Earthquakes Shutout Chivas 4-0

On this night, both teams were, as usual, looking for the win. A month earlier, the Chivas were in the talks of playoff contention, then all of a sudden, they lost 5 games in a row. This loss to the Quakes didn't really help at all.
On this night, the Quakes shutout the Chivas, who looked NOTHING like a playoff team. The Quakes had them beat in every category.

Although they played with energy and were okay in some aspects, they failed to execute, move the ball well, and control the positioning. Ramiro Corrales surprisingly scored two goals on this night. He was accompanied by Marvin Chavez and Victor Bernardez.

Chavez received a beautiful pass from Wondolowski, who did contribute, 39 minutes into the game. After Corrales scored his first goal, I knew the Quakes had done enough to silence the Chivas once again, who are now desperate to win any game they can.

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Dawkins, Gordon Lead Quakes Past Rapids 4-1

Simon Dawkins and Alan Gordon accounted for all of the scoring on Saturday night with two goals apiece as the Quakes routed the Colorado Rapids 4-1.

Dawkins got things started in the eleventh minute with a nice sidestep on a one-on-one chance, driving it past the Colorado goalkeeper.

San Jose would take a 2-0 lead in the 43th minute thanks to some beautiful maneuvers by Rafael Baca and a nice cross that led to Alan Gordon's first goal of the match.

Colorado would battle back with a goal off a corner kick in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Quakes would take control from there.

In the 68th minute, it was Simon Dawkins again, receiving the ball right in front of the keep thanks to a couple of lucky bounces, and firing it past the keeper for his second goal. Then, it was Gordon matching Dawkins, scoring a similar goal in the 75th minute off a couple of fortuitous bounces.

With the win, the Quakes take a commanding seven point lead over the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference, and are all but destined to be the first seed in the playoffs.

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Earthquakes Lose to Impact in Second Half

Montreal and San Jose haven't really had a rivalry: until tonight. It was a great game mostly controlled by the Quakes. Both teams played really hard as usual, but, this time, the Impact played harder. The Quakes had an excellent game, however. The Earthquakes had great opportunities but came up a little short on their attempts. The game was physical and violent.

The first goal came at 23 minutes into the game by scored by none other than Chris Wondolowski. Again, the goalie couldn't think of any way to stop his forceful shots on goal. Wondo's shot was well thought out and powerful as usual. The next goal, unfortunately came just 2 minutes later by Marco Di Vaio. He also had a great shot, being at the right place, right time. It was also a beautiful assist by his teammate, Felipe Martins. After this the Quakes and the Impact went head to head in a desperate attempt to score goals.

After the rest of the half was scoreless, the Impact finally broke the silence with two stunning goals putting them up 3-1. The second Impact goal came 62 minutes in, by Lamar Neagle, assisted by Patrice Bernier. It was another great pass and a goal. After the Quakes tried desperately to even the score, the Impact scored again. 72 minutes into the game, Patrice Bernier was the beneficiary as he scored a goal. That as it on this night, as the Impact got the best of the Quakes

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Earthquakes Beat Sounders 2-1 in Thriller

The Earthquakes pulled off another thrilling victory on Saturday night, beating the Seattle Sounders 2-1.

Simon Dawkins put the Quakes up 1-0 in the 70th minute, but the Sounders would tie back up in stoppage time. However, it would be Steven Lenhart to the rescue once again, netting the game-winning header with seconds left in stoppage time.

We'll have a more complete recap later on.

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Earthquakes vs Seatle Rematch Preview

The time has finally come. Chris Wondolowski and his Earthquakes look to anger the Seattle Sounders again: He scored the game's only goal in the first half off a penalty kick. That's not the best way to win, but there were plenty of 'lowlights' and highlights. Wondolowski was reported saying that he wouldn't want to be the referee in the rematch, as they will probably have to have a sharp eye, and their whistles and red cards ready.

It's going to be a very physical game, and both teams are up to the challenge. That game in June was very physical, and Wondo said that the hatchet wasn't completely buried, but there isn't going to be any excessive contact like after the final whistle last time.

Coming into this game, the Sounders are 10-5-7, earning themselves 37 points. The top-of-the-league Quakes, on the other hand are 13-5-5, earning themselves 44 points. Expect greatness out of this match, as both teams are doing very well, and look to knock each other off.

The Quakes are going to need this win, as RSL, once again, is within striking distance. They look to overtake the Earthquakes as league leaders. As for the Sounders, the Whitecaps are not far behind, as they also look to make a push to finish in a better position.
This game could be one of the best games this season. You don't want to miss it.

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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.

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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.

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