Played
April 21, 2012 10:30 PM EDT
Buck Shaw Stadium — Santa Clara, California
Referee: E. Bazakos
Attendance: 10202
April 21, 2012 10:30 PM EDT
Buck Shaw Stadium — Santa Clara, California
Referee: E. Bazakos
Attendance: 10202
San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 Real Salt Lake: 'Quakes leave it late against nine-man RSL
Two ejections and three stoppage-time goals (one in first half added time) gave San Jose first place in the Western Conference.
By Zac Lee Rigg
Thearon W. Henderson
Try this on for size: San Jose -- best in the West. With a win -- courtesy of goals from Khari Stephenson, Simon Dawkins and Chris Wondolowski -- the Earthquakes beat nine-man Real Salt Lake 3-1 in Buch Shaw Stadium.
Fabian Espindola altered the course of the game after half an hour when he slid towards Sam Cronin with both fee forward. His ejection left RSL facing an hour of a numerical disadvantage.
San Jose waited until the last gasp of the first half to take advantage. Steven Beitashour pumped a cross into the box, where Stephenson eluded the attentions of Nat Borchers to loop a header on frame. Nick Rimando could only grasp at it, the ball trickling off his fingertips and into the net seemingly in slow motion.
The visiting team improbably equalized early in the second half to make a game of it. Kyle Beckerman's slick footwork left two defenders sprawled on the ground behind him as he slipped the ball under Jon Busch.
The resurgence didn't last. Jamison Olave shouldered Steven Lenhart to the ground as the 'Quakes forward bore down on goal, the Colombian picking up a red as the last defender.
Again, San Jose waited until the very last to break through. In stoppage time, Simon Dawkins dove to connect with another accurate Beitashour service and direct the winner past Rimando. Wondolowski made sure there was no response this time with a sharp header at the far post seconds later.
Follow ZAC LEE RIGG on
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Fabian Espindola altered the course of the game after half an hour when he slid towards Sam Cronin with both fee forward. His ejection left RSL facing an hour of a numerical disadvantage.
San Jose waited until the last gasp of the first half to take advantage. Steven Beitashour pumped a cross into the box, where Stephenson eluded the attentions of Nat Borchers to loop a header on frame. Nick Rimando could only grasp at it, the ball trickling off his fingertips and into the net seemingly in slow motion.
The visiting team improbably equalized early in the second half to make a game of it. Kyle Beckerman's slick footwork left two defenders sprawled on the ground behind him as he slipped the ball under Jon Busch.
The resurgence didn't last. Jamison Olave shouldered Steven Lenhart to the ground as the 'Quakes forward bore down on goal, the Colombian picking up a red as the last defender.
Again, San Jose waited until the very last to break through. In stoppage time, Simon Dawkins dove to connect with another accurate Beitashour service and direct the winner past Rimando. Wondolowski made sure there was no response this time with a sharp header at the far post seconds later.
Follow ZAC LEE RIGG on
or shoot him an email.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jack McInerney Striker Philadelphia Union |
8 | 0 |
|
Mike Magee Midfielder LA Galaxy |
6 | 1 |
|
Claudio Bieler Striker Sporting KC |
6 | 1 |
|
Marco Di Vaio Striker Montreal Impact |
6 | 0 |
|
Robert Earnshaw Striker Toronto FC |
5 | 2 |
