COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The Colorado Rapids fell by a 2-1 score against the San Jose Earthquakes in a preseason exhibition match at Alex G. Spanos Stadium on the campus of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Friday night. Newcomer to the Rapids Jaime Castrillón gave the visitors a first half lead, but San Jose’s Khari Stephenson and Chris Wondolowski both scored to earn the win.
Both teams had early chances, with Jefferson Angulo seeing his shot saved at the near post by Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch, and Pickens smothering a chance by Rafael Baca. The Rapids scored the game’s first goal in the 13th minute, when Omar Cummings played a high ball over the defense to an onrushing Castrillón, who took two touches before finishing from 15 yards out. San Jose tied the game at one in minute 32 when Khari Stephenson found space on a Marvin Chavez corner and headed home from 10 yards.
The second half was more disjointed, with both teams making substitutions throughout the session. The Earthquakes took the lead in the 69th minute when Colorado turned the ball over to Wondolowski, who dribbled to the top of the box before hitting a 20 yard shot that substitute Rapids goalkeeper Steward Ceus could only get a hand on before it went into the net. Colorado had a good chance from an Andre Akpan shot late in the half, but San Jose held on for the win.
Two Rapids players played the full 90 minutes, with midfielder Jeff Larentowicz and trialist defender Luis Zapata both going the distance. Colorado will return to the field tomorrow, with short scrimmages against San Jose and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, using players that did not play or played short minutes in Friday’s exhibition.
The result moves the Rapids to 1-1-1 this preseason, with all three games coming this week during the team’s training stint in California. The team returns to Colorado on Sunday and will train Tuesday through Friday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Scoring Summary:
COL – Jaime Castrillón (Omar Cummings) 13
SJ – Khari Stephenson (Marvin Chavez) 32
SJ – Chris Wondolowski (unassisted) 69
Colorado Rapids (4-3-3)– Matt Pickens (Steward Ceus 62), Luis Zapata, Tyrone Marshall (Scott Palguta 74), Marvell Wynne (Eddie Ababio 84), Kosuke Kimura (Hunter Freeman 78), Jeff Larentowicz, Pablo Mastroeni (Quincy Amarikwa 66), Jaime Castrillón (Kohei Yamada 81), Jefferson Angulo (Wells Thompson 46), Omar Cummings (Andre Akpan 79), Brian Mullan (Tony Cascio 68)
San Jose Earthquakes – Jon Busch, Steven Beitashour, Ike Opara (Justin Morrow 55), Victor Bernardez (Taylor Mueller 77), Ramiro Corrales (Josh Suggs 78), Marvin Chavez (Brad Ring 74), Shea Salinas (Ellis McLoughlin 74), Khari Stephenson (Sam Garza 63), Sam Cronin (Jean-Marc Alexandre 63), Rafael Baca (James Kiffe 84), Chris Wondolowski (Lyle Martin 80).
Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Sam Cronin (caution) 35
COL – Luis Zapata (caution) 36
