THIS WEEK

The San Jose Earthquakes will open their 2013 MLS regular season against Real Salt Lake on Sunday, March 3 at Buck Shaw Stadium. The match kicks off at 7 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet California, 1590 KLIV and 1370 KZSF. The Earthquakes will also give 5,000 commemorative Supporters’ Shield pennants to fans, courtesy of Visa.

San Jose’s Record in March

The Quakes are 8-10-0 all-time in March in MLS play.

Quakes in Season Openers

San Jose is 6-8-1 all-time in season openers.

Quakes in Home Openers

San Jose is 5-7-3 all-time in season openers.

Injury Report

Out: Mehdi Ballouchy (L – torn ACL), Steven Beitashour (Sports hernia repair), Marvin Chavez (R – MCL sprain), Alan Gordon (L foot surgery), Steven Lenhart (R – knee surgery), Marcus Tracy (L – ankle injury); Probable: Dan Gargan (L – quad strain).

EARTHQUAKES VS. REAL SALT LAKE ALL-TIME

MLS Regular Season: 6-5-5

Home: 4-3-1 (17 GF, 11 GA)

Away: 2-2-4 (7 GF, 11 GA)

Shootout (1996-99): 1-4; Overtime (2000-03): 0-0-4

Playoffs: 3-4-1; US Open Cup: 0-4-0

All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 24, Real Salt Lake – 22

OPPONENT INFO

Real Salt Lake Scouting Report

Real Salt Lake returns to Buck Shaw Stadium for first kick 2013. Last season, RSL finished the season with a 17-11-6 record, for a second place finish in the Western Conference, and qualified for a trip to the 2012 MLS Cup playoffs. However, Real Salt Lake fell 1-0 to the Seattle Sounders FC in the Western Conference Semifinals. Costa Rican forward Alvaro Saborio led the club and stood third in the league with 17 goals. Veteran goalkeeper Nick Rimando and captain Kyle Beckerman are also back with RSL for 2013.

History of the Quakes-Real Salt Lake Rivalry

Real Salt Lake joined MLS as an expansion side prior to the 2005 campaign … The two teams played to a 2-2 draw in their first-ever meeting on April 30, 2005, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, with Alejandro Moreno providing a late equalizer for San Jose … After going 2-0-2 over their first four MLS regular-season meetings, the Quakes dropped their first league tilt to RSL, 3-1, on May 31, 2008, at Rice-Eccles … The Quakes suffered two straight home defeats in league play in shutout fashion in back-to-back season openers in 2010 (3-0) and 2011 (1-0) … On March 19 the Quakes and RSL kicked off the 2011 season at Buck Shaw Stadium in a match later dubbed The Great Deluge as RSL took a 1-0 decision in a driving rainstorm through a 64th-minute Kyle Beckerman strike from 25 yards out that glanced off the left post and went in … That game marked Simon Dawkins’ MLS debut for the Quakes as a 66th-minute substitute … The Claret-and-Gold swept the 2011 season series with a 4-0 triumph in Utah on July 23 … The Quakes win against RSL on April 21 snapped a six-game winless streak in all competitions, including an 0-3-2 mark in the five prior MLS regular-season match-ups, and a loss via penalty-kick shootout in a 2010 US Open Cup play-in contest at Buck Shaw Stadium … The Quakes again beat RSL on June 23 2-1 behind late goals from Alan Gordon and Chris Wondolowski for their first-ever win at RSL’s Rio Tinto Stadium … RSL was the last Quakes opponent to play a regular-season match at Spartan Stadium, earning a 2-2 tie on Oct. 8, 2005 … In 2012, San Jose snapped their four-game winless streak, sweeping Real Salt Lake in the series matchup; winning 3-1 on April 21, 2-1 on June 23 and 5-0 on July 14 … Forward Chris Wondolowski scored his third career hat trick during the Quakes 5-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on July 14.

Earthquakes Leaders vs. Real Salt Lake

Not only did Chris Wondolowski knock off two more teams on his list of places to score last season, he moved his way into a three-way tie with FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper and Houston Dynamo forward Brian Ching for fourth place in the all-time scoring leaders against Real Salt Lake with five goals. On April 21, Wondolowski netted his first career goal against RSL with a shot in the 93rd minute and finished out the 2012 series with his third career hat trick in a 5-0 shutout on July 14 … Wondolowski now leads the Quakes with five goals against RSL … Steven Lenhart had one goal and one assist against RSL in 2009 while with the Columbus Crew … Steven Beitahour has two assists in three appearances against RSL … Jon Busch is 7-2-4 with six shutouts against RSL for his career.

Real Salt Lake Leaders vs. San Jose

Argentine midfielder Javier Morales has five goals and five assists in 10 career appearances against San Jose, all with RSL … Midfielder Kyle Beckerman has five goals and five assists in 21 career games against the Quakes … Forward Alvaro Saborio has two goals and one assist, all coming in a 4-0 RSL win at Rio Tinto Stadium on July 23, 2011, in five matches over the past two seasons … Forward Fabian Espindola has one goal and one assist in nine games, as well as a red card he picked up when the Quakes and RSL played earlier this season on April 21 … Defender Jamison Olave has one goal (2011) in nine matches … Goalkeeper Nick Rimando is 10-6-7 with seven shutouts all-time against the Quakes, and 5-3-3 with five shutouts with RSL since 2008.

