12 MAY 2007 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes were held to a 1-1 draw by the visiting Orange County Blue Star here at Granada Hills Charter High School tonight, despite playing for most of the second half with a man advantage, following the dismissal of Blue Star defender Matt Tracy.
Following the 5-2 victory away in Lancaster on Thursday night, head coach Juan Florez made a couple of changes; midfielder Dylan Leslie made his first start of the season in place of Mike Zaher, initiating a switch-around which saw Sean Franklin return to his traditional defensive position, and young Peruvian defender Gerardo Bravo made his home debut, after impressing in the Antelope Valley away game. Derek Hanks also returned from his hamstring injury and earned a place on the substitute’s bench.
Blue Star, wearing a dazzling all-orange kit, were looking to kick-start their season after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Bakersfield in their season opener, and started the brighter of the two teams, creating a couple of chances in the opening few minutes. However, for much of the first half, the teams were locked together, both defenses staying solid and snuffing out any attacking play at the earliest opportunity. The Quakes attacked predominantly down the left, with Chad Borak and Sung-Hyun Kim linking up frequently, but on too many occasions the final ball was lacking in quality, and there was very little penetration from Ryan Shaw spearheading the Quakes attack. Blue Star looked threatening, especially when CSUN striker Devin Deldo ran at the Quakes defense; however, as before, Robert Pate stepped up and dealt with every Blue Star attack, and continues to build on his reputation as the cornerstone of the Quakes back line in 2007.
With both goalkeepers having little to do, the first half ended 0-0; all the signs were there that the second half was going to be a tight, close affair. However, just a few minutes in to the second 45, the Quakes received a slice of good fortune; OC defender Matt Tracy was booked for a strong tackle on Quakes midfielder Daniel Paladini. Fifteen minutes later, Tracy received his marching orders, the referee giving the CSUN hard man a second yellow after a late tackle on Sung-Hyun Kim. Blue Star made an immediate tactical substitution, but before the defense had re-grouped, Chad Borak found Ryan Shaw in space; his finish was perfect and the Quakes led 1-0.
The Quakes quickly began to press their man advantage, and should have scored twice more in the next ten minutes, if not for some disappointing finishing from Gerardo Bravo and Sean Franklin. Blue Star, seemingly out of desperation, upped the physical aspect of their play. OC substitute William Bailey was lucky not to receive a red card himself after his right arm got a little too close to Daniel Paladini’s throat, while Chad Borak was left clutching his left thigh after a late, high challenge from Matt Murphy.
In the end, against the run of play, and with just eleven minutes to play, Orange County drew level: a disputed throw in down the right wing went Blue Star’s way; the long throw was sent deep into the heart of the Quakes’ six yard box; substitute Cale Rodriguez got his head to the ball and, with the merest whisper of a flick, arced the ball towards the far post. Kevin Guppy found himself caught in no man’s land in his own area, and could only watch as the ball trickled home. 1-1.
The Quakes threw men forward as the clock ticked down, while Blue Star defended with nine men behind the ball. Despite a couple of half-chances, and despite their numerical advantage, the Quakes were unable to find a way through the solid Blue Star defense, and the game ended tied. The result means that the Quakes now have seven points from their four games, and remain second in the Southwest Division, albeit having played one more game than their closest rivals, Bakersfield and Ventura. Ventura lead the standings with nine points and a 100% victory record; Bakersfield are third, ahead of San Jose and Fresno on goal difference.
Unfortunately, the result also puts a dent in the Quakes’ chances of qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup; with just one more qualifying game to play (away against the Southern California Seahorses next weekend), the Quakes have just four points, and even with a win can only reach seven. Other results in the Conference will have to favor the Quakes in order for us to make progress in the competition.
Our next game is that final USOC qualifier against Southern California Seahorses in La Mirada next Saturday; we return to the San Fernando Valley on Memorial Day weekend, Sunday May 27th, for the return game against Lancaster Rattlers. Kickoff is 3:00pm at Granada Hills Charter High School.
Jon Broxton
