Chivas USA fall to Earthquakes 2-0

Chivas USA (7-13-7) fell, 2-0, at The Home Depot Center Saturday night to the San Jose Earthquakes (17-6-5) before a crowd of 11,317. The Quakes were led by goals from Chris Wondolowski and Alan Gordon. Both Justin Morrow and Wondolowski recorded assists on Gordon’s goal.

• The Rojiblancos started the match fast and got the ball into dangerous spots. In the eighth minute midfielder Miller Bolaños worked the ball from the left wing into the box and let loose a strike that was deflected by the San Jose defense. The Goats tested the Quakes’ defense often as they began to pepper the ball into the box. In the 23^rd minute midfielder Nick LaBrocca centered a pass from about 35 yards out to forward Casey Townsend, whose header was saved by San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch.
• A minute later, Bolaños again worked the ball from the left, this time crossing it to a cutting Juan Agudelo near the short area. Agudelo´s sliding attempt at goal, however, was broken up.
• San Jose broke the scoreless match in the 40^th minute after it was awarded a penalty kick in the aftermath of a free kick. Wondolowski lined up and knocked in his 19^th goal of the season. The Quakes went up a second goal in the 49^th minute on Wondolowski’s and Morrow’s double assist to Gordon. Wondolowski and Morrow were credited with their seventh and third assists of the year, respectively. The goal was Gordon’s 12^th this season.
• Chivas USA looked to create opportunities in the second half as well and brought on forward Juan Pablo Angel and midfielder Ryan Smith as subs in the 66^th minute. Smith immediately made his presence felt with the ball as he took a strike near the semi-circle in the 67^th minute just wide right of the post and crossed a pass from deep in the right corner to Angel for a header attempt at goal in the 70^th.
• The Rojiblancos continued to knock on the San Jose door, as Bolaños´ right-footed strike in the 86^th minute from the left side of the box needed a last second tip save from Busch, as it appeared on target to land inside the right post. A minute later, Angel received a long ball and worked it inside the box, but the Goats could not capitalize on the opportunity and the final marker remained at 2-0.