San Luis Obispo, Calif. - Kei Kamara dazzled San Luis Obispo with a pair of goals to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew in the first game of the MLS Central Coast Showcase Friday night at Alex G. Spanos Stadium.
Kamara kicked the scoring off in the 17 minute. Gavin Glinton slid a pass on the ground through the defense on the right side to a streaking Kamara. The explosive striker then struck a low-lining shot past Columbus keeper Will Hesmer to put the Earthquakes ahead 1-0.
The Crew would equalize in the 34 minute. The Crew took possession at the top of the box, swung the ball to the right and Alejandro Moreno directed a pass to Eddie Gaven. Gaven's shot sailed low past San Jose keeper Dan Benton, who came on for Preston Burpo in the 22 minute.
On the 54 minute Kamara brought the crowd of 3,861 to its feet as he collected a ball with space on the left side of the box. Kamara faked one way, slid the ball back and rocketed a shot into the lower right corner of the net to give the Earthquakes a 2-1 lead.
Columbus had ample opportunity to equalize in the 62 minute as Guillermo Barros Schelotto fired a shot from 10-yards out, but Benton came off his line to block it. Schelotto tracked down the loose ball, bent a pass across the box and a San Jose defender headed the ball away.
The Earthquakes improved to 2-1-1 in the pre-season and will return to action against D.C. United on Sunday February 24, 2008 at 1 p.m. as part of the MLS Central Coast Showcase at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo.
Columbus Crew 0:1 San Jose Earthquakes
MLS Preseason Exhibition - 22 February 2008 -7 p.m. PT
Alex G. Spanos Stadium - San Luis Obispo, Calif. -
Attendance: 3,861
Scoring Summary:
SJE - Kei Kamara (Gavin Glinton) 17
CC - Eddie Gaven (Alejandro Moreno) 34
SJE - Kei Kamara 54
First Half Lineups:
Columbus Crew (4-4-2): Will Hesmer, Frankie Hedjuk, Chad Marshall, Andy Iro, Sandro de Silva, Eddie Gaven, Duncan Oughton, Stefani Miglioranzi, Robbie Rogers, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Alejandro Moreno.
San Jose Earthquakes (4-4-2): Preston Burpo (Dan Benton 22), Jason Hernandez, Nick Garcia, Ryan Cochrane, James Riley, Shea Salinas, Ramiro Corrales, Ned Grabavoy, Ivan Guerrero, Gavin Glinton, Kei Kamara.
Second Half Lineups:
Columbus Crew (4-4-2): Will Hesmer, Frankie Hedjuk (Ryan Miller 64:52), Chad Marshall (Ryan Junge 67), Andy Iro (Leonard Griffin 67), Sandro de Silva (Andrew Peterson 64:52), Eddie Gaven (Ricardo Virtuoso 64:52), Duncan Oughton (Brian Carroll 61:21), Stefani Miglioranzi (Kevin Burns 61:21), Robbie Rogers (Emmanuel Ekpo 64:52), Alejandro Moreno (Zola Short 61:21).
San Jose Earthquakes (4-4-2): Dan Benton, Jason Hernandez, Nick Garcia, Ryan Cochrane (Jay Ayres 70:06), James Riley, Shea Salinas (Matt Taylor 67), Ramiro Corrales (J.P. Rodrigues 81:46), Ned Grabavoy, Joe Vide (Ivan Guerrero 45), Gavin Glinton (Federico Arias 61:21), Kei Kamara (Yuri Morales 81:46).
Misconduct Summary
CC - Stefani Miglioranzi caution (reckless foul) 11
SJE - Ryan Cochrane caution (reckless foul) 36
SJE - Nick Garcia caution (reckless foul) 62
The San Jose Earthquakes are a Major League Soccer expansion franchise and will begin playing in April of 2008. Season tickets for the 2008 Earthquakes season are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (408) 556-7700. Individual tickets are also on sale and can be purchased by calling 1-800-225-2277 or online at sjearthquakes.com.
