Quakes rattle playoff-bound Chivas

San Jose now unbeaten in four straight road games

Johnson broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 58th minute but Justin Braun equalized in the 66th minute, and neither side managed to beat the other over the last stretch of the game.

The match did not get off to an inspiring start for San Jose. Just seven minutes in, the Earthquakes defense had pushed all the way up towards the middle of the field. Chivas USA's Sacha Kljestan got to a loose ball and sent a through ball towards Maykel Galindo, who easily outpaced the Earthquakes defense. Brandon McDonald chased after Galindo but could not catch him. Galindo dribbled into the penalty area and ripped a 12-yard shot past Andrew Weber and into the back of the net.

San Jose held firm though as Chivas USA's attackers fired several more shots on goal in the following 10 minutes.

In the 21st minute, San Jose pulled level. Shea Salinas crossed the ball to the left post and McDonald powered a header into the back of the goal. The goal was his second career goal and first as a member of the Quakes.

Chivas USA had a few more chances to take the lead in the first half but Weber made a pair of saves, stopping Jesse Marsch's potent long-range shot in the 27th minute and turning away rookie Michael Lahoud in the 35th minute.

San Jose went into the break tied 1-1 but pushed forward and eventually went ahead. Chris Leitch sent a free kick from about 35 yards out towards the left side of the penalty area in the 58th minute. Johnson got his head to the ball and beat Chivas goalkeeper Zach Thornton. The ball looped high into the air and went over Thornton's head as San Jose took the lead.

But it was ultimately short-lived. In the 66th minute, Ante Jazic sent a cross into the penalty area. Justin Braun beat McDonald to the ball and knocked a header over Weber, who had charged off his line to try and punch the ball away. Braun's header settled into the back of the net and the hosts had a surge of momentum.

But Maicon Santos let San Jose off the hook twice. First, Braun sent Santos in on goal alone with a clever backheel inside the box. Santos had space and fired a shot but Weber dived and kicked the ball clear. Moments later, Santos redirected a feed from Galindo on goal but launched it well over the crossbar.

Braun had a late look on goal but Weber did well to stop Braun's 20-yard attempt.

Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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