Match Thoughts: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

So in my last entry I talked about former Quake Ryan Johnson making his debut for Toronto. Later that same night in San Jose one of the players that went the other way, Jacob Peterson, made his debut for the Quakes against Vancouver. He made his presence felt throughout the match, which was one of the better matches I've seen in MLS this year. I'm so glad I didn't watch the crap fest that was Seattle getting destroyed by United.

Chris Wondolowski got the match started off right in the 3rd minute. I feel bad for any fans who stopped on the way to their seats to get a soda or use the bathroom. Simon Dawkins put a long range chip into the 18 that Wondo deftly got on the end of and slotted past former San Jose keeper Joe Cannon to make it 1-0. Pretty good start, and the Quakes kept up the pressure for the first 10 minutes or so, but weren't sble to put any distance between themselves and the Caps.

A little later, Simon Dawkins went out with what is rumored to be a hamstring strain. The Whitecaps took advantage of the lull for San Jose and slipped a ball into the box for Eric Hassli, who absolutely drilled the ball past John Busch to tie the game at 1-1. Busch actually got a hand to the shot, but it would have severed his hand before being knocked off target. We went to the half tied at 1-1.

Wondo put the Quakes back in front in the second half. Peterson set himself up over a corner and put a rather routine looking ball into the area. Brovsky slipped for the Caps, which allowed Wondo to get free. He rose and headed the ball into the net to make it 2-1 Quakes in the 54th minute.

However, the lead only lasted about 7 minutes. In the 61st, Shea Salinas blew by the San Jose line and centered a low pass. Busch came to play it but missed. The pass found an unmarked Hassli, who tapped it into the empty net to equalize at 2-2. Both teams had chances late, and both keepers were called into action, but the match ended at 2-2.

One must think the Whitecaps will be happier with the point, but they've got to get their defense put together. Jarju was unimpressive. For the Quakes, another chance for 3 points at home slips away, which could come back to bite them come playoff time.