Chivas/Quakes post-game press wrap

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.