Joe Cannon broke his ankle during practice on Tuesday. He was just taking routine practice shots and tripped himself up, unfortunately breaking the bone as well. He'll most likely be out for the rest of the season, so Busch gets a second shot in front of the net. He played decently until the own goal against the Rapids, something that was totally his fault. The club might put Andrew Webber in as Busch’s backup. Cannon is 35 and although goalies can play a little longer than other positions, he’ll have a tough time winning back the starting spot when he gets healthy again, especially if Busch has a strong season finish.
Late in the game against the Wizards, Quakes defender Hernandez elbowed Bunbury in the face, around the throat. He was given a red card. The League hands out one match suspensions and a $250 fine for red cards. Unfortunately for Hernandez, the Disciplinary Committee decided to suspend him an extra game and $250. So he'll be out for the Galaxy game this weekend as well as the Red Bulls game next week.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Earthquakes 1 – 0 Wizards
Yes! After four weeks, we finally won a game! Our last victory was at Philadelphia in July and our first at home since May. Wondolowski scored his 7th goal of the season and Stephenson got the assist with a brilliant cross. Unfortunately, I couldn’t watch the game, as away games are generally hard to watch. However, I do have a few things to note from the highlights (by the way, the highlight videos on the MLS site are awesome).
First, let's look at our new signing, Khari Stephenson. He is a midfielder from Jamaica who started his professional career with the Fire and Wizards, then moved to Europe to play in the Scandinavian, Swedish, and Finnish leagues before coming back to MLS with us. In the few years he spent in Europe, he only scored nine goals. This seems similar to Geovanni. Stephenson might also be a playmaker, and may be able to get the ball to the forwards who will score (in theory, at least).
Cannon replaced Busch in goal. Cannon hasn’t started in several weeks due to poor performance. Busch played the position well, but Cannon was given the start again after Busch's blunder against the Rapids. I can’t fault the Jabulani ball for that Rapids goal because the team has been using it since the start of the season. Busch simply misplayed it. He should stop whining and blaming the ball. Cannon made several excellent saves this game. When the Wizards beat the Earthquakes' defense, Cannon had to rush out and throw his body in front of the ball and luckily he blocked all the shots.
Cornell Glen missed a couple of shots on goal after beating the defense. On one of these occasions, 26th minute, Arturo Alvarez was wide open but Glen decided to try to slot the ball home under a charging Nielsen. He pushed his shot wide of the near post. I understand that forwards are supposed to be a bit selfish when they have the ball at their feet but how could Glen not notice that there was no one to his right but Alvarez?
Defensively, we got lucky on an offside call on Harrington’s “goal.” The backline was shaky as they let attackers through on the three occasions that Cannon had to come out and save their asses. Jason Hernandez was sent off in the 88th minute with a straight red card elbowing Bunbury in the throat.
Finally, the Quakes are undefeated against the Wizards at home since 2000.
First, let's look at our new signing, Khari Stephenson. He is a midfielder from Jamaica who started his professional career with the Fire and Wizards, then moved to Europe to play in the Scandinavian, Swedish, and Finnish leagues before coming back to MLS with us. In the few years he spent in Europe, he only scored nine goals. This seems similar to Geovanni. Stephenson might also be a playmaker, and may be able to get the ball to the forwards who will score (in theory, at least).
Cannon replaced Busch in goal. Cannon hasn’t started in several weeks due to poor performance. Busch played the position well, but Cannon was given the start again after Busch's blunder against the Rapids. I can’t fault the Jabulani ball for that Rapids goal because the team has been using it since the start of the season. Busch simply misplayed it. He should stop whining and blaming the ball. Cannon made several excellent saves this game. When the Wizards beat the Earthquakes' defense, Cannon had to rush out and throw his body in front of the ball and luckily he blocked all the shots.
Cornell Glen missed a couple of shots on goal after beating the defense. On one of these occasions, 26th minute, Arturo Alvarez was wide open but Glen decided to try to slot the ball home under a charging Nielsen. He pushed his shot wide of the near post. I understand that forwards are supposed to be a bit selfish when they have the ball at their feet but how could Glen not notice that there was no one to his right but Alvarez?
