The theme for the San Jose Earthquakes today must be toughness. For three straight matches, the Earthquakes have shown they will let their guard down once their opponent challenges them with a few serious scoring chances. Things won’t get any easier this weekend as the Earthquakes visit Philadelphia to take on what has been a surprisingly potent offense to date for the Union.
Positive thinking has been the mantra around training session all week long. There is no doubt manger Frank Yallop will make changes to try and create both a more dynamic scoring attack and shore up what has been a leaky defensive back four. There are a few bright spots for the Earthquakes that they can take away from last week’s defeat to Chivas USA. Among these were improved play from goalkeeper Jon Busch, the season debut for Steven Lenhart, a great showing of energy from late substitute Anthony Ampaipitakwong and a goal from last season’s MLS Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski. On second thought, perhaps the outlook against the Union today should be optimism.
(image courtesy of sjearthquakes.com)
