This weekend the San Jose Earthquake have a tough task ahead of them in Seattle, as they prepare to face off against the Seattle Sounders – last week things didn’t go their way in Dallas. Their dreams were shattered when Blas Perez delivered the clutch headed redirection shot while in full stride toward a net without goalkeeper David Bingham (whose poor clearance led to the goal).
Heartbreak can be avoided this week, provided the Earthquake improve their possession and capitalize on their chances in Seattle.
San Jose vs Seattle: Earthquake Keys to Victory
1. Passing must improve
Last week, the Earthquake were out-possessed by a team that last year relied on set pieces and their defensive prowess instead of actually holding on to the ball for extended periods of time. Truth be told, the Earthquake only held on to the ball for 48% of the time and retained a passing percentage of 72% throughout the contest (whoscored.com).
That won’t get it done against the Sounders, as they were successful with 80% of their passes against the wounded New England Revolution (squawka.com). If San Jose has any aspirations of getting a result against their northern pacific coast rivals, they will need to make more accurate passes.
2. Defenders must step up
Last week, David Bingham was called upon often to dispatch some Manuel Neuer-like play in front of goal. With the exception of Blas Perez’s glancing header toward the end, Bingham played a pretty good game in between the sticks tending to seven different encounters (squawka.com).
He and the recently signed Paulo Renato will need to duplicate their strong play against the Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins who combined to score all three of their team’s goals last week.
If the Earthquakes can improve on their tackling and gain more timely interceptions, they should be able to disrupt the Sounder’s offence, as Seattle held the ball last week for 52% of their game (whoscored.com).Take advantage of their opportunities
3. Take advantage of their opportunities
Last week Matias Garcia Perez led the team creatively. Even though he did not provide the assists that he delivered throughout the preseason, he did chip in with two of the Earthquakes’ five created chances (squawka.com).
Unfortunately, the Earthquakes were quite off-target as they only managed to put two of their nine shots on the frame of goal (whoscored.com). Their inaccuracy kept them from earning a result against a team that they outplayed throughout stretches of the game.
Somehow, Chris Wondolowski and company have to find a way to finish the chances they get in order to put pressure on the Seattle attack, and to disrupt their confidence defensively.
In summary, the Earthquakes will get their chances as they will surely have to contend with a few coming their way as well. By improving their possession and capitalizing on their opportunities in front of goal, they can do enough to recover from the defeat suffered last week in Dallas.
Main Photo: AFP PHOTO/ALFREDO ESTRELLA
