Quakes Swipe Three Points From Colorado, With Controversy In Tow

The Quakes celebrate after Steven Lenhart opened the scoring on Saturday

The San Jose Earthquakes began a new era under new head coach Mark Watson Saturday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.  However, the new look seemed suspiciously like the old, with the match descending into the embellishment, rough tactics, and time wasting that have marked the Quakes' play over the past couple of seasons.

Not that the Colorado Rapids have ever shied away from physical play, and they certainly did their fair share of dishing out.  In the end, the Quakes managed to get into their heads though, coming away from Commerce City with a win that might start to get their season back on track.

Colorado, who had been unbeaten in their previous six league matches, came out the more positive side.  You have have to recognize that Oscar Pareja has really done a good job in transforming this club into a good footballing side.  Unfortunately, defense still seems to be a bit of a weak spot for Colorado, and this time even rookie GK sensation Clint Irwin couldn't help them out.  Steven Lenhart made a goal out of practically nothing in the 11th minute.  He ditched Drew Moor and got on the end of a ball from Alan Gordon out of the midfield.  Lenhart then put an amazing strike on target, just beating Irwin at the near post to make it 0-1 to the Quakes.  

Disaster seemed to strike the Rapids just 7 minutes later.  Both Hendry Thomas and Atiba Harris went in on for a tackle on Alan Gordon in the midfield.  Thomas got him, but Harris came in quite late, and Gordon went sprawling to the ground like he had been knifed it the chest.  Harris got a straight red for his troubles, and the Rapids found their uphill climb to be even tougher.  Now, I'm not defending the Harris tackle.  It was reckless and late.  He should have just left the job to Thomas.  it was really a bad decision on the part of the forward.  However I think Gordon sold it really well.  The referee initially was only going to issue a yellow card, but then decided to seek counsel from his fourth official, who had previously been swarmed by Quakes players.  The card changed color to red.  I think the yellow would have been the correct call.

The Quakes didn't seem like they wanted to take advantage though.  For the rest of the first half they largely played junk ball, dumping long balls up the pitch between futile Colorado attacks.  The red card seemed to galvanize the Rapids, but their youth seemed to show a bit as they often settled for distance strikes that didn't really test Jon Busch.

The second half was a different story though.  Still trailing 0-1, the Rapids subbed in Martin Rivero and immediately looked better on offense.  Another talking point rose up early on in the half when Quakes' coach Watson kicked the ball from the sideline at the Rapids' Hendry Thomas, which of course the Rapids midfielder took exception too.  The already fired up Thomas went to the sideline to confront Watson, but was intercepted by Chris Wondolowski, who was looking pretty frisky considering he'd been invisible for the entire match.  Both Thomas and Wondo picked up matching Yellow cards, but it didn't appear that the officials said anything to Watson.

Thomas got caught out a few minutes later, and one wonders if his mindset helped lead to the Quakes' second goal.  In the 52nd minute Rafael Baca hit Sam Cronin with a through ball that opened up the Rapids defense.  These are the kind of balls that Thomas usually eats for lunch.  In the end Cronin slotted past Irwin to make it 0-2.

The Rapids were not out though, and they applied plenty more pressure to the Quakes in the latter stages of the second half.  Jaime Castrillon came in and instantly upped the pressure, including a great header on goal that Busch somehow managed to save.  Nathan Sturgis got one back for the Rapids on in minute 67, as he turned in a great cross from Brian Mullan to make it 1-2.  However in the end it was all the Rapids could muster as Busch managed to repel the Colorado attack the rest of the way to seal the win and the three points for the Quakes.

It will be interesting to see if the Disciplinary Committee takes a further look at anything from this one.  I doubt Harris will get the red overturned, but I don't really see him getting any extra tacked on either.  Thomas might get a call for some of his rough play, but nothing suspension worthy.  I'd like to see a one match touch line ban for Watson for striking the ball at Thomas, but I don't see that coming about either.  The Rapids have a midweek match at home against Chicago, so if there is anything, look for it quickly.