Quakes Reserves Top Stanford, 1-0
SJ Earthquakes Press Release
Justin Morrow sent a scorching 40-yard strike into the net to lead San Jose
Justin Morrow took home Man of the Match honors in a scrimmage against Stanford University Tuesday afternoon from the Nutrilite Training Facility after blasting a 40-yard strike top shelf to lead the Quakes to a 1-0 result.
Morrow stepped into a shot that caught Stanford's keeper off his line, a strike that could give Chris Wondolowski competition for MLS Goal of the Week (if not for lack of video and an MLS opponent).
The Quakes held a majority of the possession while fielding a group of second-teamers and Youth Academy Coach Steven Wondolowski. Brother of Quakes forward Chris, Steven played a full 90 at center and right back.
Starting for the Quakes were (right to left, 4-4-2): Jon Busch, Chris Leitch, Steven Wondolowski, Bobby Burling, Justin Morrow, Javier Robles, Brad Ring, Scott Sealy, Ramon Sanchez, Eduardo, Cornell Glen.
In the 62nd minute, Chris Wondolowski and Joey Gjertsen subbed on for Leitch and Burling. Ring slid into center back with Morrow to his left and Steven Wondolowski to his right, the Quakes taking a 3-5-2 shape.
Busch split time in the frame with Andrew Weber. Stanford didn't manage much offense, but the shots they took made San Jose's keepers work. Busch stopped a pair of 1-on-1 breakouts and Weber made a diving save to keep the sides level in the 53rd minute.
Playing a full 90 were Glen, Eduardo, Morrow, Robles, Ring, Sealy and Sanchez.
San Jose returns to MLS action on Saturday as the Quakes host the New York Red Bulls at 7 p.m.
Earthquakes defeat Stanford 1-0 in scrimmage
By Robert Jonas (centerlinesoccer.com)
The Earthquakes convened for a light practice on Tuesday afternoon, followed by a scrimmage against the Stanford University Men’s Soccer team, at their new Nutrilite Training Facility in San Jose. A squad of mostly reserves, including the younger brother of last weekend’s MOTM Chris Wondolowski, staved off a feisty and focused Stanford team for a 1-0 win on a Justin Morrow 40 yard strike.
The line-up was as follows:
Eduardo — Cornell Glen
Ramon Sanchez — Scott Sealy — Brad Ring — Javier Robles
Justin Morrow — Bobby Burling — Stephen Wondolowski — Chris Leitch
Jon Busch
The game started out well for the Earthquakes, as the midfield four formed more of a diamond shape with Sealy joining Eduardo and Glen in a striking triumvirate. Eduardo looked especially sharp in the early minutes, as Stanford could do little to counter his size and strength as a post-up forward. Nice interplay with Sanchez and Robles from the wings resulted in some early possession in the attacking third, and a few corner kick set pieces.
Stanford was closest to scoring first, when Wondolowski was victimized by a nice through ball that left the Cardinal forward one-on-one with Busch. A chip-shot attempt went wide of goal, and then Busch knocked into the forward injuring his opponent’s shoulder. Unfortunately the injury forced him from the game.
In the 25th minute, with the Earthquakes finding space inside the Stanford penalty area hard to come from, Glen took a fine shot from 25 yards out that forced a palm save by the ‘keeper. Robles pounced on the rebound from just outside the area, but the ‘keeper again made a nice reaction save.
Five minutes later, the Cardinal had their second one-on-one chance with Busch, on a similar through ball that caught the defenders flat footed. This time Busch was forced to lay out his body and directed the ball away with his foot. The San Jose Sharks Evgeni Nabokov would have been proud of the effort.
With the halftime whistle, the game remained scoreless. The Quakes carried a slight edge in possession, but the striking tandem of Eduardo and Glen were unable to test the goalkeeper. Sealy, playing more as a withdrawn forward, was neutralized by a congested Stanford midfield.
The second half began with Andrew Weber replacing Busch in goal, and he was tested in the first ten minutes as Stanford played with more attacking verve. In the 53rd minute, Weber made a nice save to push away a close range header at his near post. On the ensuing corner kick, the Cardinal narrowly missed taking the lead on a well struck volley that traveled just high of the crossbar.
In the 55th minute, a teasing shot from the right flank beat Weber to the far post, but caromed of the woodwork and into the path of a Cardinal forward. His follow-up attempt was slightly scuffed, giving Weber the chance to make a comfortable save.
At the 60 minute mark, the Quakes made two changes to the line-up, as Joey Gjertsen and Chris Wondolowski came in for Burling and Leitch. Some shuffling of positions left the team in a 3-5-2 formation that looked as follows:
Eduardo — Cornell Glen
Chris Wondolowski — Ramon Sanchez — Scott Sealy — Javier Robles — Joey Gjertsen
Justin Morrow — Brad Ring — Stephen Wondolowski
Andrew Weber
The new look formation immediately paid dividends, as the three central midfielders asserted more control of possession in the front of the Stanford defenders. The Quakes were able to keep Stanford on their heels, and earned a free kick from 40 yards out in the 62nd minute.
Instead of looking to drive the ball into the Stanford penalty area, Robles passed the ball across the field to Sealy, who sent the ball along to Morrow. With the Cardinal defense pushing their line forward, Morrow saw the goalkeeper off his line and fired a knuckling ball over his head and into the goal. It seemed everyone was caught by surprise, even an sheepish looking Morrow. However, this was no accident, with the quality of the strike worthy of mention along side Wondolowski’s game winner against the Rapids last Saturday.
Neither team really threatened in the attacking third as the game wore on, and both sides seemed content to let the game end at 1-0. The Cardinal proved to be a good opponent for the Quakes, and deserve credit for their determined performance. For San Jose, the scrimmage afforded the reserves and players looking to make their way back from injury a chance to get in some proper match action. Seeing Eduardo and Glen work well up top was encouraging, as was the play of Brad Ring and Justin Morrow in their defensive roles. Lastly, the goalkeeping play was excellent when required — a nice sign that there is no drop off in quality after Joe Cannon on the depth chart.
