Real Salt Lake -vs- San Jose Earthquakes
from the perspective of Big Soccer poster Lurking
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When San Jose takes the field vs. Real Salt Lake on Saturday, it will be a matchup of two teams two wins, five losses, and plenty of question marks to keep their respective fan bases buying Pepto Bismol by the case.
San Jose will almost certainly stay in Frank Yallop's version of the 4-4-2, but the side will be forced to make a couple of changes from the lineup they fielded in their home win over the Houston Dynamo. Out will be Kei Kamara and Ivan Guerrerro, both away on international duty for Sierra Leone and Honduras respectively. Recent acquisition and familiar RSL advesary Jovan Kirovski will likely take Kamara's spot up top. Guerrerro's stand in is a little less certain, with the likely additions being Joe Vide or Shea Salinas. Vide would slot into the center of the park, with either Grabavoy or Corrales moving to left midfield while Salinas would likely play on the left directly. Yallop seems to like Salinas, using him consistently as a sub in the 2nd half, so the less disruptive outside midfielder for outside midfielder move seems more likely.
Offensively:
San Jose likes to transition quickly into the attack, driven by their outside midfielders and forwards. They will move forward in numbers, but this tends to be more a product of players waiting for more help, then out of an attempt to build slowly from the back. They have been hit and miss this season with this approach, scoring 2 goals 3 times, but being held scoreless 5 times. Their road form in particular has been noteworthy, as they created excellent chances in their 2-0 win against Colorado, but looked hapless in their other 3 road games. Which team shows up is the question most fans in San Jose will be asking themselves going into this one.
Defensively:
San Jose has been remarkably solid for an expansion team, tied for 6th in the league giving up 1.375 goals per game. They tend to play a little lower pressure then San Jose teams of old, but are well organized defensively and do not give up many good looks at goal for their opponent. Their weakness defensively has largely been a product of weakness in midfield, where players have been caught in possession, leading to transition opportunities.
A look at the likely starting lineup:
Ryan Johnson - FW - Last week his insertion into the starting lineup at forward created lots of havoc on Houston's back line. He is big, physical, and has good speed. While a bit raw at times, he really threw himself around on the field with a lot of energy. If he can pressure the Real back line as effectively as he did against Houston, San Jose should be able to create some chances.
Jovan Kirovski - FW - This will likely be his first start for the Earthquakes, so it will be interesting to see how well he integrates into the team. A known quantity in MLS, hes not going to blow anyone away. San Jose will be hoping that he can link up with Johnson, make good off the ball runs to open space for teamates, and to take any chances that might come his way.
Ronnie O'Brien - RM - Hes played fairly deep on the right side for San Jose, perhaps not getting as far forward as Earthquake fans might like. Hes a smart player, whose put in some good work on the ball. Dont expect him to try to take his man 1v1, hes going to look to combine with teamates, and might send in some early crosses from the right.
Shea Salinas - LM - He has lots of pace, and the technical ability to apply it to good effect, but the rookie doesnt quite seem to have the tactical acumen to apply those tools for maximum effect. He also tends to be overly aggressive, so Salt lake may have a chance to exploit Denton behind him. Young players like Shea can be inconsistant, so hes a bit of an X-facotr in this one.
Ramiro Corales - CM - Not a dedicated ballwinner, but he is the more defensive of the two center midfielders. His job is going to be take good defensive positions, link up with teamates. He has been victimized in losing possession in dangerous areas, so if San Jose is not moving well off the ball, pressuring him can create a goal scoring oppotunity in transition.
Ned Grabavoy - CM - His role in the offense isnt entirely clear at this stage. Like Corrales, he will have signifigant defensive responsibilities, but he will be the more forward of the two. However, wether that role is primarily a distributor, or more as a link player is uncertain. While he can be dangerous at times, he seems mostly to fall into the distributer category for San Jose.
Eric Denton - LB - Seemingly out of the league, hes back, and playing pretty well. Hes shown a good left foot, and while he wont wow anyone with his defenisve play, it has been solid.
Nick Garcia - LCB - A tough veteran presence, he will make quite a few right place and right time defenisve plays. Hes not big, or physically dominating, he does play with veteran savvy.
Ryan Cochrane - RCB - Like Garcia, he is not a physically imposing back, relying more on savvy. He can be mistake prone, so RSL might get a chance or two from a breakdown.
Jason Hernandez - RB - Somewhat limted going forward, he has godo speed, and plays well defensively. A solid right back.
Joe Cannon - GK - An excellent shot stopper, he has had communication issues at times with his back line. His distribution is somewhat lacking from free and goal kicks.
These teams have already met once in the open cup in Salt Lake, with the home side taking an easy 4-0 victory. However, before fans of either team start penciling in another RSL victory, it should be noted that the game featured a brutal collision between San Jose's centerbacks Jay Ayres and Ryan Cochrane, knocking both players out of the game. Cochrane would miss the next two games with a concussion, while Ayres is still out with a facial fracture that required surgery. As the home team, RSL has to be the favorite in this one, but expect a more competitive game this time around.
Prediction:
1-0 to RSL.
Real has shown good home form, and based on their previous road games, the safe bet seems to be against San Jose from having a strong performance. That said, the Earthquakes cant be counted out, as they have shown good form at times this season. Particularly on the road against Colorado, a result that probably brought a smile or two from Real Salt Lake fans.
