As the San Jose Earthquakes prepare for their match against the New York Red Bulls this week, they feel they are currently playing at their highest level since preseason training began. By watching their creative and aggressive play in every match this season, it is clear they have taken on manager Frank Yallop’s mindset of constantly attacking their opposition. It seems as if there is a hint of resentment in the air as the Earthquakes feel they missed out on a great opportunity to seize a victory from an underachieving Toronto FC squad. Despite the result, Yallop feels San Jose is playing their best football since returning to Major League Soccer in 2008.
Somewhat of an overwhelming favorite to win the Eastern Conference, the Red Bulls have had struggles of their own to date. Many missed scoring chances combined with young superstar defender Tim Ream’s unexpected gaffes have resulted in a 1-2-1 start. “The New Galacticos,” as many have dubbed New York, have their own great offensive attack although untapped thus far. In training this week, San Jose went back to work with the goal of finding the right mixture of keeping Dwayne DeRosario, Juan Agudelo and Thierry Henry under wraps and forming their own potent offense. Chris Wondolowski has continued his fine form from last season, while Bobby Convey, Khari Stephenson and Tottenham Hotspur loanee Simon Dawkins have contributed as well.
The Quakes will travel cross country for this match and we’ll see how they adjust. San Jose can make a loud statement to the league’s top echelon teams by defeating the highly thought of Red Bulls.
