Every day, we wonder what is going to “break” the internet. Sometimes it’s a Kardashian, and when it’s not one of them, it’s usually Steph Curry. If both of them had the night off, there’s usually a politician ready to provide us with some other antic that garners a retweet or six thousand. Not on Sunday, however. This time it was Quincy Amarikwa’s turn to dominate the sports world and beyond via social media as videos, Vines, and GIFs of his absolutely absurd goal took the internet by storm, before the goal itself made its way to #1 of ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10.
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I can’t predict what will take off or go viral, nor could I predict that when Quincy took that shot from 880 SB at Coleman (my estimate - I’m waiting for confirmation from Dave Kaval) that the ball would aim true, but as the epicenter rattled with the aftershock of Amarikwa’s bomb, I knew that was a goal we’d be talking about for some time to come, and we should. In a nationally televised game against the defending champions, Quincy’s strike made sure the league and all the experts were aware of the goal itself, but probably not much else.
First, they’re not talking about the stellar work by the back line and goalkeeper. Just one Sunday prior, the Timbers, in a rematch of last season’s MLS Cup Championship, looked as fast and as dangerous as any MLS team we had seen. Diego Valeri and his midfield worked in transition and on the counterattack seamlessly, fluidly, beautifully, creating opportunities and wreaking havoc in general against a Columbus squad that despite hanging tough was looking more and more emotionally gassed as the game wore on. The weight of Crew SC's missed opportunities combined with the speed of Portland seemed to make their shoulders slump with a bit more load following every attack defended. This was not exhibited on Sunday. Instead it was Portland that gasped for breath, in exhaustion or frustration as the Quakes challenged every pass, and stifled Portland’s counter attack.
Second, they’re not talking about the physical nature of play that San Jose has used through their first two matches. This will inevitably lead to a yellow, but it does exact a toll on the opposition. Schkeltzen Gashi of Colorado looked quite uncomfortable in the season opener against Colorado, and against Portland, several balls that were up for grabs were won by the Quakes with hustle and invitation of contact when making a play on the ball (like Amarikwa’s hustle that led to his golazo).
Third, no one wants to acknowledge that the Earthquake’s offense can, with validity, create something “out of nothing,” which is what Timber’s head coach Caleb Porter attributed to Amarikwa’s goal of the year candidate. Another Earthquake you may have heard of, Chris Wondolowski, has made a career of creating something out of nothing, especially when crashing the near post, as he did once again on Sunday. The addition of Simon Dawkins to the left wing, where he had success in his first stint with San Jose, gave the Quakes a more open feel on that side, although it is evident the offense is still getting to know itself. Make no mistake, this is not a pretty offense, nor is it going to set any records in terms of scoring (Wondolowski’s own feats aside), but there is a palpable determination and unrelenting nature to what the Quakes do on offense.
Offense gets attention. Defense gets results. The Quakes are built to defend first and score second. Through two games, they have six points, three goals (one of them viral), two wins and have given up just one goal. The last number is the most important, even if it is the least likely to trend on Twitter.
