The San Jose Earthquakes concluded their preseason with a 2-1 victory over the Portland Timbers of the USL First Division at Clive Charles Soccer Complex Friday night. Kei Kamara and Shea Salinas scored first half goals for the Quakes to lead them to the victory.
The Earthquakes opened the scoring in the eighth minute on a goal by Kamara from close range. Ramiro Corrales served a free kick from near midfield into the heart of the box to start the play. Ryan Cochrane slid and knocked a shot on goal, but Timbers goalkeeper Ray Burse made a tough save. However, the rebound fell to Kamara, who deposited the ball into the empty net for a 1-0 lead. The goal was Kamara's fifth of the preseason.
Later in the first half, Salinas, a rookie from Furman, got into the act with an impressive blast from 20 yards out. He picked up the ball outside the box and unloaded a shot that found the side-netting in the top corner to give the Quakes a 2-0 edge. The goal came in the 13th minute.
Portland got back into the game with a goal in the 71st minute. Tim Kraralexis scored from six yards away to cut the deficit in half.
The Quakes finish the preseason with a 5-1-2 record against professional competition. The team opens the 2008 Major League Soccer season on Thursday, Apr. 3 against the Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ESPN2. Fans can also catch the game on the radio in Spanish on KLOK 1170.
San Jose Earthquakes 2, Portland Timbers 1
Clive Charles Soccer Complex; Portland, Ore.
Friday, March 28, 2008
San Jose Starting Lineup - GK Joe Cannon, D Jason Hernandez, D Ryan Cochrane, D Nick Garcia, D Eric Denton, M Ronnie O'Brien, M Ned Grabavoy, M Ramiro Corrales, M Ivan Guerrero, F Kei Kamara, F Shea Salinas.
Scoring Summary
SJ - Kamara (Cochrane), 8th; SJ - Salinas (unassisted), 13th; POR - Kraralexis (unassisted), 71st.
