San Jose Earthquakes versus D.C. United
10:30 PM EST/7:30 PM PST, ESPN +, Avaya Stadium
Sometimes to move forward one has to look to the past for inspiration. With results not going their way early in the 2018 season the San Jose Earthquakes (2-5-3, 17 points) and D.C. United (1-5-2, 10 points) will hope that by tapping into the past that better fortunes will lay ahead.
Both sides enter Saturday evening looking for three points. While the Earthquakes enter the match having earned four points out of the past two (1-1-0, 4 points) their 2-2 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps will leave a bit of a bitter taste in their mouth, having let a 2-1 lead drop late. They have won just once in four matches at Avaya this season, a figure that will certainly not be lost upon their passionate supporters should results not go their way against United.
As for D.C., points of any form would be welcomed. They have earned just one point on the road thus far in 2018, a 1-1 result against Orlando City back in March. Now normally that might raise a few flags, but be perceived as a normal issue. D.C.’s 2018 season is far from normal though. Saturday’s encounter with San Jose will be their third of an eight game road trip. When one considers that their only two home games were in remote venues one can see why this side is at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
A side that cannot get points at home versus a side that cannot get points on the road always make for interesting matches because they play like elimination games. While it may be a bit early to call it quits for either side should results not go their way it will certainly damage their chances. Both sides should look at this match as if points can be had with a little extra effort and a little extra initiative.
The question is: who will take the match by the horns? Forward Danny Hoesen of the Quakes seems to be the perfect candidate. After a good loan spell last season with the Quakes, the Dutchman has exploded in 2018 becoming the de-facto first attacking option. He has scored five goals in ten matches for San Jose this season, tying his scoring mark from last season in 22 fewer matches.
Much has been made about the reduced role that Chris Wondolowski has played in new coach Mikael Stahre’s system. What has been lost in that discussion is that Hoesen has moved his way into the main attacking role that Wondo played through the years. His little runs in space have given defenders fits all season, opening up space in the attacking third and giving him some good cracks at goal.
United will likely run 18 year old Chris Durkin in the defensive midfield and a center-back combination of Steve Birnbaum and Frederic Brilliant. On the surface Durkin may be a mismatch given the age difference but Hoesen should not take the U.S. Youth National Team player likely. Despite D.C.’s lack of results in recent weeks one of the lone bright spots has been the play of Durkin, whose timing on tackles and midfield relationship with Luciano Acosta has given his side some consistency.
Olsen will hope now with some time that he can find that same level of chemistry with Birnbaum and Brilliant. In D.C.’s 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake RSL disrupted United’s passing in the defensive third with pressure and narrowing their number of targets. While San Jose will be without Jahmir Hyka (ankle injury), a player who would be perfect for that type of strategy, Hoesen and midfielders Anibal Godoy and Magnus Wolff Eriksson are also suited for that style. Especially if United score early (three of their ten goals have come in the first ten minutes) San Jose will have to press D.C. as they will likely be chasing for possession.
What will be interesting to see is, assuming D.C. can get out of their defensive third, how they handle Stahre’s five defender strategy. Against a smaller side like Minnesota United FC, the Earthquakes suffocated the Loons attack inside their penalty box, forcing them to take shots from distance or work in chances from the periphery of the box. That might actually work to United’s advantage with midfielders Yamil Asad and Zoltan Stieber more than comfortable lobbing crosses into the box or taking a chance from distance.
San Jose will also likely be wary of Patrick Mullins, who scored four goals against them in their lone encounter against D.C. last season. Mullins has yet to score this season but may see Saturday in the Bay Area as a great chance to get rid of the big donut hole. He has the height and size to deal with Earthquakes center-back Florian Jungwirth. But given his struggles this season Olsen will have to see where his confidence is at to see if he or Darren Mattocks (3 goals) is the right pick.
That issue of confidence will certainly be a major factor for both sides. When results don’t go a teams way it can often be difficult to shake it off. While time isn’t exactly running off for the Earthquakes and United the chances to turn things around are becoming less and less.
DC United
San Jose Earthquakes
