FC Dallas closes preseason with loss to San Jose Earthquakes

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PORTLAND, Ore. --  FC Dallas lost its final match of the preseason, 2-1, to the San Jose Earthquakes today at JELD-WEN Field in Portland, Ore. Jackson scored the lone goal for FC Dallas while Chris Wondolowski and Mike Fucito found the back of the net for the Earthquakes.

FC Dallas opens the 2013 regular season on Saturday, March 2 against the Colorado Rapids. That match is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. CT at FC Dallas Stadium.

San Jose struck first when forward Wondolowski slipped in behind the FC Dallas defense and won a long ball played in from midfield by teammate Jason Hernandez. FC Dallas’ George John nearly caught up to Wondolowski on the play, but the 2012 Budweiser Golden Boot winner was able to poke the ball past goalkeeper Raul Fernandez with a sliding challenge to give San Jose an early 1-0 advantage.

FC Dallas’ Kenny Cooper nearly tied the game in the 21st minute after receiving the ball in the box and powering past his defender. With a wide-open look at San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch, Cooper struck a hard shot, low to the far post. Busch was able to get a hand to the ball, pushing it into the path of Fabian Castillo, who had his shot blocked by a San Jose defender. The second rebound came to Bobby Warshaw, who once again tested Busch from close range. The veteran goalkeeper made another quality stop to preserve the lead.

The Dallas attack could only be deterred by Busch for so long, however as a full volley off the foot of Jackson struck San Jose defender Victor Bernardez and ended up in the back of the net to level the score, 1-1 in the 26th minute.

Following halftime, San Jose took its second lead of the day following an FC Dallas corner kick in the 49th minute. The kick from the flag by Michel was played to the near post, where Matt Hedges challenged for the ball, knocking it back outside to Michel. The Brazilian’s second cross was deflected and shot towards midfield, where second-half substitute London Woodberry challenged for the loose ball with San Jose’s Fucito. Woodberry looked to have everything under control before slipping and falling to the turf. Fucito took advantage of the miscue, walking in alone against FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz and finishing low to the back post.

Dallas nearly pulled even in the 79th minute when Blas Perez combined with Bradlee Baladez to earn FC Dallas a penalty kick. The return pass from Baladez to Perez was cut out when a backtracking San Jose defender clipped the Panamanian just as he was entering the top of the box. Referee Drew Fisher pointed to the spot, but Perez was unable to beat Busch to his left side and the score remained 2-1 in favor of the Earthquakes.

FC Dallas continued to create dangerous scoring chances throughout the match, finishing the game with a 20-7 advantage in shots and a 7-3 edge in corner kicks but could not get a second ball past Busch, who ended the day with six saves.

Scoring Summary:
SJ – Chris Wondolowski (Jason Hernandez) 15
DAL – Jackson 26
SJ – Mike Fucito 49

FC Dallas –Raul Fernandez (Chris Seitz 45), Michel (Jair Benitez 62), George John, Matt Hedges, Zach Loyd (London Woodberry 45), David Ferreira, Andrew Jacobson, Bobby Warshaw (Victor Ulloa 75), Jackson (Jonathan Top 77), Kenny Cooper (Bradlee Baladez 62), Fabian Castillo (Blas Perez 77).

San Jose Earthquakes – Jon Busch, Dan Gargan, Justin Morrow, Victor Baladez, Jason Hernandez, Ramiro Corrales (John Bostock 78), Abu Tommy (Sam Garza 42), Rafeal Baca (Brad Ring 69), Shea Salinas (Cordell Cato 69), Chris Wondolowski, Mike Fucito (Adam Jahn 69).