The San Jose Earthquakes tied the Houston Dynamo 0-0 on Wednesday night at Kezar Stadium, earning their fourth consecutive shutout in preseason play.
Fourteen minutes into the match, Houston threatened with the first real scoring opportunity as they had the long throw working. Eddie Robinson's throw was flicked on by former Earthquakes forward Cam Weaver and seemed as he was searching out Corey Ashe at the back post. Joey Gjertsen's sliding clearance kept Ashe away, and play resumed.
Just two minutes later, San Jose had a chance, as Javier Robles had his curling effort to the near post from about 22 yards out saved by a diving Pat Onstad.
In the 21st minute, Gjertsen carried down the line and found an overlapping Chris Leitch, who whipped in a dangerous low ball that skipped through the area before being cleared by Geoff Cameron.
Cameron had an opportunity to give Houston the advantage just a minute before halftime, as he rose to meet a corner by Mike Chabala, but his header went just high of Joe Cannon's goal.
Once the second half began there were wholesale changes on both sides. The Earthquakes had the first chance of the half, as Simon Elliott drew a foul about 25 yards out. Cornell Glen hit his shot just high of the target.
San Jose was threatening again in the 63rd minute, when off a broken corner, Jason Hernandez played Chris Wondolowski in on goal, but his volley effort went just wide.
Just two minutes later, Quincy Amarikwa came in on Onstad, but he was up to the task, saving Amarikwa's close range shot. The rebound fell to Glen, who had his shot blocked, and Wondolowski missed his rebound wide of the net.
In the 79th minute, Ramon Sanchez nearly broke the deadlock from a dead ball. Sanchez's effort from about 25 yards out skipped through on net and went inches wide of the far post.
The game finished in a 0-0 draw, making it the fourth consecutive clean sheet for the San Jose Earthquakes. San Jose takes on the Portland Timbers Saturday, March 20 at Buck Shaw Stadium in their final preseason match. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. PT.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo
March 17, 2010 - Kezar Stadium
Attendance: 2,116
Scoring Summary: None.
Misconduct Summary: HOU - Luis Angel Landin (caution) 42; SJ - Cornell Glen (caution) 78;
San Jose Earthquakes - Joe Cannon, Chris Leitch (Steven Beitashour 46), Jason Hernandez, Bobby Burling, Ramiro Corrales (Justin Morrow 46), Joey Gjertsen (Omar Jessey 46), Brad Ring (Simon Elliott 27, Antonio Ribeiro 58), Javier Robles (Ramon Sanchez 46), Bobby Convey (Chris Wondolowski 46), Ryan Johnson (Cornell Glen 46), Arturo Alvarez (Quincy Amarikwa 46).
Statistics: Shots 7; Shots on Goal 4; Saves 0; Fouls 13; Offsides 1; Corner Kicks 6.
Houston Dynamo: -- Pat Onstad, Craig Waibel (Erik Ustruck 46), Bobby Boswell (Ryan Cochrane 46), Eddie Robinson (Andrew Hainault 71), Mike Chabala (Wade Barrett 46), Danny Cruz (Brian Mullan 46), Adrian Serioux (Richard Mulrooney 46), Geoff Cameron (Sammy Appiah 64), Corey Ashe (Francisco Navas Cobo 46), Cam Weaver (Dominic Oduro 46), Luis Angel Landin.
Statistics: Shots 5; Shots on Goal 0; Saves 4; Fouls 7; Offsides 5; Corner Kicks 6.
Quotes
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH FRANK YALLOP
On the game:
"I was happy that there wasn't a big drop-off of our play from the first half to the second half. We've got some good depth, and that means we have some good players that aren't playing. We have a very solid squad, and we keep our standards high, which is good for any coach."
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES GOALKEEPER JOE CANNON
On the result:
"It was a gritty game on a pretty slick surface. We had a couple of good chances. The guys in the back four did an excellent job, especially the two center backs Jason Hernandez and Bobby Burling. In the first half, Jason makes a critical tackle, and in the second half, Bobby Burling winning headers."
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