Rainy Day, Dream Away: Quakes fall 1-2 to the Revolution

On a dreary evening in front of a rain weary crowd, the Earthquakes were defeated by the New England Revolution 1-2. San Jose is now winless in their last 19 road matches. The loss keeps the Earthquakes at the foot of the Western Conference table and effectively ends their chances for the playoffs.

The match started off negatively for the Quakes as Ramiro Corrales was given a yellow card in the fourth minute after a challenge against Wells Thompson. However, the Quakes were able to rebound quickly as the team began to take the attack to the New England defense on some inspired play by Arturo Alvarez who was a menace early in the first half. The Quakes registered their best chance in the 28th minute on a Chris Wondolowski shot that was fired far above the net of Revolution keeper Matt Reis. Wondo received a beautiful throughball but was unable to connect on the shot. As the first half ended, the game was mired in a physical battle that saw several yellow cards.

The start of the second half, the Revolution began to pressure the Quakes defense and Joe Cannon saw a barrage of shots that tested the San Jose goalkeeper. The half started negatively for the road team as Ramon Sanchez was booked for nasty challenge on behind on Sharlie Joseph. However, the Revolution were finally able to break through in the 68th minute on a Steve Ralston goal. The goal was set up by a beautiful header by Sharlie Joseph that bounced through the Quakes defense to Ralston who lifted the ball above a rushing Joe Cannon. The spirit of the visitors was clearly dampened after the goal but the dagger came six minutes later as winger Wells Thompson put in a beautiful strike which froze Cannon and fell into far netting.

The goal effectively killed the Earthquakes but the team was able to get a last minute goal in the 93rd minute by a Ramon Sanchez header but the goal was too little too late. The Earthquakes were visibly distraught at the end of the match as the team was once again unable to spark a come back after going behind. The Earthquakes now take a two week hiatus from MLS play until September 19th. However, the team will have two friendlies to keep them fit starting with this Friday against the Copa Alianza All Stars at PAL stadium in San Jose and concluding on the 8th of September against El Salvadoran side C.D. Aguila.