The San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto FC battled each other and the elements during the opening round of the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston on Saturday night.
San Jose was declared a 1-0 winner in the second half when tournament officials called the game because of inclement weather, which included severe lighting and a tornado watch near Blackbaud Stadium.
The Charleston Battery's match with the New York Red Bulls, which was scheduled to take place right after the San Jose-Toronto game, was postponed to Sunday afternoon, beginning at 3 p.m.
San Jose took home the victory against Toronto FC on Jason Hernandez's first half goal. The match was eventually called in the 77th minute because of severe weather. The game was delayed for more than 15 minutes before game officials finally decided to end the game and the first night of the tournament.
San Jose dominated the action throughout the match, outshooting Toronto 10-2, and creating at least a half-dozen quality scoring chances.
Toronto FC was without several key players as they were called up to their respective national teams for the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament going on this week.
Toronto was without last year's MLS Rookie of the Year, midfielder Maurice Edu, and defender Marvell Wynne, who are with the U.S.'s under-23 national team. Toronto was also missing forward Andrea Lombardo and Tyler Hemming, who are playing for the Canadian national team in the same tournament.
San Jose striker Gavin Glinton, who played for the Charleston Battery during the 2006 season, got the Earthquakes offense going early with an excellent scoring chance in the ninth minute.
San Jose midfielder Ronnie O'Brien served the ball into the six-yard box to Glinton, but his header went just wide of the net to end the threat.
The Quakes broke open a scoreless tie in the 22nd minute when Hernandez headed in a ball during a scramble in front of the net. O'Brien started the play on a corner kick. The ball bounced off a couple of Toronto defenders before Glinton's header was cleared off the line. However, Hernandez was there for the loose ball and knocked it past Toronto 'keeper Greg Sutton for the score.
San Jose Earthquakes 1, Toronto FC 0
Toronto FC: Greg Sutton, Marco Velez, Tyrone Marshall, Julius James, Jim Brennan, Martin Brittain, Carl Robinson, Victor Pacheco (Kevin Harmse 46), Todd Dunivant, Danny Dichio (Collin Samuel 46), Jeff Cunningham
San Jose Earthquakes: Joe Cannon, Nick Garcia, Ryan Cochrane, James Riley, Jason Hernandez, Ronnie O'Brien, Ramiro Corrales, Ned Grabavoy, Ivan Guerrero, Gavin Glinton (Shea Salinas 46), Kei Kamara
Andrew Miller is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
