In what is an early candidate for the most boring match of the season, the San Jose Earthquakes played out an uneventful 0-0 draw with FC Dallas, currently the 2nd place team in the Western Conference.
Fielding what could be described as a B-team (starters such as Chris Wondolowski were on USMNT duty for the upcoming Copa America Centenario), coach Dominic Kinnear put Quincy Amarikwa and Chad Barrett in attack.
The Earthquakes’ attack proved anemic in the 1st half, with sporadic possession and few meaningful threats to the FC Dallas goal. Early in the match, defender Kofi Sarkodie made a run down the right flank, only for it to be snuffed out by the Dallas back line. A lapse in possession by the Quakes resulted in a golden opportunity for a Dallas counterattack, with forward Tesho Akindele barreling down the center of the pitch. An on-rushing David Bingham was the last line of defense, dispossessing the FC Dallas player.
In the 10th minute, Akindele again created an opportunity for FC Dallas, this time crossing the ball into the six-yard box, yet the Quakes defense was there to clean up. A hard foul on Matias Perez Garcia in the 12th minute resulted in a free kick, which was taken by defender Shaun Francis. FC Dallas produced a corner kick in the 15th minute, and the ensuing Carlos Lizarazo volley sailed over the penalty area. The Quakes offense became a bit more lively in the 17th minute, but a weak Tommy Thompson effort rolled harmlessly wide-left of the FC Dallas goal. A slick Quincy Amarkiwa pass to Chad Barrett in the 19th minute created a one-on-one chance with FC Dallas keeper Jesse Gonzalez, but the offside flag was raised.
Shea Salinas attempted to find Quincy Amarikwa with a cross in the 24th minute, but the Quakes forward could not connect with the ball. Quincy again figured into the action in the 28th minute, in which he was seemingly brought down in the FC Dallas penalty area. Yet, referee Juan Guzman swallowed his whistle, much to the dismay of the Avaya Stadium crowd. The Quakes stepped up the pressure in the 38th minute, with Shea Salinas darting into the FC Dallas box with pace; yet again, there was no shot on goal. The Quakes’ offense prowess maintained until the end of the period, as they were able to coordinate wave-after-wave of attacks, but again, no shots on goal.
The 2nd half resumed with a tussle for possession, as both teams battled it out in the center of the pitch FC Dallas made a substitution in the 55th minute, with forward Maximilliano Urruti coming on for Carlos Lizarazo.
The San Jose Earthquakes demonstrated much more initiative during this match interval, with the team stringing together passes, in order to create tangible threats to the opposition. A Chad Barrett 58th minute run into the box resulted in a pass to the center, which was met by Perez Garcia, who ripped a shot wide. FC Dallas responded with a volley of their own in the 62nd minute, but the Walker Zimmerman effort sailed over goal, beyond the out-stretched hands of David Bingham. A 63rd minute Perez Garcia free kick ended up centimeters away from Chad Barrett, who could not convert.
Kinnear opted for fresh legs in the 72nd minute, bringing in Adam Jahn on for a frustrated Quincy Amarikwa. Ten minutes later, Kinnear brought on Cordell Cato in place for Perez Garcia.
The Earthquakes saw one their best chances late in the game as Thompson again inserted himself into the fray in the 88th minute, as his header from a Salinas cross resulted in the ball heading straight to the back of the FC Dallas net. Yet, keeper Gonzalez was there to smother it. The match became chippy in its final minutes, with both teams jostling to create some action. Alas, referee Guzman blew the whistle to end the match a scoreless.
PLAYER RATINGS
Bingham – 8
Sarkodie – 6
Wynne – 5
Bernardez – 7
Francis – 7
Salinas – 8
Thompson – 7
Alashe – 7
Perez Garcia – 8
Amarikwa – 6
Barrett – 8
Subs
Cato – 6
Jahn – 6
