San Jose Earns Another Draw, This time to New York

The San Jose Earthquakes earned a draw against the visiting New York Red Bulls today at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara. The crowd of 9,046 was suriprised when an own goal by Eric Denton gave the Red Bulls the early 1-0 lead while the Quakes kept knocking on the door in the first half and had trouble putting one in until Scott Sealy turned and fired a shot from about 15 yards out. Former Earthquake John Conway made the save but couldn't hold on to the ball and Darren Huckerby tapped it in for his first goal for the team.

In the second half, the Quakes continued to pepper the goal with shots and crosses but couldn't find the net again try as they might. It ended in a draw, 1-1.

San Jose Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop felt good overall though “The first half was probably the best that we’ve played this year. We obviously gave them an early goal, but throughout the game, I never felt threatened even though they had, I think, one of the best players in the league on the field. Finishing is the thing that we are struggling with right now, but that will come.” On the team’s performance he added “Overall, our performance was excellent. We were tired because of the heat that came with having an afternoon game, but it is what it is, and to be honest, I thought we were very good. I felt really happy with the spirit and the togetherness and the creation of chances.” On the three new players, “(Francisco) Lima got back Friday night from Toronto and practiced on Saturday. He played great today and held his position well. Darren (Huckerby) was there until Thursday and also played great. I thought both guys played really well. With Scott (Sealy), the one header he normally buries he didn’t, but I think that once he gets into his spot, he will score goals because he can.”

Earthquakes defender Jason Hernandez, commented on the result, “We did a good job of coming out really aggressively, trying to press them and force them into mistakes in their own half. We put them under pressure and started off on the right foot. That part of our game plan was pretty successful.”

Earthquakes midfielder Darren Huckerby is getting to know his new teammates well, “I have been watching Scott, he tends to turn and shoot pretty early so I knew he was going to shoot, but I didn’t know if the goalkeeper was going to drop it or not. He dropped it and I don’t tend to score many tap-in, but it counts the same as a long shot, so I’m pretty pleased with it.” He also commented on the Ney York's back line, “They don’t tend to play much out of the back in England, so it’s a little bit different here, maybe you can catch the defense out a little bit. We created a lot of chances first half and we probably should have been two or three up.” And in regards to his thought on MLS so far "The competition is good. Everyone is very athletic. Everyone looks after themselves. Technically, it might not be as good here as in the UK. The Premier League is the best league in the world so that’s just one of those things. It’s difficult playing in the heat, so you have to be fit.”

New York Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio feels the Earthquakes have really improved themselves with their recent acquisitions, “With the new signings, I think they are becoming a good team. Darren (Huckerby) is a huge threat because of his ability to come inside. I think (Francisco) Lima has a good left foot.”

Scoring Summary: NY -- Own Goal (Eric Denton) 4; SJ -- Darren Huckerby (unassisted) 13.

Misconduct Summary: NY -- Kevin Goldthwaite (caution) 56; SJ -- Ryan Cochrane (caution) 58; NY -- Carlos Mendes (caution) 84.

San Jose Earthquakes -- Joe Cannon, Jason Hernandez, Ryan Cochrane, Nick Garcia, Eric Denton (Ivan Guerrero 46), Ronnie O’Brien (Shea Salinas 76), Ramiro Corrales, Francisco Lima (Jovan Kirovski 85), Darren Huckerby, Ryan Johnson, Scott Sealy.

Statistics: Shots 14; Shots on Goal 6; Saves 3; Fouls 11; Offsides 2; Corner Kicks 9.

New York Red Bulls -- Jon Conway, Hunter Freeman, Andrew Boyens (John Wolyniec 46), Jeff Parke, Kevin Goldthwaite, Seth Stammler (Mike Magee 46), Juan Pablo Angel, Carlos Mendes, Juan Pietravallo, Jorge Rojas, Dave van den Bergh.

Statistics: Shots 9; Shots on Goal 3; Saves 5; Fouls 16; Offsides 2; Corner Kicks 3.