Z/Web

All I can say is Game of the Season! At least so far. Wow, what a game! It’s a bummer there wasn’t a bigger crowd and the game wasn’t on national TV. This was a clash between the best team in the East (not counting New York’s leapfrog over Columbus with their win earlier in the day) versus the only unbeaten team in the league (Chicago were unbeaten until they lost in New England today). Columbus and San Jose games have developed into a powerful rivalry — we knocked them out of the playoffs two seasons ago (the year we won the championship) and they knocked us out last year. Last year we won against them at home but lost in Columbus. What would this season be like? How would San Jose, as the league’s best defense, having given up only two goals the entire season, fair against the Crew’s terrific offense?

The game started off with terrific pressure by San Jose. Several early chances didn’t go in, but 30 minutes in Brian Mullen puts in a sweet one-time shot that beats the keeper. It looked like a dream start, especially when the Quakes had several chances to increase the lead. Then the ref decided to get involved. I missed what happened live at the game — I was watching the ball as it did not go into the Quakes’ goal — but suddenly the ref was calling a penalty kick. On the replay which I watched at home, the call looked weak to say the least. The Crew’s Jeff Cunningham went down, supposedly on a push from Weibel. Whatever. The call was made and Brian McBride converted easily, tying the score. In the second half, it was all Quakes. Sort of. Minutes in on a terrific feed from Donovan right up the middle, Brian Ching is in alone on goal. He slides it under the keeper and it’s 2-1 Quakes. But the celebrations don’t last long, and Columbus looks dangerous. The Quakes give away balls in the mid-field and every time the Crew nearly scores. Cunningham gets loose in the box and scores on a great header to equalize. So much for San Jose’s vaunted defense — we’ve just doubled our goals against in one game! But the game wasn’t over. A free kick 30 yards out is given to the Quakes, and left-footed captain Jeff Agoos steps up. He bends it around the wall and into the top corner of the goal! Amazing! Bend it like Goose! But can the Quakes hold on to the lead? My heart was in my throat. But of course I knew we had an ace: Landon Donovan hadn’t scored yet. It was his turn, right? Sure enough, with three minutes in the game Donovan breaks away down the left side. He cuts inside — the angle’s tight, and there’s a defender and a goalkeeper to beat. No problem. He jigs, takes a step, fires, and scores. It’s 4-2! The Quakes have another win! I joked to Dave, “Do you think the Quakes can hold on to a two goal lead with two minutes left?” Bad joke. In injury time, Columbus scores. It was another bit of poor defending, a man unmarked in the box, and bingo, it’s 4-3. Wild! Would the game ever end? Yes, it finally did, and the Quakes remain the only undefeated team in the league! They also jump to 14 points in the standings, above all other teams (New York is second with 13). Best of all, with L.A.’s draw, the Quakes are now 10 points ahead of the hated Galaxy. Incredible! They’re playing awesome, scoring goals (not counting last week’s tough zero-zero draw with Chicago), and working well as a team. When we get our injured starters back, we could really be on fire. This could be another championship season. I sure hope so — the guys deserve it. Final: 4-3 San Jose Earthquakes!