Earthquakes x Chivas USA

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Weekly Update: Rumbling up
The San Jose Earthquakes aim for their third straight win on Saturday, Aug. 23 when they take on Chivas USA in a key Western Conference clash.

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C'mon Quakes. We are not too far away from a playoff spot

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The San Jose Earthquakes travel to Los Angeles this week-end to play at Chivas for the second time this season. The first game between the two teams, back in July (0-1 loss on July 5th) is a painful memory for San Jose. It was their last (undeserved and controversial) loss.

7 weeks, 3 ties and 2 wins later, it is a totally different team that will start the game next Saturday at the Home Depot Center. Undefeated in 5 games, back in the race for the playoffs and with 7 goals scored in the last two games, the Quakes are now only 2 points behind Chivas who had the opposite results since the two teams last met (3 ties, 3 losses)

With a win, San Jose would pass Chivas in the standings and, for the first time, leave the last position. It is also important for the Quakes to confirm, away from home, that they are able to repeat the kind of performances they have shown in their last 2 home games (3-2 win against LA Galaxy and 4-0 win against the leaders of the league, the New England Revolution)

Darren Huckerby, Francisco Lima, Arturo Alvarez and Scott Sealy were not part of the team on July 5th. A few weeks later, they look like they have always been there. Their integration in the team, their commitment to the game and their contribution to the latest performances of their team have been such a success that Chivas will probably not recognize the team they received 7 weeks ago.

The atmosphere was relaxed today at Santa Clara for the Earthquakes' last training before the team travels to LA. After a session focused on offensive phases, Frank Yallop was happy about the work done. He talked about the chances of making the playoffs:

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San Jose Earthquakes' Probable line-up

Arturo Alvarez Scott Sealy

Daren Huckerby Ronnie O'Brien

Ramiro Corrales Francisco Lima

Eric Denton Nick Garcia Ryan Cochrane Jason Hernandez

Joe Cannon

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With a win against Chivas USA on Saturday night, the San Jose Earthquakes would leapfrog their opponent in the Western Conference standings and draw even on points with the L.A. Galaxy. Center Line Soccer was on hand at yesterday’s training session and joined the gathered press for interviews with Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop and reigning MLS Player of the Week Ronnie O’Brien. CLS’ Jay Hipps also spoke with former Chivas USA defender Jason Hernandez in an exclusive interview.
Yallop, O’Brien, Hernandez preview Chivas match : Center Line Soccer - Your source for San Jose Earthquakes soccer news

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San Jose Earthquakes
Starting Lineup

* 1 - Joe Cannon (GK)
* 2 - Eric Denton
* 3 - Nick Garcia
* 4 - James Riley
* 6 - Darren Huckerby
* 7 - Ronnie O'Brien
* 10 - Francisco Lima
* 12 - Ramiro Corrales
* 17 - Arturo Alvarez
* 21 - Jason Hernandez
* 33 - Scott Sealy

Substitutes

* 24 - Michael Gustavson (GK)
* 5 - Ryan Cochrane
* 11 - Ned Grabavoy
* 19 - Ryan Johnson
* 20 - John Cunliffe
* 22 - Kelly Gray
* 77 - Jovan Kirovski


Chivas USA
Starting Lineup

* 28 - Zach Thornton (GK)
* 3 - Jim Curtin
* 4 - Shavar Thomas
* 5 - Paulo Nagamura
* 6 - Francisco Mendoza
* 9 - Ante Razov
* 13 - Jonathan Bornstein
* 16 - Sacha Kljestan
* 19 - Jorge Flores
* 24 - Atiba Harris
* 37 - Kraig Chiles

Substitutes

* 1 - Dan Kennedy (GK)
* 2 - Claudio Suarez
* 7 - Alecko Eskandarian
* 14 - Bobby Burling
* 20 - Roberto Nurse
* 25 - Lawson Vaughn
* 31 - Daniel Paladini

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We tied 0-0. Hope we do well next week.

Attendance: 12,209
Yellow Cards:

SJ: James Riley (Professional Foul, 37'), Jason Hernandez (Reckless Foul, 57'), Ronnie O'Brien (Reckless Foul, 90')

CHV: Shavar Thomas (Reckless Foul, 53')
Stats:

SJ: Shots 14; Shots on Goal 3; Saves 3; Fouls 12; Offsides 2; Corner Kicks 8.

CHV: Shots 11; Shots on goal 3; Saves 3; Fouls 19; Offsides 6; Corner Kicks 1.