By ,
Published January 13, 2015
Santa Clara, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - The San Jose Earthquakes can still make the postseason when they face FC Dallas on Saturday at Buck Shaw Stadium, but they will need a minor miracle.
The Earthquakes enter the contest sitting in sixth place in the Western Confernce on 48 points, but in order to make the postseason for the third consecutive season the 'Quakes need to beat FC Dallas -- while scoring at least 13 goals -- and hope that Colorado falls to Vancouver on Sunday.
San Jose is coming off a hard-fought scoreless draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy at StubHub Center. Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo made four saves, including diving stops on a Steven Lenhart header from a corner kick in the 27th minute and a Chris Wondolowski header in the 40th minute.
"We knew we had to be smart about the way we approached the game," Quakes head coach Mark Watson said. "If you go too aggressive, throw too much forward too early and they score, then you've really dug yourself a hole. To keep the Galaxy at bay and have a bunch of chances, I think it's a fantastic performance from the guys. I thought we deserved a little bit better."
"We knew we needed a result. We came in here and I think that to be truthfully honest I think the points kind of spoken for it," San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski said. "The second half of the season we played well and we feel that we can come out and try to play against anyone, unfortunately we backed ourselves into a corner, dug ourselves into a hole too deep and we couldn't get out of it and it's unfortunate."
FC Dallas, meanwhile, is already eliminated from playoff contention, but will hope to send head coach Schellas Hyndman out on a winning note in his final match as head coach.
Hyndman announced his intention to step down as head coach at the end of the season on Oct 18. and the club responded with a comprehensive 2-0 victory at home over Seattle Sounders FC last week.
FC Dallas took the lead in the 65th minute as a free kick was expertly delivered by second-half substitute Michel and headed home by defender Matt Hedges.
The home side then put the game away three minutes from time as Michel slotted the ball past Seattle goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.
"[Friday] was a difficult day for the club, for our owners, for the players and for my family," Hyndman said. "We hoped that the players would show up today and have a good match. We hoped that they would win for all those people I just mentioned and our fans. It's been difficult, the last week, but it is a great ending for my career here at FC Dallas. It couldn't be any better. We showed up, the guys played with urgency, they played with character."
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/san-jose-closes-season-vs-fcd