The San Jose Earthquakes notched their first shutout of the season in a scoreless draw against Manchester United at Levi’s Stadium. Amid a woeful run of form, the friendly result was a very welcome respite for the Quakes.
Both sides were at half-strength, with United missing eleven players from the World Cup and the Quakes resting for a midweek clash with the Seattle Sounders. The lethargy was obvious on the hot field at Levi. United dominated the first proceedings but failed to capitalize on San Jose’s defensive errors.
Homegrown goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski was rarely called into action in the first half, but nearly gifted United an early goal, passing straight to Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean won a free-kick on the edge of the box and curled to Eric Bailly, who headed onto the crossbar from the far post.
Center-back Harold Cummings was also a liability at the back, giving the ball away in dangerous positions on multiple occasions. Summer signing Guram Kashia, making his Quakes debut, had a quiet outing, which could speak to a certain efficiency. Then again, United didn’t keep him very busy. Luke Shaw volleyed over from distance in the twenty-third minute and Alexis Sanchez curled a free-kick wide shortly thereafter, but otherwise, United looked uninterested.
The Quakes actually grew into the game, with Joel Qwiberg testing Joel Pereira from distance and Danny Hoesen blazing a free-kick at goal. Nick Lima was a bright spot down the right wing, nutmegging Shaw on one occasion.
By and large, though, the first half was a bore.
Quakes coach Mikael Stahre introduced an entirely new eleven at halftime, and the Quakes responded well, pinning United into their own half. Chris Wondolowski shot at Pereira and Vako had a low effort blocked off the line but should have done better from close range. Tommy Thompson’s blazing effort was tipped over the bar and Quintana headed onto the crossbar as well.
For San Jose, though, the most promising moment was in the eighty-fifth minute when sixteen-year-old Gilbert Fuentes appeared as a substitute for his Quakes debut. The midfielder appeared competent in his short cameo and helped launch a quick breakaway towards the end.
