The following press release comes from the San Jose Earthquake Media relations department.
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes christened their new home with an electric 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire in the inaugural match at Avaya Stadium on Sunday in front of a sellout crowd of 18,000.
San Jose opened the scoring in the fifth minute of the match. Following a corner kick by midfielder Matias Perez Garcia, the ball was headed into the air and redirected goal-ward by defender Clarence Goodson. Rookie midfielder Fatai Alashe found himself between the ball and the goal and headed the ball into the back of the net. It marked Alashe’s first career MLS goal.
The Earthquakes doubled their lead in the 21st minute. Perez Garcia whipped in an out-swinging free kick from the left side of the pitch. Goodson created space outside of the six-yard box and volleyed the ball on target with his left foot. The bouncing ball wasn’t played cleanly by Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson and the rebound was slotted home by defender Ty Harden. It marked Harden’s first career MLS goal and his 100th career MLS match.
The Fire got a goal back in the 29th minute on the right foot of Harry Shipp. Shipp received a through ball from Joevin Jones near the penalty spot and first-timed the ball past Quakes keeper David Bingham.
In the 32nd minute, Bingham’s quick reflexes helped keep San Jose’s one-goal advantage. Fire defender Eric Gehrig firmly headed a corner kick on net, but Bingham punched the ball safely over the crossbar.
The two sides created several scoring chances in the second half, but neither team was able to find the back of the net.
The Quakes will look for their third consecutive victory when they take on the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, March 28 at 12 p.m. PT. The game will air live on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 1590 KLIV, 1370 KZSF.
Main Photo: The Quakes celebrate Ty Harden’s first-ever MLS goal – Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
