San Jose Earthquakes vs. Heredia: Final score 1-0, Wondolowski fires Quakes to quarters

The San Jose Earthquakes needed to beat Heredia to win Group 5 and that’s exactly what they got, but it wasn’t easy. Heredia battled them and a goal for the Quakes looked unlikely at times, but Chris Wondolowski snagged them their golden goal -- one that delivered them a 1-0 win and spot in the quarterfinals.

After a nervy 60 minutes that lent more and more credence to the belief that the Quakes wouldn’t find the goal they needed, Heredia finally gifted them a chance and Wondolowski took it. San Jose’s best player somehow found himself completely unmarked on a corner kick and a first touch, side-footed finish later, the ball was in the back of the net.

Heredia did their best to try and nick a late goal, but their strategy coming in was to hold on for the draw that would see them take Group 5 and they never really managed to break out of their approach. While they did get some numbers forward, they struggled to generate chances and the Quakes were able to hold on for their knockout stage place.

Things won’t be easy for the Quakes in the quarterfinals as a date with Toluca waits them, but that is a worry for 2014. For now, they’ll celebrate.

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