For most of the year the Earthquakes have languished in last place in what was quickly appearing to be a disastrous first season. However, with the recent acquisitions of Darren Huckerby, Arturo Alvarez and Scott Sealy, the Earthquakes have strung together a six-match unbeaten streak, quietly gaining points on the rest of the Western Conference. And while they still sit at the bottom of the conference standings, they are only three points off from a playoff spot.
Saturday's draw showed another side of the Earthquakes, as well. It showed their ability to grind out a match against a difficult road opponent.
"For long spells we were not at our best but what I liked about our unit tonight is that we didn't crumble and we actually came back in the end," said coach Frank Yallop. "You didn't see the best from us tonight but you saw a team that fought and scrapped to the end and a point for us is great to get here. All in all it was a good result and we move on." Goalkeeper Joe Cannon also saw the importance of earning the hard-fought road point. "We've turned a corner as a team," Cannon said.
Cannon was a major reason why the Earthquakes got out of The Home Depot Center with a draw, making a couple of difficult saves that preserved the shutout.
The Earthquakes were forced to make an early adjustment when Ramiro Corrales left the match in the 14th minute with a sprained left knee. With Corrales out, the Earthquakes offense struggled to find much rhythm. However, the Earthquakes put pressure on Chivas USA late in the match and nearly scored a late goal were it not for a superb save by Zach Thornton on a Ronnie O'Brien shot in the 85th minute.
"We gave their players too much freedom," said O'Brien. "We had a couple of chances but not enough."
With the Earthquakes heading into the final stretch of the regular season, they have their sights set on one thing: the MLS Cup Playoffs.
"We're two games off second place and we have six games left at home," said Yallop. "We feel great. What you've got to do is grind results out. It's really in our hand if we can pull ourselves together."
Added O'Brien: "Our goal is the playoffs. The expansion tag doesn't wash with us anymore. Realistically the playoffs are within reach now and it comes down to us."
One thing that the Earthquakes have in their favor is that six of their last nine matches will be played at home, including three in a row beginning next Saturday against Kansas City.
"We have a few home games coming up and hopefully we can get a couple of wins and move up the table," said O'Brien.
Earthquakes flex defensive muscles
Earthquakes shake, rattle Revolution
Hope still alive
