 45 minutes. However, in the 58th minute, midfielder Rafael Baca received his second yellow card of the match, leaving the Earthquakes a man down.

Despite the man advantage, the Union (10-9-9, 39 pts.) failed to break through thanks to a gritty defensive effort from San Jose’s backline. Goalkeeper Jon Busch finished with four saves and his 72nd career shutout, one behind Matt Reis of the New England Revolution for No. 5 on the MLS all-time list.

After Sunday’s victory, the Earthquakes are one win away from the 200th in club history.

The Earthquakes return to action on Saturday, Sept. 14 against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Buck Shaw Stadium, presented by XFINITY. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: The Earthquakes set a new club record for corner kicks in a match with 16, one more than their previous high … Earthquakes defenders Jason Hernandez (12,238) surpassed Wade Barrett (12,218) for No. 4 on the club’s all-time minutes played list with his full 90 tonight … Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski tied club Hall of Famer Troy Dayak for No. 9 on San Jose’s all-time appearance list with his 129th.
 

  
San Jose Earthquakes (10-11-7, 34 pts.) 1:0 Philadelphia Union (10-9-9, 39 pts.)
Sept. 8, 2013 – Buck Shaw Stadium
Attendance: 10,034

Scoring Summary: SJ – Shea Salinas (Sam Cronin) 15.

Misconduct Summary: PHI – Danny Cruz (caution) 15; PHI – Jack McInerney (caution) 20; PHI – Keon Daniel (caution) 36; SJ – Rafael Baca (caution) 45; SJ – Rafael Baca (ejection) 57; SJ – Alan Gordon (caution) 63; SJ – Steven Lenhart, 90+1.

San Jose Earthquakes – Jon Busch, Steven Beitashour, Jason Hernandez, Justin Morrow, Jordan Stewart, Cordell Cato (Adam Jahn 86), Sam Cronin, Rafael Baca, Shea Salinas, Chris Wondolowski, Alan Gordon (Steven Lenhart 71).

TOTAL SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; SAVES: 4; FOULS: 14; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 16.

Philadelphia Union – Zac MacMath, Raymon Gaddis (Aaron Wheeler 78), Sheanon Williams, Jeff Parke, Fabinho, Brian Carroll, Danny Cruz (Michael Farfan 60), Keon Daniel, Sebastien Le Toux, Conor Casey, Jack McInerney (Antoine Hoppenot 70).

TOTAL SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; SAVES: 4; FOULS: 13; OFFSIDES: 5; CORNER KICKS: 2.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH MARK WATSON

On match:
“I’m proud of the guys tonight. We played well in the first half, but when Rafa [Baca] was sent off, it changed the game. At that point, it was all about mentality and I thought we did a great job of getting organized and challenging every ball. In the end, we got three points that we needed to keep us in the playoff race.”

On six-game home winning streak:
“At home, you are in familiar surroundings; you don’t have any travel and when you combine that with great fans,  you can get some wins. We know that we will have to get some points on the road in this final stretch though if we want to get into the playoffs.”

On Shea Salinas:
“Shea [Salinas] looked good tonight. He has had a couple of games as a sub coming off of his injury and he played well in our recent Reserve League game. He had his pace tonight and he was dangerous throughout the match. He also had a great finish for the goal.”


SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER SHEA SALINAS

On his goal:
“[Alan] Gordon made a nice run to take his defender away. I saw open space and then [Sam] Cronin hit a perfect ball; the defender fell down and I managed to somehow slide my shot past the goalkeeper. I was glad to be in the right place at the right time.”

On defensive effort:
“As a team, we ran a whole lot tonight. Jason [Hernandez] was awesome in the back alongside Justin [Morrow]. [Jon] Busch was great as well. It was a great defensive effort and it always feels great to keep a clean sheet.”

On home atmosphere:
“I think we’re comfortable here. We like the grass, the fans are loud, and now we just need to carry that energy over to the road.”


SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER JUSTIN MORROW

On clean sheet:
“It was a gritty effort and a tough game. We went down a man, but we worked hard and pushed through it thanks to a great all-around effort from the boys.”

On home unbeaten streak:
“We feel confident whenever we play at home and I think that shows in our play. The fans support is amazing every time we step on this field and we players really appreciate their energy.”