MLS San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose Earthquakes Fall 2-0 Against the Galaxy in Return to MLS

Published on April 4, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


CARSON, Calif. -- In their first game in more than two years, the San Jose Earthquakes renewed some friendships. But the Quakes learned two lessons rather quickly: first-year teams have struggled in recent years and David Beckham is now a full-fledged member of Major League Soccer. Beckham scored an early goal and assisted on another as old rivals Los Angeles Galaxy welcomed the Earthquakes back to MLS with a 2-0 victory over the returning club.

Beckham scored in the eighth minute and former Quakes hero Landon Donovan had another as the hosts were not very welcoming in their first home game of the season.

It was fitting, however, that the Galaxy were first in the Quakes' path this season. The Galaxy and Earthquakes had a long-standing rivalry, dubbed the "California Clasico," that was built up over time. The clubs met in MLS Cup 2001 with San Jose coming out on top and met again in the 2003 and 2005 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Quakes knocked the Galaxy out of the 2003 postseason en route to their second MLS Cup title while the Galaxy did the same, beating their northern California rivals in the Western Conference Semifinals.

It was that last meeting, won by the Galaxy on a 4-2 aggregate score, that turned out to be the final game in Earthquakes history until Thursday.

While the enthusiasm felt among San Jose supporters both in person and watching on television was likely high, there was the business of soccer at hand. The Quakes fielded a somewhat strong lineup, buoyed by MLS veterans and former San Jose players.

Lining up for the Quakes were former players under the previous regime. Goalkeeper Joe Cannon, defenders Ramiro Corrales and Ryan Cochrane all spent time with the Earthquakes before -- the first two won MLS Cup titles with the Quakes under coach Frank Yallop. Seated on the end of the bench sporting a dark blue jacket, Yallop took his familiar perch on the San Jose sideline.

It was Cochrane who nearly scored the first Quakes goal in more than two years but his second-minute goal off a Ronnie O'Brien free kick was called back for offside. Television replays appeared to show, however, that Cochrane was onside when the free kick was taken.

Cochrane had a hand in the first goal of the match, however. Cochrane mis-hit a ball and saw it land at Landon Donovan's feet. Donovan sent a ball into space on the right side where Beckham ran unmolested onto the ball. As Quakes 'keeper Joe Cannon charged well off his line, Beckham slipped a ball underneath his former teammate and opened the Galaxy's account. It was Beckham's first goal in Major League Soccer league play.

The Quakes nearly equalized in the 22nd minute. Ramiro Corrales swung in a corner kick but the ball bounced around to the top of the area. Ivan Guerrero lined up a shot from 18 yards out and the ball hit a crowd of players before deflecting off a Galaxy defender and sailing softly over the crossbar.

Donovan was again a thorn in the Quakes' side. In the 37th minute, Donovan scored the Galaxy's second goal of the match. Beckham lofted a ball to the top of the penalty area and Donovan beat Cochrane and Cannon to the ball and chipped his shot over Cannon and into the back of the net.

The Quakes tried to mount an attack late in the half but the front line and midfield were lacking cohesion.

Near the end of halftime, James Riley sent a cross in from the right side. The ball appeared to have fooled Galaxy 'keeper Steve Cronin but sailed past the far post and out of reach from any of his teammates.

The 'Quakes tried to jumpstart their offense in the second half. Early on, the passes were crisp and the movement was fluid but the final touch was not there.

Yallop brought in Gavin Glinton and John Cunliffe during the second half to try and pump life into the attack without much luck. The Galaxy held possession well and dictated the pace of the game.

The Quakes, however, kept fighting. Cunliffe and Glinton added pace to the attack while the defense held firm despite more space for Galaxy attackers to maneuver in.

In the 84th minute, Ryan Johnson replaced Ned Grabavoy in an late attempt to try and infuse offense into the game. Johnson added some pace in the midfield but again the fluidity was not there.

The Quakes now face their first home game of the season next Saturday, when they will play host to the Chicago Fire at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland.

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 4, 2008


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