SAN JOSE
– The San Jose Earthquakes saw their six-game unbeaten streak
come to an end Saturday night at Spartan Stadium following a 2-1
loss to the Colorado Rapids, but the Quakes managed to secure a
spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs thanks to the Los Angeles Galaxy’s 2-1
win over the Dallas Burn. The Earthqu
akes become the first team in the league to clinch a playoff
spot in 2003.
SAN JOSE – The San Jose Earthquakes saw their six-game unbeaten streak come to an end Saturday night at Spartan Stadium following a 2-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids, but the Quakes managed to secure a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs thanks to the Los Angeles Galaxy’s 2-1 win over the Dallas Burn.
The Earthquakes become the first team in the league to clinch a playoff spot in 2003.
The Earthquakes began the game dominating possession, controlling the ball in the Rapids end of the field throughout the first 15 minutes of play.
The Rapids were able to take the lead in the 21st minute when Mark Chung scored on Colorado’s first shot of the game. Rapids forward Chris Carierri controlled a loose ball on the right side of the field near the centerline, and passed the ball to Chung at the corner of the Quakes penalty area.
Despite trailing 1-0, the Earthquakes continued to put pressure on the Colorado net as the first half came to an end. After two fine passes from Richard Mulrooney and Landon Donovan, Ramiro Corrales unleashed a vicious shot from the top of the Colorado penalty area that grazed the crossbar in the 45th minute. Moments later, Donovan provided the Quakes their best opportunity of the first half when his swerving shot from the right side of the penalty area beat Rapids goalkeeper Scott Garlick but bounced off the far post.
Thirteen minutes into the second half the Earthquakes had a golden opportunity to tie the match after some strong work by Ian Russell on the left side.
Russell powered through the defense and got the ball through to Mulrooney after a deflection in front of the goal. Mulrooney fired a shot that was blocked by Robin Fraser, but the rebound came down to the left of Garlick.
Brian Mullan got to the ball first but Garlick saved his sliding shot. The Quakes pressure finally paid off when they tied the score in the 59th minute on Mullan’s sixth goal of the season.
Russell swung a ball into the penalty box from the right flank to the back post.
Eddie Robinson rose above his defender and headed the ball back to Mullan in front of the goal. Mullan eluded his defender and then slotted the ball past Garlick to tie the game 1-1.
Dwayne De Rosario had a chance to put San Jose into the lead two minutes later after a long ball by Robinson put him in behind the Rapids defense.
De Rosario controlled the ball and shot low to the left corner, but Garlick was there to make the save.
Colorado regained the lead in the 67th minute on a Spencer goal from close range. Carrieri received a pass on the right wing from Kyle Beckerman and then slid a cross to Spencer 10 yards from the goal, which he buried past a diving Onstad.
Onstad made a strong play in the 80th minute to keep the deficit at one. Chris Henderson got open behind the Quakes defense and was alone with Onstad, but Onstad came off his line and punched the ball off Henderson’s foot.
The Earthquakes traveled to Vancouver to play the A-League’s Whitecaps F.C. in an exhibition game on Monday and returns to MLS action on Sept. 7 when they host the New England Revolution in the second half of a doubleheader at 12:30 p.m. at Spartan Stadium. The United States Women’s National Team will play Mexico in the first game of the doubleheader.
