Top Stories

MLS Preseason: Wondolowski stays hot; Beckerman, Pontius return and more

MLSDF081311104

Photo by Don Feria/ISIphotos.com

Chris Wondolowski made it three goals in three preseason games, as the San Jose Earthquakes played the Houston Dynamo to a 2-2 draw at Oxnard College in California in MLS preseason action on Tuesday.

Wondolowski headed home a cross from Ramiro Corrales to tie things in the 30th minute after new signing Mac Kandji had opened the scoring in the fifth off an assist from second-year forward Will Bruin.

Bruin scored one for himself in the 51st minute, but that was answered by Anthony Ampaipitakwong, who received a pass deep in the Houston box from Khari Stephenson and finished for the final tally of the match.

Here are a few more results from MLS preseason action:

BECKERMAN, PONTIUS RETURN IN RSL-D.C. DRAW

Real Salt Lake's Jamison Olave and D.C. United supplemental draft pick Lance Rozeboom netted the goals in the two clubs' 1-1 draw, which was more notable for who made their returns to the field than it was for the actual outcome.

Kyle Beckerman and Chris Pontius took the field in a game situation for the first time since recovering from their respective injuries. Beckerman was hurt in the U.S. national team's January training camp and had been out with an adductor strain since then. He entered in the 60th minute and is expected to be slowly reintegrated into the club, according to a team report.

Pontius, meanwhile, saw the field for the first time since breaking his leg last September against Chivas USA. He, along with second-year centerback Ethan White (who is recovering from a knee injury), also played the final 30 minutes as they seek to regain fitness ahead of the new season.

DWYER NETS HAT TRICK FOR SKC

Rookie and Generation adidas signing Dom Dwyer netted a hat trick, as Sporting Kansas City blew out PDL side FC Tuscon, 5-1, in a preseason exhibition.

Dwyer did all of his damage in the final 20 minutes of the match, adding to goals from Kei Kamara and Roger Espinosa.

U.S. Under-20 goalkeeper Jon Kempin saved an early penalty (brought on by his own foul in the area), and Kamara opened the scoring moments later to kick off the rout.  

IMPACT BLANK GALAXY, FALL TO CHIVAS

Montreal Impact goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts came up big against his former club, as Montreal dealt the Los Angeles Galaxy a 3-0 loss in preseason action.

Ricketts came up with a big stop of a Jack McBean effort int he 73rd minute and also had some fortune on his side, as a David Beckham free kick curled off the post just before halftime.

Sanna Nyassi, Zarek Valentin and Evan James each scored for Montreal, with Nyassi having a deflected shot wrong-foot Josh Saunders, Valentin scoring on a blast from distance and James capping the scoring with an easy finish inside the area.

In the Impact's second match of the day, the club fell 1-0 to Chivas USA on a goal by rookie forward Casey Townsend off a feed from Ryan Smith.

Here are highlights from the Impact-Galaxy match:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tz8Ap-0kpI]

——————-

What do you make of Wondolowski's preseason form? Excited to see Beckerman and Pontius get back on the field? Think Dwyer could have a productive rookie season? What's your take on Montreal's win over Los Angeles?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. AHHHHHH ITS SOOOOO FUSTRATING TO SEE WONDO SCORE SO MUCH IN MLS GAMES AND COMPLETELY BLOW IT IN THE USMNT GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! C’mon man step your game up when it counts!

    Reply
  2. As a Quake supporter, I’m getting dangerously optimistic. Dawkins, Chavez, Moreno serving up Wondo & Lenhart. A healthy Opara. Morrow and Beitashour flying up from the outside back positions.
    Is anyone else feeling it?

    Reply
  3. I’m not a D.C. supporter, but I’m glad to see Pontius back. Hopefully he’ll factor into the national pool once he regains some form.

    Reply
  4. Looks like SKC may have unearthed yet another gem in Dwyer. The past few seasons they’ve been killing it in the draft with Sapong, Bunbury, Zusi, Besler, Espinoza and Meyers all taken in the draft.

    Reply

Leave a Comment