Drama and Missed Chances in the California Clasico

Buck Shaw was packed yesterday for the Northern California leg of the Clasico and the 1906 Ultras and the Casbah were out in force. The game provided plenty of drama as Donovan Ricketts was injured, sub Josh Saunders was ejected, and midfielder turned replacement goalie Mike Magee proved strong enough to stave off San Jose’s attacks.

San Jose came out with a revamped line up after Ryan Johnson came back from the Gold Cup. Busch, as always, was starting in goal. The central defender pairing of Jason Hernandez and Bobby Burling continues to be utilized, along with Steven Beitashour as the right back. But with Johnson’s return to the left of midfield, Ramiro Corrales moved back to the left back he has played for the last several years. The midfield was shaken up as well. Bobby Convey was moved to the right wing and Johnson was on the left. Brad Ring played as the defensive midfielder and Khari Stephenson was the top of the midfield diamond. Up top alongside Steven Lenhart, Simon Dawkins starts his first game since he returned from his injury. The Quakes wore their blue third kits for the first time this season. I like the blue kits, and I wish they would wear them more often.

The game ended 0-0, but it was an exciting scoreless draw. The Quakes started the game quickly and in the 20th second Dawkins had a shot from the top of the 18 hit the far post and bounce towards the penalty spot where it was easily cleared by Los Angeles. For the first 10 minutes the Quakes pushed and pushed but were unable to put the ball in the net. Dawkins had another chance in the 4th minute after Lenhart drove into the box and passed back from the end line. But Dawkins’ shot was spectacularly blocked by Ricketts. On the following corner kick Dawkins again tested Ricketts who made another acrobatic block only to have Johnson take a crack from point blank range. Unfortunately for the Quakes Ricketts was able to make, I think, the save of the game as he pushed Johnson’s shot out of harms way while on the turf with one hand.

The first 20 minutes showed how hungry the Quakes were to win the game. They pushed in the attack and tested Ricketts. But in the 21st minute the play of 3 Jamaicans resulted in Ricketts’ injury and departure from the game. Johnson had the ball on the left side of LA’s defensive third. He whipped in a cross that Ricketts came out to collect or punch away. But he collided with Stephenson who was trying to get his head on the ball. It appears instead that Stephenson connected with Ricketts’ left elbow, possibly resulting in a broken bone for the Galaxy’s number one ‘keeper. Ricketts was subbed off for Saunders who has been playing well. But Lenhart, who has become known to jaw with and provoke defenders, pushed Saunders too far and in the 42nd minute managed to get him ejected from the game.

Saunders received a back pass from AJ DeLaGarza. Saunders was taking too long to pick up the ball so Lenhart jogged up to him to make Saunders move a bit faster. As Lenhart was coming around behind Saunders he poked the ball out of Saunder’s hands with his head. They scrambled for the ball and as Saunders came up with the ball in his hands he threw an elbow out that caught Lenhart in the face. Lenhart went to ground and the referee went to his back pocket for a red card for Saunders. It is against the rules for a player to physically take the ball from a goalie who has it in his hands, so Lenhart was in the wrong there and received a yellow card for his actions. But you have to give credit to him, he annoys other players so much that eventually they might do something dumb, like throw and elbow, and get ejected.

So the Galaxy were out 2 goalies and they did not have a third goalie on the bench. So midfielder Mike Magee was forced to wear Saunder’s jersey as he took over in goal. Unfortunately the Quakes were unable to capitalize on their one man advantage and a goalie who was not really a goalie. Granted, Los Angeles did not make it easy for the Quakes. Bruce Arena brought on some defensive minded midfielders in the hope of staving off attacks and maybe getting a goal on a counter attack. Magee was really only tested twice in the second half. Once in the 71st minute and again in the 89th minute. Neither attack managed anything as the Galaxy were able to get a draw and remain unbeaten in 10 straight games.

Once again the Quakes found themselves with a man advantage and could not take hold of the game and secure a more positive result. But the team did play well and it seemed that all the San Jose players felt the palpable rivalry tension in the air and tried to elevate their game because of it. I think this result will help the team prepare for next week’s big match against the Red Bulls. On a positive note we will finally be getting Wondo back. While he didn’t play for the USMNT as much as I think we all would have liked, let’s hope that his scoring touch hasn’t suffered and he can continue his climb up the scoring charts.

GO QUAKES!

Category: LA Galaxy, Post-Game, Rivalries, San Jose Earthquakes, Supporters Groups