The New York Red Bulls picked up their first victory of the MLS preseason, defeating Eastern Conference rival Toronto FC 3-2 on Friday at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. In California, the San Jose Earthquakes edged the Seattle Sounders 3-2, while Real Salt Lake made short work of Chinese squad Shandong Luneng Taishan at Oxnard College.
New York Red Bulls 3, Toronto FC 2: The Red Bulls rallied from an early two-goal deficit to defeat Toronto FC, 3-2, Friday afternoon at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
The teams played four, 25-minute periods and Toronto jumped in front on 13 minutes as defender Marvell Wynne played the ball through to Chad Barrett, who ran at goal before sliding it to an unmarked Pablo Vitti, who put it away from eight yards out.
A minute later, Toronto FC doubled their advantage. Amadou Sanyang regained possession in the midfield and passed it to Barrett, whose 25-yard blast beat goalkeeper Danny Cepero.
After Dwayne De Rosario was called for handling a cross in the box, the Red Bulls got a goal back when veteran John Wolyniec converted a penalty kick in the 31st minute.
The Red Bulls got the eventual game-winning goal in the 87th minute when Danleigh Borman cut into the center of the field and played a well-weighted through ball to Mbuta, who slotted it past goalkeeper Brian Edwards.
Then, with three minutes remaining, Mbuta was tripped up in the 18-yard box heading towards goal and the referee pointed to the spot. Lionel Saint-Preux scored on the ensuing penalty kick, giving the Red Bulls, which improved to 1-2-2 in the season, its first victory.
San Jose Earthquakes 3, Seattle Sounders FC 2: Ryan Johnson struck for a first-half brace and rookie Quincy Amarikwa scored the game-winner early in the second half to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 3-2 victory against Seattle Sounders FC in the Major League Soccer Central Coast Showcase at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo Friday.
Johnson struck in the eighth minute, receiving a cross from Ned Grabavoy and slotting a left-footed shot past Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller.
Fredy Montero tied the game for Seattle three minutes later as former Quakes defender James Riley found Nate Jaqua on the wing and he centered the ball to Montero. Montero then found the net with a shot past Quakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon.
Johnson struck for his second in the 22nd minute. Newly signed forward Cam Weaver headed a ball down to Johnson in the box and he slotted a shot past Keller to put San Jose back in front.
Johnson nearly had a hat trick in the 31st minute after striking a shot from a narrow angle on the left that swung past Keller. But the ball clanged off the crossbar and away from the net.
Montero added his second just before the stroke of halftime, taking a pass from Sebastien Le Toux and heading a shot to the far post past Cannon.
Amarikwa netted the winner for the Earthquakes with an unassisted goal less than 40 seconds into the second half. The third-round draft choice out of UC Davis beat Keller one-on-one in the box for his first goal of the preseason.
Goalkeeper Andrew Weber came up clutch for the Earthquakes in the 85th minute, stopping a point-blank shot from Sanna Nyassi to secure the win.
Real Salt Lake 8, Shandong Luneng Taishan 0: Real Salt Lake took a 3-0 lead in the opening 15 minutes and cruised to an 8-0 victory against Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng Taishan at Oxnard College on Friday.
Tino Nunez struck for the first of his two goals in the first minute and Will Johnson put RSL in front, 2-0, in the 10th minute. Yura Movsisyan gave Real Salt Lake a 3-0 lead on 15 minutes and Nunez capped the first-half scoring with his second goal in the 40th minute.
Arthur Aghasyan got his name on the scoreboard in the 55th minute and Alex Nimo added the sixth goal from the penalty spot seven minutes later.
Luis Miguel Escalada made it 7-0 for RSL in the 80th minute and, to add insult to injury for Shandong Luneng Taishan, the Chinese squad allowed an own goal two minutes from full time.
Preseason roundup: United top Crew
Oliveira’s Debut Goal Helps Real Betis Beat Ten Man Sevilla
Preseason roundup: Fire, Real beat USL clubs
Capello Satisfied With Spain Test
