This Week
The Earthquakes are currently in Charleston, S.C. competing in the Carolina Challenge Cup. The Quakes defeated Toronto FC 1-0 in a weather-shortened game on Mar. 15 with defender Jason Hernandez scoring the only goal of the match. Frank Yallop's squad takes the field again Wednesday, Mar. 19 with a match against the Charleston Battery at 5:15 p.m. PT at Blackbaud Stadium. The team then faces the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, Mar. 22 at 5:15 p.m. PT to finish off the preseason trip.
Earthquakes Schedule for the Week of 3/17/08
• Tuesday, Mar. 18 10:30 a.m. ET - Training in Charleston
• Wednesday, Mar. 19 5:15 p.m. PT - Earthquakes vs. Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium
• Thursday, Mar. 20 10:30 a.m. ET - Training in Charleston
• Friday, Mar. 21 10:30 a.m. ET - Training in Charleston
• Saturday, Mar. 22 5:15 p.m. PT - Earthquakes vs. New York Red Bulls at Blackbaud Stadium
• Sunday, Mar. 23 Travel to San Jose
Injury Report
None
Misc. Notes
Last Game
Jason Hernandez scored the lone goal of the game in the 22nd minute to lead the Earthquakes to a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC in the Carolina Challenge Cup on Mar. 15. Due to inclement weather the game was called in the 77th minute.
History in the Challenge Cup
The Earthquakes have experience in the Carolina Challenge Cup, as the team won the competition in 2005. San Jose defeated D.C. United 2-0, tied the Columbus Crew 1-1 and beat the Charleston Battery 1-0 to capture the title that year. Overall, the team has a 3-0-1 record in the tournament.
Carolina Challenge Cup Live
All the games of the fifth annual Carolina Challenge Cup preseason tournament featuring Major League Soccer sides San Jose Earthquakes, New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC and host Charleston Battery will be broadcast live on the web. All six games of the week-long event are available free via USLive.com.
Quakes Preseason Continues
The Earthquakes have played five preseason games so far this preseason, posting a 2-1-2 record against MLS competition. After losing their opening game against Houston on Feb. 13, the Quakes have gone unbeaten in their past four matches. Kei Kamara leads the team in scoring with two preseason goals.
Preseason Schedule and Results (2-1-2)
Feb. 13 - 1-0 loss vs. Houston Dynamo
Feb. 16 - 0-0 tie vs. Houston Dynamo
Feb. 22 - 2-1 win vs. Columbus Crew (Kamara (2)
Feb. 24 - 0-0 tie vs. D.C. United
Mar. 15 - 1-0 win vs. Toronto FC (Hernandez)
Jason Batty Named Goalkeeper Coach
The San Jose Earthquakes announced Mar. 13 that Jason Batty has been named the goalkeeper coach of the Earthquakes. The former New Zealand international rounds out the team's coaching staff under head coach Frank Yallop. Batty comes to San Jose after serving as the Director of Goalkeeping for Texas Premier SC, while coaching a number of soccer academies and camps. Previously, he was assistant coach and goalkeeper coach for Dartmouth College. Prior to coaching, Batty played professionally for 14 years in England, Singapore, New Zealand and the United States. He earned 55 caps for New Zealand's national team.
Familiar Face Returns
Former Earthquakes star Ronnie Ekelund returns to the team this season as a technical advisor. Ekelund, who played for the Quakes from 2001-04, was named to the position on Feb. 26. He will assist head coach Frank Yallop and his staff with the daily training sessions. Ekelund spent four seasons as a player with the Earthquakes from 2001-04, helping San Jose capture two MLS Cup Championships with his sublime passing skills and leadership. He finished his MLS career with 11 goals and 16 assists in 91 games. Ekelund left the Quakes after the 2004 season and played one year with the California Cougars of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Ekelund was a MISL All-Star during the 2005-06 season.
Salinas Signs
The San Jose Earthquakes announced Mar. 17 that they signed their second round draft pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft Shea Salinas. Salinas will occupy a spot on the Earthquakes senior roster. Per team and league policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. The Lubbock, Texas native comes to San Jose from Furman University where he played 77 games, scored 14 goals and had 21 assist in his college career. Salinas, 21, was named to the NSCAA All-American Third Team and NSCAA All-South Region First Team in 2007. In 2006 and 2007 he was also named to the All-Southern Conference First Team. In addition, Salinas was a NSCAA All-South Region Third Team selection in 2006. He was also an Academic All-American at Furman. Salinas played club soccer for the Dallas Texans and Solar, and played for the Carolina Dynamo of the PDL. In 2007 Salinas was a USL PDL All-Conference Selection and Team MVP.
Pub Crawls a Success
The San Jose Earthquakes celebrated their return to Major League Soccer with a series of Pub Crawl events around the Bay Area. Players and staff hosted five events with Quakes fans, giving away prizes and autographed items. The events took place at Kezar Pub (San Francisco), Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant (San Jose), The Englander (San Leandro), 99 Bottles of Beer On The Wall (Santa Cruz) and Masse's Billiards Bar & Grill (Walnut Creek).
Earthquakes On KLOK
The San Jose Earthquakes have partnered with Spanish language radio station KLOK 1170 AM, part of Univision Radio, to broadcast all 30 regular season games in 2008. The first KLOK 1170 AM broadcast will be on Thursday, April 3 when the Earthquakes open the 2008 MLS regular season against Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center at 7:30 p.m. PT. KLOK 1170 AM is a Spanish language news/talk radio station which covers current events, news, sports and offers information on how to live a happier and healthier life.
Individual Tickets on Sale Now
Individual tickets for 2008 San Jose Earthquakes games are now on sale. Tickets for the Earthquakes long awaited return are available online at sjearthquakes.com, by calling (800) 225-2277 or by visiting your local authorized Tickets.com outlets. Prices for individual tickets range from $20 to $70. The 2008 Earthquakes season schedule is highlighted with three games being played at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, including the home opener on Saturday, April 12 against Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire. David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy come to the Bay Area June 14 and August 3. The first game at newly renovated Buck Shaw Stadium will be May 3 against Duilio Davino and FC Dallas.
Season Tickets on Sale Now
San Jose Earthquakes season ticket packages for the 2008 season are now on sale. The Earthquakes 2008 season ticket package features 17 games, including all MLS regular season games and special bonus games. Prices for the ticket packages are $306 for Goal View, $340 for Corner Flag, $595 for Field View and $595 for Sideline. Tickets for the Earthquakes long awaited return will be available online at sjearthquakes.com, by calling (800) 225-2277 or by visiting your local authorized Tickets.com outlets.
