On Saturday, the San Jose Earthquakes fell at Buck Shaw Stadium 3-2 to Real Salt Lake. The loss was particularly damaging to the Quakes playoff hopes because they loss at home to a team they are competing for a playoff spot with. Here is what the coach and players told the press after the game.
San Jose Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop was disappointed but realistic “Obviously a disappointing night for us. I thought the best team won tonight. Real Salt Lake played very well and deserved to win to be honest.”In regards to the team's playoff run, “We have been playing very well and getting results against good teams. A tie would have been fine with us, but they get three points up on us, which is difficult. We have a tough game coming up in Dallas and if we can go to their place and get a result then everything is wide open again.”
Earthquakes Goalkeeper Joe Cannon added “To be honest, I thought we got outplayed tonight. It felt like they out-shot us, out-possessed us, won more second balls, and they wanted it more I guess. Today’s results make Thursday’s game (at FC Dallas) a must-win game.” As for the result against Salt Lake, “It’s disappointing, but what can we say? It was a good run we had, and I’m highly disappointed. I think this game was the worst we’ve played as a defensive unit all year long, especially at home. It hurts because I think our fans were getting excited and into this playoff chase, and now we have to do the business away from Buck Shaw.”
After scoring two terrific goals, Earthquakes midfielder Darren Huckerby wasn't pleased either “It was great to get goals tonight, but they don’t count for anything. We weren’t good enough today. At 2-1 we’ve got to win the game. Then we got sloppy.” On defending a lead “At 2-1 you do not want seven, eight, even nine players pushing on to score another goal. You need six men staying back and defending. Keep five men back, keep the four in the back-line back, and have them struggle to score another goal. This is just unacceptable; we have to be better than that.”
On Thursday the Quakes to take on FC Dallas in what has turned into a very important game if they want to make the playoffs. The team will likely need to win at least three if not four of their remaining five games to qualify for the playoffs. Thursday at Frisco will be their next test.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Quakes Pursuing Richardson?
According to the Trinidad and Tobago Express several clubs in MLS are pursuing Gregory Richardson who plays for Joe Public in Trinidad and Tobago. The clubs identified by the article include the Columbus Crew, New England Revolution and San Jose Earthquakes. All three want to sign the fleet-footed Guyanese, following his terrific showing over two legs in the CONCACAF Champions League against the Revolution, including scoring a hat trick in Public's 4-0 victory, in the away leg in Boston earlier this month.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Dynamo Forced to Postpone Game Against Quakes this Saturday
The Houston Dynamo have rescheduled their home game against the San Jose Earthquakes, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 20, to Wednesday, October 15, it was announced today. After conferring with officials from the City of Houston, the University of Houston Police Department, and the Houston Police Department, the Dynamo will face San Jose at Robertson Stadium at 8:00 p.m. on October 15.
The decision to reschedule the match was made after discussions with local officials emphasized the logistical difficulties and public safety threat posed by the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Houston Police Department chief Harold Hurtt recommended that all events, sporting venues, and cultural institutions suspend public activities and performances until Monday while basic infrastructure services such as street lights are restored.
"Officials from the city approached us this morning and requested that we not move forward with Saturday's game in the interest of public safety," Dynamo president and general manager Oliver Luck said. "Although this is not an ideal situation for our organization, we feel it is the right thing to do for the region, given the circumstances. We'd like to thank officials from the city and from the university for their help."
The decision to reschedule the match was made after discussions with local officials emphasized the logistical difficulties and public safety threat posed by the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Houston Police Department chief Harold Hurtt recommended that all events, sporting venues, and cultural institutions suspend public activities and performances until Monday while basic infrastructure services such as street lights are restored.
"Officials from the city approached us this morning and requested that we not move forward with Saturday's game in the interest of public safety," Dynamo president and general manager Oliver Luck said. "Although this is not an ideal situation for our organization, we feel it is the right thing to do for the region, given the circumstances. We'd like to thank officials from the city and from the university for their help."
