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With only 5 substitutes on the bench because of 3 players on International duties, in addition to an impressive list of injuries, the San Jose Earthquakes had a good performance, especially in the first half for their last home game of the season.
Unfortunately for San Jose, records will only show the result, and it is another loss that will appear, the 13th in a never-ending season. Losing is always disappointing. It is even more disappointing when it is your last home game of a season during which the fans kept waiting for better days.
3 games are remaining, all on the road. 2 of them are in Los Angeles, which will give the Quakes 2 opportunities to show the die-hard fans who will make the trips that they deserve their support and are able to actually win and not only "play well".
Tonight's performance was more than acceptable, actually much better than last Saturday against New York in my opinion, but the result was not there. Mostly because of an inability to find players in a good position in the box. Something always seems to be missing. Timing in the last pass, cohesion between the passer and the forward, a lack of precision in the finish, or, tonight, a great goalkeeper on the opposite side.
After Quincy Amarikwa's equalizer, San Jose tried everything they could to win the game but it was not enough and, on a counter attack, a fantastic pass by David Ferreira, just in the right timing, in Dax McCarty's run. McCarty, alone in front of Cannon, just had to push the ball to his left to find Jeff Cuningham in an ideal position. In front of the empty goal, Cunningham couldn't miss the opportunity and gave Dallas the 3 points.
Joe Cannon almost tied the game in the additional time. It would have been a fantastic way to finish the season on a better note. But, as we said before, it is not their year and Dario Sala had the last word, miraculously saving the Quakes' keeper header.
After the game, Frank Yallop was not happy with the performance but repeated what he said last week: the players he has now are good and very committed to the team, which is encouraging for next season.
Building for next season is the only motive of excitement remaining for the last 3 games, starting this Saturday (Oct. 10) at Toronto. There are indeed a lot of reasons to hope a better season next year. However, a stable team (less injuries, less players waived, which requires better decisions in the inter season) and an offensively more efficient squad will be indispensable to avoid the same disillusions.
