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		Earthquakes end up on wrong foot By Pearl Allison Lo March 27, 2010

	Despite the Buck Shaw record-setting 10,589 fans in attendance, the San Jose Earthquakes fell to the defending 2009 champs Real Salt Lake, 3-0 in their season home opener. Salt Lake's Javier Morales led with 2 goals. Coach Jason Kreis mentioned that it was a "real nice problem to have a confident group." The Earthquakes' Jason Hernandez mentioned that they were behind with "second balls," and that "there were a lot of numbers around, an extra man in the mid-field...". In the 4th minute, off San Jose's free kick, it was deflected off Ryan Johnson's head, and afterwards, on the other end, a Real player flipped over the boundaries over a sign, but luckily emerged soon after. San Jose's Javier Robles had an advantageous position to start a kick, diagonal to the post during the 12th minute, but the ball landed in goalie Nick Rimando's hands. Salt Lake made it 1-0 in the 14th minute, as Morales made a quick shot into the upper-right corner of the net just out of goalie Joe Cannon's reach. Morales was aided by Fabian Espindola and Robbie Findley. In the 20th minute, a kick from Findley almost went in the net, but luckily it rolled right by the inside of the net. Johnson had a golden opportunity in the 22rd minute, as he was able to get past his defender leaving only the goalie, but his body carried him away from the net. Teammate Arturo Alvarez then got a free kick, which sailed over the net. In the 26th minute, the Earthquakes' Cornell Glen got the ball and was moving it along the sideline toward the net, but the ball went out of bounds. Glen then managed to get the ball again, with the help of his teammates in front of the net, but his shot went wide right. Salt Lake made it 2-0 in the 27th minute, when Espindola, got just enough ahead to kick the ball into the net past Cannon, who was a little bit in front. Espindola stopped by the bench where his teammates where to express his joy afterwards. Morales was credited with the assist. Alvarez mentioned that it "seemed like a hand ball, and the ref could have called it." In the 39th minute, a yellow card was issued to Real's Ned Grabavoy for a reckless foul against Chris Leitch. Cannon blocked a close-up attempt from Morales in the 42nd minute. San Jose's Bobby Convey was replaced by teammate Joey Gjertsen during the half. Coach Frank Yallop mentioned "having a strong squad which allows for making changes when things aren't going well." During the 52th minute, Leitch received a red card and on the resulting free kick at the top of the box, Morales scored again to make it 3-0. The foul was for denying a goal scoring opportunity. San Jose's Brandon McDonald received a yellow card in the 57th minute for a reckless foul. In the 60th minute, Salt Lake's Nat Borchers went out because of a bloody head. Teammate Jamison Olave received a yellow card in the 64th minute for a reckless tackle. There was a bit of a scare in the 74th minute with Olave as he was down and the stretcher was brought out, but he was eventually able to limp off the field and resume play. In the 78th minute, Findley's shot was blocked by an Earthquakes' player's foot. The Earthquakes' Ike Opara received a yellow card in the 90th minute for a reckless foul. San Jose's Quincy Amarikwa kind of got at it with Will Johnson after being held . For Real and the Earthquakes respectively, there were 11 to 14 total shots, 5 to 4 shots on goal and 4 to 2 saves. Yallop also mentioned "nerves," twice. "Maybe it's just getting the first game out of the way." Game notes: The Earthquakes next travel to Toyota Center on April 10 to face the Chicago Fire at 5:30pm.