but right to Jovan Kirovski, and he nodded home a quick reactive header for his first goal of 2009. But the Quakes withstood withering pressure over the final minutes to hold out for the win.
• Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop made three changes to the team that lost 2-1 to Seattle Sounders FC the week before. Brandon McDonald came into central defense for the injured Jason Hernandez, while Bobby Convey and Pablo Campos both returned to the team in place of Arturo Alvarez and Chris Wondolowski.
• Here's Yallop's team (4-4-2): Joe Cannon - Chris Leitch, Brandon McDonald, Aaron Pitchkolan, Michael Zaher - Bobby Convey (Eric Denton 82), Ramiro Corrales, Antonio Ribeiro, Darren Huckerby - Pablo Campos (Chris Wondolowski 73), Ryan Johnson (Quincy Amarikwa 85). Substitutes Not Used: Kelly Gray, Shea Salinas, Andrew Weber
TEAM NEWS
• After a stretch where he started five of six games, striker Pablo Campos went two games without seeing a single minute. But after Yallop had a feeling he would contribute, he made his second start in the last three games and scored for the first time since the last meeting with the Galaxy.
• "I thought Pablo (Campos) played very well against Los Angeles on April 18, he had a great goal as well," Yallop said. "We've been working on parts of [Campos'] game that are maybe a little unnatural. But he's trying to do the right things. Today Pablo (Campos) came in with a stronger and renewed aggression and played very well. He did terrific on the play for the penalty kick and got a good goal off of the penalty as well."
• With defender Jason Hernandez once again sidelined by injury, Yallop was forced to rely on a central defensive pairing of Aaron Pitchkolan and Brandon McDonald. "I thought Brandon stepped up and played a man's game today, as did Aaron," said fullback Chris Leitch. "They were extremely solid in there."
• While McDonald was acquired ostensibly to provide cover in the center of midfield, it was his Earthquakes debut in central defense. Still, Yallop had tried him there during training matches after knowing he played there for the LA Galaxy in their postseason tour of New Zealand last year.
• "McDonald is probably more natural as a center back to be honest," said Yallop. "But he's stayed with us, he's trained well, and it doesn't matter how he's gotten the chance, he took it."
• Hernandez, though, is expected to be fit for the RSL match, giving Yallop a selection question. "Jason, if he's healthy, will come back into the side," said Yallop. "Maybe we move Brandon somewhere else to play, because he's been competitive and tough, which we needed. I think that was missing a little bit this year, that toughness."
• Ryan Johnson also scored for the Quakes, his team-leading sixth of the season, putting him in a tie for fifth in the MLS Golden Boot standings. The goal was his first since May 27, a stretch of three games without a goal, though Johnson is still on track for his target of 10 goals this season.
• "I feel I'm like I'm on pace," said Johnson. "I feel like I'm bound for a two-goal game somewhere, so I just have to keep plugging away. And the No. 1 thing is I just have to keep myself in the lineup because I know if I'm on the field I'm going to score." Added Yallop: "I'd be surprised if doesn't get it. It won't be from a lack of chances, because he gets a lot of chances."
