A chance missed would probably be the best way to put it.
For long, long stretches of the match, the San Jose Earthquakes ran the show and held possession inside enemy territory. Passing the ball inside, outside, forward and backward, the Quakes always looked the more dangerous team in the first half.
Chris Wondolowski sent the crowd into frenzy in the 20th minute, calmly finishing a Jordan Stewart cross with little interference from the Seattle defense. A long ball over the top was misplayed by Sounders FC defender Tyrone Mears, giving Stewart an opportunity to run down the left flank uninhibited. He picked his head up and drilled a low cross to Wondo for the goal.
The momentum seemed to change with the goal and Seattle immediately came back with more substance, as if they felt they could no longer rely on absorbing pressure and countering. The Quakes did well, however, to keep the side clad in neon green off the scoreboard with the little momentum they had generated to close out the first frame.
The second half was balanced and both teams had their opportunities. Seattle took advantage of their best opportunity, a set piece in a dangerous area, in the 80th minute. In frustrating fashion, Nicolas Lodeiro’s free kick was hit with pace but completely missed all attacking and defending players. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Quakes keeper David Bingham, to no fault of his, anticipated contact and stood his ground a moment too long, only to see the ball continue untouched into the far post.
The Earthquakes needed three points, not necessarily to remain alive in the playoff chase, but to remind teams that Avaya Stadium is no place for opponents to walk away satisfied. And while the Quakes have still lost only two at Avaya, the six home draws, which are only trailing LA’s seven in the Western Conference, simply are not earning the points the club feels they have earned. In fact, Seattle’s late game-tying goal came on their only shot on goal of the match, which is one more than the amount of corner kicks they took (0).
But still, San Jose remains alive, and pushes on. As long as the club has breath in their lungs, you can bet they will give everything they have to reach the postseason. Tune in next Saturday when the Quakes hit the road to take on Western Conference foe Colorado Rapids at 6 p.m. PT on CSN Plus.
