Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Ben Rozak

There are a lot of opinions on why soccer is not popular in the United States. Some people say it's because there's not enough physical contact, that maybe it would be better with helmets and pads. But this weekend's Major League Soccer Central Coast Showcase at Cal Poly just may have changed those people's minds.

Albeit exhibition matches, this weekend's two games were more along the lines of regular-season rivalries.

The first game, between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Columbus Crew, displayed the physicality of the game, as players came up slow after slide tackles and jumping for headers.

A collision between San Jose goalkeeper Preston Burpo and Columbus forward Robbie Rogers led to a shoving match, and the aggressive play resulted in two yellow cards in the first half and another in the second.

Neither team was dominant, although San Jose prevailed 2-1.

The first goal came in the 17th minute when San Jose forward Kei Kamara took a pass from forward Gavin Clinton, split two defenders and booted the ball to the back of the net.

A mistake by San Jose defender Ryan Cochrane in the 34th minute gave the Crew its only score. Just outside the Earthquakes' penalty box, Cochrane lost control of the ball to Crew midfielder Guillermo Schelotto, who connected with forward Alejandro Moreno. He then passed it to forward Eddie Gaven, who put a low, hard shot on goal.

Goalkeeper Dan Benton, who came in when Burpo left the field with a hand injury, was not able to fall on the ball; it went through his legs and into the goal.

The final goal of the match came in the 53rd minute and was the most spectacular.

Working against two defenders on the left wing, Kamara displayed some fancy footwork in getting himself open and taking a long shot that found the net.

Kamara said he wasn't sure what his move was, explaining, "I think I leaned one way, put the ball on the other side and then shot it looking for the far post."

Whatever it was, it caused one defender to fall and the Earthquakes to come out with a win against his former team.

Asked what he thought of the Central Coast soccer scene, Clinton said the crowd "inspired both teams to go at it a little hard. It got a little chippy at times, but that's not necessarily a bad thing."

Following Saturday's winds and rain, the field was a soggy mess for Sunday afternoon's contest between San Jose and the D.C. United.

Continued...

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