Philadelphia forced corner after corner. Sebastien Le Toux repeatedly sent in menacing, curving crosses. And one last ball through the box in the 93rd minute caromed off of Tim Ward’s foot and miraculously went right into the arms of goalkeeper Jon Busch to preserve San Jose’s win and three more crucial points.
As soon as Chris Wondolowski scored Philadelphia brought on all of their offensive firepower, and the successfully pressed forward for the remainder of the game. Jon Busch met every cross and loose ball and a team wide defensive effort helped San Jose hold on. And were it not from a spectacular, leaping, finger tip save from Brad Knighton on a beautiful dead ball shot off the foot of Geovanni, San Jose might have entered their 10 day break between games with a 2-0 victory.
Nevertheless, this was a game against a weaker opponent that San Jose had to win if they want to move forward in the playoff chase. And with this win the Quakes moved ahead of Colorado and into the sixth place playoff spot out of eight. With the easiest remaining schedule amongst contenders, a game in hand on many of their competitors and lots of momentum, a playoff spot appears to be there for the taking. But with seven games left the Quakes will most certainly have to earn it.