The San Jose Earthquakes didn't play particularly well on the road last year (only 2 wins in 15 games). The least we can say is that their first 2009 away game didn't bring any hope that things are going to be different this year.
After 30 minutes and the first Wizards' goal, Frank Yallop didn't want to take the weather as an excuse. "It has nothing to do with that", he said.
The wind probably didn't help finding Cam Weaver in the air, but if there was an excuse to find, the narrowness of the field would probably be a better one. It was very difficult to find Huckerby and Alvarez on the wings. They always seemed to be lost in the traffic.
Sending long balls to the forwards or playing quickly down the wings being the two strengths of the team, things were going to be difficult for the Quakes.
With a goal in each half, Kansas City did the job and logically won without being really threatened at any moment of the game.
San Jose had a better period when Simon Elliott replaced Eric Denton (52nd). Down by only one goal at this point, the Quakes switched from their usual 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 formation and had their best opportunity less than 2 minutes later when Elliott took a shot from outside the box that went just wide left.
With one extra midfielder, Alvarez and Huckerby finally had a chance to see the ball. Unfortunately, Huckerby seemed tired and not in his best form today and Alvarez' attempts lacked of precision.
Despite this better period, the Wizards never seemed to be out of position and patiently waited for a counter attack opportunity. It came in the 78th minute when Claudio Lopez, alone on front of Joe Cannon, put the ball in the back of the net.
The Earthquakes are not the only team which is going to lose at Kansas City but today's performance pointed out some limits in the current Quakes' game. Only two players (Alvarez and Huckerby) are able to really put the ball on the ground and find offensive solutions. When the long balls can't find their target (Weaver or Johnson), and when the opponent blocks the wings well enough, the absence of a player able to hold the ball in the center becomes apparent.
Bobby Convey, who needs to get used to his new position as a center midfield (he played on the wing in the past), or Simon Elliott who made a promising appearance today, are going to try to prove they can become this player. Unless (a) new player(s) are signed, this may be the only chance for the Quakes to show something else than a predictable game.
