This weekend, the San Jose Earthquake will look to build on last week’s upset win against the Sounders in Seattle as they open their stadium against the struggling Chicago Fire.
On paper, the Earthquake appear to have a decisive advantage over the Fire, considering that both Innocent Emeghara…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqBt5FbaNNw
And Chris Wondolowski…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbMsu5mQSdU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92GJy3-6AOo
Currently have amassed more goals than the entire Fire team. Both will likely be in the starting 11 in San Jose Sunday afternoon.
Victor Bernardez’s harsh challenge last week caused the Quakes to have to scramble for nearly 30 minutes in his absence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufeHWb19SYo
Without Bernardez, look for Ty Harden to make an appearance for the Quakes, hoping to fill the mammoth void left by Bernardez’s regrettable decision last week.
Chicago has been able to hold possession with accurate passing, but has lacked the ability to finish in the final third thus far. The Earthquake will need to remain aggressive, and play with control if they want to spoil Frank Yallop’s return to San Jose.
Keys to victory:
- Limit Harry Ship’s effectiveness
The 2nd year attacking midfielder ignites Chicago’s creative passing attack, as he leads his team in created chances (squawka.com).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg99JnbjZEo
With the 2013 MVP Mike Magee (former Quake) still recovering from his hip surgery, the fire will look to get Shipp and Quincy Amarikwa (A former Quakes player himself) touches early and often.
Fatai Alashe and JJ Koval will need to disrupt Chicago’s passing lanes in the midfield as they did in Seattle. Like the Sounders, Chicago passes very well, with a current possession percentage of 52% which is tied for 4th best in the MLS this season (squawka.com).
- Be Aggressive, not rash
Under Dominick Kinnear through two games the earthquake have played much more aggressive making the passion of their fiery coach. This has led to some physical play over the course of the first two games.
The Earthquake have accrued a total of six cards this season, which is tied for the league lead (whoscored.com), and with Bernardez out for this game, the Earthquake can’t afford to lose the services of their other key players if they hope to build momentum.
- Passing Passing Passing
Last week the Earthquake capitalized off of Brad Evan’s inexperience at centerback and feasted off of poor play from the Sounder’s backline. With Chicago, the Earthquake will be facing a back line that’s still attempting to gel in front of US international Sean Johnson in goal.
In order to put pressure on that back line, they will need to continue to move the ball out wide to Emeghara and Sanna Nyassi on the wings and look to link up with Matias Perez Garcia and Chris Wondolowski through creative touches and off the ball movement.
For this to work they will need to improve on their overall team passing of 72%, currently second to worst in MLS (squawka.com). They have also only enjoyed possession 45% of the minutes through their first two games. Even if we keep in mind that Bernardez’s red card left the Quakes stranded for the last 30 minutes against Seattle, those are still numbers they will hope to improve on.
If the Earthquake can Limit Harry Shipp’s involvement and play with a controlled aggression, while accurately moving the ball around, they will begin the path toward turning Avaya Stadium into the Fortress that the Ultras have waited for.
