Help Earthquakes Earn 2-2 Draw Against LA Galaxy CARSON, Calif. - Newly signed designated player Matias Perez Garcia and U.S. National Team forward Chris Wondolowski both scored in the first half to help the San Jose Earthquakes earn a valuable road point with a 2-2 draw against the LA Galaxy at the StubHub Center Friday night. Wondolowski recorded an assist in his third straight game, as San Jose stretched its unbeaten run to four games. The Quakes broke in front 18 minutes into the match on a perfectly executed counter attack. Sam Cronin picked up a turnover and found Shea Salinas as he moved into Galaxy territory. Wondolowski made a run behind the defense and received a pass from Salinas. The Quakes leading scorer moved around one defender before ripping a low shot to the far post for a 1-0 advantage. Jason Hernandez came through with another big block in the Quakes defensive box after a good attack by the Galaxy soon after the goal. Robbie Rogers got free on the left and unloaded a shot that was deflected right to Robbie Keane. Keane shot low, but Hernandez recovered to slide and block the shot to keep San Jose ahead. Gyasi Zardes equalized for the Galaxy on a counter of their own in the 29th minute. Landon Donovan started the break and then found Keane to his left. Keane hit a low shot that deflected off a Quakes defender to Zardes, who slotted a well-placed strike past Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch. San Jose came right back with a goal in the 31st minute after another textbook counter. Salinas got the ball wide to Atiba Harris, who immediately crossed one to Wondolowski. Wondolowski flicked a ball to Perez Garcia at the top of the box and he unleashed a blast right through Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo and into the back of the net for a 2-1 Quakes advantage. The Galaxy drew even just after halftime on a set piece. Stefan Ishizaki whipped a corner kick into the box and Omar Gonzalez found just enough space to sneak a header past Busch to make the game 2-2 four minutes into the second stanza. The Earthquakes return home to Buck Shaw Stadium next Saturday, Aug. 16 against FC Dallas on A&W Root Beer Float Night. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and will air live on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 1370 KZSF and 1590 KLIV. Prior the game, the Quakes will host A&W Root Beer Float Night with celebrity servers making root beer floats in the Epicenter Fan Zone with all proceeds benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. MLS Regular Season San Jose Earthquakes (6-8-6, 24 pts.) 2:2 LA Galaxy (9-4-7, 34 pts.) August 8, 2014 - StubHub Center Attendance: 19,719 Scoring Summary: SJ - Chris Wondolowski (Shea Salinas) 18; LA - Gyasi Zardes (unassisted) 29; SJ - Matias Perez Garcia (Chris Wondolowski, Atiba Harris) 31; LA - Omar Gonzalez (Stefan Ishizaki) 49. Misconduct Summary: SJ - Shaun Francis (caution) 51; SJ - Sam Cronin (caution) 79. San Jose Earthquakes: Jon Busch, Shaun Francis, Jason Hernandez, Victor Bernandez (Ty Harden 70), Jordan Stewart, Shea Salinas (Cordell Cato 89), Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi, Sam Cronin, Atiba Harris, Matias Perez Garcia (JJ Koval 83), Chris Wondolowski. SHOTS: 3; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; SAVES: 4; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 0; OFFSIDES: 1. LA Galaxy - Jaime Penedo, Dan Gargan (Chandler Hoffman 89), Omar Gonzalez, AJ DeLaGarza, Robbie Rogers, Stefan Ishikazi (Bradford Jamieson 82), Marcelo Sarvas (Baggio Husidic 80), Juninho, Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, Gyasi Zardes. SHOTS: 24; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; SAVES: 1; FOULS: 10; CORNER KICKS: 10; OFFSIDES: 4. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH MARK WATSON On game: That was a great point against a very good opponent. LA played a very good game so you have to give them credit, but we showed a great mentality, especially in the second half to see the game out and earn the point. They had some chances, but we were able to get a little touch here or a block there and stay in the game. On Perez Garcias debut: He scored a very good goal and you can see his quality when he is out there. He can get out of tight spaces well and protect the ball. He is also a very good passer and you can see he is dangerous in the final third. We are looking forward to seeing more each time he gets on the field. Tonight was a great start. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI On notching assists in three straight games: I always try to do whatever I can to help the team win, whether that is scoring goals, trying to set up goals or find the open guy. To be honest, all three of the goals that came from my assists were great finishes. I just made the pass to the open guy and my teammates did most of the work. On teams attack: That is one of the greatest things about soccer. Its ever evolving and you have to continue to adapt each game. We have a lot of options in the attack right now and we have to work on things and keep playing together and hopefully the results will continue to come. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER MATIAS PEREZ GARCIA On scoring in his debut: It was great for my confidence to get a goal in the first game. My teammates have welcomed me very well here and I am happy that I helped the team get a result tonight. We played a very good team, but we did well on the counterattack and were able to get some goals. On his goal: It was an end-to-end play really. The ball came out quickly and we broke well. There was a good ball played into the middle and I didnt have any doubts when it came to me and I just focused and hit it. The goal really gave me a confidence boost and that will help me as we go to the next match.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 07:23:28 +0000
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