Author’s note: I have decided to adopt a “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” style match report format (hereby christened the “GBU Report”) which I will use to analyze each result for the San Jose Earthquakes. Look for it after every Quakes game. I hope you enjoy it!
GBU Report: Earthquakes vs FC Dallas
For the second time in two games, the San Jose Earthquakes walked off the pitch with a draw, this time earning 2-2 draw in Frisco to earn a point and move them into a tie with Los Angeles Galaxy for fourth place in the Western Conference. Here’s a recap on the good, the bad, and the ugly in Saturday’s match.
The Good
The Earthquakes took a point, and could have had three. The team showed chemistry which will be crucial for the middle of the season. Doing this against then-first place Dallas in Frisco should be seen as a positive, even if the Quakes held and gave up the lead twice.
Forward Tommy Thompson continues to impress. He was selected over DP midfielder Matias Perez Garcia to start. I feel Head Coach Dom Kinnear selected Thompson because he can go a full 90, whereas Perez Garcia seems to be gassed by 75′, and brings a ton of energy to the lineup. In his last two starts, he has helped ignite a stagnant offense, and Kinnear has not had to waste a sub. It will be interesting to see what happens with defensive midfielder Anibal Godoy comes back from injury.
Forward Chris Wondolowski had his fourth goal in five games. Could this be his third Golden Boot campaign?
Forward Quincy Amarikwa had the dimes on both Quakes goals. Not a bad day in the office.
Midfielder Shea Salinas could be the Earthquakes’ equivalent of Andre Iguodala for the Warriors: a spark-plug sub that can be relied upon to produce late in the game.
The Bad
The Earthquakes took a point, and could have had three. Yeah, it’s both good and bad. The four points the Quakes potentially dropped these past two matches could make a huge difference come playoff qualification and seeding time.
Quincy Amarikwa was caught offside four(!) times, and had just one shot all game. Granted it was a shot on goal, the reality is that Quincy is finding himself offsides way too much. He has been caught offsides eight times all year, one of which resulted in a disallowed goal versus D.C. United.
The Quakes average two-goals-against per game when center-back Clarence Goodson does not start. The Quakes need him back in the lineup soon.
The Ugly
The Quakes were responsible for all four goals. Center-back Victor Bernardez headed home a beautiful equalizing goal, much to the chagrin of fans in San Jose. He could have used his body, or tried not to direct it so close to the post.
Left-back Shaun Francis committed the penalty which set up the Tesho Akendele PK, which was the correct call. Poor defensive plays got Dallas back into the match.
DP Innocent saw time and produced little. It appears the pressure to justify his million dollar contract be getting to him as he put up an errant shot from the top of the box without looking to pass or cross the ball. Also, million-dollar bust would not look too good for GM John Doyle.
Overall, the Earthquakes played well enough to earn a point on the road, but there is clearly room for improvement. I hope you enjoyed this first edition of the GBU Report!
Up next: San Jose Earthquakes take on New York Red Bulls on Wednesday at Avaya Stadium.
