LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The San Jose Earthquakes earned their first shutout win of the 2015 preseason to beat the Colorado Rapids 2-0 in the first-ever soccer match at Cashman Field on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Chris Wondolowski provided a familiar scoring punch in his first game back from international duty, while JJ Koval recorded his first goal since tallying against Sacramento Republic FC on March 5, 2014.
San Jose dominated the run of play throughout the entire first half and threatened early from the flanks, fueled behind Shea Salinas’ involvement as the Quakes’ primary facilitator on the left side.
Salinas was involved early with Quakes’ newcomer Sanna Nyassi in the 12 minute. After beating his man in pursuit of the endline, Salinas whipped in a looping service in front of the collapsing run of Nyassi. Escaping from a Colorado defender, Nyassi connected with Salinas’ service but was unable to keep his shot on frame.
Wondolowski gave San Jose a 1-0 lead in the 43rd minute. Jordan Stewart ignited the scoring sequence after making a blistering run up the left side. Searching for a one-two combination, Stewart relayed the ball to Salinas who drove his service toward Wondolowski in the box. After a poor clearance from Colorado, the ball bounced to the feet of Wondolowski who slotted his shot past an outstretched Clint Irwin.
The second half was decided in the middle of the park, as both sides maintained their respective defensive shapes. Second half substitute Leandro Barrera proved dangerous for San Jose in the attacking third, most notably with his chance in the 71st minute. After making a darting run toward a backtracking Colorado defender, Barrera separated himself with a nifty touch to his left foot before unleashing a strike toward the bottom left corner, forcing substitute goalkeeper Quentin Westberg to make a save.
With both sides exchanging chances in the final stanza, it was Koval who tucked away the deciding goal in the 75th minute. Barrera set up Koval with an in-swinger from the right corner flag. Peeling away from a Colorado defender inside the area, Koval connected with the driven ball and powered his shot under a fully extended Westberg.
The Earthquakes return to preseason action against Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 5:00 p.m. PT at Bonney Field.
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MLS Preseason
San Jose Earthquakes 2:0 Colorado Rapids
February 15, 2015 – Cashman Field
Scoring Summary: SJ – Chris Wondolowski (unassisted) 43; SJ – JJ Koval (Leandro Barrera) 75.
Misconduct Summary: COL – Sam Cronin (caution) 38; SJ – Ty Harden (caution) 47.
San Jose Earthquakes: David Bingham, Marvell Wynne (Brandon Barklage 27), Victor Bernardez (Trialist #3), Ty Harden (Clarence Goodson 27), Jordan Stewart (Shaun Francis 45), JJ Koval (Pablo Pintos 11), Chris Wondolowski (Adam Jahn 45), Matias Perez Garcia (Mike Fucito 27), Sanna Nyassi (Leandro Barrera 45), Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi (Tommy Thompson 27), Shea Salinas (Cordell Cato 27).
Colorado Rapids: Clint Irwin (Quentin Westberg 45), Zat Knight (Marc Burch 27), Shane O’Neill (Axel Sjoberg 27), Jared Watts (Francisco Flores 27), Michael Harrington (Joe Greenspan 27), Sam Cronin (Andrew Ribeiro 27), Lucas Pittinari (Carlos Alvarez 27), Vicente Sanchez (Caleb Calvert 27), Marcelo Sarvas (Ben Newnam 27), Dillon Serna (Gabriel Torres 27), Dominique Badji (Oscar Montoya 27).
