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SNAP SHOTS: Play has improved, & two points better than none, but four dropped at home leave fans feeling frustrated.
Two über-late goals at the death of the past two matches allow San Jose to remain “undefeated” at Avaya for the 2017 season. Chris Wondoloski rocked a 90’ equalizer against Seattle on April 7, then Jahmir Hyka channeled the Goonie gods again for a 94’ goal against Dallas on Friday, April 14.
Quakes are 2-2-2, which is really too, too, too average for a real league.
Thankfully, San Jose plays in MLS, where everyone and his dog has playoff chance until September:
#NationalPetDay + #Quakes74 cuddles. pic.twitter.com/RtgVtQwh8X
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) April 11, 2017
@SJEarthquakes Dude.
— LOBINA (@LOBINA_QUAKES15) April 12, 2017
Is it Friday yet?#SJvFCD #Quakes74 pic.twitter.com/WeqT5Zk2Vq
But, doggone it, as frustrating as two ties are, at least they were against two of the best teams in the Western Conference, if not the league. Also a plus: the great relationship developing between Ureña and Wondo, apparent throughout the first few matches of the season, but especially visable in the 90’ equalizer against Seattle:
¡GOOOOOOOL!@ChrisWondo empata el partido en el minuto 89' y la afición enloquece en el Avaya Stadium. #SJvSEA 1-1 pic.twitter.com/Z8VFfBT8Nf
— Fútbol MLS (@futbolMLS) April 9, 2017
#SJvFCD
Drink of the Match (DOTM):
Celebrate a Friday Night Lights match with a “Dallas Bomb”:
1/2oz Crown Royal whisky
1/2oz Blueberry schnapps
Drop shot into glass of Red Bull like Lima blasts the ball from outside the box.
SNAP SHOT: Not only are San Jose unbeaten at Avaya this season, but also taking over one Texas home at a time:
I hate that I love the #quakes74 stadium in general bc it means I dig every new kitchen backsplash on property brothers #SJvFCD #FCDallas pic.twitter.com/IjRTDRcYX2
— Cory Jensson (@coryhjensen) April 15, 2017
The Lineups
Ladies and gentlemen, your Starting XI for #SJvFCD.
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) April 15, 2017
LINEUP NOTES: https://t.co/IyfPTWTg6k pic.twitter.com/XPHEgNIh8t
A look at tonight's #Quakes74 starting XI & bench against @FCDallas! #ForwardAsOne | #SJvFCD pic.twitter.com/ah58QtP3Yv
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) April 15, 2017
SNAP SHOT: Even though Bernárdez was back from suspension (drink!) and fit to play, Dom decided to keep the Fatai-Flo center back pairing that proved well against Seattle.
Was impressed with Fatai at CB last week, looking forward to seeing what he can do tonight #SJvFCD https://t.co/9C22DUKznL
— Ari Carrillo (@ari_carrillo) April 15, 2017
Give Hyka some space and man, can he fly with the ball. Quakes looking very strong so far. #SJvFCD
— William Sinsky (@WSinsky) April 15, 2017
History was not on the side of the Quakes to pull off a victory against Dallas:
#SanJose #earthquakes have been unbeaten at home since September 2016 (5 matches) but have not won vs #FCDallas since 2014.#MLS #SJvFCD pic.twitter.com/VNIwZa3V1D
— Soccer girl data (@Statistics_Data) April 15, 2017
And while Dallas was expected to bring even more attacking heat, San Jose did it’s part to chill the offence by socking the stadium with a mighty cold wind:
W/ temps dropping & wind picking up, expect to see those #Quakes74 socks covering hands, w/ RHCP homages limited to Ultras & Q. #SJvFCD
— LOBINA (@LOBINA_QUAKES15) April 15, 2017
Omg. It's so cold and windy Don't know how I could ever move farther north I'm drinking a really strong porter 2try &help #SJvFCD #MLS pic.twitter.com/qUPZVxwpGX
— K. Oehlschlager (@katpwr) April 15, 2017
A later-than usual 8pm Kickoff did not help (though traffic was surprisingly light for a Friday night). Note to FO: yes, we understand limited quantities of gate giveaways gets fans into Avaya earlier, thus driving up revenue from food, drink, merch, and Q lap dances, but 5,000 out of a 18,000-person sellout is miserly. I overheard many fans complaining they came into Avaya over an hour and a half before the kickoff against Seattle and all the Cannon HOF shirts were already out. At least double the giveaways, please. Or Q’s gonna have to work it so much harder.
Speaking of going through the gate, PRO TIP:
First Half
Both teams came out of the gate with pace, possession, and a push towards goal.
Fantastic save from Gonzalez. #SJvFCD pic.twitter.com/iVAmgQws5z
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) April 15, 2017
Al 17'¡TAPADÓN! de @jessegonzalez44 a @ChrisWondo y por ello el partido se mantiene 0-0 #SJvFCD pic.twitter.com/MHoucN3eLm
— Deporte Total USA (@DEPORTETOTALUSA) April 15, 2017
THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HUH?:
Heartbreaking moment right there for Colman. #SJvFCD pic.twitter.com/0WXarfkhEv
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) April 15, 2017
Colman couldn't score with a hooker #SJvFCD
— Braves (@braves2579) April 15, 2017
That’s col’, man.
Whoa.
You ready for this, Quakes fans?
Shaun Francis puts in a dangerous cross and I'm feeling validated #quakes74 #SJvFCD
— Colin Etnire (@ColinEtnire) April 15, 2017
Colin, Jamaican us crazy.
