VIDEO CREDIT: LA Galaxy
The San Jose Earthquakes defeated the LA Galaxy 3-2 in the final preseason tune-up of the 2015 season and the first-ever game at Avaya Stadium.
The Earthquakes first scoring opportunity came in the 18th minute when midfielder Matias Perez Garcia’s set piece forced Galaxy keeper Brian Rowe off his line, but the ball narrowly missed the head of Quakes defender Shaun Francis.
In the 25th minute, the Earthquakes created another chance. Perez Garcia whipped in a cross, which found midfielder JJ Koval. Koval’s shot was deflected by Galaxy forward Alan Gordon out of play for a corner kick.
The Galaxy’s first scoring chance of the match came in the 34th minute. Gordon had a dangerous strike from near the top of the box, but his shot was blocked by Quakes defender Paulo Renato to keep the deadlock.
San Jose got on the scoreboard first in the 42nd minute. Midfielder Shea Salinas dribbled through traffic with some nifty footwork and whipped in a dangerous ball across the front of goal with his left foot. The ball caromed off of Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez and into the back of the net to give the Earthquakes a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
Earthquakes midfielder JJ Koval doubled the team’s advantage in the 58th minute. After receiving a well-placed chip by Perez Garcia, Wondolowski headed the ball back to Koval at the top of the penalty area, who blasted it past Galaxy keeper Brian Rowe.
In the 65th minute, the Galaxy got a goal back. Defender Robbie Rogers sent a left-footed in-swinger into the box and forward Jose Villareal headed it towards goal. Quakes keeper David Bingham got a hand on the ball, but it caromed off the post and into the net.
San Jose responded immediately to extend their lead to 3-1 in the 67th minute. Second-half substitute Adam Jahn got his head on a Perez Garcia corner kick and directed the ball past the keeper. It marked his team-leading seventh goal of the preseason.
The Galaxy brought the game within one goal again in the 82nd minute. Midfielder Stefan Ishizaki chipped a ball onto the foot of Robbie Keane, who slotted his left-footed strike into the bottom-right corner of the net.
The final scoring chance of the night came off the left foot of Quakes midfielder Cordell Cato in stoppage time. Cato dribbled towards the box from the right flank and cut back onto his left foot, ripping a shot headed for the far post, but Galaxy keeper Brian Rowe dove to his right and punched the ball out of danger.
The Earthquakes open the 2015 regular season against FC Dallas on Saturday, March 7 at 5:30 p.m. PT at Toyota Stadium.
