San Jose Earthquakes moved eight points clear atop the Western Conference on Saturday night with a 2-0 victory over Chivas USA.
Chivas put together a solid first half and had the first true chance of the match. Nick LaBrocca sent a cross into the box, and Casey Townsend headed it toward the goal. John Busch stretched to his left and made a great save to keep the match scoreless.
In the 39th minute, Chivas defender John Valencia stupidly hit Alan Gordon with an elbow in the penalty area away from the ball. The referee did not see the foul, but it was seen by the assistant referee. They conferred, and a penalty was correctly awarded. Valencia was shown a yellow card for the foul, and Shalrie Joseph was shown a yellow card for arguing the call. Chris Wondolowski stepped up and scored the penalty to give the visitors the 1-0 lead. Chivas coach Robin Fraser, not content with the referees making the correct call, was ejected at halftime for arguing the call further.
San Jose doubled their lead just after halftime with what can only be described as a fantastic goal. Justin Morrow dribbled down the left side of the field into the penalty area and played a ball on the ground toward the top of the box. Mehdi Ballouchy ran toward the ball before dummying it behind him drawing two defenders. Wondolowski would lay the ball off for Gordon who powered the ball past Dan Kennedy to give the Quakes a 2-0 lead.
The Quakes continue rolling as we approach the MLS Playoffs. Unfortunately for Chivas, they're now on the bottom of the Western Conference. The Home Depot Center has not been kind to Chivas USA this season, as this was the eighth time that they've been shut out in fourteen matches.
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