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Dominic Kinnear, on progress
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Kinnear, on young players
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Troy Dayak, on Thursday's game
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Dayak, on Robinson, Cochrane
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Roger Levesque, on the game
BRADENTON, FLA. - The San Jose Earthquakes fell 1-0 to the MetroStars at the IMG Academy in the Quakes' second match in as many days. San Jose started five rookies as the veteran players were recovering from the team's game against Chicago on Wednesday.
One of the Quakes rookies nearly put them out to an early lead, as Orlando Ramirez had a header tipped over the bar by MetroStars goalkeeper Mike Ueltschey. Brian Mullan whipped a cross into the box and Ramirez out-leaped a defender and headed a shot toward the corner, but Ueltschey reacted quickly and pushed the shot over the net.
The MetroStars best opportunity of the first half came in the 24th minute as Abdoulaye Ibrahim snuck behind the Quakes defense and broke in alone on goalkeeper Robbie Fulton. Ibrahim maneuvered around Fulton, but his shot toward the empty net was blocked by Chris Aloisi, who had come in behind Fulton.
Tighe Dombrowski showed a nice touch with a curving free kick that almost found the near post 15 minutes before halftime. Dombrowksi curled a shot around the wall and skimmed it off the outside of the post.
Four minutes after the halftime break, MetroStars defender Tim Ward scored the only goal of the game with a long-range blast that sailed into the upper corner over the outstretched hand of Fulton. Ward picked up the ball on the right wing and fired to the far post to give the Metros the only goal they would need.
Quakes first round pick Danny O'Rourke nearly struck right back for San Jose, as he took a feed from Roger Levesque and one-timed a shot from 25 yards out. However, Pat Hannigan was there to make the save for the MetroStars.
Late in the game, Brad Davis came close to tying the score on a pair of free kicks from the right edge of the 18-yard box. On the first, Davis spun a shot to the near post that went high and wide. Then, in the 76th minute, he whipped a left-footed shot from the same spot on frame, but Hannigan made the save to preserve the shutout.
The Quakes next play on Sunday, Feb. 20 against the Kansas City Wizards at 3:00 p.m. ET at the IMG Academy. San Jose now has a 1-2-1 record in the preseason.
Quotes:
Dominic Kinnear, on game:
"I think that we put forth a strong effort today. We had a lot of new faces in the lineup and some guys were playing their second game in less than 24 hours. They scored a great goal, so you have to give them credit for that, but I liked the way we played today."
Kinnear, on first week of training in Florida:
"So far, so good. The competition has been good in practice and we have had some good games down here. Overall, it has been a very positive first week."
Troy Dayak, on game:
"It was tough game for us. Some guys had played on Wednesday afternoon and it was a hot game out there today. We needed to let the ball do the work for us more and not run around so much, but it was kind of a run and gun game, especially in the first half."
Roger Levesque, on young lineup:
"I thought everyone did well. We have been together for a couple of weeks now, so we are getting to know each other's tendencies. Despite losing 1-0, I felt that we played a decent game."
Lineups
SJ
- GK Robbie Fulton (Gary Kane, 65), D Chris Aloisi (Wes Hart, 41), D Troy Dayak (Brett Rodriguez, 41), D Pablo Paz (Craig Waibel, 41), D Kevin Goldthwaite (Wade Barrett, 61), M Brian Mullan (Ian Russell, 41), M Tighe Dombrowski (Danny O'Rourke, 41) M Chris Wondolowski (Victor "Boomer" Arbelaez, 41), M Roger Levesque (Brad Davis, 61), F Antouman Jallow (Alejandro Moreno, 61), F Orlando Ramirez.
MET
- GK Mike Ueltschey (Pat Hannigan, 41), D Tim Regan, D Jeff Agoos (Carlos Mendes), D Jeff Parke, D Tim Ward, M Oleg Moskalewiecz, M Amado Guevara, M Michael Bradley (Mark Lisi, 41), M Eddie Gaven (John Wolyniec, 41), M Mike Magee (Awoudou Moutala, 57), M Abdoulaye Ibrahim (Eamon Zayed, 58).
Scoring Summary
MET - Ward (unassisted), 45.
