Not finding the back of the net has become the common theme for the San Jose Earthquakes. Saturday’s scoreless draw against Columbus Crew was the Quakes third straight MLS game yielding zero goals.
On a positive note, the Quakes seemed to have control of the match with over 51% possession, yet most of it was within their own half and a third within the Crew’s half. Having this amount of possession is an incremental improvement, as the Quakes worked hard in making more completed passes and not easily giving the ball away.
Only two shots on goal came from within the box, one from Wondolowki and another by Dawkins.
I was curious if the coaching staff was going to pair someone new up top with Lenhart. Disappointedly, it was Dawkins who has proven he is better positioned as an attacking midfielder than a striker.
Coach Yallop’s defense-oriented style of play can be the root case of these lackluster scoreless performances. It is frustrating to see non-strikers placed as forwards. Yallop believes that all players, including forwards, should be defensive minded. However, you can’t get into the playoffs with clean sheet draws.
Here is my rating of the each Earthquakes player on a scale of 1 – 5.
Busch: 5
He is a rock star by making 3-4 world-class saves. San Jose’s FO should have a t-shirt made in his honor: “Jon Busch. I’m a Rock Star”
Hernandez: 4.5
Solid as always and rarely makes mistakes, he kept the back line in order.
Peterson: 4
Very impressive debut as an Earthquake. He kept good ball possession, put pressure on the Crew and completed passes.
Baca: 4
Came in as a sub for Peterson, kind of unusual considering Peterson was solid on the right wing while the left wing was lacking at every level. Baca came in with plenty of energy and hunger to impress.
Dawkins: 4
Was a workhorse for most of the match and at times looked on with frustration as his teammates impatiently took unsuccessfully shots without finding an open teammate to pass to.
Ring: 4
Tried to breakup as many plays as possible and got kicked in the head in the process.
Burling: 4
Good performance while pairing with his roommate Hernandez.
Wondo: 3.5
Pretty invisible for most of the match aside from a good header within the box.
Khari: 3.5
Attempted his magically wicked 35+ yard shots on goal but failed to hit the back of the net. His defense wasn’t that great including almost getting booked within the box on a hard foul that wasn’t called — very lucky for San Jose!
Leitch: 3.5
Shaky defense and lack of distribution. Aerial-head-scoring Lenhart needed those long balls and Leitch didn’t produce.
Corrales: 3.5
Pushed up into the attacking midfield but produced plenty of unsuccessful passes, yielding to limited chances.
Lenhart: 3
Won less of the long balls and gave away plenty, including receiving a silly yellow card.
Sealy: 1
Came in as a sub for Lenhart and as before, he created no chances and was dreadful with his first touch. Many Quakes fans are wondering when he will be traded, as he has become the deadweight for a very long time now. Surprisingly, as the Quakes are lacking firing power, last week San Jose loaned out 22 year old forward Matt Luzunaris to Orlando City S.C. who scored two goals in his last two games, one against EPL Bolton. The fans want him back!
Cronin: N/A
Came in as a sub for Dawkins in the 89th minute and didn’t play enough to be given a score. Touched the ball once for one successful pass.
The Whitecaps are coming to Town
Perhaps in Wednesday’s match against Vancouver, San Jose may try another lineup. Should we expect to see newly acquired forward Alan Gordon? And how about placing Ellis McLoughlin at forward, a 20 year old who is perhaps the most direct player in the Quakes squad.
Offensive changes are needed.
Here is my suggested San Jose Earthquakes lineup.
Go Earthquakes!
(image courtesy of sjearthquakes.com)
