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Above: Danny Califf carries the ball
upfield
Depleted Earthquakes reserves defeat
FC Dallas 3-1, 5/15
Saturday's game was a bittersweet one for
the San Jose Earthquakes. Beginning the game without defensive
incumbent, Craig Waibel, who was injured during the week, the Quakes had
one foot in the bucket. FC Dallas is one of the MLS's premier sides with
a rebuilt, star-studded lineup.
The 'Quakes defense would be tasked with
arguably the league's most dangerous forward, Eddie Johnson. Eddie tied
'Quakes' Brian Ching last year for the league lead in goals, and at 21
years old is a star for the U.S. National team. Opposite Johnson is
Carlos Ruiz, one of the most controversial players in the league, known
for his diving.
The Waibel-less 'Quakes were up to the
task, tying the game 0-0 and earning a point in the standings. However,
the game did not come without a cost.
The Earthquakes saw three of their star
players leave the game due to injury. Troy Dayak (knee), Brian Ching
(Hamstring), and Brian Mullan (ankle) are all All-Star players who went
down. To make matter worse, Richard Mulrooney (FC Dallas) also was
injured (knee) in his first game back in San Jose after 6 great years in
a Quakes uniform.
After the tough game, the 'Quakes reserves
were set to play up at Valley Christian against the FC Dallas reserves.
The weather was perfect, and the game was hard fought. The Earthquakes
ended up defeating the Dallas reserves 3-1. A recap can be found here on
the
Earthquakes site.
Photos (taken by John Basanese Sr.) can be seen here.
"Having these players up here is special,
there is no other way to put it. Eddie Johnson will probably be the
starting forward for the U.S. in the 2006 World Cup. He'll be on talk
shows, magazine covers...he's a world star and he spent Sunday morning
at Valley Christian," VC asst. coach
John Basanese stated.
"Beyond Eddie, there were probably 6-8
players up here today that have spent time on the US National team. Greg
Vanney and Johnson will start at the end of this month in the US vs.
England game! These guys are incredible ball players who, for one day,
shared the same field as the Valley Christian soccer players. I can't
really imagine anything better than that" added Basanese.
About 130 fans came out to see the match.
The next match will pit the 'Quakes reserves against the DC United
Reserves. The game is scheduled for June 5th at 10am, and Freddy Adu
will likely be on the VC campus.
Three more games remain, so be sure to make
it out! Here is the remaining schedule:
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6/5 vs. DC United - 10 AM
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6/19 vs. Real Salt Lake - 10 AM
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6/26 vs. L.A. Galaxy - 10 AM
For questions, contact John Basanese at:
john@vcsoccer.com
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