#rafael baca

[mmckenzieport]

By Melissa McKenzie

After a drama-filled game in Portland that saw Alan Gordon receive a red card and suspension for a derogatory phrase on April 14, the San Jose Earthquakes hosted the Timbers at Buck Shaw Stadium on April 21. The teams battled to a 1-1 draw.

In a match that saw Steven Beitashour make his season debut, Portland scored first - in the 59th minute - when Diego Valeri booted a ball freed by Beitashour past a diving Jon Busch.

Prior to the goal, Chris Wondolowski got an open look at goal on a one-on-one against keeper Donovan Ricketts, but Ricketts was able to punch away Wondo’s attempt. In the 74th, Sam Garza got a one-on-one with Ricketts, but took one step too many and Ricketts made the save.

With time winding down, it became imperative for the Quakes to score given that Portland had shut them out last week. It was a matter of if this year’s Quakes team had some of the Goonies magic that pulled them through last season.

Two minutes into stoppage time, the Goonies were back. Rookie Adam Jahn rocketed a ball redirected by Wondo past a sprawled out Ricketts for the equalizer.

San Jose plays at Chivas USA on April 27 at 7:30 p.m. Comcast Sports Net is scheduled to broadcast the match. The Quakes return home May 5 to host the Montreal Impact at 1 p.m.

Aftershocks Due to the issues in Portland, the 1906 Ultras have been put on probation by San Jose’s front office. Until further notice, travel privileges have been suspended, the use of controlled smoke banned and the group’s language will be monitored.

Jahn is officially a Twitter user. Follow him5 on Twitter@PillowFeet14.

Rafael Baca made his 50th career start in the 1-1 draw against Portland. Baca has started each of the Quakes’ eight matches in 2013.

Registration for the Quakes 4x4 tournament is now open. Tournament dates are June 22 at Cesar Chavez Elementary in East Palo Alto and August 10 at Alden E. Oliver Sports Park in Hayward. Fees are $150 for youth and adult recreational divisions and $175 for the men’s open division. For more information or to register visit www.sjearthquakes.com/4v4.

San Jose has unveiled a Saves for SEALs Supporters’ Section for the June 29 match at Stanford Stadium. Tickets include four seats in Section 125 (rows D-H), four T-shirts, and a post-game meet and greet with Busch. The ticket packages are $200 each with the proceeds benefiting the Navy SEAL Foundation. Visit http://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2013/04/busch-quakes-team-navy-seal-foundation-fundraiser for more information.

The Earthquakes host its second annual Earthquakes 5K/10K Challenge benefiting The Health Trust of Silicon Valley and the San Jose Earthquakes Community Fund on August 19. Early Bird Registration is $45 for the 10K, $30 for the 5K, and $20 for the Kids Fun Run (12 an under). Prices will go up June 1. For more information or to register visit www.quakeschallenge.com.

San Jose Earthquakes Academy alumnus Kendall McIntosh was among the 24 players called to the United States U-20 camp on April 22. The group will participate in the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup June 21-July 13 in Turkey.

[icantfeelmyarms]

[mmckenzieport]

By Melissa McKenzie

It took Chris Wondolowski nine minutes to notch the first of the San Jose Earthquakes’ three goals against Toronto FC on March 24.

Wondo, who had scored five goals in his last three games at BMO Field, added a sixth when he took a cross from Rafael Baca in the 68th minute, fumbled it momentarily, and sent the ball soaring past backup goalkeeper Milos Kocic for the Quakes’ third goal of the afternoon.

But, even though Wondo’s pair of goals helped lift the Quakes over TFC, the most impressive score for San Jose came in the 57th minute. Steven Beitashour pushed toward the right side of the goal before dishing the ball to Marvin Chavez. Chavez, a new addition to the Quakes’ arsenal of off-season pickups, shocked the defense when, instead of shooting, one-touched the ball across the box to Shea Salinas. Salinas, who was acquired from the Vancouver Whitecaps FC last November, charged forward and sent a left-footed strike past Kocic.

Toronto was unable to create many scoring chances throughout the match, and when the final whistle blew, Quakes’ keeper, Jon Busch, who was making his 200th career start, picked up a clean sheet.

The Quakes play the Seattle Sounders in Seattle March 31, and will return home April 7 for a 4 p.m. match up against Vancouver. Tickets are available through www.sjearthquakes.com.

Aftershocks:

The Earthquakes will host the team’s first annual 5K/10K Challenge benefiting The Health Trust and the San Jose Earthquakes Community Fund on Sunday, May 27. The race begins at 8 a.m. and will start and finish at the new stadium site at 1125 Coleman Avenue in San Jose. The cost of entry is $45 for the 10K, $25 for the 5K, and $10 for the Kids Fun Run. All participants will receive a race t-shirt, ticket to a future home game at Buck Shaw Stadium, and access to a post-race celebration. Additional information can be found at http://www.quakeschallenge.com/.

[mmckenzieport]

By Melissa McKenzie Two games, two ties. At this point in the season, the San Jose Earthquakes aren’t doing themselves any favors by not winning matches, but one point is always better than none. On Wednesday, September 21, the Quakes traveled to Portland to play a Timbers team in the midst of the playoff race. After Portland scored early, the Quakes were playing catch up and finally got a chance to even the score in the 70th minute when Khari Stephenson collected a pass from Rafael Baca. Stephenson unloaded a right-footed strike that traveled past two Portland defenders and into the back of the net. The 1-1 score held and the Quakes left Portland without gathering a much-needed three points. In the second match this week, the Quakes played a Colorado Rapids team currently sitting in the second wildcard spot. The Rapids needed a win to help secure their position, while the Quakes needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Khari Stephenson took a long distance shot at Matt Pickens in the 19th minute. As soon as Stephenson launched the ball, Chris Wondolowski charged the net, picked up the rebound, and beat Pickens in a one-on-one match up. The goal helped Wondo move up to a second place tie with Landon Donovan on the Quakes’ all-time scoring list. Wondo nearly passed Donovan late in the match against but Pickens blocked the shot before yelling at his defense to tighten up the back line. Colorado would tie late in the match. Drew Moor beat Jon Busch for the equalizer in the 71st minute after Busch blocked a shot from Jeff Larentowicz and Moor netted the rebound. Again, the 1-1 tally held and the Quakes left Colorado with only one point. Currently, the Quakes have 31 points, eight points less than the New York Red Bulls who are in the fourth and final wildcard playoff position. It appears as if the Quakes have been all but mathematically eliminated from the playoff race. With four games left, including a home match this Saturday, October 1 at 7:30 against Sporting Kansas City, the Quakes would pretty much have to win their remaining matches and hope for the best in order to slip into the final spot. The Quakes have two remaining home games, the one this Saturday and the final match of the season, October 22 against FC Dallas. Tickets for both games can be purchased through www.sjearthquakes.com