---

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Kei Kamara dazzled San Luis Obispo with a pair of goals to lead the San Jose to a 2-1 win over Columbus in the first game of the MLS Central Coast Showcase Friday night at Alex G. Spanos Stadium.

Playing through a steady drizzle for most of the game, the Earthquakes got a pair of goals out of Kamara, one in each half, to notch its second win of the pre-season. Kamara, a native of Sierra Leone, was traded from Columbus to San Jose for Brian Carroll on Nov. 26, 2007.

The Earthquakes improved to 2-1-1 in the pre-season and will play an exhibition against D.C. United in the second half of the MLS Central Coast Showcase in San Luis Obispo on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Kamara kicked the scoring off in the 17th minuet. Gavin Glinton slid a pass on the ground through the defense on the right side to a streaking Kamara. The explosive striker then struck a low-lining shot past Columbus keeper Will Hesmer to put the Earthquakes ahead 1-0.

The Crew would equalize in the 34th minute as San Jose’s Ryan Cochrane had trouble clearing a ball from the back for San Jose. The Crew took possession at the top of the box, swung the ball to the right and Alejandro Moreno directed a pass to Eddie Gaven. Gaven’s shot sailed low past San Jose keeper Dan Benton, who came on for Preston Burpo in the 22nd minute.

The opening minutes of the second half produced little fanfare, but Kamara again brought the crowd of 3,861 to its feat as he collected a ball with space on the left side of the box. Kamara faked one way, slid the ball back and rocketed a shot into the lower right corner of the net to give the Earthquakes a 2-1 lead.

Columbus had ample opportunity to equalize in the 62nd minute as Guilherme So fired a shot from 10-yards out, but Benton came off his line to block it. So tracked down the loose ball, bent a pass across the box and a San Jose defender headed the ball away. Frankie Hedjuk stepped into the cleared ball and boomed a shot, but Benton was game to the challenge.

San Jose will return to action on Sunday against United at 1 p.m. in Alex G. Spanos Stadium.


Scoring Summary:
SJE – Kei Kamara (Gavin Glinton) 17
CC – Eddie Gaven (Alejandro Moreno) 34
SJE – Kei Kamara 54

First Half Lineups:
Columbus Crew (4-4-2): Will Hesmer, Frankie Hedjuk, Chad Marshall, Andy Iro, Sandro de Silva, Eddie Gaven, Duncan Oughton, Stefani Miglioranzi, Robbie Rogers, Guillermo Schellotto, Alejandro Moreno.

San Jose Earthquakes (4-4-2): Preston Burpo (Dan Benton 22), Jason Hernandez, Nick Garcia, Ryan Cochrane, James Riley, Shea Salinas, Ramiro Corrales, Ned Grabavoy, Ivan Guerrero, Gavin Glinton, Kei Kamara.

Second Half Lineups:
Columbus Crew (4-4-2): Will Hesmer, Frankie Hedjuk (Ryan Miller 64:52), Chad Marshall (Ryan Junge 67), Andy Iro (Leonard Griffin 67), Sandro de Silva (Andrew Peterson 64:52), Eddie Gaven (Ricardo Virtuoso 64:52), Duncan Oughton (Brian Carroll 61:21), Stefani Miglioranzi (Kevin Burns 61:21), Robbie Rogers (Emmanuel Ekpo 64:52), Guillermo Schellotto (Guilherme So 61:21), Alejandro Moreno (Zola Short 61:21).

San Jose Earthquakes (4-4-2): Dan Benton (, Jason Hernandez, Nick Garcia, Ryan Cochrane (Jay Ayres 70:06), James Riley, Shea Salinas (Matt Taylor 67), Ramiro Corrales (J.P. Rodrigues 81:46), Ned Grabavoy, Joe Vide (Ivan Guerrero 45), Gavin Glinton (Frederico Arias 61:21), Kei Kamara (Yuri Morales 81:46).

Misconduct Summary
CC - Stefani Miglioranzi caution (reckless foul) 11
SJE - Ryan Cochrane caution (reckless foul) 36
SJE - Nick Garcia caution (reckless foul) 62