News is slowly coming to light about the remainder of the Earthquakes preseason training and game schedule. As we reported last week on Center Line Soccer, and had confirmed by the team yesterday, the Quakes will spend ten days in north London at the training grounds of Tottenham Hotspur FC beginning March 4th. While in England, the team hopes to get in some scrimmages with local teams, but nothing has been finalized at this time.
Another preseason game was announced this morning. For the third year in a row, the Quakes will host future MLS club Portland Timbers in a friendly scheduled for March 20th. The first game of 2010 at Buck Shaw Stadium, the Saturday evening game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. and is free to attend for all current season ticket holders. Last year, the Earthquakes defeated the Timbers 1-0 on a goal from then rookie Quincy Amarikwa.
Get used to seeing the Portland team and their Timbers Army supporters group in the coming seasons, as the Timbers join MLS in 2011 as the league's 17th franchise. Factor in the Vancouver Whitecap's inclusion in MLS next season as well, and there will soon be four teams competing for the supporters sponsored trophy - The Heritage Cup. The Earthquakes captured the inaugural prize in 2009 by edging out the Seattle Sounders FC; they will have their work cut out for them in the years ahead.
Some other dates on the preseason calendar include two meetings with the Kansas City Wizards this week in Arizona, and two weeks of training back in the Bay Area before the trip to England. Be sure to check back with Center Line Soccer as we give you all the news and happenings as the Earthquakes ready themselves for the 2010 regular season.