[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS0ge2KE–c]
One game, 100 words (or less): Seizing on an early mistake from Real Salt Lake’s midfield, San Jose claimed a 14th minute lead at Buck Shaw Stadium, with the newfound scoring prowess of midfielder Sean Cronin putting the home side in front. Though the Earthquakes proved troublesome in transition, Real Salt Lake eventually turned a 36th minute chance into a David Gantar whistle, allowing Javier Morales to equalize from the spot.
While both teams had near-misses just before half time, the match would stay 1-1 for the next 54 minutes, leaving both teams with a point after 90 minutes at Buck Shaw.
Goals
San Jose: Sam Cronin 14′
Real Salt Lake: Javier Morales (p.k.) 36′
Three moments that mattered:
14′ – Cronin on fire – You don’t see this very often: Kyle Beckerman with a big giveaway, on that left Chris Wondolowski on the box in the left of the area. Cutting the ball back toward the arc, the San Jose captain finds an oncoming San Cronin, whose second goal in as many games gives the Earthquakes an early lead.
36′ – Olmes gets the whistle – A nice run by Abdoulie Mansally leads to a dangerous cross from the byline, though Olmes Garcia’s attempt to get in front of Jason Hernandez sees the RSL attacker stumble at the edge of the six-yard box. Referee David Gantar, however, sees a foul on Hernandez, giving Javier Morales a chance to equalize from the spot. Burying his shot into the left of Jon Busch’s goal, the returning playmaker pulls RSL even, scoring a goal few could have predicted as the night’s last.
43′ – Almost caught – Atiba Harris almost had him. Moments after Luke Mulholland nearly gee RSL the lead, the San Jose midfielder nearly caught Nick Rimando leaning the wrong way, the RSL keeper taking a step to his left while Harris was lining up a shot heading inside the right post. Luckily for the U.S. international, Harris put that shot well inside the upright, allowing Rimando to get a palm to the ball just before it crossed the goal line. A ball length closer to the post, and Rimando would have paid for his misstep.
Lineups
San Jose: Jon Busch; Sean Francis, Víctor Bernárdez, Jason Hernandez, Jordan Stewart; Shea Salinas (Cordell Cato 75′), Sam Cronin, Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi (J.J. Koval 83′), Atiba Harris; Tommy Thompson, Chris Wondolowski
Real Salt Lake: Nick Rimando; Tony Beltran, Nat Borchers, Chris Schuler, Abdoulie Mansally; Luke Mulholland (Luis Gil 83′), Kyle Beckerman, Ned Grabavoy; Javier Morales (Cole Grossman 90′), Joao Plata, Olmes Garcia (Robbie Findley 79′)
Three lessons going forward:
1. The importance of Javier Morales – One week after failing to break down a 10-man Dallas, you could see a difference in RSL. Then again, that’s what Javier Morales is supposed to do: Make a difference. While the team generated the same number of goals as in last week’s loss, RSL looked more like itself with a focal point back in the middle. Going forward, however, that’s go to translate into more chances on goal.
2. The importance of Tommy Thompson – This isn’t just Tommy Thompson. It’s Matías Pérez García and Yannick Djaló, too, though Thompson’s youth and American-ness has generated more buzz. Regardless, San Jose plays like a much more cohesive team when it has that connecting element under Chris Wondolowski. Continuing to flash a brilliant touch, Thompson is showing he can be that kind of player.
3. RSL’s fickle West – The defending conference champions have lost once since July 12 yet find themselves five points back in the West, having played more games than their two main rivals. With Seattle recovered and Los Angeles surging, RSL is beginning to look like the third of three favorites, a story which may change if Álvaro Saborío comes back strong.
Where this leaves them
- With three points in their last five games, the Earthquakes are eight back of a playoff spot. Tonight’s was a good performance, but San Jose needed three points.
- RSL is tied with LA for second in the West, albeit with two more games played than the Galaxy.
