SANTA CLARA, Calif.
– A late equalizer by defender Scot Thompson helped the Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw against Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes in preseason play Saturday at Buck Shaw Stadium. The exhibition concluded Portland’s third week of preseason.
With the Timbers down 1-0, Thompson entered the match in the 75th minute as a substitute. Five minutes later, he netted his first goal of the preseason in the 80th minute to level the score and deliver the first goal against the Earthquakes in six preseason matches.
Forward Cornell Glen scored for San Jose, who opens its MLS regular-season schedule next week against defending-champion Real Salt Lake. Glen converted a 25-yard shot in the 71st minute to land the first goal against the Timbers in preseason.
Facing their second MLS opponent in consecutive weeks, the Timbers battled back from a one-goal deficit in the second half. Substitute midfielder Rodrigo Lopez served the free kick which found Thompson at the top of the six-yard box. Thompson, who gained the advantage on his marker, was able to knock the ball into the back of the net, and preserve the Timbers’ unbeaten preseason record.
Portland held strong defensively in the first half. Goalkeeper Steve Cronin, who played his collegiate career at Santa Clara University and at Buck Shaw Stadium, recorded two key saves in the opening period. In the 42nd minute, he punched away a dangerous 25-yard shot by Earthquakes midfielder Bobby Convey aimed at the top corner of the frame.
Forward George Josten, who assisted the Timbers’ game-winning goal last week against the Seattle Sounders FC, provided Portland’s best scoring chance in the first stanza. A throw-in by defender Quavas Kirk in the 13th minute found Josten inside the box, and Josten headed a shot just wide of the near post.
Midfielder Ryan Pore forced San Jose goalkeeper Andrew Weber into a timely save in the opening minutes of the second half.
For the second straight game, the Timbers fought off a late push by their opponent in the second half. Much like the preseason match against Seattle on March 11, the Earthquakes had the last chance just before the final whistle; Convey’s free kick into the box was headed just over the cross bar.
The Timbers resume preseason training camp Monday in Portland and will face the Vancouver Whitecaps in their next preseason test on Friday, March 26, in Tukwila, Wash. The team begins its regular-season slate Saturday, April 17, at PGE Park against the Rochester Rhinos.
Notes: The Timbers improve to 2-0-1 in preseason, including a 1-0-1 mark against MLS sides … Midfielder Tony McManus made his preseason debut for the Timbers Saturday, entering the match as a sub in the second half. He had missed the first two preseason matches while recovering from offseason surgery … Defender Ian Joy wore the captain’s armband for the Timbers against San Jose.
Lineups:
POR: GK Cronin (Pyzdrowski, 80), D Kirk, D Keel, D Danso (Thompson, 75), D Joy, M Nimo (Lopez, 56), M Marcelin, M Gaudet (McManus, 45), M Pore, F Josten (DeMartin, 69), F Obatola (Cameron, 82)
SJ: GK Weber, D Beitashour, D Corrales, D Hernandez, D Opara, M Convey, M Luiz (McDonald, 75), M Robles (Sanchez, 75), M Gjertsen (Jesse, 63), F Alvarez (Glen, 45), F Johnson (Amarikwa, 78)
Scoring Summary:
SJ: Glen, 71
POR: Thompson (Lopez), 80
