Missed Calls Result in an Earthquakes 1-1 Tie With Fire

It was a night that ended on a high note, with Stephen Lenhart scoring the game tying goal in the dying moments of stoppage time on his own wig night.

But that was the one bright moment in an otherwise controversial and frustrating night for the Earthquakes against the Chicago Fire. San Jose played from behind for much of the match, after Chris Rolfe scored for the Fire in the 37th minute on a nicely timed shot past goalkeepr Jon Busch.

The controversy was mostly centered on the sideline referee, who missed not one, but two blatant handballs by the Fire in the box that cost the Quakes two penalty kick opportunities.

But they just wouldn't give up. In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Chris Wondolowski redirected a pass from Shea Salinas, right onto the foot of Lenhart, who was in perfect rhythm to blast one by several defenders and past the goalkeeper to score the equalizer.

With the tie, the Quakes now have 44 points and stay atop of the Western Conference.

Read more »

SJ Earthquakes vs. Chicago Fire Preview

This game is important for both the Fire and the Earthquakes. Real Salt Lake has been on a hot streak of their own. That last loss to Vancouver for the Quakes was pretty big. Now, RSL is only 1 point behind. If the Quakes get shut out today, or lose, it's a huge deal for them. RSL is very close to grabbing the league's top cede.

As for the Fire, they need this win as well. With DC United only a few points ahead, the Fire need to grab as many points as they can. The season is still a long way from over, but every point counts. Columbus Crew is pretty far behind them, but they can still comeback.

Chris Wondolowski, still the leading goal scorer in the league, is looking to come off a brilliant all-star game where he scored a goal. Even his powerful kick couldn't be stopped by the league's best goalies. I'm hoping he scores tonight: stat wise, the Quakes should have no problem 'putting Chicago away'.
Here are some of the key things that need to be emphasized for the Quakes:

- Goals: The obvious: the Earthquakes really don't have a problem getting Alan Gordon and/or Wondolowski an open shot

- Shots on Goal: Get as many as they can. The more shots, the more chance. This is another obvious one

- Assists: Ball movement is always important. Alan Gordon will be moving inside, and Marvin Chavez will always make a good pass

- Possession Time: Keep the ball out of the opponents' feet. The less time they have, the less opportunity

- Defense: Intensity will smother and anger your opponents into a yellow card, which is always good for the opponent.

Read more »

MLS Week: A Look Back

Several teams locked playoff berths, others moved closer to doing so and others are now teetering on the brink of missing out.

The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 at the Home Depot Center on Friday night. That win along with Chivas USA's 2-0 win over DC United puts Los Angeles back in the playoffs for the first time since 2005, the year it won the MLS Cup.

The win also put the Galaxy in first place in the Western Conference. LA is still there, but it was to share it with the Houston Dynamo for the next two weeks. The Dynamo played to a 1-1 draw against the Kansas City Wizards in Houston on Sunday afternoon. The two teams will decide the conference title against each other in Houston on October 18. A draw will work to the Galaxy's advantage, as it defeated the Dynamo 1-0 at the Home Depot Center back on June 28.

(Continue to Soccer 24-7)

Read more »