We can all agree that Real Salt Lake’s Alvaro Saborio took a dive and “fooled” the referee David Gantar (in his seventh MLS match) and his linesman. Gantar initially gave a red card to Brad Ring who was a mile away from Saborio. After consulting with the linesman, who we all assumed had a better view of the dive, Gantar gave Bobby Burling, who didn’t even touch Saborio, a red card. “Deep-sea-diver” Saborio got a penalty kick and converted for the first goal fo the match.
With a man down and reshuffling of the jerrybuilt back-line, the Earthquakes had no offensive power left, aside from Wondo, who is only dangerous when given quality service. The match ended 4-0. The Quakes failed yet again, to win a game. Regardless of the appalling officiating and cheating tactic of “Submarine-rio” aka Saborio, the Quakes were most likely heading for a draw. Why you ask? San Jose was without big-target man Lenhart, newly acquired target-man-number-two Gordon and attacking midfielder Dawkins. The Englishman is perhaps the only Quakes player who has control and cosnistency in the central midfield and leads the MLS in percentage of offensive passes. His absence left San Jose’s midfield invisible.
Lastly, left-back Ramiro Corrales was out on suspension, leaving a more attacking-centric Bobby Convey in the left back position. Up top, in-form Wondo was partnered with out-of-form Scott Sealy. The two forwards resulted in zero shots on goal. Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Rimando was yawning out of boredom.
Moving forward, the Earthquakes have three back-to-back home games. And they must win at least two matches if they plan to be in the playoffs. The next match will be with DC United on Saturday. With no natural center backs available due to suspensions and injuries, the Quakes will have to do better in controlling their midfield, keeping possession and keeping DC from having easy chances. Hopefully Lenhart is back with fire in his belly, Dawkins is healthily and is placed in the right position of central midfield and Wondo can find his magic touch again.
Go Earthquakes!
(image courtesy of sjearthquakes.com)
