La Tortura: Jeff Cunningham goal leads FC Dallas to 2-1 victory over the Earthquakes

In the home finale at Estadio Buck Shaw, the Earthquakes put up a fight but were defeated 2-1 thanks to a goal by MLS leading goal scorer Jeff Cunningham. Cunningham's league leading 17th goal was deciding match in a win that kept FC Dallas in the hunt for a playoff spot. The win gives the Toros 36 points only two points from the last play off spot currently held by the New England Revolution while the loss eliminated the slim playoff hopes for the Earthquakes.

The pre match festivities saw three Earthquakes players honored in front of the home crowd of 9,023. Quakes forward Ryan Johnson won team MVP for his stellar play this season that has seen him become the team's leading goal scorer with 10 goals. Chris Leitch won defender of the year due this prowess in getting forward as one of the teams assist leaders as well as his skill at right back. Lastly, Shea Salinas won Humanitarian of the Year due to his work with schools around the Silicon Valley.

As the match started, FC Dallas were the early aggressors beating the Quakes to each 50/50 ball and it was quickly apparent that many of the players in the San Jose XI were not on the same page due to the constant turn over in the line up because of the Earthquakes injury woes. Due to this lack of familiarity, Dallas was able to cut through the Earthquakes defense quite easily. Cunningham was unlucky not to score as one of his two early chances in the first half was cleared off the line by Brandon McDonald in the 9th minute. As the first half came to a close however, the Quakes offense finally kicked into gear as the team earned a flurry of chances towards the end of the half. Shea Salinas and Chris Wondolowski both saw two impressive shots from a scissor and header respectively go right into the hands of Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala who came up big to keep the score leveled at 0-0 at the half.

However, in the 49th minute, Dallas was finally able to break through the Quakes defense. David Ferreira, one of the biggest surprises around the league this season beat Joe Cannon for his eighth goal of the season. The goal came leading goal scorer Jeff Cunningham received a pass from Heath Pearce just outside the box and quickly connected with a streaking Ferreira. Alone on the 'keeper, Ferreira coolly dribbled around Cannon and placed it in the net.

San Jose nearly answered immediately in the 53rd as a Antonio Ribero shot forced Dario Sala to make a fingertip save that kept Dallas ahead. During the 61st minute, Yallop going for the equalizer pulled Ribero in place of rookie Quincy Amarikwa. The substitution quickly paid off for Yallop's men as Quincy was released on a pass from Shea Salinas. The speedy attacker had no trouble beating the Dallas defense and lifted the ball over a charging Sala.

“It feels good to finally get in there and score my first goal this season., said Amarikwa. It was not always in the back of my mind, but more as a way to find my rhythm and keep it going for the whole night. Right when I hit the shot, I knew it was going in. I’ve seen Chris (Wondolowski) hit those same shots at practice, so when I saw the goalie commit to the ground, I went for the chip.”

Despite Amarikwa's heroics, it would be Dallas who would have the last word in the 81st minute. David Ferreira connected a pass through the Quakes defense that released Dax McCarthy for an easy one on one with the goal keeper. With Joe Cannon coming out to play the ball and out of position, McCarthy found Jeff Cunningham down the left side who placed it into an empty net for his league leading 17th goal of the season.

As time wound down on the Earthquakes season at Buck Shaw stadium, once again it was up to Joe Cannon to provide the necessary heroics to keep the team in the game. However, this time Cannon was on the attack coming into the box on a stoppage time corner. On the corner, the San Jose goal keeper was able to make contact with the ball but Dario Sala rose to the occassion to slap the ball away and Dallas defender Jair Benitez completed the work by heading the ball off the line and away from goal. "I just closed my eyes and prayed" said Cannon after the match. The challenge would be the last one as Dallas sealed a 2-1 victory.

The Quakes ended the season with a 6-5-4 record at Estadio Buck Shaw and will look at the record as something that must be improved upon if the team is going to challenge for a playoff spot next season. After the match, goal keeper Joe Cannon had this to say about the Quakes home record as well as their injury woes. "We were missing a lot of guys and I think it showed but in saying that, I think that we created enough chances to win. We shouldn't be losing at home no matter who is on the field. It was just that kind of game."

It was just that kind of season for the Earthquakes who seemed to be unable to finish the job against clubs multiple times and will now miss the playoffs for the second season in a row. The depleted Earthquakes now must travel to BMO Field, Toronto to take on a TFC club that needs a result to stay in the playoff race. Remember to check out BerkeleySportsBlog.com as we provide you with a preview of this Saturday's match as well as our interview with TFC goalkeeper and Cal Alum Stefan Frei ahead of this weekend's match.