Quakes Drop Preseason Opener Against Chivas USA, 1-0
CARSON (CBS) — The San Jose Earthquakes held Chivas USA scoreless through the first of three periods, but Alan Gordon netted the decisive goal for the Goats in the 18th minute of the second period of a 1-0 pre-season contest at The Home Depot Center outside Los Angeles on Monday.
The Quakes and Goats played three 35-minute periods on an auxiliary field at The HDC. It was San Jose's first pre-season game of 2011 and Chivas USA's second. The Goats previously topped the Fresno Fuego, 2-0, last week.
San Jose's starters yielded one serious scoring threat, a shot from inside the 18-yard box that Jon Busch turned away. In the attacking third, Bobby Convey had the Quakes best chance, a left-footed dart from the edge of the area that Chivas USA keeper Zach Thornton dove to stop.
The Quakes made wholesale changes midway through the second period. Two minutes later, Chivas USA scored after a lobbed pass found its way over San Jose's backline and sat at Gordon's feet. Gordon took a touch and ripped a shot that goalkeeper Andrew Weber got a hand to, but the ricochet caromed off the post and in.
A host of soccer dignitaries, including U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley and the Los Angeles Galaxy's Bruce Arena, were on hand for Monday's scrimmage.
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