Yes, indeed, few observers could deny the superiority of the San Jose Earthquakes over the Chicago Fire. The transformation from the week before was so complete that it was almost like watching a different team. The San Jose team on display in L.A. looked nervous, shaky on defense, utterly impotent in attack, and unable to maintain possession for more than a few seconds at a time. By contrast, the team on Saturday looked like the Quakes squads of old. I was surprised and impressed by the way in which they completely dominated possession, creating long series of passes which opened up space and led to numberous scoring opportunities. Substitutes Shea Salinas and Ryan Johnson both showed speed and an offensive spark when brought in on the wings which bodes well for the future. So even though the Quakes were unable to score a goal once again, and suffered another defeat, things look bright for the future if they can maintain that quality of play.

Now for the not so bright. The Quakes still lack the finishing necessary to win games. Several quality scoring chances were wasted, though bad luck also played a part. The team also needs to improve off-the-ball running, especially in the final third. There were several occasions when the team would move the ball forward well, only to have the attack fizzle out by players remaining too static. Kamara, Glinton, and Grabavoy among others need to work on making that incisive run that can create one-on-ones and clear chances. While I mentioned that there were several quality chances, there weren’t the clear ones that Chicago created a couple times throughout the game, including the one which won the match. Speaking of the goal, San Jose still could use some work on the defensive side of things. While light years ahead of the performance against L.A. in terms of confidence and organization, they are still susceptible to breakdowns in concentration, and need to work on their reaction speed as individuals and as a unit.

Still, in only their second game, the Quakes did not look like the typical expansion team. San Jose fans’ dreams of a play-off spot are not as delusional as others might think, especially given the parity displayed in the league so far this season.

Quakes/Chicago Post-Game Analysis 4/14/08

Goalkeepers: Both keepers were on their game and kept the match a low-scoring affair, especially Busch. Joe Cannon did well. He was only forced to make a few saves, but withstood a couple of dangerous situations, limiting the damage inflicted on the Quakes to only one goal (the goal should be blamed on the defense, not the keeper). Busch deserves credit for his team’s victory, withstanding a barrage of shots from San Jose. He made several key saves, including a fingertip deflection of Gavin Glinton’s seemingly goal-bound curling shot. Looks like he is in for a good season with Chicago.

Fire Fowards vs. Quakes Defense: The Quakes defense mostly contained Chicago’s forwards, but they were helped out by the fact that San Jose kept the ball mostly in the Fire’s half throughout the game. While limiting Chicago’s potent attack, the Quakes defense still seems a little too vulnerable to through balls and counter-attacks. They need to continue working on organization, keeping their shape, and concentration.

Quakes Forwards vs. Fire Defense: A much better performance from the Quakes forwards. A lot of people are down about Glinton and his seeming inability to finish chances, but he definitely is better in the forward spot than Salinas. He helped create a lot of chances with his work-rate and speed. I’m not saying he can’t be replaced with someone better, but he doesn’t deserve as much criticism as he has been receiving. Kamara had a pretty good game, helping keep possession in the final third, and maintaining strings of passes which led to shot opportunities. But he needs to get himself into positions by making runs where he can be the finisher. The Fire defense did a good job of staying organized and making San Jose work for all their shots, especially considering how much work they had to do.

Midfield: An area clearly won by San Jose. The Quakes midfield played the possession game that they needed to, and will need to do more of the same in the future in order to win games. Corrales was solid once again, and I am impressed at how his ball control and composure has improved since his stint in Norway. Grabavoy had a solid game, and did not sink into anonymity as he did against L.A. He maintained possession, made some runs, and seems to be developing an understanding with Corrales, which is necessary for a central midfield duo in Yallop’s system. But he needs to work on creating forward-thinking passes in attack. Ronnie O’Brien had a great game, especially compared to the week before, and much of the attack flowed through him. He found space on the right side, picked out good passes, and hustled on defense. His crosses still don’t have the expected accuracy or bite, but I think that will come with time. Blanco was completely contained the whole game, a team effort on the part of the whole squad. Rookie Shea Salinas looks to have a bright future. His pace and willingness to go at defenders creates an offensive explosion of energy that the starters sometimes lack, and he is not intimidated by this larger stage. His ball control has already vastly improved since the pre-season, where he often lost control and possession of the ball when making his darting runs. I won’t mention his miss of a sitter at the end of the game. Next time, kid.

Coaches: Both coaches did a respectable job, doing what they needed to do to win. Yallop used Glinton instead of Salinas up front, definitely a needed change and a good one. He employed substitutes and position changes (Salinas, Ryan Johnson, moving O’Brien to the middle, etc.) that didn’t win him the game, but did give him an idea of how he can tinker with things in the future. Hamlett has his team organized, confident, and patient. But he also benefitted from some luck on the day.

Intangibles: The biggest intagible in this game was luck. Most teams that put on such a performance and create so many opportunities win, or at least draw. Unfortunately, this was not the case, as shots endeavoured to hit the crossbar or barely miss the goal. The heat of the day must have taken a toll on both sides. San Jose’s chemistry and confidence has dramatically improved. Will this hold up or will it wilt in the two road games to come?

Man of the Match: The overall man of the match has to be Busch. But for San Jose I will give the nod to Ronnie O’Brien, who was the focal point of the attack, won balls, hustled in defense, found space, and helped maintain possession.

Verdict: Despite a loss, San Jose should not hang their heads. If they can keep up the level of performance displayed on Saturday, they are bound to win games and earn points. The tough test will now be having to endure two games on the road, first against a vastly improved Colorado team and then against the talented New York Red Bulls squad. If they can emerge with at least a couple of points, they should be ok. If they lose both games, then the confidence built up in this game may dissipate, leading to the long slide that other expansion teams have suffered. I would like to see Salinas get a chance to play a full 90 minutes on the right side, with O’Brien moved into the middle. Given Ryan Johnson’s display on Saturday (and the quality he displayed at the practice I attended on Friday), he might have been a find and will undoubtedly be used more as the season progresses.

Player Ratings:

Joe Cannon - 8 [Made big saves the few times he was called upon to do so.]

James Riley - 7 [Looks better when employed on the left. Got into attack well. Less nervy.]

Jason Hernandez - 7 [Looks better on the right. Showed some attacking ability.]

Nick Garcia - 7 [Continues to be a solid ball-winner. Often single-handedly disrupts attacks.]

Ryan Cochrane - 7 [An improved performance. Still hasn't fully settled.]

Ivan Guerrero - 7 [Good overlapping play with Riley. Made some runs]

Ronnie O’Brien - 8 [Won balls, countless runs, made space with dribbling, Distributed well.]

Ramiro Corrales - 7 [Disrupted Chicago's attack at every opportunity. Distributed well.]

Ned Grabavoy - 7 [Worked well with Corrales. Helped disrupt attacks. Held possession well.]

Gavin Glinton - 7 [Chased every ball that went his way. Had a quality chance.]

Kei Kamara - 7 [Helped maintain possession in the final third. Found short passes.]

Substitutes:

Shea Salinas - 8 [A high score, but he brought that much energy and explosiveness.]

Ryan Johnson - 7 [Showed skill on the ball and attacking verve.]

John Cunliffe - N/A [Didn't have enough time to show anything.]