SANTA CLARA, CA — An MLS legend hung up his boots tonight in front of a sold out Buck Shaw Stadium. Ramiro Corrales, the only active player remaining in the MLS who played in the inaugural MLS season back in 1996, stepped on the pitch for the final time. Corrales’ illustrious 18 year career consisted of 250 games in an Earthquakes uniform, good for the most in franchise history. A career as special as Corrales’ was destined to end on a high note, as San Jose (14-11-9) defeated FC Dallas (11-12-11) by a score of 2-1 at home.
Corrales was honored in a pre-game ceremony surrounded by his large family and teammates. Each of his teammates wore one of his jerseys from the past, creating a colorful and emotional final team photo. The first half did not bring a whole lot of energy or creativity. Neither team was able to produce any good chances in the early minutes. Finally, in the 27th minute, San Jose’s Walter Martinez was able to get a toe on the ball and poke it past FC Dallas’ keeper Chris Seitz. With an assist from Justin Morrow, Martinez grabbed his second goal as a member of the Quakes.
Would any Earthquakes game be complete without Chris Wondolowski contributing in some way? True to form, in the 57th minute, Wondo drilled a shot home and put the Quakes up 2-0. This was by no means the highlight of the second half. In the 71st minute, Corrales was subbed out for the final time, receiving the standing ovation from the crowd he has earned and deserved. An exit fit for a legend, teammates Victor Bernardez and Steven Lenhart carried Corrales off the field on their shoulders after teammates gave Corrales one last hug.
FC Dallas found the back of the net in stoppage time to bring the tally to 2-1, but it would not be enough to overcome the deficit.
Neither team will see the playoffs this year, but for San Jose, it’s always nice to go out with a win, especially at home. San Jose put together an amazing run at the end of the season that had other teams in the Western Conference worried. The Quakes end their season with 14 wins, 11 loses, and 9 ties. 11 of those wins came at home, highlighting an incredible home field advantage that San Jose will definitely carry over into next season. Until then, as always, Goonies never say die.