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Quakes Earn Respect from Dynamo in 1-1 Draw
Dynamo forward Brian Ching saw the new version of the Earthquakes are for real, "Those guys came out with a lot to prove tonight, trying to step out of our shadow in a sense. But they came out and they fought hard. That’s what you expect.” The new version of the Earthquakes took on their former version and played to a draw. The Quakes jumped out in front in the second half with a beautiful strike off the foot of Ronnie O'Brien that beat Pat Onstad to the far post. Late in the game the Dynamo tied it up on a Brian Ching header.
Dominic Kinnear noticed an improvement in the Earthquakes since the beginning of the season. He commented that in this game “The two teams are very competitive. The game started off fine and the atmosphere was electric. They were not shying away from any challenges and neither were we. They made it tough for us to play. I thought it was a fair result.” In regards to returning to play the Earthquakes he expanded “Friendship was definitely pushed aside, and it was very competitive. I know there were handshakes tonight instead of hugs, so that shows what these two teams were feeling. The guys were motivated from the first time we played out here. Even with some different players on both sides, the competitive nature was still very high.”
So the Quakes have extended their unbeaten streak and will now face Houston again next week at Robertson Stadium. We'll see how the two team fair next week, but this one was a wonderful match to witness. I'm sure we can look forward to many more battles between these two teams over the coming years.
Dominic Kinnear noticed an improvement in the Earthquakes since the beginning of the season. He commented that in this game “The two teams are very competitive. The game started off fine and the atmosphere was electric. They were not shying away from any challenges and neither were we. They made it tough for us to play. I thought it was a fair result.” In regards to returning to play the Earthquakes he expanded “Friendship was definitely pushed aside, and it was very competitive. I know there were handshakes tonight instead of hugs, so that shows what these two teams were feeling. The guys were motivated from the first time we played out here. Even with some different players on both sides, the competitive nature was still very high.”
So the Quakes have extended their unbeaten streak and will now face Houston again next week at Robertson Stadium. We'll see how the two team fair next week, but this one was a wonderful match to witness. I'm sure we can look forward to many more battles between these two teams over the coming years.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Earthquakes Take Down DC United
The San Jose Earthquakes earned a 2-1 victory over D.C. United on Saturday night at Buck Shaw Stadium. Arturo Alvarez and Darren Huckerby scored for the second straight game to lead the Quakes. Santino Quaranta scored the lone goal for D.C. United.
With an attendance of 10,121, the crowd loved seeing the Quakes battle with the US Open Cup Champions. Though United was missing several key starters including Emilio, Fred and Moreno through either injuries or international call-ups. The Quakes tuck to their game plan though and created the better scoring opportunities of the game overall.
San Jose Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop talked about the in after the game “I am very happy to get the three points. We didn’t play that well and we could have scored more goals. It was a good home win for us and we look forward to the rest of the games we have.”
On the team’s performance, he expanded on it saying “I think our guys were a little flat today. We had a few days off last week and sometimes you try to rest bodies rather than train and it always backfires in the end. I think that happened tonight, I don’t think we were as sharp as we normally are and the heat didn’t help. We are going to push the guys a little more and make sure they are ready to go next game. ”
Yallop went on to highlight Francisco Lima’s performance “He is a driving force and an influence in the middle of the field. He is exactly what we needed in there. I think between Ramiro Corrales and Francisco Lima they were starting to really strike a nice partnership. I like Francisco (Lima) I think he has great character, the guys like him a lot. He is a tough man and he always wants to win and that is terrific to have in any team.”
Earthquakes midfielder Darren Huckerby felt good about the game and added “We are just enjoying the game right now. The team has been putting in the work during the week and getting rewarded on Saturdays. Every game we are growing and getting results, so we just have to keep playing this way and working hard.”
