SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Chris Wondolowski scored in his fifth consecutive preseason game to help the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-1 draw against the expansion Portland Timbers on Saturday at Buck Shaw Stadium.
After a scoreless first half, Eric Brunner slammed home Portland's lone goal in the 52nd minute. The play originated on a corner kick by Jack Jewsbury. After the Earthquakes failed to clear the initial ball in, Jewsbury regained possession and whipped in a cross that Brunner booted into the left side of goal.
Wondolowski won a penalty in the 68th minute, leading to San Jose's equalizer. Timbers defender Kevin Goldthwaite took the 2010 MLS Budweiser Golden Boot winner down in the area after a Bobby Convey free kick and Wondolowski hit a low, stinging shot on the ensuing penalty to tie the match up in the 69th minute.
Before the Convey spot kick, San Jose's Sam Cronin drew a foul by holding his ground on a hard challenge from Jewsbury. The late challenge earned the Portland midfielder a yellow card.
Chris Leitch was sent off in the 72nd minute with a straight red card for dissent. Per rules of the scrimmage, the Earthquakes were allowed to sub Steven Beitashour on for Leitch.
Wondolowski closed his preseason with goals in each of his last five games. The Danville, Calif. native enters 2011 having scored San Jose’s last 10 regular season goals, a streak that ranks No. 1 all time in MLS history.
With the draw, the Earthquakes finished their preseason with a 6-2-2 mark while the Timbers improved to 2-0-6. Both teams begin regular season play on Saturday, March 19 with San Jose hosting Real Salt Lake at 7:30 p.m. PT and Portland traveling to defending MLS Cup Champion Colorado for a 6 p.m. PT kickoff.
Fans can purchase tickets for the Earthquakes home opener by visiting SJEarthquakes.com or calling 1-800-225-2277. San Jose will donate $1 for every fan who attends the match on March 19 to the Red Cross in support of the disaster relief effort in Japan and around the Pacific Rim.
San Jose Earthquakes 1:1 Portland Timbers
Preseason Exhibition (90 minutes)
Buck Shaw Stadium - Santa Clara, Calif.
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY: POR - Peter Lowry (Caution) 49; POR - Jack Jewsbury (Caution) 67. SJ - Chris Leitch (Caution) 72; SJ - Leitch (Red Card) 72; SJ - Jason Hernandez (Caution) 84.
SCORING SUMMARY: POR - Eric Brunner (Jack Jewsbury) 52. Chris Wondolowski (Penalty) 69.
EARTHQUAKES LINEUP (4-3-3): Jon Busch, Chris Leitch (Steven Beitashour 73), Jason Hernandez, Brandon McDonald, Ramiro Corrales, Khari Stephenson, Sam Cronin, Chris Wondolowski, Joey Gjertsen, Ryan Johnson (Ellis McLoughlin 73), Bobby Convey.
TIMBERS LINEUP (4-4-2): Troy Perkins, Steve Purdy, Eric Brunner, Kevin Goldthwaite, Jeremy Hall, Sal Zizzo (Brian Umony 39), Peter Lowry (Khalif Alhassan 60), Jack Jewsbury, Ryan Pore, Kenny Cooper, Jorge Perlaza.