Earthquakes- Real Salt Lake Connections

Dan Gargan who was traded from Chicago Fire, played alongside Nana Attakora in 2010 when they were both members of Toronto FC … Quakes forward Chris Wondolowski and RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando have played together twice for the U.S. Men’s National Team, most recently featuring in head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s starting lineup earlier this year on Jan. 25 for a 1-0 win over Panama in Panama City … On May 25, 2012, Wondolowski, Rimando, and RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman were all named to Klinsmann’s final 23 man roster for matches against Scotland, Brazil, Canada, and 2014 World Cup Qualifiers against Antigua & Barbuda and Guatemala … RSL midfielder Ned Grabavoy appeared in 24 games for San Jose in 2008 … Grabavoy also played under current Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop while with the LA Galaxy during the early part of the 2006 season, and was a teammate of Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch with the Columbus Crew later in 2006 … Grabavoy played with Quakes forward Alan Gordon for the LA Galaxy from 2004-06 … Busch also played alongside RSL defender Chris Wingert with the Crew in 2004-05 … Wingert (St. John’s) and Quakes defender Jason Hernandez (Seton Hall) played against each other in the BIG EAST Conference from 2001-03 … Garza (2008) and RSL defender Nat Borchers (1999-2002) each played at the University of Denver … Rimando (Montclair, Calif.), RSL defender Tony Beltran (Claremont) and Quakes forward Cesar Diaz Pizarro (Chino) are all alumni of the Arsenal FC club program based in Temecula, Calif. … Second-year Real Salt Lake assistant coach C.J. Brown is a Hayward, Calif., native who starred in the South Bay in his college playing days at San Jose State (1993-96) prior to a 13-year MLS career, all with the Chicago Fire … Quakes head coach Frank Yallop (52) and assistant coach Mark Watson (77) have all earned caps for the Canadian men’s national team … RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey was the back-up goalkeeper for the Burn that day … Quakes forward Chris Wondolowski and defender Justin Morrow suited up alongside RSL defender Tony Beltran in the USMNT’s 0-0 draw against Canada on Jan. 29 at Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium.

MARCH TO SOCCER WEEK SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Feb. 26

- Secret Community Appearance: “Q”, the Shakers and two players will surprise youth soccer teams during practice with ticket to the club’s Opening Day, schedule posters and autographs

- City Hall Commendation: Sam Cronin will accept commendation from the City of San Jose on behalf of the Earthquakes for the club’s Supporters’ Shield trophy in 2012 at 1:30 p.m.

- Get EQ Fit Presented by Kaiser Permanente: Assembly at Blackford Elementary, 2 p.m. with a player

Wednesday, Feb. 27

- Season Ticket Holder Countdown Event: Exclusive party for current Earthquakes season ticket holders at Bowlmor Lanes in Cupertino, 6 p.m. All players will be present.

- Get EQ Fit Presented by Kaiser Permanente: Assembly at McEntee Elementary in San Jose, 2 p.m. with a player

- Google+ Hangout with Earthquakes Broadcasters: Jim Kozimor (CSN Bay Area), Kelly Gray (CSN Bay Area), Dan Dibley (CSN Bay Area), Anthony Passarelli (KLIV 1590) and Chris Dangerfield (KLIV 1590) will be joined by host Miguel Duarte for a special video chat to preview the upcoming season, noon at sjearthquakes.com.

Thursday, Feb. 28

- Fire Chief Ale Beer Tapping Charity Event: Earthquakes players will be guest bartenders at Rock Bottom Brewery in Campbell to benefit Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation’s Champ Camp and Campbell Fire Department Rescue 25, 6 p.m.

- Wells Fargo Goals for Education: Check presentation at East Palo Alto Academy in Menlo Park, 2:45 p.m. with “Q” and a player

- Shakers Radio Visits: Shakers will deliver Supporters’ Shield pennants, courtesy of Visa, and other swag to radio partners in the Bay Area

Friday, March 1

- Read Across America Day: Earthquakes players and Shakers will read a Dr. Seuss book aloud to kids and sign autographs at Sherman Oaks Elementary, Meadows Elementary and Baker Elementary in San Jose and Alisal Elementary in Pleasanton

- Google+ Hangout with Chris Wondolowski: Wondo will field fan questions via Twitter and chat with host Miguel Duarte through a Google+ Hangout, 1 p.m. at sjearthquakes.com.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Earthquakes Win Portland Preseason Tournament

The Earthquakes won the Portland Preseason Tournament for a second straight year thanks to a 2-1 victory against FC Dallas on Saturday at JELD-WEN Field. Chris Wondolowski and Mike Fucito each scored two goals during the tournament, including San Jose’s pair against FC Dallas. The tournament also featured draws against the Portland Timbers (3-3) and AIK of Sweden (0-0).

