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Late Goals Lift Chicago Over San Jose
Super-sub Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored one and assisted another as Chicago won 2-0 over San Jose.
Jul 19, 2009 1:48:31 AM
Cuauhtemoc Blanco sure knows how to make an entrance.
Though he played for only 30 minutes, Blanco’s late goal and assist broke what was an agonizing stalemate, providing his Chicago Fire with their seventh win of the season.
San Jose and Chicago’s last meeting, in Santa Clara, was a thrilling 3-3 draw in which Chris Rolfe pulled the Fire level with an 85th minute goal. Tonight, Chicago was looking to improve on its 1-2-4 record at its Bridgeview home. Due to San Jose’s inability to win on the road this season, victory seemed almost inevitable for the Fire--which entered the match just one point off the lead in the Eastern Conference.
The Fire was without Brian McBride, who underwent shoulder surgery yesterday and the 'Quakes were looking to find a suitable replacement for recently-traded Pablo Campos.
First Half
In front of a lively crowd on what was a perfect Illinois evening, Chicago opted to play for possession during the opening minutes, hoping to set the tone of the match. San Jose had other plans, however, as very physical play from Jason Hernandez and Chris Wondolowski resulted in two very early yellow cards for the 'Quakes.
The Fire took its first good chance on goal in the 13th minute when Mike Banner sent a dangerous header on goal. Set up from the right corner by John Thorrington, Banner’s header tested 'Quakes’ goalie Joe Cannon, who had to dive to his left to make the save.
San Jose countered just minutes later when Arturo Alvarez put a hard shot on goal from about 30 yards out. The midfielder’s left-footer sailed wide left.
San Jose controlled the tempo of the match until the 30th minute when Chicago’s Patrick Nyarko went on a strong run down the right, which was broken up by Brandon McDonald. The play began what would be a set of good chances for Chicago.
Moments later, Justin Mapp controlled the ball for the Fire at the top right corner of the box. After making an impressive cut to free himself some space, he was brought down Michael Zaher, yet no call was made.
Nyarko made more noise for the home side when he showed off his impressive pace on another great run down the right. However, after cutting left into the box to set himself up for a shot, his run was broken up by Hernandez.
Chicago’s best opportunity came a minute later when Banner sent in an aerial cross from the left side of the box to Nyarko, who had an open net. Unfortunately for Chicago, Nyarko could not reach the ball and capitalize on what would have been a sure goal.
Though a late Darren Huckerby set-piece challenged Chicago, neither club could find the back of the net. With few moments of excitement, the first half ended as it started, scoreless.
Second Half
Neither side made any changes, keen on maintaining their first half strategy.
San Jose opened the half with a great chance when Huckerby put a solid shot on goal in the 47th minute. Like many of San Jose’s opportunities this season, however, the Englishman’s left footer was stopped by Chicago net-minder Jon Busch.
Chicago made two telling substitutions in the 60th minute, when Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Marco Pappa came in for Peter Lowry and Mike Banner. The move energized the lethargic-looking Fire, which had just played three days earlier against New England in a SuperLiga match.
The duo immediately made their presence felt. First, Blanco drove hard on goal in the 61st and had his shot punched out by Cannon. Minutes later, Blanco, Pappa, and Nyarko put a series of dangerous passes together at the top of box, yet they could not finish.
San Jose’s best opportunity came in the 69th when Ryan Johnson had a one-on-one with Busch. Johnson, who was running down the left, put a hard shot on goal, but Busch knocked it away.
Nine minutes later, Cornell Glen, who was subbed in minutes earlier, was brought down near the top of the box during an attack on goal. Despite incessant pleas, the San Jose striker was not awarded a penalty, much to his and manager Frank Yallop’s chagrin.
Chicago pounced on its opponent’s aggravation shortly after, as Nyarko finally broke the tie with a strike in the 82nd minute. The goal was orchestrated by Blanco, who, after receiving the ball from outside the top right portion of the box, sent in a marvelous cross over the defending Hernandez, right to Nyarko’s foot. Nyarko merely tapped it in and sent the Chicago fans into a frenzy.
Blanco nabbed a goal of his own ten minutes later during stoppage time to end any speculation that the Earthquakes would steal a point. The goal was the result of horrible ball control by the San Jose backline that resulted in the ball being turned over. Blanco collected the ball at the top of the box and chipped it over Cannon. Though Cannon got his hand on the ball, Blanco’s cheeky chip was too high and the magical Mexican netted his fourth MLS goal of the year.
Fulltime was called moments after the ensuing kickoff and the Chicago Fire beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0.
With the victory, Chicago is now atop the Eastern Conference with a record of 7-3-7. The team will travel to the Northwest to play Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field in one week.
