Chavez leads Quakes to 2-1 win over FC Dallas

BOX SCORE

The San Jose Earthquakes, normally playing the role ofcomeback kids, survived a late rally from FC Dallas to escape Buck Shaw Stadiumwith a 2-1 victory. First half goals from Marvin Chavez and Alan Gordon staked the Quakes to a two-goal lead, but that was halved by a late Hernan Pertuz goal. They then hung onto earn all three points when a late Dallaspenalty kick from Jair Benitez was unsuccessful.The victory extended the Earthquakes' unbeaten streak at BuckShaw to 11 games and pushed their season points total to 43. The Earthquakes' first goal of the match came courtesy offormer FC Dallas man Chavez in the 12th minute, when he connected ona long cross from Shea Salinas at the edge of the area and beat keeper KevinHartman to the far post. For Chavez, the one-timed low shot was taken from thesame spot where he had been leveled on a non-call just two minutes earlier. Throughout the first half, the Earthquakes defense remainedresolute in fending off eight FC Dallas corner kicks and numerous other scoringopportunities. While goalkeeper Jon Busch was credited with making three saves inthe half, it was the back four defenders that made clearance after clearancethat protected the Earthquakes one goal lead. The Earthquakes doubled their leadin the 45th minute following a giveaway by the Dallas defense that was collected by Gordon25 yards from goal. A square ball to Chris Wondolowski was passed back toRafael Baca then out wide to Sam Cronin. Gordon continued to make his run intothe area, and Cronin delivered a perfect cross for the tall forward to headhome for a 2-0 San Jose lead. The Earthquakes thought they had made it a three goal leadin the 61st minute, when Wondolowski buried a penalty kick followinga hand ball in the area by Brek Shea. However, referee Kevin Stott adjudgedthat the Earthquakes had encroached on the area before the kick, and the goalwas waved off. On the retake, Hartman guessed correctly and made the save onWondolowskis low shot to the right post to deny the MLS goal scoring leaderhis 18th of the season. San Jose made pair of substitutions midway through thesecond half with both goal scorers Chavez in the 68th minute andGordon in the 71st minute being replaced by Simon Dawkins and KhariStephenson respectively. A rash challenge from Fabian Castillo in the 81stminute on Justin Morrow earned the FC Dallas frontman a yellow card. StevenBeitashour entered the fray to support his fallen teammate and took a yellowcard for dissent against Castillo.FC Dallas climbed back into the game in the 89thminute after a free kick delivered into the area was stabbed home by defenderPertuz. The visitors had a chance to complete their comeback in stoppage timewhen they earned a penalty kick after Dawkins had bundled over Zach Loyd in thearea. However, Jair Benitez sent his kick from the spot well over the crossbarand the Earthquakes escaped with the win.Up next for the Earthquakes is a road trip to Vancouver to face theWhitecaps at BC Place this Sunday afternoon.