Some quick notes from Earthquakes training out at the new Nutrilite training facility:
- As we discussed last week with General Manager John Doyle, the opening of the new training grounds affords the team the opportunity to schedule more scrimmages with local competition. On Tuesday, the Quakes took on the PSA Los Gatos Storm -- a member of U.S. Club Soccer -- in a match featuring mostly reserves and guests in the San Jose line-up. The Storm are readying up for a play-in match with the Sonoma County Sol for a berth in the U.S. Open Cup.
- The scrimmage match featured the return of Arturo Alvarez to the field, as he has put his hamstring injury behind him. Alvarez is expected to make the journey to New England, and should be available on the substitutes' bench.
- The Quakes did most of the scoring in the match, with some nice finishing from Omar Jasseh, Javy Robles, and Cornell Glen. The interplay up top, especially with Jasseh running the left wing, resulted in numerous scoring opportunities on the day.
- Most of the Quakes regulars did not play in the scrimmage. Instead, with the starting XI for the Revolution game looking to stay the same from the previous matches, coach Frank Yallop kept most of those guys from Tuesday's action.
- On the injury front, Steve Beitashour is still nursing a hamstring injury, while Eduardo deals with an oblique strain. A note of concern for Eduardo, his type of injury has a history of uncertain recovery times. Last on the list is Ike Opara, who has what coach Yallop describes as a "tight hamstring." Apparently a result of fitness training conducted while back at Wake Forest, Opara felt some tightness upon his arrival in San Jose at the end of last week. The medical staff are advising Opara to take his recovery slowly to avoid any serious or lingering injury.
- With the team depth providing quality cover at every position, the coaching staff can afford to let the injured recover over a more optimum timeframe. Besides, do you want to see such effective players like Chris Wondolowski, Bobby Burling, and Chris Leitch rushed from the starting line-up?
- The Earthquakes leave for New England early tomorrow, and plan to train at Gillette Stadium ahead of their match with the Revolution. With the next two away games being played on synthetic turf, any chance to get out there and practice on the plastic will better prepare the team for the unforgiving surface. The team will spend next week in San Jose before flying up the west coast to face the Seattle Sounders.