Defensively, we got lucky on an offside call on Harrington’s “goal.” The backline was shaky as they let attackers through on the three occasions that Cannon had to come out and save their asses. Jason Hernandez was sent off in the 88th minute with a straight red card elbowing Bunbury in the throat.
Finally, the Quakes are undefeated against the Wizards at home since 2000.
Monday, August 16, 2010
First Designated Player
The Earthquakes have signed Geovanni, formerly of Hull City, as their first Designated Player (DP) since their return in 2008. Geovanni is an attacking midfielder who can also play on the wings as a forward. He has played for Barcelona, Benfica and Manchester City. His last two years at Hull City saw him capped 60 times with 11 goals. Using my trusty Windows calculator, he was scoring a goal every 5 to 6 games. It would seem by the lack of goals that he creates opportunities for others to score. That is something the Quakes are sorely missing right now. Although after seeing Stephenson link up with Wondo in the game this weekend, maybe Stephenson will be part of the solution. Geovanni will be available for the game against the Red Bulls on the 28th.
A review of the Wizards game will be up tomorrow at the latest.
A review of the Wizards game will be up tomorrow at the latest.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Season Update
A bit of perspective:
In 2008, the Earthquakes ended the season in last place, 15 of 15.
In 2009, the Earthquakes ended the season in second to last place, 14 of 15.
During both seasons, the Earthquakes came in last place in the western conference. We could take some consolation in the fact that our rivals, the LA Galaxy, were tied with the least amount of points in 2008, 33 points.
This season we started out with a bang. After the first 8 games, we were 5-1-2 with 16 points. But in the following 9 games we are 1-4-4 with 7 points. What happened? Honestly I don't know. It could be the fact that the team's depth just isn't there to sustain the team for the season. Although if this is indeed the case, then we're in real trouble if we ever make it into the SuperLiga or Champion's League. It might be injuries, but I never really heard of a serious injury until Opara's recent broken toe. I would say it's just the fact that the team has only been around for its 3rd year after coming back and everyone is still finding their feet. After a dead last and second to last place finish the best we could hope for for the end of this season would be a middle table finish, possibly 7th or 8th for a playoff spot.
Anyways, let's look at some of the results so far this season. Against the current top 2 teams in each division, the quakes are 1-3-1, with a win against New York (pre Henry), ties against the Galaxy, Crew, and Real Salt Lake (RSL), and a loss to RSL. That’s not a bad showing against these teams. I was at the season opener against RSL and the away game with the Galaxy. Both games were really fun, but for different reasons. Not only was it the first Earthquakes game I had ever been to, but RSL also played a great game. They are the defending MLS Cup champs and were looking to start their year in a good way. While I didn't expect a win, I also didn't expect a 0-3 loss either. The Galaxy game was fun because the game got off to a fast start with a Convey goal in the 2nd minute. After that first goal, however, the Earthquakes looked shaky pushing forward and ended up defending for the majority of the game. They got a lucky 2nd goal when there was confusion in the box after a corner kick. And the two national team members on the Galaxy worked their magic to even up the game.
The remaining games this season are about even on teams currently above and below us in the standings. Toronto is 3 points ahead of us and Colorado 4. It looks like Colorado has a tougher 2nd half than the Earthquakes right now while Toronto has a slightly easier 2nd half. Hopefully we can pick up some points against both these teams and eke our way into the playoffs. That’d be pretty good for our 3rd year back from nonexistence.
In 2008, the Earthquakes ended the season in last place, 15 of 15.
In 2009, the Earthquakes ended the season in second to last place, 14 of 15.
During both seasons, the Earthquakes came in last place in the western conference. We could take some consolation in the fact that our rivals, the LA Galaxy, were tied with the least amount of points in 2008, 33 points.
This season we started out with a bang. After the first 8 games, we were 5-1-2 with 16 points. But in the following 9 games we are 1-4-4 with 7 points. What happened? Honestly I don't know. It could be the fact that the team's depth just isn't there to sustain the team for the season. Although if this is indeed the case, then we're in real trouble if we ever make it into the SuperLiga or Champion's League. It might be injuries, but I never really heard of a serious injury until Opara's recent broken toe. I would say it's just the fact that the team has only been around for its 3rd year after coming back and everyone is still finding their feet. After a dead last and second to last place finish the best we could hope for for the end of this season would be a middle table finish, possibly 7th or 8th for a playoff spot.
