Earthquakes Fall 1-0 to New York Red Bulls in First Leg of MLS Cup Playoff Conference Semifinals

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes dropped the first leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls, who played without French superstar striker Thierry Henry, Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd of 10,525 at Buck Shaw Stadium.
 
The lone goal came in the 56th minute courtesy of Red Bulls midfielder Joel Lindpere, who collected a loose ball and finished well to Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch’s left at the far post.
 
San Jose heads to Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. for the second leg, which kicks off at 5 p.m. PT on Thursday, November 4. With New York leading 1-0, San Jose needs to win by two goals or more on Thursday to advance to the Conference Semifinal.
 
San Jose Earthquakes (0-1-0) at New York Red Bulls (1-0-0)
Aggregate Goals: NY: 1 SJ: 0
October 30, 2010 – Buck Shaw Stadium
Attendance: 10,525
 
Scoring Summary: NY – Joel Lindpere (unassisted) 56. 
 
Misconduct Summary: NY – Mehdi Ballouchy (caution) 47+; SJ – Chris Wondolowski  (caution) 65; NY – Roy Miller (caution) 71; NY – Bouna Coundoul (caution) 83.
 
San Jose Earthquakes: Jon Busch, Tim Ward, Brandon McDonald, Jason Hernandez, Ramiro Corrales, Geovanni (Khari Stephenson 82), Sam Cronin (Arturo Alvarez 69), Scott Sealy (Eduardo 62), Bobby Convey, Chris Wondolowski, Ryan Johnson.
 
Statistics: Shots: 12; Shots on Goal: 3; Saves: 6; Fouls: 12; Offsides: 5; Corners: 6.
 
New York Red Bulls: Bouna Coundoul, Chris Albright, Carlos Mendes, Tim Ream, Roy Miller, Dane Richards, Mehdi Balllouchy (Jeremy Hall 92+), Rafael Marquez, Joel Lindpere (Carl Robinson 91+), Juan Agudelo, Juan Pablo Angel.
 
Statistics: Shots: 13; Shots on Goal: 8; Saves: 3; Fouls: 21; Offsides: 3; Corners: 4.
 
QUOTES
 
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH FRANK YALLOP

On the result:
“I think it was an even game, I thought we played well tonight. We had our chances to score, but it felt like one of those games where you’re going to get one. A couple fell to (Chris Wondolowski) Wondo in the second half where he is usually going to bury that, but he didn’t. I think a draw would have been a fair result, I don’t feel we deserved to lose.”
 
On the second leg in New York:
“New York are happy to come away with the win, but at least it’s only one goal down. We can head into New York and come away with a two-nil win and go through, so at least it’s not way out of reach, and we have that to hang on to.  Right now, we are one-nil down at halftime.”