Rapids: Before a 2-2 tie with Chivas USA at home Aug. 20, the Rapids were hot, unbeaten in five consecutive games with four wins. Since the Chivas game, they have dropped three straight, all on the road. They have a chance to turn that around now with three straight at home before a road trip to Vancouver that ends the regular season. . . . They face another tough week because of CONCACAF Champions League, though. They leave Tuesday for El Salvador to play Isidro Metapan on Wednesday, returning Thursday and hosting FC Dallas two days later.
Earthquakes: Chris Wondolowki, who won the MLS scoring title last season with 18 goals, stands tied for fifth this season with 10 — only two behind pacesetters Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls) and Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy). . . . Bobby Convey and Alan Gordon are out with injuries, Steven Lenhart is on “family leave,” and Sam Cronin is suspended (yellow card suspension). . . . San Jose (6-11-12) has scored 31 goals while conceding 38 and hasn’t won on the road since June 11.
Spotlight on Khari Stephenson: A midfielder/ forward from Jamaica, Stephenson has started up front with Chris Wondolowski the past three games, scoring two goals with an assist. Stephenson has made 26 appearances with the Jamaican national team. He played for Kansas City of MLS in 2004-05, for Scandinavian teams from 2006-10 and returned to MLS with San Jose last season.
