Sports Radio Service


		Earthquakes get first win By Pearl Allison Lo April 10, 2010

	The San Jose Earthquakes won their first of the season as they dealt the Chicago Fire their second loss in a row Saturday during the Fire home opener at Toyota Park, 2-1. With regards to the Earthquakes losing 3-0 previously, and this game, Coach Frank Yallop remarked, “Overall, I am very happy with our response after our first game at home. To come to Chicago, which is a tough place to play, and get a win is great." It was the Fire's first home opener loss as San Jose is now 1-1 and Chicago is 0-2. The Fire have lost both of their games by a goal. Chicago had 3 shot attempts between minutes 11 and 15 and the Earthquakes had 3 shot attempts between minutes 36 and 38.. San Jose's Andre Luiz received a yellow card for a reckless foul during the 28th minute. Arturo Alvarez scored San Jose's first goal of the season, unassisted, shortly after the 2nd half began, in the 49th minute. Alvarez took 7 shots on goal during the game. The Fire were quick to equalize, however, scoring in the 52nd minute, when Marco Pappa scored his first goal of the season. He was aided by Collins John and Patrick Nyarko. Pappa took 5 shots on goal during the game. During the 73rd minute, Johns shot and the result was a goal mouth block. Defender Jason Hernandez responded, "“That’s a play that defenders dream of making...Last year we didn’t have the luck go our way, but maybe tonight we got a little good fortune for the Earthquakes.” The Earthquakes' defender Ike Opara scored the game winner in the 82nd minute, his first professional goal, from just 8 yards away. “It is definitely a goal I am going to cherish for a good time. Bobby (Convey) whipped in a good ball...and all I had to do was finish it.” The Earthquakes had 14 fouls to the Fire's 6. San Jose's Steve Beitashour committed 3 fouls and Chicago's Justin Mapp suffered 3 fouls. Midfielder Convey's remarks on how the game played out were, “Our first win away last year was in DC four or five months into the season. This win gets us on our feet a little bit. We can celebrate this win now and it is a lot easier to go into the next game when you win. There were a lot of positives from tonight that we can take into the next game.” Game notes: Next, both at Buck Shaw Stadium and at 7pm, San Jose will play Real Salt Lake again April 14 in the U.S. Open Cup, and then the New England Revolution on the 17th.