Photo Credit: San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes earned a 1-0 victory against Sacramento Republic FC at Bonney Field on Saturday night.
San Jose’s first real scoring opportunity of the game came in the 4th minute, when midfielder Matias Perez Garcia crossed an in-swinger into the six-yard box. Forward Chris Wondolowski out-jumped Sacramento’s defenders and headed the ball just over the goal.
In the 13th minute, Wondolowski created another scoring opportunity, dribbling past a defender and into the 18-yard box before going to ground with contact.
A few moments later in the 19th minute, Sacramento Republic FC created a chance of their own, but Earthquakes defender Clarence Goodson’s well-timed slide tackle deflected the ball out of play.
Sacramento Republic FC had another scoring opportunity in the 36th minute. Forward Thomas Stewart raced down the left side of the pitch, but took a heavy touch as he entered the box. Quakes goalkeeper David Bingham raced off his line and pounced on the ball, ending the scoring threat.
In the 42nd minute, the Earthquakes had their best chance of the first half. Midfielder Shea Salinas whipped a free kick into the penalty area and Goodson’s header hit the post, causing a scramble for the ball in front of net. The ball was eventually touched out of play for a goal kick.
The Earthquakes broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. After receiving a low cross near the penalty spot, Wondolowski one-touched the ball back to the edge of the 18-yard box, where midfielder Matias Perez Garcia calmly slotted it into the corner of the goal.
In the 61st minute, midfielder Sanna Nyassi took a pass by Perez Garcia in stride, dibbled to the edge of the box and fired a shot that missed just high.
The Earthquakes replaced four players in the 64th minute, with Leandro Barrera, Shaun Francis, Tommy Thompson and Trialist #1 entering the game. Midfielder Cordell Cato later entered for Sanna Nyassi in the 69th minute.
The final scoring opportunity for the Quakes came in the 90th minute, when Cato’s left-footed strike from inside the penalty area missed just high.
The Earthquakes return to preseason action against the LA Galaxy on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2:00 p.m. PT in the first-ever game at Avaya Stadium.
