On Sunday, the San Jose Earthquakes christened Avaya Stadium in fine fashion with a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire. Fatai Alashe and Ty Harden scored in the first 21 minutes of the game to put San Jose ahead 2-0. However, Harry Shipp pulled one back for Chicago just before the break and they fought on gamely for an equalizer in the second half before losing.

The victory is exactly what San Jose would have dreamed of coming into the game. After a difficult start to begin the season, they have now won back to back game and have inaugurated their brand new, beautiful stadium. Since their inception, San Jose have dreamed of having their own, soccer-specific stadium to call their own. Now, they have that stadium and and have a hot start to the season as well.

Meanwhile, Chicago's nightmare start has continued. They have now lost their first three games of the season, and the last two genuinely felt winnable. The new signings have yet to show any sign of gelling with each other, and Shaun Maloney in particular looks out of sorts with his new teammates. However, they have time and the quality in their squad to sort out these issues.

The Fire will now look forward to hosting the Philadelphia Union next week, while San Jose will travel to Boston to do battle with the New England Revolution.

Key Moments

5' GOAL! Matias Perez-Garcia whips in a corner kick that Chicago keeper Sean Johnson attempts to claim but bobbles. It's headed up into the air and Alashe heads the ball in.

21' GOAL! Oh that's a horror show from Johnson! Perez-Garcia whips in a dangerous ball from the left wing off a set piece and Clarence Goodson gets a foot on it. His shot comes in hard and low, but right at Johnson. He can't handle it, fumbles it into the mixer and Harden finishes easily.

29' GOAL! Oh that's a really stylish goal for Chicago. Lovel Palmer strides forward and plays the ball infield to Joevin Jones. He hits a slide rule pass between the central defenders, and Shipp gets on the end of it before coolly finishing. 2-1 now, is the fightback on?

32' SAVE! That is a stunning save! Shipp whips in a ball off a corner and finds Eric Gehrig unmarked in the center of the box. He gets off a bullet header that is somehow kept out by David Bingham.

64' JUST OVER! Great chance there for Chris Wondolowski. Again, it comes off a San Jose set piece. Perez-Garcia whips in a cross from the left wing which goes through everyone before finding Wondo. He settles the ball and fires it off the sliding Gehrig. It deflects off him and over the bar. Superb block.