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Ten Things To Know: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids
Our Rapids play-by-play announcer, Richard Fleming, is renowned for being detailed in his preparation when calling MLS games, and he is offering us a little insight into some of his pregame notes.
Find below, some things you may find useful ahead of the Rapids’ trip to Earthquakes Stadium to take on San Jose. There is coverage on Altitude and AltitudeNOW from 8.00pm on Saturday.
- You have to go back to August 13, 2011 for the last time the Colorado Rapids won in San Jose. The Quakes finished with 10 men, after former Rapids skipper Sam Cronin was sent off after 50 minutes. Rapids’ goals came from Caleb Folan and Jeff Larentowicz.
- Since that win in 2011, the Rapids have gone 0-6-3 in San Jose. They are still to win at Earthquakes Stadium (formerly Avaya Stadium), since the venue opened in 2015 (0-4-1).
- Diego Rubio’s consolation goal in the 3-1 loss at San Jose last season was the first goal scored by the Rapids in five visits to Earthquakes Stadium.
- At home, it has been a different story for the Rapids. They are 4-0-4 since suffering their last loss to the Quakes at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in 2013. This includes victory in the four most recent encounters in Commerce City.
- These two Western Conference sides met in the Eastern Conference Championship game in 2010, with the Rapids winning 1-0 en route to lifting MLS Cup.
- When these two teams met for the first time, at Spartan Stadium on May 8, 1996, the Rapids took the lead through Marcelo Balboa but ultimately lost the game 3-1. It was their fourth game of the inaugural season. Among the scorers for then-named San Jose Clash were future Rapids players Paul Bravo (he also bagged two assists) and Tim Martin.
- Rapids’ homegrown defender, Sam Vines, made his MLS debut at San Jose Earthquakes in the final road game of the 2018 season. He came on for Deklan Wynne at the interval in a 0-0 draw.
- The Rapids’ overall record versus San Jose (Clash and Earthquakes) is 22-30-16. This includes an 8-17-8 record away from home.
- Conor Casey is one of only three players to score stoppage-time goals in successive MLS games. Both were for the Rapids against San Jose Earthquakes in September 2009, both goals were penalties, and both games ended 1-1. Others to achieve this feat are Carlos Ruiz for LA Galaxy in September 2002, and Daniel Royer for the Red Bulls in September 2019.
- The Rapids’ heaviest loss to the Quakes came at Spartan Stadium on June 22, 2002 when they were beaten 4-0. Among the scorers were Rapids pair Rick Titus and Ritchie Kotschau!
