Wondolowski scores in second-half injury time to lift Earthquakes past Wizards 1-0

Wondolowski’s late goal lifts Earthquakes

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Chris Wondolowski scored in the third minute of second-half injury time to give the San Jose Earthquakes a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday night.

Wondolowski knocked a glancing header off Ramiro Corrales’ long cross from the left side, redirecting the ball to the far post and out of the reach of Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.

The goal provided a surprising ending to a second half that had not featured much in the way of scoring chances, and pushed San Jose (5-11-5) above the .500 mark at home for the season.

Interim Kansas City coach Peter Vermes will have to wait at least another week to notch his first win. Vermes’ second consecutive defeat was also the sixth straight match without a win for the Wizards (5-9-6).

Earthquakes assistant coach Ian Russell was sent off during a testy first half marked by wide-open offense and a dearth of quality defending.

San Jose forward Cornell Glen found the back of the net just two minutes in, but the goal was wiped out by a delayed call on Glen for committing a foul while gaining possession of the ball.

Claudio Lopez, one of five new players inserted into the Wizards lineup by Vermes, got a free look on net in the fourth minute from a pretty combination play with Josh Wolff. Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon sprinted off his line and dropped to the ground in time to block Lopez’s low drive.

A tentative back header from defender Rauwshan McKenzie almost led to disaster for Kansas City in the ninth minute. Darren Huckerby intercepted the pass and fired a shot off Hartman’s chest. Glen’s chip off the rebound arced over Hartman, but bounced off the left post.

Glen might have gone in alone on Hartman in the 13th minute thanks to another ill-advised header attempt by McKenzie, but he was ruled offsides on the play — a call that led to Russell’s early departure for objecting excessively.

Defender Jason Hernandez was given a yellow card for hauling down Wolff, and will miss the Earthquakes’ next game on a one-game league suspension.

Story from: STATS LLC, www.stats.com.