MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Defeat Birmingham City, 4-0

Published on February 22, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


BIRMINGHAM CITY, England - Steven Lenhart scored a brace to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 4-0 result against a group of reserves from Birmingham City on Tuesday at the Blues training ground.

Chris Wondolowski opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a header from close range. Joey Gjertsen initially played in a corner kick that was cleared back to him. Gjertsen took a touch and then directed a cross to the near post that Wondolowski finished powerfully past the Birmingham keeper.

The Quakes scored twice in the dying embers of the first half to take a commanding 3-0 lead. With one minute remaining in the half, Wondolowski sent a through ball that sprung Lenhart for a 1v1 with Birmingham City's keeper. Lenhart blasted a shot to the far post for a 2-0 lead.

Moments later, Gjertsen turned his man and immediately fired a shot from 25 yards out that curled into the left corner, a cracker that drew praise from both technical staffs after the match to give the Quakes a 3-0 lead going into half time.

Lenhart completed the scoring for San Jose in the 84th minute. Ryan Johnson tapped a pass on the left to an overlapping Ramiro Corrales. San Jose's captain took the ball to the touchline and whipped a cross into the penalty box that Lenhart dove to meet and headed mid-flight to complete his brace.

San Jose's defense looked in form with Tim Ward, Ike Opara, Brandon McDonald, Corrales and goalkeeper Jon Busch composing the back five. Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop also picked out Sam Cronin as a key to the defensive effort from his spot as a holding midfielder.

The Quakes starters all went the full 90 minutes. On Wednesday, San Jose's reserves will play League One side Colchester United at Spurs Lodge. The final match of the week will be played at Leicester City on Thursday.

Also of note, trialist Simon Dawkins of Tottenham Hotspur started at center midfield for San Jose. Dawkins created several chances and drew six fouls on the day.

Although a roster sheet for Birmingham City wasn't available on Tuesday, US international Alejandro Bedoya was among the group and played a full 90 minutes for the Blues. Bedoya has ties to Swedish club =D6rebro and has made seven appearances for the US Men's National Team.

San Jose Earthquakes 4, Birmingham City 0

Preseason Exhibition (90 minutes)

Feb. 22, Birmingham City Training Grounds

SCORING SUMMARY: SJ - Chris Wondolowski (Joey Gjertsen) 38; SJ - Steven Lenhart (Wondolowski) 45. SJ - Gjertsen (Tim Ward) 45; SJ - Lenhart (Ramiro Corrales, Ryan Johnson) 84.

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY: None.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Jon Busch, Tim Ward, Ike Opara, Brandon McDonald, Ramiro Corrales, Joey Gjertsen, Sam Cronin, Simon Dawkins, Ryan Johnson, Chris Wondolowski, Steven Lenhart.

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 22, 2011


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