TUCSON, Ariz. –
The San Jose Earthquakes closed their three-game preseason stint in Tucson with a 0-0 draw against the Portland Timbers on Tuesday at Kino Sports Complex.
Both teams played to three 30 minutes halves in their final matches in Tucson. San Jose’s strikers and midfielders had great work rates on both sides of the ball, most notably behind the efforts of Matias Perez Garcia and JJ Koval.
Garcia and Koval’s defensive prowess created the first scoring chance for San Jose in the 7th minute. Koval disrupted Portland’s possession in their defensive half before finding Garcia on top of the box. With a positive touch toward goal, Garcia threaded a ball to the edge of the six-yard box to Fucito who scored, but was in an offside position.
Both teams traded scoring opportunities throughout the first two halves, none more threatening than Bernardez’s set piece blast inside the 18-yard box. Portland goalkeeper Jake Gleeson picked up a pass-back from a his defender before being called for a handball. With a free kick inside the area, Victor Bernardez rocketed his strike through the Timbers wall, only to be deflected away by the strong hand of Gleeson. With the deflection bouncing inside the box, Barrera one-timed his strike straight to the chest of a Portland defender, resulting in a San Jose corner kick.
The third 30-minute session was fought in the middle of the park, with both teams maintaining their defensive shape to limit the others scoring opportunities. The 69th minute, however, brought a dangerous scoring opportunity for San Jose, courtesy of Pablo Pintos. After a blistering run up the right flank, Pintos lofted a ball with the outside of his right foot into the six-yard box. The ball spun awkwardly for the Timbers substitute goalkeeper Andrew Weber, who was forced to fully extend and punch it out of harms way.
Kris Tyrpak nearly found the game-winner in the last scoring opportunity for both sides in the 89th minute. With Shea Salinas’ corner service deflected out of the area, Tyrpak squared himself toward goal just outside the 18-yard box. Off of a half volley, Tyrpak drove his right foot through the ball, swerving his attempt toward the goal’s upper right corner. Destined for goal, the ball’s flight path was interrupted by a Portland defender who deflected the ball out of harms way.
The Earthquakes return to preseason action against the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Cashman Field in Las Vegas.
MLS Preseason
San Jose Earthquakes 0:0 Portland Timbers
February 10, 2015 – Kino Sports Complex
Scoring Summary:
None.
Misconduct Summary:
None.
San Jose Earthquakes:
David Bingham (Bryan Meredith 30), Brandon Barklage (Pablo Pintos 44), Victor Bernardez (Trialist #1 30), Ty Harden, Shaun Francis (Jordan Stewart 30), Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi (Tommy Thompson 44), JJ Koval (Clarence Goodson 14), Matias Perez Garcia (Trialist #3), Cordell Cato (Shea Salinas 44), Mike Fucito (Adam Jahn 44), Leandro Barrera (Kris Tyrpak 30).
Portland Timbers:
GK Jake Gleeson (Andrew Weber, 43), D Taylor Peay, D Danny O'Rourke, D Anthony Manning, D Jeanderson, M Dairon Asprilla, M Jack Jewsbury, M George Fochive, M Michael Nanchoff, F Omar Cummings, F Maximiliano Urruti
Last 30: GK Andrew Weber, D Alvas Powell, D Anthony Manning(Taylor Peay, 75), D Norberto Paparatto (c), D Andy Thoma, M Kharlton Belmar, M Ben Zemanski, M Nick Besler, M Schillo Tshuma, F Christian Volesky, F Fatawu Safiu
