Balanced 'Quakes Strike Early, Often In Friendly
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – The San Jose Earthquakes cruised to a 6-0 win against Antigua Barracuda FC in Reserve League play at Kezar Stadium on Monday as four different players found the scoresheet.
San Jose didn't wait long to open the scoring as Mehdi Ballouchy linked up with Brad Ring on a corner kick in the second minute. Ballouchy sent an in-swinger to the far post where Ring timed his run perfectly and rose to win the header, pounding the ball into the back of the net.
Adam Jahn doubled the Earthquakes' lead in the 16th minute. Dan Gargan sent a penetrating pass through the middle of the field that Tommy Thompson leaped to flick with the side of his cleat. The nifty pass found Jahn in stride, allowing the target man to poke a shot from close range past Antigua goalkeeper James Molvin.
The Earthquakes wrapped up their first-half scoring with an own goal. Cordell Cato targeted Sam Garza in front of goal, but the pass was deflected into the goal by Barracuda FC defender Alex Phillip in the 53rd minute.
San Jose stormed to another three goals in the second half, the first coming from a strong individual effort from Sam Garza. The winger dribbled into Antigua's box, touched the ball past the keeper and finished from close range.
Garza was again the focus for San Jose's fifth goal, receiving a long pass from Brad Ring near the box before turning his defender to get a pass off to Jahn. Jahn one-touched his shot on the ground to the near post to complete his brace.
Recent signee Jordan Stewart capped the scoring in the 67th minute with a blast from the left wing that took a deflection on its way into the net.
The Earthquakes return home for their next match, an international friendly against Norwich City FC of the English Premier League on Saturday, July 20 at Buck Shaw Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
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