Quakes dominate Fresno in 3-2 win

Despite the blemish of two late goals from Fresno, the San Jose Earthquakes registered a solid 3-2 victory against the Fuego on Saturday night. Center Line Soccer’s Embele Awipi was on hand for the action and offers these notes from the game, as well as a minute-by-minute match report and brief post-game comments from Ike Opara and Frank Yallop— editor.

FRESNO — Neither rain nor sleet nor CBA could keep the game from happening. In front of about a thousand fans, San Jose dominated play but held off a late charge to win 3-2 against The Fresno Fuego. Goals from Bobby Convey and trialists Omar Jessey and Javier Robles gave the Quakes a 3-0 lead in their first regulation exhibition before the hosts pulled back two goals in the last ten minutes. Read more…

Johnson, Gjertsen, and Yallop featured on new CLS podcast

This week, your hosts Jay Hipps and Robert Jonas have interviews with Ryan Johnson (above), Joey Gjertsen, and head coach Frank Yallop of the Earthquakes as well as the latest news on the never-ending negotiations between the MLS Players Union and the league on a new collective bargaining agreement. Regular co-host Keiran Downie is away on assignment this week, possibly in the Ukraine to discover the correct pronunciation of “Shaktar Donetsk,” which apparently sounds like “Waxtap.” Photo: John Todd, isiphotos.com/centerlinesoccer.com. Read more…

This week in Quakes training — a look at the veterans

Despite the off-field wrangling between Major League Soccer and the Players’ Union over a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, it was “business as usual” on the pitch, according to Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop this week. Continuing their preparations for the scheduled start of the 2010 season on March 27, the team continues to build on their extensive fitness training while increasingly introducing drills and scrimmages to their daily practices. Read more…

Gold Pride pre-season schedule features three local exhibitions

Bay Area fans will get three free opportunities to see the new and improved FC Gold Pride during their month-long preseason schedule, with exhibition matches taking place in Danville, San Francisco, and Santa Clara.  Read more…

CBA deadline passes without any resolution

The Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiation deadline day, already extended twice, arrived today. With next to little progress being made toward a resolution this week, since both sides went public with their arguments over the prior weekend, the real possibility of a work stoppage for Major League Soccer seems on the horizon. At least for the time being, as announced by both sides in the negotiations, the preseason will continue as planned. Read more…

Mexico smashes Bolivia, 5-0, in kickoff to World Cup tune-up tour

Mexico striker Javier Hernández bagged a pair of goals in his first start for El Tri. Photo: Joe Nuxoll, centerlinesoccer.com.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - In a coming out party for striker Javier Hernandez, Mexico demolished Bolivia 5-0 Wednesday night at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. A rising star with Chivas de Guadalajara in his country’s top domestic league, Hernandez scored two goals in the first half to lead Mexico to the easy victory.

Hernandez earned just his second cap with El Tri in this his first start, while the double opened his international scoring account. And despite being substituted at the half, it was an impressive effort for the 21-year-old, who is still considered a long shot to make Mexico’s roster for the upcoming World Cup.

Hernandez was joined on the scoring sheet by midfielder Braulio Luna and forward Pablo Barrera, who each scored in the first half as Mexico took a 4-0 lead into the break. Paul Aguilar, who also recorded two assists on the night, added a second-half goal to complete the scoring. Read more…

Mexico vs Bolivia

Mexico defeats Bolivia 5-0 in an international friendly on February 24th, 2010 in San Francisco, CA. Gallery by Joe Nuxoll. This was a great warm-up for Mexico, and for the CenterLineSoccer photographers to prepare for the upcoming Quakes season!

Mexico takes on Bolivia tonight at the ‘Stick

When it was announced earlier this year that the Mexican National Team would embark on a six-city tour of the United States, many observed how ambitious the endeavor would be. After all, El Tri would go on to announce an additional five games ahead of their World Cup opening game against South Africa in June. Was is wise to commit their team through such a rigorous run-up to the World Cup tournament? Read more…

Quakes scrimmage with Cal postponed

I just received word that today’s scrimmage with the California soccer team has been postponed due to weather. The match was to be played at Berkeley this morning, but it needed to be moved to a new location due to the inclement weather. Instead of trying to find a new field on such short notice, an Earthquakes spokesperson let me know the game is now scheduled for Monday in the South Bay. Read more…

Union head weighs in on CBA negotiations

After MLS and its players union traded barbs over the last two days, union head Bob Foose waded into the fray on Sunday, disputing the figures that MLS President Mark Abbott cited the day before. Read more…

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