After a strong performance in a scoreless draw against New York City FC, the Earthquakes shifted their focus to Vancouver Whitecaps FC. With the opportunity to eclipse their Canadian foes in the Western Conference standings, they took the training field to prepare for their first match of the season north of the border.
On-Field Highlight
Goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell had a heavy load to carry, facing every shot in the team’s post-practice finishing drill. Despite being visibly exhausted by the non-stop onslaught of shots, Tarbell was active and aggressive through the end of the drill, making several diving saves and quick-reaction punches.
Off-Field Highlight
The Quakes officially announced the signing of forward Henok Goitom. For more information on the Earthquakes newest player, click here.
Q&A with defender Marvell Wynne
SJEarthquakes.com: The team put on a strong performance against one of the best teams in the league Friday. How important was it to get a point and how much confidence does that give you going into this road matchup Friday?
Marvell Wynne: “It’s always good to get a point no matter where you are, but at home we actually feel like we left two points out there on the field. We feel like we had a lot of opportunities to actually take the win, so I guess going into this next game it’s always good to feel that you are good enough to win games. There’s just got to be that little extra push, which also gives us an extra drive.”
SJEQ: What’s it like playing in Canada? Is it different than playing in the United States?
MW: “It’s a little bit different experience. You get the Canadian National Anthem, which is awesome by the way, and you get our national anthem. Pretty much the only difference other than that when you’re out there on the field, me at least personally, I don’t hear different jeers than usual. Not too big of a difference. There’s a little bit of a travel difference but that’s about it.”
SJEQ: The Earthquakes are in the middle of a four-game unbeaten streak. What has attributed to that recent success and how can the team shape that into a road win?
MW: “All of us just coming together as a unit, I think. We’re all getting on the same page. We’re all feeling it out and we actually know how to possess the ball a little bit better than we did in the beginning of the year. We’re starting to figure out when to kick it long, when to keep possession in the back and move it around. I think that little extra push is just a little more determination and focus in the final third.”
SJEQ: The team welcomed a new addition in Darwin Ceren this week and you said goodbye to a couple players. What kind of impact midseason can that have especially on a club fighting for a playoff spot?
MW: “Its difficult seeing friends go. We all know that’s just part of the game and all that and we always welcome every player with open arms. I guess in the middle of the season it’s one of those where you can’t dwell on it for too long. You say your goodbyes and then you just have to move on. It’s the way of the game.”
