San Jose Earthquakes pick up results in preseason friendlies

The San Jose Earthquakes played two preseason scrimmages Sunday to close out the Cancun leg of their training camp. They played Inter Playa FC in the first 70-minute match, winning 3-0 off goals from Vako, Danny Hoesen and a penalty by Oswaldo Alanis, Andy Rios setting up the first two tallies.

In the second 70-minute game, San Jose tied Cracks del Futuro (amazing name, by the way) 3-3. Carlos Fierro opened the scoring, set up by Cade Cowell, with subsequent Quakes goals by Gilbert Fuentes (through draft pick Jack Skahan), and Chris Wondolowski (via Shea Salinas).

Here’s Fierro’s goal:

The team helpfully provided lineups for the games:

Game one: GK - Daniel Vega; Marcos Lopez, Oswaldo Alanís, Guram Kashia, Nick Lima; Vako, Magnus Eriksson, Jackson Yueill, Cristian Espinoza; Danny Hoesen, Andy Rios

Game two: GK - JT Marcinkowski (Matt Bersano 36), Tommy Thompson, Tanner Beason (Casey Walls 55), Florian Jungwirth, Paul Marie (Jacob Akanyirige 55); Shea Salinas, Luis Felipe, Jack Skahan, Carlos Fierro (Gilbert Fuentes 49), Cade Cowell (Siad Haji 55); Chris Wondolowski

So from the looks of it, game one is probably fairly close to the first-choice lineup, but it does seem like there are plenty of promising pieces in the second group too? I won’t go so far as to claim this team is deep in MLS yet, time will tell, but there’s a growing mix of talent/experience/youthful promise that could mean better things in 2020. We’ll see.

Here’s Yueill’s reaction to the game and preseason and footage of Wondo’s goal, a flicked header off Salinas’ corner kick service.

The team will be returning to the USA today and will play Reno 1868 FC next Tuesday in their next preseason tune-up.

More news for this Monday:

• Insurance let them do that?! The team went white water rafting together, which looks terrifying, but also like maybe a theme park version of it? Perhaps a little more controlled than taking on the wild rapids, not sure.

• Nick Lima, midfield destroyer: Quakes Epicenter has an interesting essay arguing that Nick Lima probably needs to move into the midfield to maximize both his skills and prospects for the U.S. Men’s National Team moving forward. Asher Kohn makes a great point that Matias Almeyda’s system allows for some position shifts better than most coaches’. Food for thought here.
• Espinoza and Vega are boys: There’s an 11-year age gap between Cristian Espinoza and Daniel Vega, but when you’re an adult those things don’t matter, and being in another country with a compatriot tends to bring players together. They chat about enjoying San Jose and becoming friends.

Today’s question: Is ‘Cracks del Futuro’ one of the best team names you’ve ever heard? But seriously, what is striking your fancy this Monday? Let’s chat in the comments below!