SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- In the run-up to Saturday's match against the Columbus Crew, the question being posed was "Can the San Jose Earthquakes score?" And while the Quakes were twice able to answer that query in the affirmative, holding a late lead proved beyond their collective reach, as the visitors bagged three late goals in a 10-minute span to claim a 3-2 victory.
It was a result that left the Earthquakes shaking their collective heads, especially given how sound defensively the team had been in the season's opening weeks. Manager Frank Yallop characterized the effort as "disappointing," although the words of Quakes defender James Riley were a better reflection of the San Jose's mood afterwards.
"Unbelievably frustrating," said Riley. "We definitely let it get away. We scored two goals at home, and we pride ourselves on our defense. That's why we're kicking ourselves in the face right now."
While the Crew did plenty to test the Quakes defense throughout the match, the home side had looked composed enough through the game's first 70 minutes to think that they would make Ramiro Corrales' first-half goal stand up.
But it was then that the Crew's attack kicked into overdrive. The introduction of Nigerian under-23 international Emmanuel Ekpo gave the Crew some fresh legs, and all of a sudden Columbus was slicing through the San Jose defense with ease.
The warning signs were evident in the 71st minute when both Ezra Hendrickson and Brad Evans went close, only to be denied by Quakes 'keeper Joe Cannon. But rather than clinch a San Jose victory, the saves were rendered to footnote status as Robbie Rogers scored twice in an eight-minute span beginning in the 73rd minute, both times on solo breakaways. Brad Evans than scored what proved to be a priceless insurance tally on a similar play in the 83rd minute, as Ryan Johnson's goal four minutes later pulled the Quakes back within a goal.
Such breakdowns late in a match might lead one to think that fatigue was the root cause of the Quakes' demise. But defender Nick Garcia said the problems had more to do with their heads than with their legs.
"I think we fell asleep," said Garcia. "I think we were a little inattentive in relationship to where the ball was and where our men were. They jumped on the opportunity, but I think it was our shortcoming of not anticipating the second balls."
That lack of anticipation gave the Crew increased time and space in the middle of the park, and when those commodities are given to the likes of Guillermo Barros Schelotto, there can be only one outcome.
Of course, it wasn't just the defense that was hanging their heads. In the 63rd minute, midfielder Ronnie O'Brien had a glorious chance to pad the Quakes' lead when Kei Kamara's flick-on put the Irishman clean through on goal. But O'Brien's attempted chip went just wide.
"I should have made it 2-0 and I didn't," lamented O'Brien. "Then the ball breaks in midfield, one quick pass, they're in behind us and we're 2-1 down. But you just can't give up goals like that. I think we gave up three soft goals. You can't win games doing that."
San Jose now has the task of trying to get well on the road next week against New England. Given their struggles at home, getting a result seems unlikely, although the Quakes' lone win this season did come on the road against Colorado. Despite the enormity of the challenge, and perhaps in an effort to dull the pain of Saturday's defeat, San Jose already has their sights set on the Revs.
"We're not going to sit back in our rocking chairs and say, 'We should have done better, we're going to sulk for the week, and hope we do well against New England,'" said Garcia. "We're thinking about New England right now and that's the way we have to approach it."
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