Jokes aside, Francis—perennial Quakes Defensive Whipping Boy—has markedly improved his play in the 2017 season, so much so that San Jose can focus summer transfers on that elusive DP #10 who, while religating Wondo to the bench until Goonie Time, would finally facilitate the attractive, attacking-style soccer fans have been searching for at the bottom of the Black and Blue rainbow since the return from Huston.
Halftime
If you missed 1st half of #SJvFCD ... it was @SanJoseEarthqua attack the right side. Rinse. Repeat.
— Steve Davis (@SteveDavis90) April 15, 2017
Not many clear chances for either team
OK: WTF is up with all the disrespect? First the official FCD twitter @s the wrong Quakes account, then multiple yahoos perpetuate the misdirection (FYI, it’s @sjearthquakes). It’s bad enough that national journalists / MLS extra time rarely give a mention to San Jose, but people can’t even be bothered to send their salt takes to the correct address? So sad.
Of course, some didn’t even make it to the second half:
Turning off this game was one of my smarter decisions. #SJvFCD https://t.co/M64Yv6wXAr
— The Friendly Mike (@BroughtTheNoise) April 15, 2017
Speaking of Smart Decisions:
- Wearing your Flounders jersey to a San Jose vs FC Dallas match a week after Seattle getting Wondo’d at Avaya
- Placing your beer in the Splatter Zone
Quakes fans, however, had plenty to be relieved and pleased about from the first half draw:
Nick Lima is brilliant. Watches his line, gets forward, tracks back, has ball skills, etc. #SJvFCD
— William Sinsky (@WSinsky) April 15, 2017
“Has ball skills, etc.” would make a great Lima meme, or a name on the back of a jersey. Hmm...
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But wonderful for another Homegrown Hero show well on the pitch, and to positively contribute to the Quakes in a needed position. Definitely altering the squad’s composition for the better! (and nice to see Cato up the pitch in his preferred position, too!)
LOBINA BAR TALK
LOBINA social media minions were fortunate to catch up with Dan Burkhead, fab photojournalist and head mucky muck of QuakesFan.com, in the lower supporters’ section at halftime:
LOBINA is always looking for fans to share their options on the Quakes play, stadium experience, rumors, best Q dance moves, etc. Please feel free to email / DM LOBINA anytime, and a social media minion will get in touch (virtually) to set up a meet at Avaya or Away Quakes Watch Party!
Final thoughts before the second half from a Dallas fan:
#SJvFCD is going to end on an own goal off someone's butt.
— Jason Poon (@jasonhpoon) April 15, 2017
Second Half
Acosta with the breakthrough. 1-0 FC Dallas. #SJvFCD pic.twitter.com/AjVxpdwOD2
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) April 15, 2017
What in the world was Darwin Ceren doing? Goes in two-footed which deflects the ball right to Kellyn Acosta who makes no mistake. #SJvFCD
— John Bava III (@LWOSJohnBava) April 15, 2017
SNAP SHOT: Even with the defensive error to allow space for the Acosta goal, Flo was, again, a solid supportive presence at the back. Jungwirth snuffed out numerous dangerous balls just by being in the right place and sticking out a simple boot. He also kept the ball moving well, sometimes side to side, but especially at rocking up at angles that instantly put the Quakes attacking into the opponent’s half. Flo’s not flashy, but his vision and verbals shapes the Quakes’ defense, and his skill and smarts allows fellow CB Fatai to move up into a “False 8” position, pushing the entire Quakes midfield up.
75' - Final 15. #SJvFCD | #ForwardAsOne pic.twitter.com/aCCoZrzkWx
— ️️️ (@RonaldoFIick) April 15, 2017
Not even going to lie, that's a good yellow for Alashe. Urruti would've been off to the races.#SJvFCD, 0-0, 83'
— Jeff Weisinger (@MrWeisGuy) April 15, 2017
Wait a second...
— Tyler Bailey (@TyBailey13) April 15, 2017
Nick Lima can freakin BALL. #SJvFCD
Dallas just seconds away from making it four straight matches at Avaya Stadium without allowing a goal. #SJvFCD
— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) April 15, 2017
AND THEN:
Hyka!!! At the very death San Jose equalize it. 1-1 Final! #SJvFCD pic.twitter.com/N17AjLu8k2
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) April 15, 2017
At the last minute he tied #SanJose, incredible!#SJvFCD 1-1
— Soccer girl data (@Statistics_Data) April 15, 2017
It is the third time they finish 1-1 in their history.pic.twitter.com/2UcTC673m3
Dallas caught the Hyka Virus. #Quakes74 #SJvFCD
— William Bohn (@Liverquake666) April 15, 2017
POSTMATCH
Recap:
Great saves, Bings. Lima terrific, Flo excellent. Hyka put in 110% And we played without any true CBs! What a weird game! #SJvFCD #Quakes74
— MJ Lee (@SoccerMovieMom) April 15, 2017
SNAP SHOT: Soon after the final whistle, Marco Ureña—who put in a hard-running shift all match—was seated at a table at the north end of the lower supporters section, signing autographs with Danny Hoesen:
Great to see the players cheer the fans and engage with us after the match. Remember, you can always wait in the parking lot for a brief meet and greet / Quakes After Dark session. Autographs, jokes, high fives—all ways to connect with the club on a personal level!
Speaking of which, LOBINA will sit down with a Quakes legend (and vice versa) next Friday Home match for an in-depth interview on how former players and current commentators can enjoy a match purely as fan. Here’s a sneak peak:
THREE-GAME ROAD TRIP!
#NERvSJ - Wed. 4/19 - 4:30pm PST
#HOUvSJ - Sat. 4/22 - 1:00pm PST
#MINvSJ - Sat. 4/29 - 5:00pm PST
Check on r/SJEarthquakes/ for all the Quakes Away Watch Parties over the next weeks.
Go Quakes, and Never Say Die.