The Richter Report is a pre-match scouting report on the Earthquakes and their opponent. My fellow Earthquakes writer, Dan Burkhead, and I have combined to write a pre-match scouting report for Matchday One vs. Colorado Rapids. The scouting report will be broken down into five parts: Goalkeepers, Earthquakes Defense vs. Rapids Forwards, The Midfield, Earthquakes Forwards vs. Rapid’s Defense, and predictions. Dan Burkhead has the first two reports.
The Richter Report: Earthquakes Matchday 1
David Bingham vs Zac MacMath, Advantage Quakes
David Bingham and Zac MacMath will mind the net for their respective teams on Sunday. Bingham is returning for his second full season as primary ‘keeper while MacMath will see his first primary action for Colorado on Sunday.
The pressure will be greater for MacMath than Bingham. MacMath was the primary Philadelphia Union ‘keeper for three years in which he had an overall Goals-Against-Average of 1.389 and an overall record of 31-39-25, causing him to lose his position as the starterback-up ‘keeper to Colorado.
Furthermore, there are rumors that Tim Howard will sign with Colorado soon. MacMath may be on the hot-seat as the starting ‘keeper, which cannot be good for his confidence.
Bingham is coming off a brilliant 2015 which saw him not only post league-leading numbers, but he also received his first cap for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Based upon the numbers and their respective 2015 tours of service, the Quakes have a clear advantage with Bingham.
Quakes Defense vs. Colorado Forwards, Advantage Quakes
One of the hidden MLS gems last season was the San Jose Earthquakes defense. While the team failed to make the playoffs, they were among the league leaders in defensive categories, including tying Portland for third place in overall goals allowed (39) and had the longest MLS shut-out streak of the season at 447 minutes. The backline includes World Cup vets Clarence Goodson and Victor Bernardez at center-back, former Rapids defender Marvell Wynne at right-back, and Jamaican international Shaun Francis and left-back, all of whom will be active on Sunday.
Colorado is a team trying to rebuild their offense. The Rapids were last in total goals scored in 2015 at 33 goals. To address this, the Rapids signed Guatemalan international Marco Pappa and DP forward Shkelzen Gashi to complement Irish DP forward Kevin Doyle (Doyle led Colorado with five goals in 20 games last season) and 2013 MLS Rookie of the Year midfielder Dillon Powers. The combination of old and new faces means a process as the players get to know each other and develop.
Expect the seasoned and veteran Quakes defense to limit Colorado’s offensive chances as Colorado continues the rebuilding process of their offense.
The Midfield, Advantage Quakes
So far it sounds like the Earthquakes have the overwhelming favorite in all facets, and yes that’s true. The Rapids were one of the worst teams last year, and their midfield was a big part of that reason. According to whoscored.com, a statistical analytic website, the 48% of the Rapids shot’s came from outside of the 18 yard box. They have upgraded the midfield slightly, bringing in Zach Pfeffer. Still, the loss of Marcelo Sarvas has removed the solid holding anchor from their midfield. They seem to have a plethora of central midfielders, which leaves their forwards to have a lot of creativity out wide. They will be somewhat compact, but they won’t really create many goals with the lack of quality out wide biting them in the rear.
The Earthquake’s Midfield was probably the most improved group in the league last year. The deadline acquisition of Anibal Godoy gave life to San Jose’s season and almost put them into the playoffs. Godoy is a free roaming, box to box midfielder. His style of play is great because he allows whoever is in the attacking midfield position to roam freely, and allows the holding midfielder to stay put and cover for the back line. If the Earthquakes want to play with three center mids, Rookie of the Year runner up, Fatai Alashe is a great candidate for holding mid. Out wide, they have multiple options in Alberto Quintero, Matias Perez Garcia, Simon Dawkins, Shea Salinas, and Cordell Cato.
Colorado’s midfield has improved, but San Jose’s is far and away the better group here.
Quakes Forwards vs. Colorado Defense, Advantage Quakes
With Axel Sjöberg, and Sean St. Ledger in the middle, Colorado has a relatively experienced back line. Their issue is they’re really big, slow guys. Much like L.A. Galaxy and Arsenal backlines, they have slow central defenders that can’t really keep up with pace. Colorado added fullback Mekeil Williams to boost their outside backs, but even then that won’t be enough.
The Earthquakes will probably have Innocent start on the bench this match just due to him getting healthy, leaving Quincy Amarikwa and Wondolowski to lead the line. Mark Sherrod had an impressive preseason, and may have replaced Adam Jahn as the 4th choice striker. Jahn has a good chance to get loaned out to Sacramento Republic. Steven Lenhart is still on the roster, but that should end shortly. He is expected to retire due to injury. Quincy Amarikwa was a large boost for the ‘Quakes, coming over in the deal with Chicago Fire. Quincy will lead the line with his combination of physical strength and speed while Wondolowski will drop deeper into the midfield to help create.
Assuming Wondolowski and Amarikwa start up top, whoever marks Wondolowski will get pulled out farther than expected, leaving Quincy and the rest of the wingers space to get behind the defense. The speed out wide combined with Wondolowski and Quincy’s link up play will prove too much for Colorado’s backline to handle.
The Prediction:
Dan Burkhead: The Quakes bring a solid defense, so I expect a shut-out. I also believe Wondo escapes his scoring funk with a goal on a Tommy Thompson assist: 1-0 Quakes.
Daniel Sperry: Colorado is slightly improved, but even then it won’t be enough this year. The Earthquakes should keep them off the score-sheet so I expect a shutout. Even though they’ve had a tough time finding the net against MLS opposition this pre-season, I expect them to break out of the funk. Wondo and Amarikwa will set each other up for one, and Simon Dawkins gets a goal in his return to San Jose: 3-0 Quakes
Main Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images
