Short- handed Quakes can’t hold off Chicago Fire in 3- 2 loss

Chicago’s late goal hands San Jose 4th loss in last 6 games

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — The Earthquakes had little margin for error Wednesday.

With at least seven regulars out of action and just 16 players dressed, the Quakes also had to contend with one of Major League Soccer’s hottest teams.

But they still had a shot for a road point until the waning minutes when Chicago forward Chris Rolfe lined a game- winner past goalkeeper Jon Busch on the way to a 3- 2 victory at Toyota Park.

Still, interim coach Mark Watson found plenty to like, despite playing in a diffi cult environment.

“I thought overall the performance was pretty good,” he said. “We did a lot of good things for a game on the road against a good Chicago team. We created a lot of chances, but we had a few lapses of concentration in the back, and that is something you cannot do on the road and expect to get a result.”

The Quakes ( 5- 8- 6, 21 points) suffered their fourth loss in their past six games. The streaking Fire ( 6- 7- 3) won their third straight and are unbeaten in six straight league games.

Earthquakes forward Alan Gordon exploited an early opening, scoring on a header on Chicago goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi — making just his second start of the season — for a 1- 0 lead in the 14th minute.

The lead lasted 20 minutes until Chicago midfielder Dilly Duka beat Busch for a 1- 1 deadlock.

Chicago grabbed a 2- 1 lead early in the second half after Duka lined a perfect feed on Patrick Nyarko’s second goal of the season.

In the 72nd minute, the Earthquakes were back in the hunt thanks to an own goal to tie the game at 2- 2.

But Rolfe collected the game- winner 12 minutes later with a shot from Busch’s left for his fi rst goal since mid- April.

Early Wednesday, the alreadydepleted Quakes lost another player when the MLS disciplinary committee suspended Shea Salinas for one game after he elbowed the Galaxy’s Robbie Keane during Saturday’s 3- 2 victory.

The Quakes already were missing six regulars, including forwards Chris Wondolowski and Steven Lenhart and midfi elder Marvin Chavez Star center back Victor Bernardez also is suspended on a team that has been disciplined more than any other in MLS this season.

Chicago coach Frank Klopas said the Fire prepared with Earthquakes personnel switches in mind.

“We knew the guys that were missing with the national teams, but obviously with Salinas being suspended we found out today,” he said.

“Some of the personnel was different, but their approach to the game wasn’t going to change.”