Quakes finish what they start; beat Rapids 2-0

Kamara delivers against the Rapids. File photo by John Todd/centerlinesoccer.com/isiphotos.com. 

When the San Jose Earthquakes walked off the field following last week’s loss to Chicago, they knew to a man that given the way they had played, they deserved better. But in Saturday’s match against the Colorado Rapids, the score was a perfect reflection of their performance, as the Quakes put together a complete team effort in claiming a 2-0 win.

It was a night full of firsts for San Jose. Ronnie O’Brien and Kei Kamara tallied the first goals of the season for the reborn Quakes while goalkeeper Joe Cannon and the defense earned their initial clean sheet. But most important was the team’s first victory since their return to MLS. Not only did it earn San Jose three points in the standings, but it should provide them with a valuable morale boost as they hit the road again next week when they face New York.

“I knew all along that we would be fine, but it is nice to get that first win so we don’t have to think about it,” said manager Frank Yallop. “We can’t dwell on this one though because we have another tough one on the road next week we have to be ready for.”

For the first fifteen minutes, San Jose looked every bit like a side propping up the Western Conference standings, as their passing and defending were equally suspect. Rapids’ midfielder Christian Gomez hit a shot just wide of goal after a mere 45 seconds, and Stephen Keel volleyed over a Jose Burciaga free kick just three minutes later.

But the San Jose midfield gradually assumed control, with O’Brien, Ned Grabavoy and a rejuvenated Ivan Guerrero each finding spaces to exploit. Unfortunately, the Quakes’ dominance was notable for the new and unique ways they contrived to miss chances.

In the 30th minute, a Guerrero cross found O’Brien at the far post. His ball fake sent both Keel and goalkeeper Bouna Condoul to the turf, but with the with the goal begging, the midfielder’s curling effort went just wide. Another Guerrero cross three minutes later found Gavin Glinton in space, but Keel was on hand to tackle the ball away.

Kamara then had two chances inside of 60 seconds beginning in the 37th minute. A long ball from Grabavoy released Kamara to the left of the box, and with Condoul off his line, the Sierra Leone native hit a piledriver that the Rapids’ keeper touched just wide. Condoul robbed Kamara again just seconds later when the San Jose forward one-timed Jason Hernandez’s cross, only to see the shot carom off the Rapids’ keeper and the crossbar.

San Jose’s frustration hit its peak in the 40th minute. Another Grabavoy ball over the top found Glinton in space, and after winning a duel with Condoul outside the box, the Quakes forward walked the ball into the net, only to look on in shock as the linesman flagged Glinton for handball.

Fortunately for the Quakes, they weren’t made to wait much longer for their first score. The 43rd minute witnessed a patient buildup that culminated in James Riley releasing O’Brien on the right wing, and while his initial shot was saved by Condoul, the Irishman was first to the rebound slotting the ball inside the near post for a 1-0 lead.

“I could have had a hat trick by halftime with the chances I had,” said O’Brien. “I am glad that I was able to get at least one to get us off to a good start. That is the way the game goes sometimes.”

O’Brien wasn’t done either, as he pounced on a giveaway in the 45th minute and unleashed a long-range drive that forced a diving save from Condoul.

Rapids’ head coach Fernando Clavijo, no doubt stung by his side’s tepid first-half display, rung in the changes to start the second half, opting for a three-back alignment, as well as bringing on Herculez Gomez and Brazilian Rafael Gomes. And for the first fifteen minutes, the moves appeared to be pay off as Colorado put San Jose under immense pressure.

But the Quakes kept their composure, and doubled their lead in the 61st minute courtesy of some fine work by O’Brien, Grabavoy, and Kamara. O’Brien was set to be substituted, but his deft touch found Grabavoy, and a quick burst soon found him driving past three Rapids defenders. With Kamara timing his run well, Grabavoy then slipped an inch-perfect through ball to his teammate, and after shaking off a challenge from Facundo Erpen, Kamara slotted the ball under Condoul and in off the far post for his first goal as a Quake.

Kamara then engaged in what appeared to be an emotional celebration, one that he revealed afterward was intended for his brother, who passed away last week.

Colorado wasn’t done, however. A long-range blast from Nick LaBrocca in the 68th minute appeared bound for goal, but Cannon got just the slightest of touches, and it was enough to deflect the ball off the crossbar. The save capped a solid match for Quakes’ netminder, one that came at the expense of one of his former teams.

“I already lost one against a former team earlier this year in Los Angeles so it feels good to come back here and win,” said Cannon. “However, more importantly we needed these three points and I think that they will be important down the road.”

LaBrocca’s effort proved to be as close as the Rapids would get. San Jose closed out the match in expert fashion, limiting the Rapids to a series of hopeful long balls, and claimed a deserved victory.

“Everyone has been working hard since preseason to get this first one,” added Kamara. “We have gotten better each game and we need to keep building from this. The team worked together tonight.”