Clarence Goodson scored the only goal of the game to fire the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids in the MLS.
The home side began the match strongly when Cordell Cato raided down the right wing and lifted the ball into the box for Chris Wondolowski, but he headed his effort wide of the post.
San Jose came close again when Shea Salinas threaded a through-ball into the path of Quincy Amarikwa, but the forward saw his strike blocked at the near post.
Amarikwa threatened just before the break when he latched on to a cross from the wing from Waylon Francis, only to see his headed effort drift wide of the target.
In the second half, the Earthquakes took the lead when Goodson powered home his header from close range from Amarikwa cross.
The Rapids almost responded when Sam Cronin lifted the ball into the penalty area, but Dillon Powers's header was saved by David Bingham.
Colorado made one late push for an equaliser but Kevin Doyle saw his effort blocked in the box, while the rebound was put over the bar by Charles Eloundou.
