Not much has gone the San Jose Earthquakes' way this season, but in a game that had its share of crazy bounces, a brave fightback by the Quakes saw them earn a 2-2 draw with D.C. United.
United's Christian Gomez had staked the visitors to an early lead, scoring twice inside of 21 minutes. But Ryan Johnson pulled a goal back for the home side nine minutes before halftime, and Cornell Glen's second-half penalty brought the Quakes level, earning them a share of the points.
The result did little to ignite San Jose's microscopic playoff hopes, as they remain in last place in the Western Conference, three points behind FC Dallas. For United, they missed a chance to leapfrog over Chicago, as they remained one point behind the Fire in the East, now sitting two points behind conference leaders Columbus Crew.
San Jose manager Frank Yallop made three changes to the side that lost 2-0 last week in Chicago. Arturo Alvarez was scratched due to a hamstring injury suffered Friday, with Bobby Convey sliding into his spot. Yallop handed new midfielder Ramon Sanchez his MLS debut, while Glen replaced Chris Wondolowski up top.
United manager Tom Soehn made two alternations to his lineup from last week's win against Colorado, with the injured duo of Clyde Simms and Boyzzz Khumalo making way for Andrew Jacobson and Rodney Wallace, respectively.
Those in attendance had barely settled into their seats when United broke on top. A long ball was headed by Chris Pontius towards Luciano Emilio on the right side of the San Jose box. Emilio then got tangled up with Quakes defender Mike Zaher, and after consulting his assistant, referee Kevin Stott pointed to the spot. Gomez duly slotted the resulting penalty past Quakes 'keeper Joe Cannon, giving the Black-and-Red a 1-0 lead.
The Quakes responded by threatening twice in a five-minute span through Antonio Ribeiro and Sanchez, but United 'keeper Josh Wicks was on hand to save both efforts.
United were enjoying most of the possession, however, and Gomez doubled his haul for the night with a fortuitous goal in the 21st minute. Jacobson's shot from distance deflected off Zaher right into Gomez's path, and the Argentinean's simple finish from seven yards gave United a 2-0 lead.
The Black-and-Red continued their onslaught for the next 15 minutes, as they had no trouble delivering crosses from the wings. Only some profligate finishing from the likes of Pontius and Emilio kept the deficit at two.
But just when it seemed as if the home side would get overrun, the Quakes climbed back into the game with a 36th-minute goal that was equal parts luck and pluck. Zaher's cross from the left wing was deflected high in the air, but Glen's flick header kept the play alive, and Johnson outmuscled Marc Burch at the far post and scored with a thumping volley for his seventh goal of the season.
Johnson's night wasn't to last much longer, however. His attempt to latch onto a Darren Huckerby cross three minutes later saw him land awkwardly over Burch, and a left shoulder injury soon forced him to make way for Chris Wondolowski.
The injury did little to break the Quakes' momentum. A surging run from Huckerby was interrupted momentarily by United defender Bryan Namoff. But Convey then pounced on the loose ball, only to hit a weak, nine-yard shot wide of goal. Huckerby then set the table for Glen two minutes later, but his toe-poke was hit straight at Wicks.
The Quakes made one switch at half, with Shea Salinas coming on for Ribeiro. The overall play was less frantic than the first half, although Emilio did hook a shot just over the bar in the 49th minute.
In a bid to kill the game off, Soehn brought on Jaime Moreno for Jacobson in the 55th minute. But the switch couldn't prevent the Quakes from equalizing seven minutes later. Huckerby's cross from a short corner was handled in the box by Wallace, and Glen fired home his spot kick past Wicks to bring San Jose level.
United eventually brought on newly acquired midfielder Danny Szetela, while the Quakes introduced Quincy Amarikwa. And it was the San Jose substitute who had the greater initial impact. His mazy run in the 75th minute saw his shot fly wide of Wicks' goal.
Both sides were reduced to half-chances thereafter, but neither team could achieve a breakthrough, forcing them to settle for a point each.
Both teams face difficult tests against Western Conference leaders next weekend, with D.C. United traveling to take on the West-leading Houston Dynamo, and the Earthquakes playing host to Seattle Sounders FC.
Jeff Carlisle is a contributor to MLSnet.com
