Photo by Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports
By CLIFF STARKEY
WASHINGTON — With the end of the MLS season fast approaching, the San Jose Earthquakes wasted no time in continuing their late push for a playoff spot.
An early goal by Chris Wondolowski and an insurance score in the second half by Shea Salinas gave the San Jose Earthquakes another important victory in their quest for the playoffs Saturday night against D.C. United in the nation’s capital.
Wondolowski scored just four minutes into the match, when he took advantage of Andrew Dykstra’s inability to parry a save safely out of the box. Dykstra’s save on Quincy Amarikwa’s shot from the left side of the box went directly back into the danger zone, and Wondolowski punished him for it. The goal is Wondolowski’s 12th of the season, and the 105th in his career, moving him ahead of Dwayne DeRosario for sixth-place all time.
D.C. United spent the rest of the half in command of the game while it searched for an equalizer. D.C. United bossed the game in terms of possession — earning eight corner kicks in the first half alone — but despite its efforts, San Jose’s backline was successful in keeping the lead going into halftime.
The second half began with another quick strike by San Jose, when Amarikwa’s long run from midfield in the 52nd minute set up an opening for Shea Salinas to score a second goal for the Earthquakes. Amarikwa found Salinas on the left side of the box, who curled the ball past Dykstra and into the side of the net for San Jose’s second goal of the game, and a vital three points.
After a dominating performance in the midweek at Sporting Kansas City, San Jose entered the game riding high, and Saturday night’s win means that San Jose now has a three-game winning streak. More importantly, the win means that San Jose is now equal on points with the Seattle Sounders for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.
D.C. United, on the other hand, came into the game firmly in the playoffs race, but the team’s second league loss in a row leaves D.C. United with an even more tenuous grip on the Supporter’s Shield, as both Los Angeles Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps could replace D.C. United by the end of the weekend.
Next week, San Jose returns home to host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Friday night, while D.C. United will host Montego Bay United in a CONCACAF Champions League match in midweek, before traveling north to take on the Red Bulls next Sunday.
The acquisitions of Amarkiwa, Godoy and Pelosi are straight up Kinnear. None of them would have happened if the decision had been left to the inept Doyle who could find his butt with both hands.
Kinnear has a way that he wants to play (square 4-4-2) and a type of player that he thinks fits in each position. His central midfielders aren’t defensive, they’re all arounders who tackle and pass at a solid though not outstanding levels and run all match. His wide midfielders aren’t much different other than being faster. Salinas’ play has improved because he’s a 4-4-2 wide midfielder and wasn’t alway clear on what to do in the 4-1-4-1 when both Wondo and Perez Garcia moved forward.
Now that the team is winning, I doubt that Perez Garcia will been seen much. The 4-1-4-1 was designed explicitly to play him and required an extra central midfielder to cover for his poor defending and he doesn’t fit on the wing. The same may be said about Tommy Thompson unfortunately.
Changes in the line-up will be rare from here on and only be dictated by injuries, suspensions and call-ups.
Just watched yesterday’s Quakes game. Not a bad road trip, shutting out two of the top teams across the league! And, with a landslide of goals on Wednesday to a team that rarely concedes points at home! With all these upcoming home games a playoff run might not be out of the question.
I am really liking all of the recent additions. Godoy being the big addition! He has been so steady in the middle. It’s incredible when you consider he’s only been on the team for about 10 days! They look real solid through the middle now with he and Alashe protecting the back 4 they look pretty stout defensively. I am also liking the Amarikwa and Pelosi additions. Qunicy’s work rate and willingness to take the ball to goal with his speed and shiftiness is something Quakes haven’t had up top in a long time! It’s a very nice change. He is creating a lot of chances for himself and the others. Now, if we can get MPG healthy and FIT, this team could become really entertaining too!
I am really looking forward to the Cali Classico next Friday night.
Sad. DC is going to limp into the playoffs, methinks.
Quincy has been very solid since coming aboard.
Its as if they sent him away to be coached and got him back on the cheap. Through his smarts and work ethic he’s made himself into a solid player who I think can get even better.
Sweet win.
Too many fans had an aneurysm when Kinnear signed Godoy…another Dmid, we’re doomed! His signing enabled Kinnear to fortify the spine and play a defensively sound 4-4-2…it gets Wondo out of the midfield. Wondo moves up top…he scores 3 road goals in two games…granted Quincy’s hold up play and runs ahead of Wondo have had a massive positive impact. The Godoy signing was the key to the whole midfield…hopefully the FO locks him in for several years…he’s only 25 years old. Kinnear has most of his pieces in place now to make a serious push…7 of the next 10 are at home.