Wondo Hits Winner, Quakes Inch Towards Playoffs

Sept. 15, 2010EARTHQUAKES PAGE

SANTA CLARAChris Wondolowski nodded home a smartly delivered cross from Arturo Alvarezin the 69th minute to push San Jose past visiting Philadelphia 1-0 onWednesday at Buck Shaw Stadium and closer to the MLS playoffs.The win moves the Earthquakes past Colorado and into possession ofsixth place in the overall league table. San Jose are now eight pointsclear of ninth-place Toronto FC in their bid to earn their first postseason berth since being re-established in 2008.Wondolowskis goal, his ninth of the season, rescued what had been a somewhat lackluster performance for the Quakes, who generated little offense of note in the opening 45 minutes.The scoring play started with Bobby Conveycrossing from the left wing for Eduardo, who fell down without drawinga penalty. But Alvarez recovered the loose ball on the opposite sideand took his time before delivering his first assist of 2010.Diving Philadelphia goalkeeper Brad Knighton, making his second start in place of deposed Chris Seitz, got a couple fingers on Wondolowskis header, but could only push it into the side netting.Of Wondolowskis nine goals on the season, six have beengame-winners, moving him into a tie for the league lead in thatcategory with Los Angeles Edson Buddle.The loss dealt another critical blow to the faint playoff hopes ofexpansion Philadelphia, who almost snatched a point at the death whenan unmarked Shea Salinas ran onto a free kick from Sebastien Le Toux in the 93rd minute. Salinas rip from 12 yards was headed wide, but a deflection off Tim Ward forced Jon Busch to make one final save to secure his second consecutive shutout and fourth in 10 starts.Philadelphia generated the best scoring chances before intermission,both times by laying the ball off for onrushing holding midfielders.But Busch was able to knock away Stefani Miglioranzis 30-yard blast in the 22nd minute, and eventually covered up a 35-yard drive from Andrew Jacobson in the 37th.San Joses most dangerous first-half moment was cut short by refereeSilviu Petrescus whistle, which halted play after Wondolowski wasruled offside in the 42nd minute. Wondolowski, who started up top in a pairing with Designated PlayerGeovanni for the first time, had been honing in on a soft rebound givenup by Knighton, who allowed scads of second-chance opportunities butwent unpunished by a San Jose side surprisingly reluctant to pushforward in search of a go-ahead score.Quakes coach Frank Yallop attempted to inject some urgency into his teams attack with the halftime addition of Eduardo and Alvarez in place of Khari Stephensonwho looked limited by his sprained left ankleand Joey Gjertsen.The moves didnt work immediately, but eventually had their effect.Eduardo came up just short of reaching a long, low cross from Conveythat could have led to a clinching goal in the 87th minute. AndKnighton did well to push a dipping free kick from Geovanni over thecrossbar in the 89th.Scoring Summary: SJ -- Chris Wondolowski 9 (Arturo Alvarez 1) 69 Misconduct Summary: PHI -- Andrew Jacobson (caution; Tactical Foul) 20
SJ -- Bobby Convey (caution; Delaying a Restart) 90
SJ -- Arturo Alvarez (caution; Delaying a Restart) 94 Lineups:Philadelphia Union -- Brad Knighton, Sheanon Williams, Danny Califf, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Jordan Harvey, Fred (Danny Mwanga 72), Andrew Jacobson, Stefani Miglioranzi, Justin Mapp (Jack McInerney 74), Sebastien Le Toux, Alejandro Moreno (Shea Salinas 58).Substitutes Not Used: Cristian Arrieta, Kyle Nakazawa, Amobi Okugo, Chris Seitz.San Jose Earthquakes -- Jon Busch, Chris Leitch, Jason Hernandez, Brandon McDonald, Tim Ward, Joey Gjertsen (Arturo Alvarez 46), Sam Cronin, Khari Stephenson (Eduardo 46), Bobby Convey, Geovanni, Chris Wondolowski.Substitutes Not Used: Bobby Burling, Cornell Glen, Ryan Johnson, Brad Ring, Alex Horwath.Referee: Silviu Petrescu
Referee's Assistants: Ian Anderson; Chris Strickland
4th Official: Yader Reyes
Time of Game: 1:54
Weather: Clear and 65 degrees