Earthquakes captain Nick Garcia, was asked about next week's game against defending champion Houston “These next two games are obviously huge. We have our own destiny in our hands now. Houston is a very good side, so it will be tough, but we have the guys in here to get two good results and stay in the playoff hunt.”
With an attendance of 10,121, the crowd loved seeing the Quakes battle with the US Open Cup Champions. Though United was missing several key starters including Emilio, Fred and Moreno through either injuries or international call-ups. The Quakes tuck to their game plan though and created the better scoring opportunities of the game overall.
San Jose Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop talked about the in after the game “I am very happy to get the three points. We didn’t play that well and we could have scored more goals. It was a good home win for us and we look forward to the rest of the games we have.”
On the team’s performance, he expanded on it saying “I think our guys were a little flat today. We had a few days off last week and sometimes you try to rest bodies rather than train and it always backfires in the end. I think that happened tonight, I don’t think we were as sharp as we normally are and the heat didn’t help. We are going to push the guys a little more and make sure they are ready to go next game. ”
Yallop went on to highlight Francisco Lima’s performance “He is a driving force and an influence in the middle of the field. He is exactly what we needed in there. I think between Ramiro Corrales and Francisco Lima they were starting to really strike a nice partnership. I like Francisco (Lima) I think he has great character, the guys like him a lot. He is a tough man and he always wants to win and that is terrific to have in any team.”
Earthquakes midfielder Darren Huckerby felt good about the game and added “We are just enjoying the game right now. The team has been putting in the work during the week and getting rewarded on Saturdays. Every game we are growing and getting results, so we just have to keep playing this way and working hard.”
Earthquakes captain Nick Garcia, was asked about next week's game against defending champion Houston “These next two games are obviously huge. We have our own destiny in our hands now. Houston is a very good side, so it will be tough, but we have the guys in here to get two good results and stay in the playoff hunt.”
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Earthquakes Sign Michael Ghebru and Davide Somma
The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the team has signed Michael Ghebru and Davide Somma to developmental contracts. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Ghebru, 20, was born in Germany and played in the youth system at three different clubs. He spent time with Offenbacher Fotball Club Kickers 1901, MSV Duisburg and Eintracht Frankfurt. Ghebru will count as an international on the Earthquakes roster.
Somma, 23, was born in South Africa, but has Italian citizenship and also possesses a green card. He has spent time with three Italian clubs in his career. He started his career with Perugia in 2004, before signing with FC Pro Vasto in 2005. Somma played most recently for Olbia Calcio.
Michael Ghebru #23
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 150
Born: November 7, 1987 in Langen, Germany
Hometown: Langen, Germany
Davide Somma #32
Position: Forward
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180
Born: March 26, 1985 in Johannesburg, South Africa
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa
Ghebru, 20, was born in Germany and played in the youth system at three different clubs. He spent time with Offenbacher Fotball Club Kickers 1901, MSV Duisburg and Eintracht Frankfurt. Ghebru will count as an international on the Earthquakes roster.
Somma, 23, was born in South Africa, but has Italian citizenship and also possesses a green card. He has spent time with three Italian clubs in his career. He started his career with Perugia in 2004, before signing with FC Pro Vasto in 2005. Somma played most recently for Olbia Calcio.
Michael Ghebru #23
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 150
Born: November 7, 1987 in Langen, Germany
Hometown: Langen, Germany
Davide Somma #32
Position: Forward
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180
Born: March 26, 1985 in Johannesburg, South Africa
Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa
James Didn't Sign with Whitecaps, Can't Sign with Quakes
On Augst 27, it was announced that Marlon Alex James agreed to terms with USL side Vancouver, Whiecaops. Today comes news that he never actually signed the contract.
Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop was informed by Whitecaps coach Bob Lenarduzzi today that the St. Vincent and Grenadines striker never signed his contract.
Now the transfer window has closed for both the USL and MLS. The Earthquakes will have to wait until the next transfer window apparently to sign him although they may be able to bring him in to train with the team.
We'll keep an eye on this and see what transpires next.
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