Anyways, let's look at some of the results so far this season. Against the current top 2 teams in each division, the quakes are 1-3-1, with a win against New York (pre Henry), ties against the Galaxy, Crew, and Real Salt Lake (RSL), and a loss to RSL. That’s not a bad showing against these teams. I was at the season opener against RSL and the away game with the Galaxy. Both games were really fun, but for different reasons. Not only was it the first Earthquakes game I had ever been to, but RSL also played a great game. They are the defending MLS Cup champs and were looking to start their year in a good way. While I didn't expect a win, I also didn't expect a 0-3 loss either. The Galaxy game was fun because the game got off to a fast start with a Convey goal in the 2nd minute. After that first goal, however, the Earthquakes looked shaky pushing forward and ended up defending for the majority of the game. They got a lucky 2nd goal when there was confusion in the box after a corner kick. And the two national team members on the Galaxy worked their magic to even up the game.
The remaining games this season are about even on teams currently above and below us in the standings. Toronto is 3 points ahead of us and Colorado 4. It looks like Colorado has a tougher 2nd half than the Earthquakes right now while Toronto has a slightly easier 2nd half. Hopefully we can pick up some points against both these teams and eke our way into the playoffs. That’d be pretty good for our 3rd year back from nonexistence.
New Beginnings (Kinda)
Hey there.
So this is my new blog, wherein I will discuss the MLS team the San Jose Earthquakes.
Let's start with a little background about me! I've always been a sports minded person. I've followed the Anaheim Angles, LA Dodgers, Green Bay Packers and the LA Lakers. But it's only been about a year since I started following soccer somewhat indepth. I am a fan of Italian calcio, I am half Italian, and the good 'ole US of A version, MLS. I am from the LA area and have an attachment to any and all LA teams, except hockey. But since I'm living in San Jose now and attending school here, I've started following the Earthquakes. Seems only natural, to me, to root for a team in the area you reside. I also love an underdog and that's what the Earthquakes have become in the year since their return to MLS.
Okay, so enough about my history. Let's talk Quakes! Brief history: The Quakes are one of the origianl MLS teams back when MLS was founded in 1996, although they were known as the Clash until 1999. They won the MLS Cup in 2001 and 2003 and were runners up in 2002. However in 2006 they were moved to Houston and became the Dynamo. A replacement team was not set up until 2008. The team has won the MLS Cup twice, MLS Supporter's Shield once, and the Western Conference twice. The MLS Cup winners get to add a silver star to their team logo, so the Quakes logo has two silver stars above it.
Currently the Quakes are managed by Canadian Frank Yallop, captained by American Ramiro Corrales, play at Buck Shaw Stadium at Santa Clara University and their kits are sponsored by Amway Global.
So this is my new blog, wherein I will discuss the MLS team the San Jose Earthquakes.
Let's start with a little background about me! I've always been a sports minded person. I've followed the Anaheim Angles, LA Dodgers, Green Bay Packers and the LA Lakers. But it's only been about a year since I started following soccer somewhat indepth. I am a fan of Italian calcio, I am half Italian, and the good 'ole US of A version, MLS. I am from the LA area and have an attachment to any and all LA teams, except hockey. But since I'm living in San Jose now and attending school here, I've started following the Earthquakes. Seems only natural, to me, to root for a team in the area you reside. I also love an underdog and that's what the Earthquakes have become in the year since their return to MLS.
Okay, so enough about my history. Let's talk Quakes! Brief history: The Quakes are one of the origianl MLS teams back when MLS was founded in 1996, although they were known as the Clash until 1999. They won the MLS Cup in 2001 and 2003 and were runners up in 2002. However in 2006 they were moved to Houston and became the Dynamo. A replacement team was not set up until 2008. The team has won the MLS Cup twice, MLS Supporter's Shield once, and the Western Conference twice. The MLS Cup winners get to add a silver star to their team logo, so the Quakes logo has two silver stars above it.
Currently the Quakes are managed by Canadian Frank Yallop, captained by American Ramiro Corrales, play at Buck Shaw Stadium at Santa Clara University and their kits are sponsored by Amway Global.
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