Earthquakes Weekly Update: January 24, 2011

Brandon McDonald vs. Philadelphia 091510_2

Earthquakes Schedule for the Week of 1/24/11
Tuesday, January 25 – Off
Wednesday, January 26 – Off
Thursday, January 27 – 10:15 a.m. – Training Camp Opens at Nutrilite Training Facility
Friday, January 28 – 10:15 a.m. – Training at Nutrilite Training Facility
Saturday, January 29 – TBD
Sunday, January 30 – Off

Quakes in the Community
What: California Youth Soccer Association (CYSA) Convention
Who: Assistant Coach Mark Watson
Location: Monterey Conference Center at One Portola Plaza in Monterey, Calif.
Date: Saturday, January 29
Time: 3 – 4 p.m. PT
Details: Watson will host a one hour coaching session in a classroom setting to youth coaches.

Wondolowski Makes National Team Debut
Quakes forward and MLS Golden Boot Winner Chris Wondolowski made his international debut on Saturday as the United States earned a 1-1 draw with Chile in an international friendly. Wondolowski earned the start at forward and played 60 minutes. The Danville native scored a goal on a penalty kick earlier in the week in a 4-0 win over the Canadian U-23 team in a scrimmage. Wondolowski’s Earthquakes teammate, midfielder Sam Cronin did not appear for the United States on Saturday. The two are expected to be in camp, which opens on Thursday, Jan. 27.

Quakes Announce Preseason Plans, Open Camp on Thursday
The San Jose Earthquakes announced their 2011 preseason schedule last week. The Earthquakes are slated to open camp in San Jose on Thursday, Jan. 27. The Quakes will then head to Ventura, Calif. from Sunday, Feb. 6 through Friday, Feb. 11. After returning home for one week, the team will travel across the pond to London to train at club partner Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground from Thursday, Feb. 17 until Sunday, Feb. 27. While in the Ventura area, San Jose will train at the Oxnard College Soccer Complex and play three exhibition games. The Quakes will face two MLS teams to be determined early in the week and Premier Developmental League side Ventura County Fusion on Friday, Feb. 11. The times of the games have yet to be determined. The Earthquakes will then return home to continue their preseason training from Saturday, Feb. 12 through Wednesday, Feb. 16. From Thursday, Feb. 17 until Sunday, Feb. 27 the Quakes will be overseas in the London area, where they will train at Spurs Lodge. The Quakes are working to finalize details for matches during that trip.

Earthquakes Preseason Schedule
Jan. 27 – Feb. 5: Preseason Camp Opens in San Jose, Calif.
Feb. 6 – Feb. 11: Travel and train in Ventura, Calif.
- Exhibition: San Jose vs. Opponent TBD (Monday, Feb. 7)
- Exhibition: San Jose vs. Opponent TBD (Thursday, Feb. 10)
- Exhibition: San Jose vs. Ventura County Fusion (Friday, Feb. 11)
Feb. 12 – Feb. 16: Train in San Jose, Calif.
Feb. 17 – Feb. 27: Travel and train in London, England
Feb. 28 – March 18: Train in San Jose, Calif.

Convey Honored in Philadelphia
Earthquakes midfielder and Philadelphia native Bobby Convey will be honored as the Philadelphia Sports Writer’s Association (PSWA) Native Son Award Winner at the PSWA Banquet on Monday, Jan. 31. Convey will be honored alongside other award winners such as Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay, outfielder Shane Victorino, 76ers power forward Elton Brand, and other notable Philadelphia sports figures. Convey posted a career high 10 assists in 2010 and was instrumental in San Jose’s return to the MLS Cup Playoffs. He also scored two goals and notched an assist in the Quakes thrilling 3-1 upset win over New York Red Bulls in the second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. For more information on the event, click here.

Quakes Academy Update
The Earthquakes U-18 Academy team finished the first half of their inaugural season 3-3-3 while the U-16 squad was 1-6-2. Both sides kick off the 2011 portion of their seasons on Saturday, March 5, when they take on Arsenal FC in Temecula, Calif. For full information on the U-18’s, including the roster and schedule, click here. For the U-16’s, the same information can be found here.

Quakes Pick Two in Supplemental Draft
The San Jose Earthquakes selected goalkeeper Philip Tuttle from Notre Dame with their second round pick and University of San Francisco defender Victor Cortez with their third round choice in the MLS Supplemental Draft on Tuesday. Tuttle, 23, is a fifth year senior who appeared in 13 games last season, compiling a record of 7-4-2 with two shutouts for the Irish. During his career, the New Hampshire native appeared in 33 games, starting 29 and posted a 0.94 goals against average with nine shutouts. He ended his collegiate career with a 16-10-4 record and helped lead the Irish to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Cortez, 21, appeared in 70 games, making 58 starts through his four years with the Dons. He scored three of his four career goals and notched one assist during his senior season. In 2009, Cortez was a West Coast Conference (WCC) Honorable Mention and in 2007, he made the WCC All-Freshman Team. The El Sobrante native was also a part of the United States U20 team that went to Argentina in 2007 and the U17 side that went to Ireland in 2005. He is a former high school All American (2007) and was a four year starter at the varsity level at Miramonte High School.

Mexico to Face Paraguay
The San Jose Earthquakes, Soccer United Marketing (SUM) and the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF) announced that the Mexican National Team will face Paraguay on Saturday, March 26 at 2 p.m. PT at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. This Bay Area stop is part of Mexico’s 2011 U.S. Tour. An exclusive pre-sale for San Jose Earthquakes season ticket holders and other special groups began last Friday, January 14 at 10 a.m. PT and those fans can get tickets by calling the Earthquakes at 408-556-7700. For group tickets or suites, please contact the Earthquakes Front Office. Tickets for the general public will go on sale on Friday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. PT by visiting www.Tickets.com, by calling 800-225-2277 or visiting the usual tienda locations. A special two-pack that includes a ticket to the Mexico-Paraguay game and a voucher for a ticket to an Earthquakes game can be purchased for as low as $30. To purchase the two-pack, fans should call 408-556-7700. Tickets for the general public will go on sale on Friday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. PT by visiting www.Tickets.com, by calling 800-225-2277 or visiting the usual tienda locations. A special two-pack that includes a ticket to the Mexico-Paraguay game and a voucher for a ticket to an Earthquakes game can be purchased for as low as $30. To purchase the two-pack, fans should call 408-556-7700.

Quakes Face RSL in Home Opener
The San Jose Earthquakes will open the 2011 season at home on Saturday, March 19 against Real Salt Lake at Buck Shaw Stadium at 7:30 p.m. PT. The Quakes play RSL at home to open the season for the second straight year.  San Jose looks to improve on their 2010 campaign that saw the Quakes reach the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2005. The Earthquakes finished 2010 with a 13-10-7 record and reached the Eastern Conference Championship after knocking out the first-seeded New York Red Bulls in the opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Earthquakes began their 2010 slate at home with Real Salt Lake on March 27, falling 3-0.

2011 Season Tickets on Sale Now
Season tickets for 2011 are now on sale and fans can log on to sjearthquakes.com or call 408-556-7700 to make a deposit or purchase season tickets. The 20-game season ticket package includes two bonus games and a playoff game ticket. Season ticket packages start as low as $240. All packages offer significant savings off the regular price and season ticket holders will also receive the following benefits: special invitations to private season ticket holder events, ability to purchase season-long parking pass at a discounted rate, a 10-year anniversary MLS Cup Championship patch and scarf, as well as additional perks.