Earthquakes Fall 2-1 at Home Against Portland Timbers
The San Jose Earthquakes scored first, but the Portland Timbers rallied for a 2-1 win in front of a sold-out crowd at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday. The loss eliminated San Jose from MLS Cup Playoff contention.
Wondolowski gave the Earthquakes 1 -0 lead with a point-blank tap in the 57th minute. Shea Salinas found his target open at the back post with a bending cross. Wondolowski headed a shot low, but Portland goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts dove to block the shot. However, Wondolowski was first to the rebound, poking his shot into the net for his team-leading 14th goal of the season.
Portland pulled level in midway through the second half thanks to a deflected shot from Rodney Wallace. The Costa Rican international uncorked a left-footed blast from inside the box that Jason Hernandez attempted to block with a sliding challenge. Unfortunately for the Earthquakes, the shot hit Hernandez's leg and redirected into the upper corner of the net.
The Timbers found the game-winner two minutes later after another deflected shot. This time, Liam Ridgewell won a header on a corner kick that would have sailed well wide of the target if not for Wallace. The attempted shot drilled Wallace in the face and then found its way into the far corner to complete the winger's brace.
Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch had five saves in the match, extending his league lead and moving him closer to the club record held by Joe Cannon. Busch has 122 saves, 15 behind the mark set by Cannon in 2000.
San Jose has sold out six consecutive games at Buck Shaw Stadium dating back to July.
The Earthquakes hit the road for a pair next week, starting with a return trip to Portland on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at Providence Park. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF.
MLS Regular Season
San Jose Earthquakes (6-13-11, 29 pts.) 1:2 Portland Timbers (10-9-13, 43 pts.)
October 4, 2014 - Buck Shaw Stadium
Attendance: 10,525
Scoring Summary: SJ - Chris Wondolowski (Shea Salinas) 57; POR - Rodney Wallace (Alvas Powell) 71; POR - Rodney Wallace (Liam Ridgewell, Gaston Fernandez) 74.
Misconduct Summary: SJ - Jason Hernandez (caution) 21; POR - Rodney Wallace (caution) 78; SJ - Pablo Pintos (ejection) 90+3.
San Jose Earthquakes: Jon Busch, Pablo Pintos, Victor Bernardez, Jason Hernandez, Jordan Stewart, Cordell Cato (Tommy Thompson 88), Sam Cronin, Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi (Atiba Harris 82), Shea Salinas (Yannick Djalo 67), Matias Perez Garcia, Chris Wondolowski.
SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; SAVES: 5; FOULS: 14; CORNER KICKS: 3;OFFSIDES: 0.
Portland Timbers: Donovan Ricketts, Alvas Powell, Norberto Paparatto, Liam Ridgewell, Jorge Villafana, Darlington Nagbe (Michael Harrington 90), Ben Zemanski, Diego Chara, Rodney Wallace, Gaston Fernandez (Jack Jewsbury 81), Fanendo Adi (Maximiliano Urruti 87).
SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; SAVES: 5; FOULS: 17; CORNER KICKS: 7;OFFSIDES: 0.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MARK WATSON
On the result:
"It was another frustrating night. I thought we played well at times. We knew we were playing a good team who wanted to possess the ball, but I thought we defended well and had a bunch of chances. We went up a goal and I think the two goals they scored - the deflections - is kind of the way our season is going. I'm really disappointed for our guys. They came out motivated to win in front of their home fans, and once again we leave disappointed.
On chemistry between Chris Wondolowski and Matias Perez Garcia:
"I think they work well together. Obviously, that's something we would have liked to see more of; I believe they played two games and then Matias [Perez Garcia] got hurt, so they're regaining that chemistry. They're both good players and they work well together."
On motivation going forward:
"It's about pride right now. It's about character, pride and every time we step on the practice field or on the field for a game, you do your best, work as hard as you can and fight for this club. I have no doubt our guys will do that right until the end of the season."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER JASON HERNANDEZ
On Portland's second half goals:
"Portland is a good team, but to give up two deflection goals is the story of our season. I'd love to have some deflection goals go in for us. I feel like we've been on the wrong end of things for most of the year. A lot of good work and effort in front of our fans was all for naught tonight. They say you make your own luck and we try our hardest every night but we just can't seem to get our heads above water. It's very frustrating."
On team approach for remaining matches:
"Every match is a chance to make things right and turn the tide. I thought we were on our way tonight. Unfortunately, fate had other ideas. It's a huge win for Portland in their playoff push and it eliminates us. The rest of the season is really going to test our character; from the first guy to the last guy. Regardless of our standing, we need to get results."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER YANNICK DJALO
On returning from injury:
"I feel fine. I definitely wanted to get the win, but it did feel great to be back out there after two months. I did feel a little out of sync with myself and teammates, but this short week will help me in getting back to game shape. The most important thing for me is to come back and help this team win."
On playing with Matias Perez Garcia:
"He is a high class player. He brings a style of play that will help us get a lot of wins. He is one of the hardest working players on the club and I've seen him do some great things at training. I'm looking forward to playing last four matches with him to improve the chemistry."
The U-18s earned a point with a 2-2 draw against the Charlotte Soccer Academy on June 23 before handily defeating the Indiana Fire Academy 5-0 on June 24. In an important third and final match, the Quakes took all three points in a 1-0 victory over the Texas Rush on June 26 by way of a goal from Alex Valencia.
