Desert Friendlies end with win and tie

Former Tucsonense gets run out with NYCFC

Posted Feb 11, 2015

Ted Prezelski
TucsonSentinel.com

Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comEarthquakes goalkeeper Bryan Meredith dives as Portland attacks his goal.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSan Jose's Shaun Francis skips past Portland forward Maximiliano Urruti.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comPortland's Michael Nanchoff gets his head to a high ball ahead of the San Jose defense.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comEarthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham collects the ball over the heads of his defense.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comPortland defender Jeanderson over the ball near the touch line.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comA trialist for the Earthquakes holds off Portland defender Taylor Peay.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comQuakes goalkeeper David Bingham and Portland's Omar Cummings vie for a high ball in the San Jose box.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comPortland goalkeeper Jake Gleeson makes a crucial save from an indirect free kick inside of his penalty box.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSan Jose were unable to put away the rebound from a free kick inside of the Portland box.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comPortland starting goalkeeper Jake Gleeson was injured making a save from a free kick inside of the Timbers' box.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comPortland's Andrew Weber makes a last-ditch save as the San Jose attack closes in.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comPlayers on both teams watch in disbelief as the ball sails over the crossbar from a shot within the six-yard box.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comBoth the Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes utilized the last 30 minutes of the match to try out new recruits and young players.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comMLS preseason matches often draw curious onlookers who know how to enjoy the fine February weather.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comPortland's Schillo Tshuma bursts into the Earthquakes' box, forcing Pablo Pintos into a last-ditch effort to tackle the ball.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comTimbers forward Schillo Tshuma puts in a cross from inside the Quakes box.
Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comSan Jose goalkeeper Bryan Meredith punches away a dangerous cross.

The Houston Dynamo's Jermaine Taylor netted the only goal that was scored on Tuesday; the Quakes and Timbers ended with a draw as MLS Desert Friendlies spring training matches drew to a close in Tucson.

But local soccer fans have yet more matches to look forward to, as the Desert Diamond Cup is set to begin here next week.

Houston Dynamo 1 - Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0

The Houston Dynamo finished off the Tucson portion of their preseason with two wins and a draw after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps at Kino Sports Complex on Tuesday.

The Dynamo vets Brad Davis and Ricardo Clark combined for a shot at goal that was saved but earned the team a corner kick. Jermaine Taylor finished on the ensuing kick. Vancouver chalked up their first loss of the preseason.

The Dynamo are headed back to Houston and will face their team's academy squad in a scrimmage on Tuesday. Vancouver returns to the mighty rivers of British Columbia and with scrimmage against the University of Victoria Vikes on Sunday.

Portland Timbers FC 0 - San Jose Earthquakes 0

Heroics from both goalkeepers kept the score even at zero. Both San Jose and Portland end their time in Tucson with a draw.

Among those that had a look at goal was former FC Tucson player Christian Volesky, who came on in the last 30 minutes. His shot was saved by San Jose keeper Bryan Meredith.

The result means that Portland has had nine preseason appearances in Tucson without a loss. They will spend the rest of their preseason in Portland, and will play against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on the February 22. The Quakes will next take the field on Sunday in a match against the Colorado Rapids in Las Vegas.

Non-Tucson preseason news: Brandt takes the field against St. Mirren

New York City FC had their first full-squad scrimmage Tuesday, a match with Scottish club St. Mirren FC in Manchester, England. Spanish star David Villa scored the first ever goal for the club, but former FC Tucson player Connor Brandt got a run out in the second half on a back line that kept St. Mirren from getting back into the match.

NYC FC blog Hudson River Blue praised the second half squad for "bold play and pressure" and singled out Brandt for "delivering a poised performance."