Coronavirus doesn’t slow SJ Earthquakes in strong start to MLS tournament
The San Jose Earthquakes enjoy a big defensive night with a scoreless draw against the powerful Seattle Sounders FC in the MLS Is Back tournament.
The San Jose Earthquakes were the last Major League Soccer team to start training because of Santa Clara County officials’ health concerns over the novel coronavirus pandemic.
It just didn’t look that way Friday night when the Quakes’ played their first game in 125 days to open the MLS Is Back tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort.
A team that opened the 2020 season coughing up seven goals in two home games played a complete game Friday night to gain a valuable point in Group B with a scoreless draw against Seattle Sounders FC.
Coach Matias Almeyda’s high-octane strategy worked to San Jose’s advantage in the heat and humidity of Central Florida. The Sounders, the MLS Cup defending champion, were penned in their half of the field much of the game. They were unable to shake free from hounding defenders and a Quakes team determined to push forward at every opportunity.
“I saw a team with soul, with chances,” Almeyda said. “I’m really happy with the game the players played against the opponent which is the reigning champions.”
The draw is a hopeful sign the Earthquakes have a real chance to advance to the knockout stage with two group games left against the Vancouver Whitecaps and Chicago Fire.
Playing against a team fielding seven starters from last year’s MLS Cup championship game seemed daunting. After all, the Earthquakes had only one shutout in their past 17 games dating to last season.
But locking down one of the tournament favorites was a satisfying result on a night the players endured seven minutes of second-half extra time.
It could have turned bad for San Jose late in the game as we witnessed too many times last season when the Quakes missed the playoffs after losing their final six games. But Argentine goalkeeper Daniel Vega made a big kick save in the 84th minute to prevent Seattle’s Raul Ruidiaz from scoring from close range after breaking free from defenders.
Vegas and Seattle’s Stefan Frei, a former Cal star goalkeeper, saved their teammates time and again to keep the ball out of both nets.
“Despite the draw, it leaves us with a good taste in our mouth with the way we played,” Vega said. “There wasn’t a player that stood out more than the others. Everyone as a team had a great game.”
The scoring drought did not diminish the drama. It was a surprisingly well-played game considering the teams’ lack of preparation. The Quakes, in particular, looked in midseason form with an aggressive and organized effort.
It was nothing short of surprising how much San Jose dominated the ball much of the game — 62.4 percent possession to Seattle’s 37.6 percent.
The Quakes found success by pushing their fullbacks forward to connect with their wingers. The combinations on the right side of the field with winger Cristian Espinoza gave Seattle defenders problems all night. He seemed to work well with Jackson Yueill, a U.S. national team midfielder who is blossoming into a special player.
Many MLS analysts doubted coach Matias Almeyda would dare employ his lung-sapping man-marking defense in a tournament. But Almeyda was determined to continue the identity he created last year in his debut MLS season.
San Jose’s dare-to-beat-me defense kept Seattle’s talented Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro off balance for much of the game. Put simply, it won the day.
The Quakes survived a scary moment in the 28th minute when Seattle’s Cristian Roldan broke free of defenders inside the penalty area, forcing Vega into one of his six saves.
Eleven minutes later San Jose countered with a serious threat of its own. Argentine striker Andy Ríos took an Espinoza service in front of the goal and drove it just left of the net.
Almeyda took advantage of all five substitutions allowed in the tournament to keep up the pressure in the second half. His first changes came in the 64th minute with two defenders: Shea Salinas for Tommy Thompson and center back Florian Jungwirth for newcomer Oswaldo Alanis.
Nine minutes later, all-time leading MLS scorer Chris Wondoloswski, 37, entered the game with Mexican midfielder Carlos Fierro.
The final substitution was Cade Cowell, a 16-year-old homegrown player from Ceres.
The fresh players helped even if they could not create a game-winning goal. San Jose did not make as many big offseason moves as other teams but at least for one night, it appears management good choices by securing Espinoza and Brazilian midfielder Judson, who were on loan last year, while acquiring Alanis.
The Quakes showed their depth with 16 players appearing in the game.
The result does not negate the questions surrounding this team. San Jose has so much to prove if MLS season progresses to a regular-season next month.
But the Earthquakes (0-1-2) showed potential the way they played against Seattle.
It’s a start.