As the LA Galaxy make the short trip to Northern California this weekend, they face one of the few teams that LA can claim success against in 2008: The San Jose Earthquakes.
The Galaxy won two of its three encounters with the Earthquakes, including a convincing 3-0 win at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in mid-June. That day, LA benefited from Edson Buddle's hat trick and a rare shutout. However, don't count on that happening again. Early indication is Edson is still not quite fit to return- That darn quadriceps, heal up already!- and anyone who has followed LA knows that a "zero" on the opponent's scoreboard has not been a frequent sight. In fact, the shutout against Chivas last week was the first at home in an MLS match since the home opener last season against, you guessed it, San Jose.
When scouting the Earthquakes, things start with their coach, Frank Yallop. Frank is a true "player's coach" in every sense of the word. He knows precisely when to pull on the strings with a player, and when to let a player have some space. Yallop has also played an important role in the roster moves the Quakes have made. Last season it was bringing in Darren Huckerby and this year with the return of US International Bobby Convey to MLS. Both players are versatile, allowing Yallop to switch the formation during the course of a game. During last week's 3-3 draw with Chicago, Convey started at left back before later moving into a five-man midfield in the second half. Huckerby on the other side possesses a great one-on-one ability, and provides great service from wide positions.
Defending has to be an area of concern for the Earthquakes, though. The team has allowed eight goals in four games so far this season, earning one win during that time. Ryan Cochrane and Nick Garcia anchor the back line with former Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon as the last set of eyes. Cochrane makes it difficult to win the ball in the air, while Garcia is a secondary ball winner that can start the linking from the back. Putting the number of goals aside for a moment, Cannon has been playing very well for the Quakes, including making some "bonus saves" that should remind fans why he was once an MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. You can bet the farm, Cannon will want to bring a little extra against his former side.
Up front, the Earthquakes do nothing to overwhelm their opponents. Ryan Johnson is athletically gifted and can be a physical player inside the 18-yard box, but not much beyond that. Pablo Campos, a new addition to the Quakes' roster in 2009, could be described in the same way. Big target presence in the area, can play with his back to goal, but is not a player that will run away from defenders. The reason these players work for San Jose is simple: The Quakes are built around the speed and technical abilities of their midfield. Along with the above mentioned players, Arturo Alvarez, Ramiro Morales and former Galaxy midfielder Simon Elliott all lend to possession in the middle of the field, and a variety of ways to attack going forward.
As for the Galaxy, I will state right now, if Donovan Ricketts can play like he did on Saturday on a weekly basis the Galaxy will be in the playoff hunt come October. Sensational! Not only did he make some big saves when called upon, but it seemed like the players in front of him had a calmer sense as well. The Jamaican International has the tools to dramatically improve LA's defense. I will be very excited to see how he performs in Northern California this weekend. His job might be a bit tougher without Gregg Berhalter, who too added a veteran sense to the back but will miss this weekend's while serving a red card suspension. That means Tony Sanneh will likely come back and start in the back, he has been good when paired up next to Omar González so far in the season and pre-season. González and Sanneh should be able to thrive in this type of match-up and handle the San Jose forwards. It is the secondary and overlapping runs that might be troublesome.
Last week I said the midfield needed to get better- This still rings true this week, if you ask me. This facet of the game will be vital against San Jose's talented midfield. The Galaxy's ability to control the pace of the game and limit the space for their opponent needs to improve. Dema Kovalenko returns to the line up and that should add some heart to the middle. I think Sean Franklin is still trying to find where he fits into the midfield, but Franklin has the speed and ability to join the attack. On the left side, Eddie Lewis, who began his career with San Jose, has been consistent. The more he can be involved the better, and not just from a service standpoint. If Lewis can turn the corner and get inside the area, it will force San Jose defenders to scramble to him, leaving other players available in the area.
Mike Magee and Jovan Kirovski are going to have to play well this weekend. The Earthquakes will no doubt double-team Landon whenever the ball comes his way. If Magee and Kirovski can make them pay for that, it will go a long way to helping LA earn their first win.
Mark Rogondino is the color analyst for Galaxy games on FS West and Prime Ticket.
