In addition to an encouraging performance, the San Jose Earthquakes managed to earn 3 precious points tonight at Chicago.
This is the first win (in 2 games) of the season for the Quakes and winning this first 2010 away game brings San Jose to the same total away wins as in the whole 2009 season!
The team's performance tonight, without being outstanding, was not only much better than 2 weeks ago at home against Real Salt Lake (0-3 loss), but also really encouraging for a second game.
The midfield seemed much more compact with the outside players (Bobby Convey - left and Joey Gjertsen - right) doing a great work at both assisting Andre Luiz and Brandon McDonald in the center as often as necessary and helping their forwards to pressure Chicago's defenders very high in their own half.
In fact, it is the whole team that seemed more compact, collectively better positioned and also much more aggressive compared to two weeks ago when the Quakes' midfield was completely smothered by Real Salt Lake.
This resulted in winning much more balls and much higher on the field and preventing their opponent to develop their game and, even though the use of the ball once it was won was not definitely not impressive, it made a huge difference and was enough for the Quakes to stay in the game until the end and even win it.
Frank Yallop had apparently asked his players to quickly play the ball forward, but not necessarily long and high. This is something that the Quakes' fans didn't have many chances to see last season and it will be very interesting to see if they keep trying to play a more fluid and technical game...and if they get better at it in the next games.
Tonight, due to precipitation and, still, a lack chemistry in the offensive phases, they often lost the ball as quickly as their opponents, but the intention was good.
Reaching half time at 0-0, the Quakes probably would have been happy to keep the score unchanged and Ike Opara's winning header after Bobby Convey's cross from the right 9 minutes before the end came as icing on the cake.
Before that, the game could have turned the other way twice.
3 minutes after the break, Ike Opara almost gave the lead to Chicago by missing his pass to Joe Cannon. the rookie defender was happy (and lucky) to see the ball finish its run just outside his keeper's right post...And this could have changed everything as it is only one minute later that Arturo Alvarez unexpectedly received a gift from Andrew Dykstra and C.J. Brown.
Ike Opara at his first training session with the Quakes on Feb. 25
Photo: Dani (www.danivernonphoto.com) for TheBaySoccer
The local goalkeeper and defender, both trying to clear an hazardous pass from Tim Ward that Joey Gjersten had anticipated, bumped into each other and released the ball...in Alvarez' feet, alone at the top of the box. The left footed forward controlled and, after a quick look at the 2 defenders who were still on the ground, chipped it towards the center of the goal, before Dykstra had time to get back on his feet. (0-1, 48')
4 minutes later, Patrick Nyarko received a long pass from Brian McBride on the right wing. In front of Ike Opara, the striker passed the ball to Collins John who was at the top of the box with Jason Hernandez in his back. John controlled the ball and pushed it back on Marco Pappa's left foot who immediately and beautifully sent it in the top right corner of the goal. (1-1, 52')
The game became difficult for the Quakes who were losing the ball to easily.
Chicago was getting closer to the goal and now, it was about keeping the score for San Jose...And they almost failed when Steven Beitashour (replacing Chris Leitch who was suspended tonight after his red card against Salt Lake 2 weeks ago) switched the ball to Opara on the left who missed his first touch and allowed Nyarko to intercept his pass. Nyarko brought the ball in the box and, alone in front of Joe Cannon with a limited angle, smartly passed the ball back to Collins John in the center. John, with the goal open, just had to push the ball into the net...The scoreboard was almost showing 2-1 already when Jason Hernandez, coming back from hell, miraculously came back to save the shot on the line.
This was the second time Ike Opara's mistake almost gave the lead to Chicago. And again, instead of sinking the team as it would certainly have last year, it fired it up and, 8 minutes later, the almost unfortunate rookie became the hero of the night when Bobby Convey on the right side chipped the ball into the box. Opara immediately understood Convey's move and escaped Tim Wards marking to head the ball out of reach of Dykstra. (1-2, 81')
“It is definitely a goal I am going to cherish for a good time" said Ike Opara after the game. "Bobby (Convey) whipped in a good ball and I lost my man back stick and all I had to do was finish it.”
For Frank Yallop, there were undeniably good reasons to be happy with his evening: “Overall, I am very happy with our response after our first game at home" he said. "To come to Chicago, which is a tough place to play, and get a win is great. I am proud of the guys for their effort tonight".
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