Monday Kickback: International Break

International Break

The first international break of the season allowed for the Matias Almeyda and the San Jose Earthquakes some more time to find their chemistry on the pitch but the Quakes had to do it without several players who were called up to international duty. Let’s see how they did.

Nick Lima

After an impressive January camp, Lima did not dress for the USMNT latest match against Ecuador. For the first time in his short tenure, Gregg Berhalter had a full complement of players to pick from and he called on RB Leipzig defensive midfielder Tyler Adams to start in the right back position instead of DeAndre Yedlin or Lima. The Castro Valley native will probably get some playing time on March 26 when the USMNT takes on Chile, as Adams is now back in Germany. Kickoff is set for 5:00 PM.

Guram Kashia and Vako

Guram Kashia and Vako both played 90 minutes for Georgia in a 2-0 loss to Switzerland in UEFA Euro Cup Qualifiers. Georgia looks to change their luck and gid themselves out of the Group D basement when they take on the Republic of Ireland on March 26. Kickoff is set for 12:45 PM.

Anibal Godoy and Harold Cummings

The two Panamanians had the most impressive results of the break so far when Los Canaleros tied Brazil 1-1 at the Estádio do Dragão in Portugal. Cummings played all 90 minutes and Godoy was transferred out in the 92nd minute so both players had plenty of opportunities to work on their fitness before coming back to Almeyda’s demanding system.

Marcos Lopez

Lopez was an unused substitute in Peru’s 1-0 win over Paraguay. The match was held at Red Bull Arena where the Quakes were dismantled on March 16 losing 4-1 meaning Lopez has spent a lot of time in the big apple the last several weeks. I wonder if he already has a favorite pizza place?

Lopez is back at it on Tuesday, March 26 when Peru takes on El Salvador at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Kickoff is set for 5:00 PM.

JT Marcincowski & Jackson Yueill

Marcincowski started both matches for the USMNT U-23 squad in Spain against Egypt and the Netherlands. He gave up a goal in the 40th minute against Egypt before being subbed off for Jonathan Klinsmann at the start of the second half. He and Klinsmann teamed up to keep the Dutch off the board on Sunday in a scoreless draw to wrap up the first action of the 2020 Summer Olympic cycle. Yueill played the second half against Egypt and almost got on the scoresheet late in the match but his attempt was stymied by Egyptian goalkeeper Omar Radwan.

Friendly against Monterrey

The Quakes dropped a friendly at Avaya Stadium by a score of 2-1 on Saturday. With so many players out on international duty, this was a great opportunity for some of the younger players to show Matias Almeyda what they got. Fifteen-year-old Cade Cowell took full advantage scoring the Quakes only goal in the 61st minute, three minutes after making his pro debut with the club. The Quakes are back in MLS action on March 30 when they take on powerful LAFC at home. Kickoff is set for 12:30 PM.