TUCSON, Ariz. – The Houston Dynamo fell to the San Jose Earthquakes, 2-0, in a preseason scrimmage this afternoon at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz. Earthquakes trialist Alexandre Emerson scored two second half goals as San Jose prevailed on a wind-chilled day in the desert.
Houston’s starting lineup included eight returning players along with trialist Mike Chabala, Franck Songo’o and Calum Elliot.
The Dynamo had more corner kicks and scoring chances in the first half, but could not find the opening goal. Houston’s chances included a long effort from Ricardo Clark in the ninth minute, a header from Elliot in the 13th minute, and Giles Barnes’ well-struck shot from the top of the box that was pushed over the crossbar by San Jose goalkeeper Evan Newton in the 29th minute. The resulting corner kick fell to Songo’o, who fired a goal-bound shot that was cleared by a wall of Earthquakes defenders.
Eight minutes after halftime, the Dynamo nearly seized the lead. Rookie Jason Johnson pressured Quakes goalkeeper Jesus Guzman into a poor clearance that was collected by Cam Weaver just outside the box. Weaver fired a shot that Guzman handled to keep the score 0-0.
Three minutes later, Emerson received the ball at the top of the penalty area and fired a shot into the far side netting for a 1-0 lead.
The Earthquakes doubled their lead in the 86th minute when a San Jose attacker went down in the box and Emerson converted the spot kick for a 2-0 advantage.
The Dynamo had chances in the second half, including a shot from the top of the box from Luiz Camargo in the 67th minute, a header from Johnson two minutes later, and a shot from the corner of the penalty area from Yannick Smith in the 73rd minute.
Houston will face the Colorado Rapids on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT. The match will be held at the Kino Sports Complex and will be streamed live at www.HoustonDynamo.com.
Houston Dynamo vs. San Jose Earthquakes
January 29, 2013 – Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz.
Preseason Scrimmage
Scoring Summary:

SJ – Alexandre Emerson (unassisted) 56
SJ – Alexandre Emerson (penalty) 86
Houston Dynamo: Tyler Deric (Erich Marschedier 63); Kofi Sarkodie (Warren Creavalle 46), Bobby Boswell (Eric Brunner 46), Jermaine Taylor (Yannick Smith 70), Mike Chabala (Anthony Arena 46);
Franck Songo'o (Brian Ownby 63), Ricardo Clark (Adam Moffat 21; Nic Ryan 63), Giles Barnes (Luiz Camargo 46), Je-Vaughn Watson (Alex Dixon 46), Brian Ching (Jason Johnson 46), Calum Elliot (Cam Weaver 46)
San Jose Earthquakes: San Jose Earthquakes: Evan Newton (Jesus Guzman 46), Peter McGlynn, Tommy Muller, Ty Harden (Josh Suggs 46), Colin Mitchell (Henrik Robstadt 46), Jacob Hustedt (Bryan Jordan 46), Brad Ring (Jacob Hustedt 70), Abu Tommy, Sam Garza (Sean de Silva 46), Lamin Suma (Alexandre Emerson 46), Adam Jahn (Matt Fondy 46)
