BIRMINGHAM CITY, England – Steven Lenhart scored a brace to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 4-0 result against a group of reserves and trialists from Birmingham City on Tuesday at the Blues training grounds.
Chris Wondolowski opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a header from close range. Joey Gjertsen initially played in a corner kick that was cleared back to the Quakes right midfielder. Gjertsen took a touch and then directed a cross to the near post that Wondolowski finished powerfully past the Blues keeper.
The Quakes further marked their stamp on the match in the final minute of the first half. Wondolowski sent a through ball that sprung Lenhart for a 1v1 with Birmingham City’s keeper. Lenhart blasted a shot far post for a 2-0 lead.
Moments later, Gjertsen turned his man and immediately fired a shot from 25 yards out that curled into the left corner, a cracker that drew praise from both technical staffs after the match.
Lenhart accounted for the final goal of the day in the 84th minute. Ryan Johnson tapped a pass on the left to an overlapping Ramiro Corrales. San Jose’s captain took the ball to the touchline and whipped a cross into the mix that Lenhart dove and headed mid flight to complete his brace.
San Jose’s defense looked in form with Tim Ward, Ike Opara, Brandon McDonald, Corrales and goalkeeper Jon Busch composing the back five. Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop also picked out Sam Cronin as a key to the defensive effort from his spot as a holding midfielder.
The Quakes starters each went a full 90 minutes. On Wednesday, San Jose’s reserves will play League One side Colchester United at Spurs Lodge. The final match of the week will be played at Leicester City on Thursday.
Also of note, trialist Simon Dawkins of Tottenham Hotspur started at center midfield for San Jose. Dawkins created several chances and drew six fouls on the day.
Although a roster sheet for Birmingham City wasn’t available on Tuesday, US international Alejandro Bedoya was among the group and played a full 90 minutes for the Blues. Bedoya has ties to Swedish club Örebro and has made seven appearances for the US Men’s National Team.
Birmingham City 0:4 San Jose Earthquakes
Preseason Exhibition (90 minutes)
Feb. 22, Birmingham City Training Grounds
SCORING SUMMARY: SJ — Chris Wondolowski (Joey Gjertsen) 38; SJ — Steven Lenhart (Wondolowski) 45. SJ — Gjertsen (Tim Ward) 45; SJ — Lenhart (Ramiro Corrales, Ryan Johnson) 84.
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY: None.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (4-4-2): Jon Busch, Tim Ward, Ike Opara, Brandon McDonald, Ramiro Corrales, Joey Gjertsen, Sam Cronin, Simon Dawkins, Ryan Johnson, Chris Wondolowski, Steven Lenhart.
