SANTA CLARA, CA — The unbeaten at home streak remains alive and well for San Jose at 14 games. “Unbeaten” being the key word here. The San Jose Earthquakes (10-11-8), in dire need of a win and the three points, tied the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps FC (10-10-8) on Saturday evening at Buck Shaw Stadium. In a game that left most of the San Jose faithful feeling frustrated by lack of offense or even the appearance of desire to win, the Earthquakes were unable to capitalize on multiple scoring chances and missed the opportunity to move up in the standings.
Both teams had their chances to take the lead, but neither were able to find the back of the net. San Jose had their best chance in the first half when a beautiful cross from Shea Salinas was headed down by Alan Gordon and fell to the feet of a wide open Clarence Goodson. All Goodson had to do was push the ball into the open net, but he skied it over the crossbar.
Fans rose to their feet in protest when veteran Ramiro Corrales was brought down in the box in the 24th minute, but the ref wasn’t having any of the theatrics and didn’t blow his whistle. The ref did go to his pocket a few times during the night, showing three yellow cards to Earthquakes players Gordon, Corrales, and Goodson. Fortunately, none of them will miss the next game due to accumulation.
San Jose did look dangerous at times, the speed of Salinas on the left and Cordell Cato on the right in the first half built up many chances down the sides. Their subs that brought in Marvin Chavez and Jaime Alas saw the same speed and movement forward in the second, but unfortunately for a team fighting for its’ playoff life, it just wasn’t enough. Vancouver’s backline, boosted by the return of Captain Jay DeMerit, would not let anything through. Whitecaps FC goalkeeper David Ousted only saw 11 shots, with only two of those on target.
San Jose and Vancouver remain tied for 7th with 38 points in the Western Conference, still five points behind the fifth and final playoff spot.
The Earthquakes host the Montreal Impact on Tuesday in a CONCACAF Champions League match, before heading to Real Salt Lake on the September 21st.