San Jose is still in last place in the West and will face another stern test as it takes on D.C. United next Saturday back home in Silicon Valley.
Greg Adrouny, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
Though he played for only 30 minutes, Blanco’s late goal and assist broke what was an agonizing stalemate, providing his Chicago Fire with their seventh win of the season.
San Jose and Chicago’s last meeting, in Santa Clara, was a thrilling 3-3 draw in which Chris Rolfe pulled the Fire level with an 85th minute goal. Tonight, Chicago was looking to improve on its 1-2-4 record at its Bridgeview home. Due to San Jose’s inability to win on the road this season, victory seemed almost inevitable for the Fire--which entered the match just one point off the lead in the Eastern Conference.
The Fire was without Brian McBride, who underwent shoulder surgery yesterday and the 'Quakes were looking to find a suitable replacement for recently-traded Pablo Campos.
First Half
In front of a lively crowd on what was a perfect Illinois evening, Chicago opted to play for possession during the opening minutes, hoping to set the tone of the match. San Jose had other plans, however, as very physical play from Jason Hernandez and Chris Wondolowski resulted in two very early yellow cards for the 'Quakes.
The Fire took its first good chance on goal in the 13th minute when Mike Banner sent a dangerous header on goal. Set up from the right corner by John Thorrington, Banner’s header tested 'Quakes’ goalie Joe Cannon, who had to dive to his left to make the save.
San Jose countered just minutes later when Arturo Alvarez put a hard shot on goal from about 30 yards out. The midfielder’s left-footer sailed wide left.
San Jose controlled the tempo of the match until the 30th minute when Chicago’s Patrick Nyarko went on a strong run down the right, which was broken up by Brandon McDonald. The play began what would be a set of good chances for Chicago.
Moments later, Justin Mapp controlled the ball for the Fire at the top right corner of the box. After making an impressive cut to free himself some space, he was brought down Michael Zaher, yet no call was made.
Nyarko made more noise for the home side when he showed off his impressive pace on another great run down the right. However, after cutting left into the box to set himself up for a shot, his run was broken up by Hernandez.
Chicago’s best opportunity came a minute later when Banner sent in an aerial cross from the left side of the box to Nyarko, who had an open net. Unfortunately for Chicago, Nyarko could not reach the ball and capitalize on what would have been a sure goal.
Though a late Darren Huckerby set-piece challenged Chicago, neither club could find the back of the net. With few moments of excitement, the first half ended as it started, scoreless.
Second Half
Neither side made any changes, keen on maintaining their first half strategy.
San Jose opened the half with a great chance when Huckerby put a solid shot on goal in the 47th minute. Like many of San Jose’s opportunities this season, however, the Englishman’s left footer was stopped by Chicago net-minder Jon Busch.
Chicago made two telling substitutions in the 60th minute, when Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Marco Pappa came in for Peter Lowry and Mike Banner. The move energized the lethargic-looking Fire, which had just played three days earlier against New England in a SuperLiga match.
The duo immediately made their presence felt. First, Blanco drove hard on goal in the 61st and had his shot punched out by Cannon. Minutes later, Blanco, Pappa, and Nyarko put a series of dangerous passes together at the top of box, yet they could not finish.
San Jose’s best opportunity came in the 69th when Ryan Johnson had a one-on-one with Busch. Johnson, who was running down the left, put a hard shot on goal, but Busch knocked it away.
Nine minutes later, Cornell Glen, who was subbed in minutes earlier, was brought down near the top of the box during an attack on goal. Despite incessant pleas, the San Jose striker was not awarded a penalty, much to his and manager Frank Yallop’s chagrin.
Chicago pounced on its opponent’s aggravation shortly after, as Nyarko finally broke the tie with a strike in the 82nd minute. The goal was orchestrated by Blanco, who, after receiving the ball from outside the top right portion of the box, sent in a marvelous cross over the defending Hernandez, right to Nyarko’s foot. Nyarko merely tapped it in and sent the Chicago fans into a frenzy.
Blanco nabbed a goal of his own ten minutes later during stoppage time to end any speculation that the Earthquakes would steal a point. The goal was the result of horrible ball control by the San Jose backline that resulted in the ball being turned over. Blanco collected the ball at the top of the box and chipped it over Cannon. Though Cannon got his hand on the ball, Blanco’s cheeky chip was too high and the magical Mexican netted his fourth MLS goal of the year.
Fulltime was called moments after the ensuing kickoff and the Chicago Fire beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0.
With the victory, Chicago is now atop the Eastern Conference with a record of 7-3-7. The team will travel to the Northwest to play Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field in one week.
San Jose is still in last place in the West and will face another stern test as it takes on D.C. United next Saturday back home in Silicon Valley.
Greg Adrouny, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
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