Spartans kick it with pros
Soccer team reconnects with returing earthquakes
Colleen Watson
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Sports
About 250 people came out to watch the SJSU men's soccer team host an exhibition game against the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer. The Spartans fell 3-0 to the Earthquakes who return to San Jose as an expansion team after a three-season hiatus.
SJSU head coach Gary St. Clair said the Earthquakes and the Spartans had yearly scrimmages before the Quakes left San Jose in 2005.
The Spartans came off of a 10-9 fall season, and this was their first game of the spring.
"It was a bit disappointing," said team captain Ed Brand, "We're a better team than we showed today."
"They were a better team than we were," he said. "That's expected though. They're getting paid for it."
St. Clair, now in his 18th season with SJSU, said, "I think this was a great way to measure where we are in the spring."
He added that his team would head back to the training field and continue to work hard.
The Quakes started strong, quickly moving into Spartan territory on the soccer field.
In the sixth minute of the game Earthquakes defender Jay Ayres took a pass from an indirect kick and headed the ball into the back of the net.
"It was a pretty easy game," Ayres said. "Not too intense,"
He said it was a good game and a good chance for players who don't usually get to play or those who are still trying out.
The Quakes continued to keep the ball on the Spartans' side of the field. The Spartans were constantly on defense, only managing to kick the ball onto the Quakes' side a few times.
In the 22nd minute, the Quakes' Shea Salinas scored the second goal.
Before the half was over, SJSU's Brand received a yellow card for pushing a Quakes player from referee Kari Seitz, who also refereed in the Woman's World Cup. That yellow card was the only card given during the game, although there were a few calls on both sides for holding and pushing.
During the second half, the Quakes continued to dominate. Twelve minutes into the second half, after a corner kick on the Spartans' side, the Quakes' Martin Oslund headed the ball in for the third and final goal of the game.
"We won, but we didn't play that well," Oslund said.
In the last 20 minutes, the Spartans began to show more signs of life and took a few shots on goal. One pass looked promising to an open Spartan deep in Earthquake territory, but he was offside, and the ball was given to the Quakes.
"That's my first time ever playing against a real professional team," said left back Oscar Monjaras. "I thought it was exciting. Could have played better, but it happens."
St. Clair said, "It's great to have the Quakes back in the area. It's always great to play them."
Head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes Frank Yallop said his team played well, and it was encouraging. He added that the game was a good exercise.
"We're always looking for local players that can play on our team," he said. "If a local kid comes out of here and does well, then we'll take him."
SJSU head coach Gary St. Clair said the Earthquakes and the Spartans had yearly scrimmages before the Quakes left San Jose in 2005.
The Spartans came off of a 10-9 fall season, and this was their first game of the spring.
"It was a bit disappointing," said team captain Ed Brand, "We're a better team than we showed today."
"They were a better team than we were," he said. "That's expected though. They're getting paid for it."
St. Clair, now in his 18th season with SJSU, said, "I think this was a great way to measure where we are in the spring."
He added that his team would head back to the training field and continue to work hard.
The Quakes started strong, quickly moving into Spartan territory on the soccer field.
In the sixth minute of the game Earthquakes defender Jay Ayres took a pass from an indirect kick and headed the ball into the back of the net.
"It was a pretty easy game," Ayres said. "Not too intense,"
He said it was a good game and a good chance for players who don't usually get to play or those who are still trying out.
The Quakes continued to keep the ball on the Spartans' side of the field. The Spartans were constantly on defense, only managing to kick the ball onto the Quakes' side a few times.
In the 22nd minute, the Quakes' Shea Salinas scored the second goal.
Before the half was over, SJSU's Brand received a yellow card for pushing a Quakes player from referee Kari Seitz, who also refereed in the Woman's World Cup. That yellow card was the only card given during the game, although there were a few calls on both sides for holding and pushing.
During the second half, the Quakes continued to dominate. Twelve minutes into the second half, after a corner kick on the Spartans' side, the Quakes' Martin Oslund headed the ball in for the third and final goal of the game.
"We won, but we didn't play that well," Oslund said.
In the last 20 minutes, the Spartans began to show more signs of life and took a few shots on goal. One pass looked promising to an open Spartan deep in Earthquake territory, but he was offside, and the ball was given to the Quakes.
"That's my first time ever playing against a real professional team," said left back Oscar Monjaras. "I thought it was exciting. Could have played better, but it happens."
St. Clair said, "It's great to have the Quakes back in the area. It's always great to play them."
Head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes Frank Yallop said his team played well, and it was encouraging. He added that the game was a good exercise.
"We're always looking for local players that can play on our team," he said. "If a local kid comes out of here and does well, then we'll take him."
Be the first to comment on this story