Note: Check SJEarthquakes.com 15-minutes prior to Friday's kickoff for a link to a live radio feed.
After winning two of three exhibition matches during a 10-day trip to England, the San Jose Earthquakes will continue preparations for the quickly approaching regular season with a clash against the reigning MLS Cup Champion Colorado Rapids in San Luis Obispo, Calif pm Friday (7 p.m., Alex G. Spanos Stadium / Radio on SJEarthquakes.com).
The Earthquakes recently returned from a preseason tour to England where they practiced on the grounds of club partner Tottenham Hotspur. During the trip, San Jose played three friendlies, earning wins over reserve squads from Birmingham City (4-0) and Colchester United (3-0), and falling to Leicester City (3-1). Chris Wondolowski and Steven Lenhart led the way in these exhibition games as each tallied twice on the trip.
The Colorado Rapids are coming off a season in which they hoisted their first-ever MLS Cup trophy after coming from behind to defeat FC Dallas (1-2) in the final on a late goal deep into overtime. The Rapids will be looking to build on last season’s success as they get ready for the league opener with their fifth friendly of the preseason. So far, the Rapids have earned a draw (0-0) against Sporting KC and grabbed three wins over the Columbus Crew (0-2), Los Angeles Galaxy (2-4) and Ventura County Fusion of the PDL (6-3).
This will be a chance for revenge of sorts for the Earthquakes, as they saw their chances of a title run cut short by Colorado in the MLS Cup semifinals last year (1-0), though nobody is confusing a preseason friendly with a playoff game.
While Frank Yallop said he would like to win, he noted that it’s not the most important thing right now. However, with the regular season rapidly approaching, he will have the opener on his mind when he fills out his line-up card.
"I plan to go with a line-up that may very well step onto the field in the opener in two weeks time," said Yallop. "There may be some later tweaks or changes, but I’d like to get the guys who are going to be our regulars out there."
Last year, in their third season after returning to the MLS, San Jose built on their expansion campaign by finishing with a 13-10-7 record. The Quakes upset the Eastern Conference Champion New York Red Bulls in the first round of the playoffs (2-3) on aggregate), before falling to Colorado in the semis.
This continuity could prove to be the platform on which the club builds as it aims for the top in this new season. The next step to trying to find a championship-caliber formula for winning is the exhibition match against the defending MLS champions in San Luis Obispo.
