Post-game news and notes: Grabavoy on the trading block
By Jeff Carlisle · February 28, 2009
Among the nuggets to emerge from Frank Yallop’s post-game press conference is that the team is looking to move midfielder Ned Grabavoy.
Preseason: Quakes vs Rapids
By Joe Nuxoll · February 28, 2009
Welcome back! San Jose Earthquakes defeat visiting Colorado Rapids 2-0 in a pre-season warm-up game. February 27, 2009 - Santa Clara, CA. Photos by Joe Nuxoll.
Quakes subdue Rapids, 2-0
By Jeff Carlisle · February 28, 2009
Winger Shea Salinas took aim for the far post on this second-half shot, but Colorado’s Preston Burpo got down for the save. Photo: Joe Nuxoll, centerlinesoccer.com.
Complete coverage includes:
- Center Line Soccer’s photo gallery
- Locker room audio from San Jose’s Frank Yallop, Ramiro Corrales, Cam Weaver, and Darren Huckerby, as well as Colorado’s Matt Pickens
- Post-game news and notes
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Perhaps San Jose manager Frank Yallop should just forget to tell his team when the regular season starts, because his side has this preseason thing down pat.
The San Jose Earthquakes won their third match in a row over an MLS opponent, as the Quakes recorded a 2-0 exhibition victory over the Colorado Rapids before 3,131 fans at Buck Shaw stadium. Cam Weaver staked the home side to an early lead, and Jamil Roberts extended the advantage just before half-time. Quakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon was only tested occasionally in recording the shutout. Read more…
Earthquakes/Rapids post-game interviews
Friday, February 27
By Editor · February 28, 2009
Center Line Soccer’s Jeff Carlisle and Jay Hipps were on hand after San Jose’s 2-0 pre-season victory over the Rapids. Click on the headline or on “Read More” for audio interviews with San Jose’s Frank Yallop, Ramiro Corrales, Cam Weaver, and Darren Huckerby, along with Colorado ‘keeper Matt Pickens. Read more…
Back to Buck Shaw
By Jay Hipps · February 27, 2009
It’s been almost four months since the Earthquakes played a match at Buck Shaw Stadium, but that streak ends tonight as the Colorado Rapids stop by for a pre-season friendly. There’s no rain in the weather forecast so tonight should be a good opportunity to get a first look at new players like Cam Weaver and Pablo Campos. There’s no word yet if Akiii Riiiiihiiilahtiii will be available, though. (Is that spelled right? Looks like it may be missing a few i’s.) Kickoff is 7:30 and, if you haven’t already made arrangements for tickets, they’re $10 at the door.
As for the Rapids, Goal.com’s Kyle McCarthy noted this week that they’re a team on the rise under new coach Gary Smith. Pablo Mastroeni is back and a slew of young players has also re-signed with the club. They’ve acquired former Galaxy defender Ty Harden and former Fire-Earthquakes-DC United workhorse Ivan Guerrero. Former MLS MVP Christian Gomez is out after a lackluster single season with the club. So far in the preseason, they’ve defeated Florida International University and Jacksonville University, each by a 3-0 tally, but lost 1-0 to FC Dallas.
It’s the preseason, so the result doesn’t matter. We may or may not see some great soccer on display. Does it matter? It will be great fun to get back to Buck Shaw.
• • •
Speaking of the Galaxy, Harden isn’t the only young player they’ve moved off the roster since the end of last season. On Wednesday, the team waived goalkeeper Steve Cronin, defenders Brandon McDonald, Mike Randolph and Troy Roberts, and midfielder Ely Allen. Cronin once played in San Jose, Troy Roberts’ brother Jamil is on San Jose’s current roster, and several of those players worked under current Earthquakes boss Frank Yallop. It remains to be seen if the Quakes move to acquire any of these folks, but it looks like the Galaxy have once again given up on a bunch of young talent as they have done so often in the past. (Do names like Brian Ching and Brian Mullan ring any bells?)
As the Washington Post’s Steve Goff points out, at least they still have Chris Klein (age 33), Eddie Lewis (34), Donovan Ricketts (31), Jovan Kirovski (almost 34), Dema Kovalenko (31) and Tony Sanneh (37).
Hard to believe that Sanneh is still playing at that age. How do you have a job in MLS at age 37? Play well for Bruce Arena when you’re 31.
• • •
In other Earthquakes news, the team announced this week that they’ll be facing the Los Toros Rojos of New York (yes, the Solar-Powered Soccer Blog is still refusing to mention the brand name of the energy drink this year) in a U.S. Open Cup play-in match at Buck Shaw on Wednesday, April 27. San Jose’s 2008 Open Cup quest ended in at that stage last year in Salt Lake City, in a match that was marred an epic clash of heads between Earthquakes teammates Ryan Cochrane and Jay Ayres. Earthquakes trainer Bruce Morgan later likened the sound of the collision to that of a watermelon tossed off a five-story building.
At least it wasn’t as messy as a balloon filled with guacamole taking that plunge.
Yallop on Wednesday’s scrimmage + Garcia update
By Jeff Carlisle · February 25, 2009
Here are some selected quotes from San Jose manager Frank Yallop following Tuesday’s Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with the University of California, as well as an update on Nick Garcia.
Quakes rally for 2-2 tie with Cal
By Jeff Carlisle · February 25, 2009
In a game in which San Jose fielded an all-reserve lineup, the Quakes rallied from two goals down to tie the University of California, 2-2, at Santa Clara’s Stanton Field.
Tuesday Training recap…
By Jeff Carlisle · February 24, 2009
Not much to report here. Except for the trialist at right back.
Let the season previews begin…
By Jeff Carlisle · February 23, 2009
I’ve seen several comments from Quakes fans questioning the intelligence, sanity, and overall competence of a certain east coast reporter who dared to state that he didn’t think San Jose would make the playoffs this year. I guess I’ll be shipped off to the same insane asylum because I don’t think they’ll make it either.
Quakes sign Riihilahti
By Jeff Carlisle · February 22, 2009
Echoing reports from across the Atlantic, a league source has confirmed to CLS that the San Jose Earthquakes have signed Finland international midfielder Aki Riihilahti.
