Pat and DeRo. in action tonight (R)

[George]

Donovan Goal Leads to Road Win

KANSAS CITY, MO – The San Jose Earthquakes rode an early Landon Donovan goal to victory Friday night, defeating the Kansas City Wizards 1-0 at Arrowhead Stadium. Donovan scored for the visiting side in the first half, sticking a second-effort shot past Kansas City’s Tony Meola for the winning goal.

San Jose Head Coach Frank Yallop became the team’s all-time winningest coach with the victory, surpassing Brian Quinn with his 36th career win.

Donovan proved to be the major factor in the first half, acting as San Jose’s main target and tracking back to play defense when Kansas City threatened offensively. Donovan broke the deadlock in the 23d minute of play, poking the ball past Tony Meola for the 1-0 lead. Brian Mullan drilled the ball over the head of Brian Ching in the penalty area, picking out a wide open Donovan on the far side. Taking advantage of the space created when Kansas City double-teamed Ching in the center of the box, Donovan took a short range stab on net. Meola made the initial save, but the rebound came right back out to Donovan, who slotted the ball into the net with the alert second effort.

San Jose goalkeeper Pat Onstad was not truly tested until the second half, when Igor Simutenkov took a shot on net from the perimeter of the penalty area. Onstad made the first save of the game in style in the 58th minute, sliding out to make a spectacular kick save to send the ball into the corner.

The Earthquakes suffered a setback in the 68th minute as workhorse midfielder Ramiro Corrales was shown the second yellow card of the game for a tough tackle on Diego Gutierrez in midfield. Already carrying a caution from just before the halftime interval, Corrales was ejected from the match, leaving the visitors shorthanded for the remainder of the game.

Onstad continued his duel with Simutenkov, making another great save in the 75th minute. The Kansas City striker sped down the left side of the field, leaving Eddie Robinson in his wake. Onstad sprinted off of his line, sliding out and sending Simutenkov’s sharp-angled shot into touch to preserve the slim San Jose lead.

Despite the red card, the San Jose fans received some good news as forward Dwayne DeRosario came onto the field for the first time this year in the 78th minute. Brought on to the field for Brian Ching, the Canadian striker made his first appearance in 2003 for the Earthquakes following a pre-season knee injury that has left him sidelined all season. DeRosario’s presence generated a few solid threats for San Jose, including a breakaway chance in the 90th minute that drifted just wide of the goalpost, inches from beating Meola.

San Jose (9-3-6, 33 points) remains the most successful team on the road this season, racking up an impressive 5-1-3 record away from Spartan Stadium. The Earthquakes widen the gap between themselves and the Wizards (7-5-6, 27 points) with the victory, setting up next Wednesday’s match against the Dallas Burn. The high flying Earthquakes travel to face the Burn at Dragon Stadium on Wednesday, August 13th (9:00pm ET).

The Wizards next opponent is the Eastern Conference powerhouse MetroStars. Kansas City travels to the Meadowlands to take on the aggressive Metros at Giants Stadium on Wednesday at 12:00 noon ET.

MLS Man of the Match – Pat Onstad (San Jose)

"A pretty move, for the love of God."

Eduardo Galeano

[matthew]

The hair is coming back and so is Pwamme!

Pic stolen from Wade Jackson and Yellow Card Journalism.

Born in Canada. Live in Canada. Die in Canada.

[Reza]

I guess you both share an interest in radical hair style changes, don't u? :-)

Reza

[matthew]

What are you trying to say Reza? ) My hairstyle changes are real gradual, you just don't see me for years at a time.

I'm just superstisious about DeRo's hair. He kind of has a Sam Roberts thing going on.

cheers,

matthew

Born in Canada. Live in Canada. Die in Canada.