Familiar Foe on Opening Day

San Jose will face Real Salt Lake on Opening Day for the third time in four years when the two teams face each other on Sunday at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Earthquakes lost 3-0 in 2010 and 1-0 in 2011 – a match dubbed the Great Deluge after monsoon-like conditions at Buck Shaw. San Jose swept their season series against RSL in 2012, including a pair of 2-1 wins and a 5-0 rout. Chris Wondolowski featured in each of those matches, tallying five goals in three games, including a hat trick in the 5-0 win.

Earthquakes Sign Canadian Defender Nana Attakora

The Earthquakes announced last week that the club has signed Canadian national team defender Nana Attakora pending receipt of his P-1 visa. Per league and team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed. Attakora, 23, played six games for the Earthquakes in 2011 after joining the team as part of a four-player trade with Toronto FC, the same move that brought Alan Gordon to San Jose along with Jacob Peterson in exchange for Ryan Johnson, allocation money and an international player slot. The athletic center back left MLS in 2012 to suit up for Finland’s FC Haka, but has returned to San Jose for 2013.

Earthquakes Announce Radio Partners for 2013

The Earthquakes announced their English and Spanish-language radio broadcast partners for the 2013 season last week. KZSF 1370 AM “La Kaliente” will cover all 34 Quakes games in Spanish for the third straight season. On the English side, KLIV returns as the broadcast partner for the second consecutive season after carrying games in 2004 and 2005. Anthony Passarelli will serve as the primary play-by-play commentator on KLIV with former NASL Earthquakes player Chris Dangerfield on board as the color analyst. Meanwhile, Carlos Cesar Rivera is back for his sixth straight season as the Spanish voice of the Quakes, and his ninth overall.

San Jose Earthquakes Preseason Recap:

Jan. 29 – #Earthquakes 2, Houston Dynamo 0

Feb. 2 – #Earthquakes 0, Colorado Rapids 1

Feb 9 – Earthquakes 0, Chicago Fire 1 at Harder Stadium (UC Santa Barbara)

Feb. 11 – Earthquakes 2, Ventura County Fusion 1 (Oxnard Community College)

Feb. 17 – %Earthquakes 3, Portland Timbers 3

Feb. 20 – %Earthquakes 0, AIK (Sweden) 0

Feb. 23 – %Earthquakes 2, FC Dallas 1

Note: Dates and times are subject to change. Games may be added at any time.

#The Desert Friendlies presented by FC Tucson at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.

%Timbers Preseason Tournament at JELD-WEN Field in Portland, Ore.

Quakes President Dave Kaval’s Office Hours

Earthquakes President Dave Kaval’s office hours will continue in 2013. Fans can drop by his office at 451 El Camino Real, Suite 201 in Santa Clara, Calif., on Tuesdays between 3 and 5 p.m. PT. Participants will be seen on a first come, first served basis. Be sure to read his blog, Kaval’s Kickoff, exclusively at www.sjearthquakes.com, and follow him on Twitter at @QuakesPrez.

Season Tickets on Sale/Priority for New Stadium

Season tickets for the 2013 season at Buck Shaw Stadium are still available. By purchasing season tickets for the final season at Buck Shaw Stadium, fans can enter the queue for priority seating for the Earthquakes New Stadium. Season ticket holders are currently selecting their seats for the New Stadium. To purchase season tickets or for more information, please contact the Earthquakes headquarters at 408-556-7700.

Stanford Stadium Tickets Now on Sale

Ticket sales for the Quakes match at Stanford on June 29 against the LA Galaxy, presented by XFINITY, have started quickly with 10,000 tickets already sold following the initial week of sales. They can be purchased by visiting www.sjearthquakes.com or calling 800-225-2277. Groups of 10 or more should call the club’s headquarters at 408-556-7700. Last year’s match drew a capacity crowd of 50,391 for a 4-3 Earthquakes win against the Galaxy.

Wells Fargo Goals for Education

Wells Fargo has again pledged to donate $250 for each goal the Earthquakes score in 2013 through the Goals for Education program. The Earthquakes raised $18,000 in 2012 after scoring a club record 72 goals.

ACADEMY NOTES

U-16s Draw 1-1 with De Anza Force

The Earthquakes U-16s drew 1-1 with the De Anza Force on Sunday De Anza College. Jonathan Partida leveled for San Jose in the 72nd minute, slotting home a penalty. The draw moves the club’s record to 6-6-5, fourth in the Northwest Division. They return to action on Saturday, March 2 vs. Pateadores at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif.

U-18s Drop 2-0 Result vs. De Anza Force

The Earthquakes U-18s fell 2-0 against the De Anza Force on Sunday at De Anza College. Despite the loss, San Jose remains atop the Northwest Division standings with a 10-7 record. They return to action on Saturday, March 2 vs. Pateadores at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif.