Photo Credit: Jennifer Jordan-Harrell
In the book On the Road author Jack Kerouac places protagonist Sal Paradise in the position of that of the traveler. After spending years on the East Coast he travels to San Francisco and meets Dean Moriarty, a gentleman who is generally carefree and full of life. Although at times the two parties clash, Sal always ends up pining for the West Coast and San Francisco as the place acts as some sort of flashpoint to when he was at his most happiest.
That idea that the West Coast and the San Francisco area can provide some level of happiness is something that D.C. United is hoping for on Saturday night when they travel to Avaya Stadium to take on the San Jose Earthquakes (10:30PM EST/7:30PM PST Newschannel 8, CSN-Bay Area, MLS Live).
Although D.C.’s results have not necessarily been bad, they have not necessarily been good either. With two listless draws and two blowout losses on their C/V to say that United’s results have been a bit underwhelming would be an understatement. The lack of consistency from their back four and the lack of scoring up top (just two goals scored) makes this match of particular importance for the Black-and-the-Red.
But this is precisely why the club is off to the bright, sunny skies of California: to rejuvenate, to recharge, and to reset. D.C. has had a bit of recent success against the Quakes on the road: the club has won three of their last four games in California. But this is their first match Avaya Stadium and given that the Earthquakes are undefeated in their last ten home matches (6-0-4, 22 points) a win may be a tall ask for D.C.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Jordan-Harrell
The key for United in this match will be winning the battle in the midfield. Center midfielder Nick De Leon has made some strides in recent weeks in adapting from being an outside midfielder to more of a play-maker in coach Ben Olsen’s attack. But as evidenced by last week’s 3-0 humbling by FC Dallas United need him to work as more of a facilitator rather than someone who engages in every small play. Without Marcelo Sarvas (suspension) United needs De Leon now more than ever needs to prove that he can lead this team.
If D.C. are to overcome their scoring woes they will need to do it against one of the top defenses in the league. D.C. will receive some respite with center-back Clarence Goodson out due to back tightness. But the Quakes still have the imposing back-line of Victor Bernardez and Andres Imperiale to help keep goalkeeper David Bingham’s sheet clean.
The good news for D.C. is that the Earthquakes defensive midfield will not be at full strength. Anibal Godoy is likely out with a minor knee strain, an injury that he sustained while on international duty with Panama. His partner, Fatai Alashe, will likely be paired up with Tommy Thompson. Both Alashe and Thompson are high on talent yet neither has really performed up to task for the Quakes.
On the attacking end, the Quakes continue to rely on Chris Wondolowski (3 goals) to provide goal-scoring moments. The United States international forward has had a strong start to his 2015 campaign and will look to continue his march towards Landon Donovan all-time league scoring record against a United side that will likely start Steve Birnbaum on three days rest.
Although Wondolowski and the Quakes can at times be a bit one dimensional, the club seems to have found a good second option in Quincy Amarikwa. Using his speed and ability to make precise diagonal runs, Amarikwa has torn up MLS defenses this season. Given United’s problems at making simple tracking runs on attackers this season and that Amarikwa has proven in the past to be a foil for D.C., one would expect him to play a huge role in Dominic Kinnear’s attack on Saturday.
With one side searching for an identity and another feeling fun and fancy free one would expect that the Earthquakes would roll in this match. But D.C. has proven themselves to be doggedly persistent. The question is: can they create opportunities in the attacking half and finish their chances?
DC United
San Jose Earthquakes
