Earthquakes Earn Draw Against Tottenham Hotspur

July 17, 2010EARTHQUAKES PAGE

SANTA CLARA, Calif.The San Jose Earthquakes battled club partner and English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to a 0-0 draw on Saturday afternoon at Buck Shaw Stadium in front of a record crowd of 10,712. Both sides created good opportunities, but were unable to find the back of the net. Tottenham Hotspur will remain in the Bay Area training at the Earthquakes facilities until Tuesday when they travel to the East Coast to continue their 2010 US Tour in New York. The Earthquakes now prepare for a league fixture against Western Conference leading Los Angeles Galaxy on Thursday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center.San Jose Earthquakes vs. Tottenham HotspurJuly 17, 2010Buck Shaw StadiumAttendance: 10,712Scoring Summary: None.Misconduct Summary: SJOmar Jasseh (caution) 83.San Jose EarthquakesJon Busch (Joe Cannon 46), Ramiro Corrales (Justin Morrow 77), Bobby Burling, Jason Hernandez, Chris Leitch (Omar Jasseh 46), Bobby Convey (Arturo Alvarez 46), Brandon McDonald (Brad Ring 46), Sam Cronin (Javier Robles 46), Joey Gjertsen, Cornell Glen (Scott Sealy 46), Chris Wondolowski (Ryan Johnson 46).Statistics: Shots: 15; Shots on Goal: 6; Fouls: 7; Offsides: 2; Corners: 6.Tottenham HotspurCarlo Cudicini, Gareth Bale, Kyle Walker (Adam Smith 71), Younes, Kaboul, Alan Hutton (Luka Modric 46), Andros Townsend, Jermaine Jenas, Tom Huddlestone (Calum Butcher 85), Kyle Naughton (Niko Kranjcar 46), Jonathan Obika (Roman Pavlyuchenko 46), Robbie Keane (Ryan Mason 78).Statistics: Shots: 16; Shots on Goal: 4; Fouls: 7; Offsides: 6; Corners: 7.QUOTESSAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH FRANK YALLOPOn the quality of the MLS:I think we showed today that the quality of the MLS is up there with these guys. I think we played quite well and had a lot of chances. Obviously this is preseason for them and we know that, but I think a few years ago you see teams get beat in these types of matches. Were not easy to beat now, not just San Jose but other teams in the league as well. Theres a good standard.On the result:I thought on a hot day, and for it being exhibition, that both teams played well. Both had some great chances to score goals, and it was funny that it was nilnil at the end with 16 shots, but I thought from our end that was good. I thought it was a good exercise and well played game. I wasnt unhappy with how many chances they had, I wanted the back line to go and play, and they did. I allowed our players to be a little less strict with their movements. I wanted to find out if in a game like this, could they do it, and they did. It makes me feel good.SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER BOBBY CONVEYOn the result:I think its disappointing to have a scoreless draw for all the players and really the fans as well. In those types of games its about entertaining and showing how good (of) a game soccer is and hopefully (to) get more fans out. I think the game was a good game, there were a bunch of chances and obviously you want to score more goals. Hopefully the fans go home with a happy attitude and theyll be back for the game in 10 days.On playing all over the field:Thats what Ive done just recently in the last five, six games just because standing out wide sometimes you dont get the ball as much. I am kind of reading the game and seeing where the space is and just trying to get on the ball as much as I can and create as much as I can.SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD ARTURO ALVAREZOn battling Tottenham Hotspur to a scoreless draw:Obviously I think both teams had chances. I think you want to see goals in these types of games, but at the end of the day it was a pretty entertaining game. They obviously had chances and we did as well, but we are satisfied with the result.On the overall experience:It was great. Obviously you know Tottenham is a good side, theyre a Champions League team now. It was a fun experience. I think we got something out of it. Overall it was a good day for the Earthquakes fans.TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR HEAD COACH HARRY REDKNAPPOn the level of competition:I thought it was very good, very good. I like the way they (San Jose) play. They pass the ball very well, have good movement, I thought they were a very good team and I was very impressed with them.On the game:It was hot and different than what were used to, but it was good. Its only our second game and the opposition made us work. They moved the ball well around the box, passed the ball well, and made it difficult for us. Our fitness is improving, its the start of a new season, and weve got two games back to back in New York before we go back home. Its all about getting wins in the preseason. The atmosphere out here is great, and I used to come play here with the Seattle Sounders, its always been great. It was a real family day and it was fun.TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR DEFENDER GARETH BALEOn the club partnership:I dont see any reason as to why this relationship wont continue to be successful. It was great to see the Quakes come over to us in the preseason and see them in training camp. And I think its the same for us. It was hot outside and I would say today was a hard workout. Overall, I see this (partnership) working out and it is great for the fans.TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FORWARD ROBBIE KEANEOn Spurs US Tour:Its a fantastic place, America. Its a tremendous place. Football seems to be growing well. Its excellent preseason training. Were concentrating and preparing for the new season. Were getting ourselves fit and these games are important to getting ourselves into match fitness. These are obviously good games, and even though we didnt win, this experience will be good for us coming back to England. The Earthquakes are a good side; they pass the ball very well and they played a really good game. The two teams played some good football at times, but I think the heat got the best of both teams today.