SAN JOSE, Calif. (February 27, 2016) – The New York Cosmos suffered a 1-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night at Avaya Stadium, closing out their three-game California preseason tour with two wins and a one defeat.

San Jose center back Clarence Goodson struck the deciding tally in the 51^st minute at the near post, cleaning up a chaotic corner kick opportunity that saw ball bounce threateningly in front of the Cosmos goal line.

Each team proved prepared for a challenge at the outset of the game, fielding strong starting lineups and fighting for early control through possession. New York dominated the ball early, and winger Yohandry Orozco made a quick cut inside to combine with fellow Venezuelan Juan Arango and earn a free kick from 35 yards out in the fifth minute. Arango’s free kick went low and on frame, but Quakes goalkeeper David Bingham positioned himself well to make the save.

Good goalkeeping was a theme of the evening, as both Bingham and Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer were called upon often to cut out through balls, grab crosses and turn away shots. In the 29^th minute Maurer made the right choice in committing to chase down a ball over the top, reaching it milliseconds before San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski could get an open touch at the top of the 18-yard box.

The Quakes, who begin their Major League Soccer season next weekend, found the go-ahead goal six minutes into the second half. Initially it looked as if the Cosmos might escape the danger of the ball ricocheting through Maurer’s box, but Goodson made no mistake with his finish.

Like he did in New York’s previous two California preseason matches – a 2-0 win against FC Ararat Yerevan and 2-1 win over Fresno Fuego – Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese brought on waves of fresh legs in the second 45. Mike Lahoud replaced captain Carlos Mendes in central defense, while Lucky Mkosana, Andrés Flores and training guest Niko Kranjčar came off the bench to support the attack. Flores flashed his creativity going forward in the 74^th and 76^th minutes, first nearly finding Mkosana with a lofted through ball, then combining with Ayoze to whip in a dangerous cross.

Now the Cosmos will return to New York, just five weeks away from their North American Soccer League home opener against Ottawa Fury FC. Individual game tickets for the 2016 NASL season go on sale this Monday, February 29 at 10 a.m. ET. Visit nycosmos.com/tickets, call 855-71-COSMOS or come by the club’s Garden City, Long Island office to secure your seats.