Earthquakes' win elusive By Pearl Allison Lo April 24, 2010     San Jose, who has not won at the Home Depot Center since 2005, fell once again, as they lost 3-2 to the Chivas USA Goats Saturday. Chukwudi Chijindu put the game essentially beyond reach when he scored in the 87th minute to make it 3-2. Chijindu, who took advantage of a defensive break, was assisted by Michael Lahoud, as the teams' chemistry looked improved. The last time the Goats scored three goals was October 4, 2008 against DC United. Both teams now have 6 points apiece, as the Earthquakes, who have played one less game, have the edge with one less loss. Had Chivas USA not won, they would have been at the bottom of the Western Conference along with FC Dallas. The Goats scored first when Blair Gavin aided Sacha Kljestan in the 25th minute to make it 1-0. 10 minutes later, Chivas USA's Mariano Trujillo received a yellow card for a reckless foul. San Jose's Chris Wondolowski scored for the second game in a row when he tied the game at one apiece, getting the team's first penalty kick goal in the 41st minute. It was also the Earthquakes' first pre-halftime goal this season. The Goats moved back ahead 2-1 with a header from San Jose-killer Justin Braun in the 54th minute. He was helped by Mariano Trujillo and Jonathan Bornstein. The Earthquakes received a yellow card in the 66th minute, when Omar Jasseh was charged with a simulation foul. Wondolowski received a yellow card as well, when he was called for verbal distraction in the 73rd minute. Two minutes later, San Jose's Bobby Convey's corner kick resulted in a shot by teammate Ryan Johnson, who hit the crossbar. Chivas USA received their second yellow card in the 82nd minute when Carlos Borja was also called for a reckless foul. Borja, who entered for Michael Umana, made his Major League Soccer debut. The game, though the result would be the same, didn't end in the 90th minute, as rookie Steven Beitashour scored off another corner kick by Convey in the 93rd minute with his first of the season. At least one goal in the past three games has been scored by a San Jose rookie. Both Kljestan and Beitashour's goals came from beyond 18 yards. Game notes: The Earthquakes have scored at least two goals in their past three games. Thought not in as quite significant a way as in the teams' last three meetings, Braun's goal did help the team as he scored for the fourth straight time against San Jose. It was Goats' goalkeeper Zack Thornton's first penalty kick goal allowed this season. The Earthquakes return to Buck Shaw Stadium to face the Colorado Rapids Saturday at 7pm.

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