Football Friday
By Jay Hipps · October 30, 2009
In South Africa, the Local Organizing Committee for the 2010 World Cup has launched a PR effort called “Football Friday.” The idea is simple — wear a team shirt on Fridays to promote the coming tournament. That sounds like a pretty cool idea, so I’ve donned a vintage U.S. jersey (the 1995 home version, if you must know) and am now prepared to dispense with the latest and greatest. Read more…
Galaxy discover how the West was won with 2-0 victory over Earthquakes
By Jay Hipps · October 25, 2009
L.A.’s Landon Donovan tries to chase down San Jose’s Shea Salinas during the Earthquakes’ 2-0 season-ending loss at Home Depot Center. Photo: Joe Nuxoll, centerlinesoccer.com.
Center Line Soccer’s complete coverage includes a photo gallery.
What a difference a year makes. Last season at this time, the Earthquakes and Galaxy were together at the bottom of the table in the Western Conference, both with 33 points. This year, the Galaxy’s 2-0 victory in this, the last match of the regular season, gives them the best record in the division, and with it a home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Meanwhile, San Jose remains at the bottom, looking up, hoping a second-consecutive late-season surge portends greater success next year.
“This was definitely a tough result, a tough way to end the season,” said Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop. “(The Galaxy) are a good side who came out and got a result tonight. We have played well over the last 12 or so games, including this one and this is something we can build off of into next season and I’m excited about that.” Read more…
Quakes vs Galaxy
By Joe Nuxoll · October 24, 2009
The San Jose Earthquakes lose their season finale game 2-0 against the LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. Photo gallery by Joe Nuxoll and Jill Cole.
Corrales inks new deal
By Jeff Carlisle · October 23, 2009
Last week head coach Frank Yallop revealed that the only current player the team still had to sign for next season was Ramiro Corrales. Following today’s practice, the defender from nearby Salinas revealed he had put pen to paper on a new deal with the Quakes.
Donovan wins Honda Award
By Jeff Carlisle · October 20, 2009
And it wasn’t close.
Chivas/Quakes post-game press wrap
By Jay Hipps · October 18, 2009
The Quakes continued taking the spoiler role seriously last night against Chivas USA, once again denying their hosts three points that they were desperate for. While Chivas has already qualified for the playoffs, they wanted the win to further their push for the Supporters’ Shield and the CONCACAF Champions League berth that goes with it. Instead, they got just one point for their troubles, and their head coach, Preki, was not at all pleased with the performance.
On the other hand, we have the Earthquakes, now enjoying a four-game unbeaten streak on the road, looking to close out the season on a high note even though 2009 will largely be seen as a failure due to their inability to qualify for the playoffs. Some players’ jobs are safe, but the rest are taking their roles on the reality show “Who Wants to be a Professional Soccer Player?” quite seriously. Frank Yallop’s comments after the match indicate his satisfaction with the way the team is coming together, as seen in this video from Goal.com:
So, where does that leave the Quakes as they head into next week’s finale against the Galaxy and, eventually, a new season? At first glance, it looks like the team is well positioned for a solid 2010, as their recent performances indicate. Their 4-3-4 record over their last 11 games, extrapolated to a full season, would put them in the thick of the playoff picture at 44 points. It’s a picture that gives reason for optimism. Add in the possibility of signing an impact player with the salary cap space that will be created by the retirement of Darren Huckerby and it would be easy to think the Quakes are bound for glory.
Or not. Not to bring everyone down, but this looks a lot like the way the 2008 season ended for the Quakes. The arrivals of Huckerby, Arturo Alvarez, and Francisco Lima brought about a turnaround in the team’s record, and the numbers worked the same way: stretched over a complete season, they were good enough for a place in the playoffs. We all know how that turned out this year when March rolled around.
So, it seems a little perspective is in order. The team’s current performances are great — it’s always better to win than lose, even if the playoffs are out of reach, and the Quakes have shown tremendous grit and determination in posting a four-game unbeaten streak on the road. But these games are nothing more than an indication of who was the better team on the day they were played; nothing more and nothing less. Next season could be one of triumph or further despair. What will be important is for these players to remember the focus and commitment they’ve brought to these last 11 games, and to make the same effort every time they take the field in the future.
Here’s your post-game press wrap:
- In addition to the video clips posted above, Goal.com provides a match report. You’ll also find game stories in the L.A. Times, the Daily Breeze, and the Mercury News. MLSnet.com has a post-game story.
Jay Hipps is the managing editor of Center Line Soccer. You can find him on Twitter at jayhipps.
Quakes battle Chivas USA to 2-2 result on the road
By Jay Hipps · October 17, 2009
The San Jose Earthquakes once again showed their pedigree as spoilers Saturday night, earning a 2-2 tie with first-place Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Carson and running their undefeated streak on the road to four games behind a pair of assists from defender Chris Leitch and a strong performance from rookie goalkeeper Andrew Weber.
“It was an interesting and entertaining game, and it’s a good point for us,” said Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop. “I thought it was well-deserved, and it’s good to come to a place like this and score two goals away from home, it was very good. We are on a good run, we have learned as a team to become difficult to break down. This has shown the growth of our team, and we have gotten some good results on the road to show for it.” Read more…
Game day press roundup, Chivas USA edition
By Jay Hipps · October 17, 2009
It was 20 years ago today at 5:04 p.m. that the Loma Prieta earthquake hit Northern California. Let’s hope it’s not too soon to pick something as frivolous as this selection for the soundtrack to today’s press roundup.
On to the news:
- Our own Jeff Carlisle takes a look at San Jose’s pleasure in playing the spoiler for MLSnet.com. The site also offers a pre-game story from the Chivas perspective as well as the “just the facts, ma’am” preview.
- The Daily Breeze Chivas USA Notebook takes a look at the Goats’ crowded schedule to close out the season as well as their chances of finishing in first in the Western Conference.
- The AP preview notes that Sacha Kljestan is on fire, with five goals in his last eight games.
Hernandez, Wondolowski undergo surgery; Glen likely to follow
By Jeff Carlisle · October 16, 2009
San Jose Earthquakes manager Frank Yallop confirmed that defender Jason Hernandez and forward Chris Wondolowski both had surgery on Thursday in the hope that both will be back in time for the opening of training camp in late January/early February.
Knee injury ends Wondolowski’s season
By Jeff Carlisle · October 13, 2009
The number of injured San Jose players continues to grow with news that forward Chris Wondolowski suffered an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will miss the rest of the season. Read more…
