Quakes overwhelmed in dreary K.C.

Brutal conditions, aggresive Wizards stop San Jose

Frank Yallop is still looking for more consistent offensive effort from his club. (Getty Images)

Kansas City defender Aaron Hohlbein's first professional goal in the 28th minute and Claudio Lopez's 78th-minute goal sent the Quakes down in a game played in sustained winds of 25-30 mph and gusts up to 40 mph that ushered in rain and a 19-degree wind chill.

The Quakes began the match with the same lineup that Frank Yallop ran out in the first two matches, a tough 1-0 shutout loss to New England on First Kick two weeks ago and a 3-2 win over Houston last week, both at home. Meanwhile, Kansas City fielded a patchwork backline with first-round draft choice Matt Besler gaining his first start and fourth-year player Lance Watson gaining only his seventh career start, each filling a fullback spot.

Kansas City dominated most of the opening 20 minutes, reeling off multiple advances, corners and free kicks toward goalkeeper Joe Cannon's goal. Lopez had Cannon one-on-one in the third minute after a deflected through ball from countryman Santiago Hirsig, but his ensuing shot was smothered by an advancing Cannon.

Lopez returned dangerously into the Quakes area down the right wing in the 20th minute off a ball by Watson. Seeing midfielder Josh Wolff open high at the back post, Lopez found the veteran, who was playing a midfield role, but his shot scooted just wide as Cannon rushed to his right post.

But the Earthquakes would finally pay for their lack of sustained possession in the 28th minute. Davy Arnaud's shot from 17 yards was blocked by San Jose forward Cam Weaver and followed by a point-blank shot by K.C.'s Jimmy Conrad. A prone Cannon made the save, but Hohlbein directed the loose ball into the back of the net for his first goal of his three-year career.

The half ended with the Earthquakes having recorded not a single shot at goal, and having won only two corners, demonstrating their frustration. Little changed after the break as Lopez forced Cannon into a reaching save toward the upper corner in the 46th minute. Then Wizards midfielder Jack Jewsbury hit a bullet that deflected off Cannon's left post three minutes later.

San Jose head coach Frank Yallop responded by inserting former Columbus and LA Galaxy man Simon Elliott into the midfield in place of back Eric Denton. The move nearly paid off two minutes on as Elliott loaded up and struck just high and left of Kevin Hartman's goal. Later insertions of Pablo Campos and Shea Salinas in the 54th and 74th minutes respectively failed to ignite an effective attack for the Earthquakes.

In the 78th minute, Lopez put the nail in the San Jose coffin off a terrific assist from Herculez Gomez. On the right wing near midfield, Gomez placed a flighted ball over the defense and into the path of the Wizards forward. With time, Lopez took his touches and skillfully slid the ball into Cannon's far post as the netminder slid hopelessly on the wet surface. The goal was Lopez's third of the season in as many games.

Arturo Alvarez finally managed the Quakes' first shot on goal in the 81st minute, but it was too late to turn the momentum around.

San Jose will head back home to Buck Shaw Stadium for an afternoon meeting with the Chicago Fire next Saturday while Kansas City takes on undefeated Seattle Sounders FC in Seattle that evening.

Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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