Fire and Earthquakes Remain Unbeaten By: Ivaldo Basso May 10 Naperville (CSA) – San Jose Earthquake goalkeeper Pat Onstad extended his shutout streak to 306 minutes as Major League Soccer’s only two unbeaten teams played to a scoreless draw in wet and windy Cardinal Stadium Saturday night. As a member of the Rochester Raging Rhinos, Onstad shut out the Fire in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup in 1999. “Pat was outstanding in goal. He made some brilliant saves and the guys in front of him defended very well as a team,” said Earthquake coach Frank Yallop. Onstad was spared facing the full debut of the Fire’s strike force of Ante Razov and Rodrigo Faria. After spending most of the Fire’s off-week in Brazil tending to his ill father, Faria was understandably not 100% mentally or physically fit and the long waited partnership with Razov didn’t materialize until late in the match. After their success of netting three goals from distance in their last match against Kansas City, Fire players were keen to shoot from distance. Replacing Logan Pause in the 85th minute, Faria ripped the game’s fiercest shot from 20 yards. Onstad was forced to dive right at full extension to parry away the Brazilian’s first time volley headed for the low corner. “I thought it was in,” said Faria. “Beasley made a great pass and it was my first touch of the ball in the match. I hit the ball so well and the goalie made an incredible save. I give him credit,” said Faria. Minutes before Faria’s shot, Onstad dove left to knock away Razov’s 25-yard blast headed for the top corner of goal. The Fire’s sharp shooting should have helped open space behind the Earthquake’s back line as defenders stepped up to challenge shots. The narrow confines of Cardinal Stadium, however, helped Earthquake defenders not have to make those choices, and San Jose’s tactics of parking four at the back made it difficult for Razov as the lone true front runner thru most of the match. Razov had little help and service in the first half as the Fire was slow in transition and didn’t get additional players forward. “In the first half I didn’t think our team did a great job with the ball,” said Dave Sarachan. “I didn’t think our passing was as crisp as it should have been, and our possession could have been better. I felt the second half was encouraging in terms of the attack. It looked as though San Jose started to lose it a little bit and I thought we had the advantage. I thought we pressed them in the second half and that was encouraging,” said Sarachan. Despite being slightly outplayed in the first half’s midfield dual, the Fire had that half’s best opportunity. Beasley collected a ball on the right wing forty yards from goal, cut inside and rifled a shot from 25 yards off of the far post. The Earthquake’s best chance came in the 64th minute when Ramiro Corrales saw his close range shot stopped by Zach Thornton and kicked off of the Fire goal line by Jim Curtin. The saves earned Thornton his 38th career shutout putting him in second place all-time in that category. "I didn't know it was number 38, but a win would have been better, said Thornton. "Jimmy was there and he helped me out, thankfully. I help (the defense) and they help me, and that's what it's all about,” said Thornton. Surprised? Disappointed? The draw keeps the Fire undefeated and captain Armas was asked if he was surprised. “I’m not surprised at all. We’re good enough to have at least one more win instead of these ties. Tonight I thought we had the better of play. Tonight I thought San Jose battled hard on the road as they always do but I’m not surprised in the least bit. We’ve set our goals high and we’re playing every game to win. There’s no team out there we can’t beat especially at home,” said Armas. Was he disappointed in the draw? “We’re not disappointed, we’re undefeated. You want to win, especially at home. I wouldn’t use disappointed because that sounds negative and there’s not negativity in this locker room,” said Armas. “They’ll Sleep Well Tonight” Four players in Saturday’s match - Landon Donavan, Carlos Bocanegra, Chris Armas and Beasley - played in the U.S. National Team’s 0-0 draw with Mexico on Thursday at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. Landon Donovan was subbed before Saturday’s overtime, but the Fire’s National Team trio played the full 100 minutes. “If [playing tonight] was going to be an issue I wasn’t going to be out there so the fact that I was out there meant I was fine,” said Armas. “We talked to each of them before the game and at halftime,” said Sarachan. “We kept a close eye on them. The beauty of those three guys is that they are such good competitors. They’ll tell us if they want to come out.” “They’ll sleep well in the next few days,” added Sarachan. Ivaldo Basso can be reached at ibasso@cybersoccernews.com. © Basso/Cyber Soccer Associates, LLC 2003