Amarikwa’s goal salvages draw for Quakes in preseason debut against RSL

After a 2017 filled with minimal activity, Quincy Amarikwa returned to the scoring sheet in the San Jose Earthquakes’ preseason debut.

The forward’s patented flying header negated an earlier Real Salt Lake counter that was expertly finished by Ortuño, salvaging a 1-1 draw for the Bay Area side at Keno Field in Tuscon.

The first half wasn’t entirely special, but saw some bright moments. Despite RSL providing most of the attacking pressure, San Jose had a few moments to get forward. Their first chance came in the fifth minute, as Chris Wondolowski was fed in from Vako, but only to be denied by a vintage Nick Rimando save. Throughout the span of the first 45 minutes, the Quakes defensive organization was praiseworthy, led by Harold Cummings.

Throughout the half, the San Jose counter-attack was on but it never came to fruition. Andrew Tarbell made some nice saves, and the half ended 0-0. The first half lineup was more of a “first team look” with only Jackson Yuiell as the surprise addition to the group.

In the second half, an entirely different lineup took the field except for Tarbell. San Jose sent out mainly the second-choice squad. They surrendered first as a swift counter-attack from RSL burned the ‘Quakes left side. Ortuño hit a one time shot that had pace and the right bend to sneak in the bottom left corner to give RSL the lead in the 55th minute.

San Jose got one back though, thanks to a flying Quincy Amarikwa header. In the 60th minute, Joel Qwiberg made a nice move down the lefthand flank and floated a cross to the back post. Tommy Thompson headed it back across the face of goal, and Quincy finished with a nice, diving flick header.