As the International break closed this week, the Earthquakes welcomed back six players who returned from National Team Duties. Anibal Godoy and Alberto Quintero started for Panama, but unfortunately Godoy came off after 30 minutes due to a knee sprain. The injury will keep him out for three weeks. David Bingham, Chris Wondolowski were kept on the bench for the USMNT senior team, while Fatai Alashe endured the same experience with the U-23 squad.
The U-23 team could’ve done with Alashe’s influence in the games, as they failed to qualify for the Olympics for the second straight time. Simon Dawkins saw just under a half hour in Jamaica’s 1-1 draw with Costa Rica, then failed to see the field in the second matchup. Thankfully only one of the players was injured, but Simon Dawkins will still be suspended for Saturday’s game vs. DC United due to the red card he received in the Earthquake’s previous match.
D.C. United have had a relatively rough start to the season, compounded by injuries to many of their keepers. San Jose will be looking to bounce back from the Cali Classico loss, and start off their toughest stretch of the season with 3 points. Same format as always, here is the scouting report for the Earthquakes Matchday 4 vs. D.C. United.
Goalkeepers- Bingham vs. ????????????- Advantage Earthquakes
Well, we know who David Bingham is. Although he had a rough Cali Classico, those goals can’t really be blamed on him. Bingham hopefully will be looking to return to T.O.T.W. form and pitch a shutout against a rather anemic offense that D.C. United currently have. Just from the fact that nobody knows who D.C. United will start in goal gives Bingham the advantage.
The Backline-Slim Advantage Earthquakes
While the Quakes boast a solid, experienced backline, So does D.C. United. United’s defense is anchored by Steve Birnbaum, who has gotten himself into the National Team setup admirably. He performed incredibly well against Guatemala, which very well could spur on his form with D.C. United. The D.C. backline is solid, and healthy. Something the ‘Quakes can’t really attest too. Missing their starting left back, and starting center back, the Quakes backline has been a bit of patchwork since week 1. Kip Colvey has been admirable in replacing Shaun Francis, and Andres Imperiale provided a competent replacement for Clarence Goodson in the Cali Classico. The advantage goes to the Quakes in this mainly because they have one thing that D.C. doesn’t: A keeper that they have experience with, and a holding mid who provides cover for the backline. D.C. United’s backline has been in disarray this season, mainly due to those two things, which are relatively out of their control.
The Midfield- Advantage Earthquakes
Last season, an injury to Anibal Godoy would’ve sent the Earthquakes Midfield to shambles due to their lack of depth. The 2016 Earthquakes don’t fret anymore because they have plenty of midfield depth. The fact that they can actually bring on a DP to replace Godoy just shows the quality of the midfield depth for San Jose. They will have to replace Dawkins as well, but there is no question over whether or not Shea Salinas can fill in competently at Left Wing. The D.C. United midfield looked like an improved group with the addition of Lamar Neagle, but then the loss of Perry Kitchen left them with major shoes to fill in the midfield. Nick DeLeon has been unable to fill Kitchen’s shoes and the backline has been completely exposed due to the lack of a midfielder who can provide quality cover. Adding on to the fact that their midfield is missing the glue piece, there isn’t one ounce of creativity present in the midfield. Acosta is their only midfielder who can actually create something, and he seems to be always on the bench. The midfield has been the most disappointing group for D.C. so far this season, and I don’t see them recovering in time to make a difference this week. Advantage Earthquakes.
Forwards-Advantage Earthquakes
Will the real Fabian Espindola please stand up? He’s been relatively absent this season, and Saborio hasn’t been himself for a couple seasons now. While United are struggling to find consistent production from anywhere, San Jose have scored 4 goals this season, and all of them have come from their forward tandem of Chris Wondolowski and Quincy Amarikwa. They pose problems for most backlines with their combination of Quincy’s physicality and Wondolowski’s movement. Wondolowski is on fire to begin the season, and Amarikwa was playing incredibly well in the first few games. Based on chemistry, and production, San Jose get’s the advantage here as well.
Starting 11:
This lineup for San Jose seems the most likely. The tandem of Wondolowski and Amarikwa seem to be inseparable due to their production so far. Wondolowski could very well drop into the midfield and leave Amarikwa up top all alone. This wouldn’t be much different from how they played against L.A. Galaxy. Salinas is an easy choice to replace Dawkins as he’s suspended. Since Quintero played a full 90 minutes on Tuesday in Panama, the Earthquakes have the option of sliding MPG out wide to the right, and having young Matheus Silva start alongside Fatai Alashe. This look will give them the closest look to the lineups that they would roll out with a healthy Anibal Godoy. If not, they can always play with a diamond midfield, and have MPG play underneath Wondo and Amarikwa.
Match Prediction: 3-1 Earthquakes.
San Jose LOVES to do what Dallas did last week. Let D.C. have their possession, they won’t be able to finish most of their chances. San Jose will look to attack and counter quickly through their wings, and with the quality up front they should be able to score enough goals to counteract the amount of “chances” D.C. will try to create. If Acosta plays, I could see D.C. maybe getting a surprise draw or even a win. Unfortunately for DC, they’re good at shooting themselves in the foot. Wondolowski bags a brace and Shea Salinas becomes the first Quakes player to score a goal this year that doesn’t play Striker.
Main Photo: Fans show their support for the San Jose Earthquakes as they compete against Club America during an International Champions Cup match at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California on July 14, 2015. AFP PHOTO / JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)
