(Sports Network) - Coach Frank Yallop said after last weekend's 0-0 draw against Chivas USA that it's time to separate San Jose and expansion team. San Jose rejoined Major League Soccer this season as a new franchise - the city had a team previously but it relocated to Houston. Although the Earthquakes are still last in the Western Conference with nine games left in the year, they are on a six-game unbeaten streak and the playoffs are within reach.

"The expansion tag doesn't wash with us anymore. Realistically the playoffs are within reach now and it comes down to us," Yallop said.

San Jose starts a three-match homestand Saturday against Kansas City and plays six of its final nine games at Buckshaw Stadium. San Jose is just four points out of third place and an automatic playoff berth.

"We have three home games now in a row, so we got to take the best we can out of that," Yallop said. "If we can earn two wins out of those three games, we have a terrific chance of doing pretty well at the end of the year.

"It's really in our hand if we can pull ourselves together."

Since signing former English Premier League striker Darren Huckerby and Brazil midfielder Francisco Lima, and trading for Scott Sealy, San Jose is unbeaten in five games. Arturo Alvarez is another recent addition that's helping San Jose.

The Earthquakes' defense, which was their strength early in the year, continues to play well. San Jose, led by goalie Joe Cannon, has four shutouts in its last eight matches.

San Jose is just four points behind third-place FC Dallas and five points back of second-place Real Salt entering this weekend's matches.

Although Yallop thought his team was outplayed by Chivas at times last weekend, he was proud they battled for the draw and nearly pulled out a win.

"To be honest, on the chances it was pretty even, on the play, I think Chivas played better than us, probably," Yallop said. "But what I liked about our night tonight: we didn't crumble, and we stayed in there, and we actually came back in the end and we could have stolen it. So that was encouraging."

Kansas City is also in last place - in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards are tied with Toronto FC for the fewest points in the East with 26 - which would be tied for third in the West.

K.C. is also coming off a draw last weekend, 1-1 against FC Dallas, and gained some momentum by tying the match in the 92nd minute. Defender Jimmy Conrad had the game-tying goal in extra time for his team-leading fifth goal of the year.

Considering Kansas City has just one win in its last six, Conrad hopes the goal can spark his team to a good result weekend.

"It's something to build on and a good momentum swing," Conrad said.



Copyright 2008 The Sports Network
All rights reserved