Sunday, Oct. 26th, 2008,
The San Jose Earthquakes played their final match of their return season Saturday night at a sold out Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara. They did not disappoint their fans with a convincing win over Toronto FC, a team that looked like they’d just flown across the continent and didn’t have much to play for. The final scoreline was 2-0 but it could have been 5-0 if the finishing had been a little sharper.
Ramiro Corrales returned to the center of the midfield and had an excellent performance. It seemed obvious that the team’s late season decline in form had much to do with his injury. Ryan Johnson started up top with Scott Sealy and battled all night for every ball sent to his vicinity. He also combined well with his teammates and set up various chances. Darren Huckerby, the team’s MVP, terrorized Toronto FC down the left flank all night until replaced by a confident Shea Salinas in the second half.
Jason Hernandez, the team’s defensive player of the year was given the night off. Ryan Cochrane replaced him and nabbed a goal when he flew into the box unmarked and headed home Ronnie O’Brien’s corner to give the Quakes a much deserved 1-0 lead early in the second half. The defense looked solid all night long and Humanitarian of the Year keeper Joe Cannon was rarely troubled as the team dominated possession and stayed organized.
In the end Shea Salinas took the team’s only penalty kick of the MLS 2008 season, awarded at the end of the match, and smashed it into the upper right corner past Toronto keeper Greg Sutton, who had made several nice saves in the match. Toronto seemed unable to generate much attack throughout the night. Amado Guevara had some nice touches but in the final third the Canadian team was unable to connect. Carlos Ruiz was inserted for Danny Dichio a minute into the second half but was ineffective. He was subbed out late in the match and was clearly angry. He knocked over a water cooler and sulked on the bench much to the delight of Earthquakes’ fans. Perhaps Ruiz has played his final MLS game.
After the match the Earthquakes and owner Lew Wolff stayed out on the field and applauded their loyal fans. The team did a lap around the stadium pausing at the end to applaud the Ultras section and toss them souvenirs. Even Lew Wolff got into the act as he beamed, shouted “thank you” and tossed his jacket to the fans. The Ultras responded by giving him a scarf as they chanted and lit off orange smoke flares. It was a fitting end to what has to be considered a solid and successful return season. The team had played well for the second half of the season and had succeed in establishing a great atmosphere at intimate Buck Shaw stadium while plans for a new stadium appear to be going well.
“I wish the season would keep going. I feel great after scoring two goals in the last two games,” exclaimed Shea Salinas in the Quakes’ locker room after the match.
“I thought it was a great night tonight for us and the fans and I thought we’ve come away with it with a good feeling towards next season”, said San Jose Coach Frank Yallop. The team has obviously built a solid foundation and Yallop’s comments after the match indicated that he hopes to keep the team together as best he can. He spoke highly of players that had developed throughout the season such as Ryan Johnson and Shea Salinas. Yallop also expressed hope that team can retain Francisco Lima. He also admitted that the team had missed Ramiro Corrales while he was out injured. There are the inevitable offseason questions however.
“I have a family to support and there are opportunities in Europe,” admitted striker Scott Sealy as his young son stood by his side. Other Quakes’ had uncertain looks on their faces regarding the future but the overall mood was one of optimism and an eagerness to build upon the solid foundation that the team laid this year.
Ben Sizemore (email)
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