CANCÚN, Mexico – The San Jose Earthquakes opened their 2019 preseason with a 1-1 draw against Pioneros de Cancún, who compete in Mexico’s Liga Premier. The match was played midway through the Earthquakes’ two-week training camp in Cancún, in which the club has held training sessions twice per day.
Marking the first match under new head coach Matias Almeyda, San Jose took the lead in the 20th minute on a spectacular individual effort by Vako. The Georgia international curled a shot from distance up and over the keeper.
Five minutes later, Pioneros were the beneficiaries of good luck when a free kick aimed at the near post hit the wall and deflected to the back post, leaving goalkeeper Daniel Vega stranded.
The Quakes played 22 total players during the match, substituting all 11 positions at halftime. Fifteen-year-old academy product Cade Cowell and 2019 SuperDraft selection Siad Haji made their debut as professionals, while Vega, Judson and Cristian Espinoza donned a Quakes kit in a match for the first time.
The Earthquakes will remain in Cancún for another week before traveling to Reno, Nevada to take on their USL affiliate on Saturday, Feb. 9.
2019 Preseason
Pioneros de Cancún 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes
Feb. 1, 2019 – Estadio Andres Quintana Roo in Cancún, Mexico.
Earthquakes Scoring Summary: Vako – 20’.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES LINEUP
FIRST HALF: Daniel Vega; Shea Salinas, Harold Cummings, Guram Kashia, Tommy Thompson; Judson; Vako, Anibal Godoy, Cristian Espinoza; Danny Hoesen, Chris Wondolowski.
SECOND HALF: Andrew Tarbell; Joel Qwiberg, Francois Affolter, Jimmy Ockford, Florian Jungwirth; Siad Haji, Jackson Yueill, Eric Calvillo, Luis Felipe, Magnus Eriksson; Cade Cowell.
