Cali Clasico holds do-or-die implications for Galaxy, Quakes

By CHARLIE CORR
charlie.corr@mlssoccer.com

NEW YORK - Entering this week, the San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy - two stories franchises in MLS grandeur - find themselves on the outside of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs picture if the campaign ended today. The Cali Clasico carries some added weight when the Galaxy host the Quakes on Sunday at StubHub Center.

In what could be seen as a do-or-die matchup with the regular season hitting its stretch run, the Quakes have the more optimistic shot at the postseason, while LA will need an impressive final stretch to work its way into the top six of the West standings.

For more, visit LAGalaxy.com.

Wondolowski's impact on San Jose Earthquakes Academy

Stephen Wondolowski, the head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes U-15/16 Development Academy team, and a couple of his players spoke with me during the Academy Playoffs about 2014 FIFA World Cup forward Chris Wondolowski and his impact on the club's youth system.

San Jose picks Eclipse Select alum Tiemstra in MLS Supplemental Draft

David Tiemstra

Eclipse Select Communications

CHICAGO -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club alum and Clarendon Hills, Ill., native David Tiemstra is headed to Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes.

Tiemstra, a graduate of Hinsdale Central and a two-time Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year out of Ohio State, was selected by San Jose during Tuesday's 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft. Tiemstra was the sixth pick in the third round (44th overall) during Tuesday's draft. The 19 MLS clubs picked a total of 75 players who were not selected during the previous week's MLS SuperDraft.

For more Eclipse Select news, visit EclipseSelect.org.

Fire take hit with loss to Quakes

Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

The Chicago Fire's recent success hit a significant bump in the road as they fell to the San Jose Earthquakes, 2-0, on Saturday at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

Chris Wondolowski had a goal and an assist and Ramiro Corrales also added a goal for San Jose, which ended a 13-game winless streak. The Fire's recent four-game unbeaten run came to a close, and what had been a positive stretch run took a wrong turn on Saturday.

"Dropping points now is not something we can afford," Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson said.

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire draw, but winless streak hits 9

Gaston Puerari -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire's seemingly endless winless streak continued to press on, but things could have been much worse.

Fire defender Cory Gibbs' 80th-minute header salvaged a 2-2 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday in front of 11,926 at Toyota Park. But Chicago's winless streak reached nine games, posting a 0-4-5 record during that stretch, while posting a 1-4-6 record overall.

"Right now we're not getting results," Fire captain Logan Pause said. "Listen, let's behonest, one win out of 11 is not good enough, and we know that."

Gibbs' diving header struck just inside the near right post to equalize the match. Baggio Husidic sent the ball in from the right side, and Gibbs dove straight forward. Former Fire and current Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch was trying to cover the near right post, but he could not get there in time. Gibbs ripped off his shirt in celebration, taking a yellow card in the process.

Dominic Oduro also scored for the Fire, posting the 100th regular-season goal in team history.

Both Fire goals came after Chicago fell behind on two different occasions in the second half. Ramiro Corrales and Chris Wondolowski netted goals to garner 1-0 and 2-1 leads, respectively, for the Quakes.

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire go for 2-game sweep of Quakes

Marco Pappa -- Getty Images

The Chicago Fire, fresh off of a victory to clinch a 14th straight appearance in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, are hoping they achieved some bit of momentum.

Chicago edged the San Jose Earthquakes, 5-4, in a shootout on Tuesday during an Open Cup play-in match. Now both sides return to MLS play this Saturday as the Fire host the Quakes at Toyota Park.

"I'm very pleased because the team is doing well again," Fire midfielder Marco Pappa said after the play-in victory. "The players are happy because we won, and we hope to beat them again at home."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Open Cup appearance on line for Fire

Gaston Puerari (right) -- Getty Images

The Chicago Fire and San Jose Earthquakes take a break from league play on Tuesday, but they have a lot to play for as they square off in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play-in match at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Fire have always been a part of the Open Cup, winning four times from 1998 to 2006.

"This is a big week for us," Fire goalkeeper Jon Conway said following Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union. "We have a goal of advancing to the Open Cup and doing well in that. We need to get everything right on the field and build some momentum heading into our next match Saturday. Every match is critical toward wronging the mistakes we have made."

In other Fire news, midfielder Marco Pappa will be called in to Guatemala's club for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Pappa will miss minimally two league games for Chicago.

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire resume Open Cup on May 24

The Chicago Fire announced Wednesday that they will face the San Jose Earthquakes on May 24 in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play-in match at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The game kicks off at 9:30 p.m. CT.

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

MLS ANNOUNCES 2010 KICKOFF

Chicago Fire to host San Jose Earthquakes in Week 3

Major League Soccer unveiled its 2010 home openers on Thursday. The Chicago Fire's first match at Toyota Park takes place in Week 3 on Saturday, April 10, when they host the San Jose Earthquakes (7:30 p.m.). Chicago will be a part of history when New York makes its debut at Red Bull Arena and hosts the Fire in Week 1 for a 6 p.m. (CST) match on Saturday, March 27 (televised on ESPN2).

CLICK HERE for the full list of Major League Soccer's 2010 home openers.