TUCSON, Ariz. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell 2-1 against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday in the club’s final day at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.
The Earthquakes’ starters kept the score level at 1-1 through the 65th minute. Chris Wondolowski gave San Jose the initial lead in the third minute after nodding home a cross from Marvin Chavez. Moments later, Kei Kamara equalized for Sporting KC, finishing a pass from Roger Espinoza.
Tressor Moreno showed his flare on the ball by creating several scoring chances in the first half for San Jose. He found Chavez with a through ball in the 38th minute, the resulting shot going just wide from the right side of the box. Two minutes later, Moreno started a nifty give-and-go down the sideline with Wondolowski before locating Rafael Baca on the far side of the area. Baca chest trapped and then unleashed a shot that Sporting KC goalkeeper Jon Kempin parried wide.
The Earthquakes made wholesale substitutions in the 65th minute. Sporting KC would find the game winner in the 80th minute as Konrad Warzycha bent a free kick over the wall and into the upper 90.
Cesar Diaz Pizarro had a chance to level for San Jose in the 84th minute, but his shot was cleared off the line by a Sporting KC defender.
Highlights from the matchw will be available at MLSsoccer.com.
The Earthquakes return to the Bay Area Saturday evening and will train at the club’s facility through Thursday before hitting the road for a 10-day Southern California trip. The swing kicks off with a friendly against the Colorado Rapids on Friday, Feb. 10 at Cal Poly’s Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo (visit www.gopoly.com for tickets).
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES VS SPORTING KANSAS CITY
February 4, 2012 – Kino Sports Complex
Format: Two periods of 45 minutes
Scoring Summary: SJ – Chris Wondolowski (Marvin Chavez) 3; SKC – Kei Kamara (Roger Espinoza) 4; SKC – Konrad Warzycha (unassisted) 80.
San Jose Earthquakes (4-1-4-1) – Jon Busch, Steven Beitashour (Lyle Martin 46), Victor Bernardez (Josh Suggs 54), Ike Opara (Kyle Davies 65), Ramiro Corrales (Justin Morrow 46), Marvin Chavez (Sam Garza 46), Tressor Moreno (Anthony Ampaipitakwong 46, Tyler Krumpe 73), Sam Cronin (Brad Ring 65), Jean Alexandre (Ellis McLoughlin 65), Rafael Baca (James Kiffe 65), Chris Wondolowski (Cesar Diaz Pizarro 65).
Sporting Kansas City (4-3-3) – Jimmy Nielsen (Jon Kempin 30); Chance Myers (Michael Harrington 46), Aurelien Collin (Cyprian Hedrick 46), Matt Besler (Stefan Antonijevic 46, Lawrence Olum 77), Seth Sinovic (Korede Aiyegbusi 46); Julio Cesar (Paulo Nagamura 30, Konrad Warzycha 75), Roger Espinoza (Michael Thomas 65), Graham Zusi (Luke Sassano 46); Kei Kamara (Jacob Peterson 46), Teal Bunbury (C.J. Sapong 46), Bobby Convey (Dom Dwyer 46).
