SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Bobby Rhine scored a first-half goal as the Dallas Burn got their first victory of the season, beating the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 Saturday night.
Rhine started in place of the injured Jason Kreis, the Burn's career scoring leader. In the 19th minute, midfielder Oscar Pareja fought off two San Jose defenders and passed ahead to Rhine, who put a low shot in the opposite corner of the net, beating goalie Joe Cannon.
Landon Donovan, the teen-aged U.S. team member recently acquired
by San Jose from Bayer Leverkusen of the German League, entered the
game as a substitute in the 73rd minute.
He helped San Jose mount three exciting rushes, but the
Earthquakes couldn't score on the defensive shell put up by Dallas
in the game's last 60 minutes.
San Jose, the MLS' worst team last season, lost its home opener
on a chilly, windy night at Spartan Stadium in front of 13,919
fans. The Earthquakes have eight new players on their roster,
including Donovan and new captain Jeff Agoos, for first-year coach
Frank Yallop this spring.
Dallas lost 4-2 to Tampa Bay in last week's season opener. San
Jose beat Los Angeles 3-2 in its opener, but has won just once in
its last 11 home matches.