By Matthew Harrington

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – For one last night, Candlestick Park felt the thrill of battle as two football, or rather futbol, teams took to the pitch during the venerable stadium’s farewell tour. The San Jose Earthquakes battled reigning La Liga Champions Atletico Madrid to a scoreless tie after 90 minutes of their 2014 Copa EuroAmericana contest at Candlestick Park Sunday before ultimately losing in penalty kicks 4-3 against their UEFA foe for a final score of 1-0.

The Earthquakes were one of two teams to represent CONCACAF in the tournament, and the only MLS side to take part. Neither San Jose nor Atletico were at full strength for the friendly, with the Quakes resting ailing stars like Alan Gordon and Steven Lenhart and Atleti trying to finalize its team before the closing of the transfer window and start of La Liga play.

The game itself had little impact on the Earthquakes 2014 MLS fortunes, allowing Quakes coach Mark Watson the ability to rest workhorses Victor Bernardez and Chris Wondolowski as well as energetic midfielder Yannick Djalo for the final 45 minutes. The contest did however hold a heavy dose of significance for the 15,000-plus fans in attendance. Sunday’s contest marked the final competitive event held at Candlestick Park, with only a Paul McCartney yet to come place before the facility’s demolition.

Longtime the home to the San Francisco Giants & 49ers, Candlestick finds itself without a tenant for the first time in its existence. The Giants, who called Candlestick home since 1960, moved further into the city to the modern-meets-classic AT&T Park in 2000. The Niners will be trading in the chill of the Stick for the sun of Santa Clara and Levi’s Stadium to start the 2014 NFL season for the first time since 1971. The Earthquakes, after closing down the old Gold Rush home Sunday, will open the new Niners digs later this season in MLS play against the Seattle Sounders August 2nd.

“It meant a lot to us,” said Earthquakes coach Mark Watson. “It meant a lot to the fans. Anyone who’s been around the Bay Area knows just what a special place this is. There are so many experiences, so many championships and great things that have happened here. To the people that were here, this was a special night.”

An unlikely, or at least unfamiliar, face kept the overmatched Quakes in the match after the first 45 minutes of play. Back-up goalkeeper Bryan Meredith, inserted into the friendly appearance line-up in favor of starter Jon Busch, made a stunning save on an Atletico penalty kick in the 39th minute.

Raul Garcia took the penalty chance, shooting to his right while Meredith dove to the forward’s left. While the shot beat Meredith, it rang off the goalpost and back out into dangerous territory. A Rojiblanco player found the ball while facing an open net with Meredith recovering from his dive. What appeared to be an easy goal instead became a remarkable save by a seated Meredith who managed to get his fingertips on the second chance bid. In total, The Scotch Plains, NJ native made six saves in his first appearance with an MLS team since July 2012 as a member of the Seattle Sounders.

“Bryan did a great job,” said Watson. “He’s not our regular so he doesn’t play that much. It was an opportunity to get him in the game. Jon Busch is our number one right now, but I think Bryan showed that, if called on in the future, he’s very capable.”

Another player with limited exposure to Earthquakes fans made his mark on the game, with 18-year-old Tommy Thompson making just his second appearance with the Earthquakes. Thomson, who made brief debut on June 7th as a substitute in the 89th minute against Toronto, received a far lengthier stint on the pitch tonight after being subbed in at the half for Djalo. He was responsible for the Quakes’ best ball on net, firing a shot from about ten feet out that Atletico keeper Miguel Moya was able to corral off his shoulder for his toughest save of the night.

“Tommy’s a young guy, he’s got a long way to go,” said Watson. “But you can see that he’s got some talent. He has good instincts. He’s playing against very good players, very strong professionals. He had two or three really good chances. I thought he did really well. It was his first time really playing with us after missing five months with the injury. He did really well. He’s a young kid but he’s shown that he has a lot of talent.”

Thompson has spent the majority of his season on loan with the Sacramento Republic of the USL after recovering from arthroscopic surgery of his right knee before the season. He’s the Earthquakes first player with a “Homegrown“ designation, meaning he spent at least one year in the club’s youth development program and would not be subject to the MLS Superdraft. Earlier this month, the former Big Ten Rookie of the year with Indiana was selected to play in the MLS Homegrown Game as part of the All-star festivities in Portland August 4th.

“The last few months he’s been playing, getting stronger, getting fitter,” said Watson. “We’ve watched the games for Sacramento, we’ve watched his games with the National Team. He’s on a really good path. Once he’s ready, we’ll bring him in.”

If Thompson does soon stick with the Quakes, he’ll be expected to help San Jose find goals. Before a five-goal outburst Wednesday against the Chicago Fire, the Quakes mustered only four goals combined in their previous five games. They currently sit three points behind Chivas USA for last place in the Western Conference, and their 20 points are eight behind Vancouver for the last playoff spot.

“It wasn’t the start we wanted or expected. We’ve got a very resilient group. We’re going to keep working. I think this team is building conference.”

The Quakes will take a two-game point-streak into their Saturday match-up at Levi’s against first-place Seattle. San Jose drew the New York Red Bulls with an 85th minute equalizer from Steven Lenhart last Saturday before Wednesday’s big victory.