The San Jose Earthquakes were poised to take three crucial points at home versus the Seattle Sounders, but found themselves disappointed at the end of the match. Unfortunately this is nothing new for the team from the South Bay.
GBU Report: Earthquakes Versus Sounders
The Good
The Earthquakes defense continues to impress. The Quakes rank second in the Western Conference for fewest goals allowed (30), behind the Colorado Rapids. Quakes goalkeeper David Bingham and center-back Victor Bernardez have created a standard of excellence despite the revolving door of defenders on the back-line. This includes Clarence Goodson, Andres Imperiale, Kofi Sarkodie, Jordan Stewart, Marvell Wynne, Kip Colvey, and Shaun Francis, all of whom have either seen time or played outside of their natural position.
Forward/Captain Chris Wondolowski became the only player in MLS history to have double-digit goals in seven seasons when he scored his tenth Saturday night. Wondo had been in the middle of a five-game scoreless streak.
The Bad
Statistically the Quakes have the worst offense in the West: 27 goals scored and 1.0 goals scored per game, both dead last. No offense, but that’s plain offensive. Don’t expect postseason play if the Quakes cannot find their scoring rhythm.
The Quakes rarely score, but when they do, they seem to have a habit of coughing up the lead. Saturday’s loss marked the tenth time this season the Quakes have had a lead and watched it dissipate before the final whistle. “Missed Opportunity” is now an all-too-familar theme for San Jose this season as the Quakes have five draws in their last eight matches.
The Ugly
With the score tied and one substitution left at his disposal, Head Coach Dom Kinnear elected to leave his newest signing–forward Henok Goitom–on the bench. An extra attacker in the final 10+ minutes could have been the difference between three points and one.
The Quakes postseason is in serious jeopardy. In four league matches, the Quakes played three games against teams with worse records and one game versus Seattle. Their record: 0-2-2. That was in September, 2015. Fast forward one year: in their previous four matches, the Quakes have played three teams with worse records and Seattle, and have come away with an identical 0-2-2 record. Dropping games against lower-standing opponents last year caused San Jose to miss out on post-season play. It seems history is indeed repeating itself, which doesn’t bode well for San Jose’s 2016 playoff aspirations.
Furthermore, the Quakes have an overall road record of 1-6-6 (0.69 points per game). San Jose will play four of their final seven games on the road, which sets them up for approximately three road points in four games should they repeat their season average. If the Quakes want to make the playoffs, they have to find a way to win on the road.
San Jose’s next road game is against the Colorado Rapids in Colorado on Saturday, September 17th at 6pm Pacific Time (7pm Mountain).
