Written By: Abram Heredia
Quakes II had a rough start to their weekend after a 2-1 defeat to SKC II. A goal-line error and a questionable penalty call were the culprits in this unfortunate defeat.
Standings
Even though Quakes II didn’t take any points from this game, the result only takes them one place down to 7th. If they can turn their form around they’ll have no problem making a playoff push. If the team is to have a resurgence they will have to turn things around sooner rather than later lest they fall further down the table with the three teams below capable of catching up or surpassing them.
Starting XI
San Jose Earthquakes II (4-3-3): Ochoa; Verhoeven, Carrillo, Cano, Tingey; Cilley, Blancas, Medina; Ayon, Castro, Richmond
Match Review
The birthday boy Emi Ochoa was not given much to celebrate on the night. Though he shouldn’t be blamed for the goals, it was definitely a game that he’ll hope to forget quickly.
The center-back pairing consisted of Alejandro Cano and Israel Carrillo. In the first half, Carrillo took a hard knock but stood up and continued to play albeit heavily limping. Before the end of the half he finally succumbed to his injury and motioned to the bench that he needed a replacement.
De Geer opted to move Cam Cilley to center back and bring on rumored homegrown Edwyn Mendoza. Cilley’s bullish nature and strong passing ability made him more than competent cover at center back. In his place, Edwyn Mendoza came on and made his Quakes II debut. Mendoza played with a calmness beyond his years, gliding with the ball through the middle searching for an open teammate. Defensively he showed a great understanding of the game, constantly scanning over his shoulder to keep track of his mark.
Right-back Oscar Verhoeven is a player who had quite a few standout moments, shadowing his man with a vengeance, leaving nothing behind in the tackle, and showing his quick feet that helped him to get past defenders.
Cruz Medina made his first start of the year and looked promising at times. Early on he looked to threaten the SKC II back line but the block around zone 14 proved difficult to break. Later on, Medina had opportunities to show his skillful feet in tight spaces but overall wasn’t presented with too many opportunities to make a difference.
Usually one of the more consistent players in the squad, Will Richmond had a rough go of it on the night. Touches didn’t seem to go his way and the defenders were not holding anything back in challenges. Richmond is a special kind of player however and will no doubt be back at his best soon.
The lone scorer Rodolfo Castro Jr. opened his goal-scoring account for the season late in the game after firing a low volley past the goalkeeper. Besides scoring the goal, Castro had many moments where he showed his quality and desire to get back into the match.
Roberto Hategan and Alex Chow came on late in the match for Lalo Blancas and Cruz Medina respectively. Chow did well to progress the ball from the middle but it was Hategan who really inserted himself and was the center of most of the attacks Quakes II had near the final whistle. The winger was put on set-piece duties and almost found his target on a few occasions but none made their way across the line.
Looking Forward
North Texas will be the next opponent that Quakes II faces. The last time North Texas came to PayPal Park ended in a Quakes II defeat but San Jose was able to flip the script in the reverse fixture in Texas. Hopefully, the Quakes can shake off their run of form and get an important result to stay ahead of North Texas in the table.
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