SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 22 (UPI) -- In a battle of Western Conference rivals, Ramiro Corrales and the defending MLS Cup champion San Jose Earthquakes secured a trip to the playoffs Wednesday night with a 3-1 victory over the Dallas Burn.
Corrales assisted on the first two goals and scored an insurance goal in the second half.
San Jose got on the board first in the seventh minute when forward Ariel Graziani scored his 13th goal of the season. Earthquakes defender Wade Barrett sent a left-footed pass up the left flank to Graziani, who gathered the ball just outside the penalty area.
The former Burn forward was nearly forced over the end line by strong marking from Burn defender Tenywa Bonseu, but Graziani managed to get a left-footed blast over goalkeeper Matt Jordan into the roof of the net to open the scoring.
Earthquakes forward Landon Donovan stretched the San Jose lead in the 33rd minute with his fifth goal of the season. Corrales played a left-footed cross to Graziani at the right corner of the six-yard box. Graziani poked the ball through the penalty area to a wide-open Donovan who easily scored past Jordan.
Dallas created a scoring opportunity in the 41st minute when forward Jason Kreis was dragged down in the penalty area. Reigning MLS Player of the Week Antonio "Chivas" Martinez crossed the ball through the box for Kreis, who was fouled by Earthquakes defender Eddie Robinson. Defender Jorge "Zarco" Rodriguez took the resulting penalty kick and beat San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon to the right side.
Corrales put the game out of reach in the 63rd minute after Graziani was fouled 20 yards away from the Burn net by Rodriguez. Earthquakes midfielder Richard Mulrooney started the free kick chance by playing a short ball to Ronnie Ekelund who quickly sent a pass to Corrales 25 yards in front of the goal.
Corrales took one touch and sent a left-footed shot off the left post past Jordan.
