In the midst of a three-week break from league play, the San Jose Earthquakes went about trying to shake off any accumulated rust in Tuesday's friendly against Salvadoran side CD Aguila. While there were plenty of opportunities, goals proved elusive for both sides, resulting in a 0-0 draw.
It was a match that saw the Quakes reduced to 10 men with 13 minutes to go after Shea Salinas was ejected for a rash challenge on Aguila goalkeeper Benji Villalobos. But as they had for most of the evening, the San Jose defense held firm to keep the score level, with goalkeeper Andrew Weber earning the shutout.
The early exchanges were played out mostly in midfield, as neither side had much success penetrating the attacking third. The only noteworthy incidents were a fifth minute free kick from Andre Luiz that went narrowly over the bar, and an attempt by Aguila forward Alison Batista to spike a cross volleyball-style into San Jose net, for which he was duly punished with yellow card.
The match began to open up thereafter. Aguila forward Francisco Jovel picked the pocket of Quakes defender Fabio da Silva in the 14th minute, but his shot went well over the bar.
The Quakes responded three minutes later when Ryan Johnson's cross from the right wing found Ramiro Corrales at the far post, but the San Jose midfielder's downward header hit the ground and then bounced over the bar.
El Salvador international William Alegria then began to have more influence, and his feed in the 18th minute split the center of the San Jose defense to allow Juan Lazo Cruz a clear look at goal, but his shot was parried away by Weber.
da Silva made his first telling contribution in the 25th minute, timing his tackle perfectly to spoil what would have been a close range shot from Jovel.
The home side continued to probe the Aguila defense out wide, and began creating some quality opportunities. Quincy Amarikwa twice had chances to convert after crosses from Ryan Johnson, but failed to convert on either occasion. Amarikwa then had another chance in the 27th minute when Villalobos failed to corral a Chris Wondolowski cross, but he could only blaze his shot over the bar from eight yards.
Aguila manager Eraldo Correia replaced forwards Batista and Jovel with Nelson Reyes and the appropriately named Jonathan Aguila to start the second half. San Jose manager Frank Yallop countered by bringing on Chris Leitch and Salinas for Jamil Roberts and Amarikwa, respectively.
It then took Salinas less than 10 seconds to go into referee Jair Marrufo's book when he clattered into Mauricio Perla.
Otherwise, the second half began much like the first, with neither team showing much creativity. The Quakes did come close in the 58th minute, when Corrales' free kick was fanned on by da Silva and then found Johnson deep in the box, only to see the Jamaican fire high over the bar.
After starting the half slowly, Aguila began to find more space on the counter. One such breakout in the 64th minute saw substitute Aguila feed Arturo Albarran, only for Jason Hernandez to defuse the effort with a well-timed tackle.
The visitors then nearly caught the Quakes napping four minutes later. A free kick from near midfield was chipped over the San Jose defense to a wide open Reyes, but his daisy-cutter went inches wide of goal.
In the meantime, Yallop brought on Bobby Convey -- ailing hamstring and all -- for Andre Luiz. Convey's impact was immediate, as he danced around the Aguila defense in the 75th minute, only to see his centering feed miss both Johnson and Wondolowski in the box.
But the Quakes were reduced to 10 men two minutes later, as Salinas was ejected for what looked to be studs-up challenge on Villalobos.
The red card didn't seem to alter the flow of the game, with the Quakes setting up shop in the visitors' half. Villalobos had to be sharp in the 82nd minute when he touched Chris Wondolowski's free kick wide, and parried Johnson's rebound attempt over the bar.
That proved to be the last clear opportunity, and the match finished scoreless.
The Quakes will now be idle until Sept. 18, when they host the Colorado Rapids.
Jeff Carlisle is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
