Hobbled, Battered Quakes Lose To Colorado 1-0

In one of their most demoralizing, damaging losses of the year, the San Jose Earthquakes handed rival Colorado three points in a game that may have long-term ramifications beyond the standings. Colorado's lone score came on a Jon Busch own goal in the 25th minute, and San Jose never truly threatened to tie the game for the ensuing 65 minutes.

But beyond another missed opportunity against a playoff competitor, San Jose saw two starting defenders leave the field with leg injuries, potentially adding even more names to a long list of injured back-line players. If Bobby Burling and Ramiro Corrales are seriously hurt, San Jose's damaged playoff hopes will grow dimmer.

But even with all of the injuries it was another generally strong defensive effort. Once again, a toothless attack sealed defeat. San Jose only generated three shots on target, and only one of those came from within the box - a weak effort from Arturo Alvarez that was saved easily by Colorado's Matt Pickens. The Earthquakes simply could not find any offensive creativity, even towards the end of the game, when San Jose was pressing forward with four strikers on the field.

San Jose will be back on the field at home against Kansas City looking to end a painful three game winless streak. The challenge will be to find somebody who can create offense and bodies to put on the back line. Don't be surprised to see San Jose's front office make some kind of transaction to get another defender, because at this rate Chris Wondolowski will be playing right back soon.

Ramiro Corrales Off With Leg Injury

Frank Yallop was forced to use his final substitution as forward Scott Sealy came on for a hobbled Ramiro Corrales. Corrales is the second Earthquake defender to leave the game with a leg injury, following Bobby Burling to the bench. San Jose already has three defenders with long term injuries, so depending on long term severity this is very bad news for the Quakes.

With the addition of Sealy San Jose now has four forwards on the field in a last ditch effort for some kind of offense. Colorado substitute Claudio Lopez has looked very dangerous and San Jose must be very wary about conceding a counter-attack goal with a thin back-line on the field.

Cornell Glen On To Try To Find Some Offense for San Jose

Frank Yallop made his first offense-for-defense substitution, bringing on forward Cornell Glen in place of midfielder Joey Gjertsen. Minutes later Colorado brought on forward Claudio Lopez in place of forward Quincey Amarikwa. Both teams have one substitution left.

Colorado Uses First Substitution In 57th Minute

Midfielder Colin Clark went down after no contact with an apparent knee injury and was replaced by Mehdi Ballouchy in the 57th minute. Clark was able to walk off under his own power, though he rode off the field on an injury cart.

Meanwhile San Jose continues to struggle creating good scoring chances as the 2nd half wears on. San Jose will have to make some kind of offense-for-defense substitution soon to try to mount a run for the tying goal.

New Quake Tim Ward Comes On For Bobby Burling

Frank Yallop was forced to use his first substitution late in the first half, putting Tim Ward into his first game as a member of the Earthquakes. Bobby Burling suffered a leg injury and had been limping and struggling to keep up as the first half continued. It didn’t look serious, but if Burling has picked up something serious San Jose’s perilously thin back line has become even thinner.

Jon Busch Own Goal Puts Quakes in 1-0 Hole

In the game preview I said that goals would be hard to come by, and that 1-0 would be a likely result. Perhaps goals will be easier to come by, because San Jose just gave one away. In the 25th Omar Cummings sent in a rather poor cross that went right into Busch’s hands and chest . . . and then off and into the net. Cummings redeemed himself in a manner for his earlier missed empty netter but he did little to earn the goal.

Colorado had been controlling the ball in the offensive third of the field, but they hadn’t threatened much. Now San Jose will be pushed to find an equalizer against a defense that has been very stingy all season. Busch has been excellent since replacing Joe Cannon but this gaffe was very poorly timed in a game that San Jose needs at least a point out of.

Colorado Butchers Great Early Chance

Jon Busch made a rare error in judgment, coming out to the side and leaving an empty net as Colin Clark sent in a cross from the right. Luckily for San Jose Omar Cummings sent his shot off the cross wide and off the post, preserving the 0-0 tie for now.

San Jose has done a better job controlling possession, but again the ability for their midfielders to connect with forwards has been lacking, and the Quakes have yet to attempt a shot because of it. Until Cummings’s poor shot in the 10th neither team had mounted any real pressure.

Starting Lineups Announced

The starting eleven for the Earthquakes, in their standard 4-4-2:

Goalkeepers: Jon Busch
Defenders: Ramiro Corrales, Bobby Burling, Brandon McDonald, Jason Hernandez
Midfielders: Bobby Convey, Sam Cronin, Joey Gjertsen, Arturo Alvarez
Forwards: Ryan Johnson, Chris Wondolowski

And for the Colorado Rapids:

Goalkeeper: Matt Pickens
Defenders: Kosuke Kimura, Drew Moor, Julien Baudet, Marvell Wynne
Midfielders: Colin Clark, Jeff Larentowicz, Pablo Mastroeni, Wells Thompson
Forwards: Quincy Amarikwa, Omar Cummings

Earthquakes Looking To Bounce Back In Colorado

Last week San Jose lost a tough Western Conference, Mid-table battle with potential playoff implications. This week?  Another Western Conference, mid-table battle with potential playoff implications. This time the Earthquakes will be back on the road to face the Colorado Rapids with the chance to jump as high as 4th place with a win. A loss would push San Jose further away from a safe playoff position and start a losing streak at a very inopportune time.

San Jose's challenge will be finding bodies to play defense. A series of injuries have shelved center back Ike Opara and right backs Chris Leitch and Steven Beitashour and you will likely see a few players playing out of position in today's starting lineup. To address the lack of depth the Quakes traded for right back Tim Ward, though he is not expected to start tonight.

The good news for San Jose's makeshift back line is that Colorado has the weakest offensive attack in the Western Conference with just 19 goals in 17 games. It would also be a relief if Conor Casey, who leads the Rapids with 7 goals, is unable to play because of a concussion (he is currently listed as probable). But as iffy as Colorado's attack is, their defense is just as strong - bad news for a San Jose offense that has been struggling to create consistent, high quality chances of late.  With two weak offenses and strong defenses goals will be at a premium. Their will be plenty of pressure on goalkeepers Jon Busch and Matt Pickens because just one goal conceded today may be enough to lose the game.

Players to watch:

Bobby Burling - With impressive rookie Ike Opara out the burden of organizing and leading the defense will likely fall to Burling, who has played well of late. How well he partners with Opara's replacement at center back, likely Brandon McDonald, will likely determine San Jose's success.

Pablo Mastroeni - The USMNT veteran is having a solid season for the rapids as a defensive midfielder.  He will likely be battling with Joey Gjertsen and Sam Cronin and it's critical for San Jose's chances that they win the midfield battle and maintain some offensive possession. If they win those battles with Mastroeni San Jose should get the opportunity to create more chances for their strikers.