San Jose edges Toronto FC 3-2
TORONTO (AP) -- Chris Wondolowski had a hat trick to lead the San
Jose Earthquakes to a 3-2 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday.
Dwayne De Rosario and Maicon Santos scored for Toronto (8-10-8),
which hurt its playoff hopes with the loss to San Jose (11-7-6).
Toronto FC cost itself early, giving up a goal in just the third
minute on a penalty shot - awarded when Dan Gargan took down
Bobby Convey in the 18-yard box - and spent the rest of the game
trying to battle back from the early game mistake.
Wondolowski sent his penalty shot past Toronto goalkeeper Stefan
Frei to the left corner.
The Earthquakes midfielder notched his second of the game in the
53rd minute, sprinting through Toronto's back line to connect on
a cross from Ryan Johnson.
De Rosario put Toronto back in the match, chipping in a shot
from just outside the 18-yard box into the top-right corner past
Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch.
But just a minute later, Wondolowski scored to give the
Earthquakes a 3-1 lead.
Santos scored in the 80th minute, sprinting onto a cross from
Mista and tapping in a left-footed shot right in front of the
net.
Toronto kept the pressure on the Earthquakes in the final few
moments, and Jacob Peterson had the chance to tie the game in
the 90th minute. But the Toronto midfielder sent his shot
sailing over the net, collapsing on his knees in frustration as
the crowd groaned.
Toronto was fortunate to trail by only a goal at halftime - the
score could have been more lopsided if not for a couple of
spectacular saves by Frei. Wondolowski nearly notched his second
goal of the game in the 25th minute, but the Toronto goalkeeper
stretched to tip the ball over the crossbar. Frei had another
outstanding save just before halftime, managing to get his hand
on a free kick from Geovanni that seemed destined for the left
corner of the net.
NOTES:Toronto was missing Martin Saric (hamstring) and Joseph
Nane (ankle), injured in Tuesday's game against Cruz Azul. ...
Toronto hosts Real Salt Lake on Tuesday in a CONCACAF Champions
League matchup.