7 JULY 2007 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes and the visiting San Francisco Seals fought their way to a frustrating 0-0 draw here at Granada Hills Charter High School tonight, in a match which had plenty of chances, and lots of excitement, but no goals.

After last week’s excellent 3-0 victory away against Los Angeles Storm, the Quakes knew that two victories would see them qualify for the playoffs for the first time in the franchise’s history. To that end, head coach Florez started with a strong, attacking formation; Kevin Guppy returned to his familiar position in between the goalposts, Daniel Paladini returned to the lineup after missing the last two games, and 9-goal striker Ryan Shaw continued to lead the forward line. In pleasant evening weather, and in front of a decent 300-stong crowd, the Quakes started the game knowing that a win would see them with one foot in the post-season.

The first half was tight, but exciting, with the Quakes continually seeking to unlock the solid Seals defense. Ryan Callahan raked down the right wing with excellent speed and precision passing, and continually threatened to break the Seals defense apart. The interplay between Callahan and Paladini was at times quite breathtaking, and showcased their effortless one-touch passing to wonderful effect. Paladini was full of tricks and flicks, Mat Davis imparted his usual calming influence on the center of midfield, and Shaw up front had several chances to run at the Seals back line, and was only stopped by some solid Seals defending, and a few sloppy final balls.

The Seals actually had the better of the first half chances - stocky striker Keith Ratzberg forced Guppy to make a wonderful point-blank save after he broke through the Quakes back four, while midfielder Rawlston Masaniai beat Guppy, but luckily (for Quakes fans) not the post. At the other end, English defender Danny Warrender - formerly of Manchester City and Blackpool in the English Football League - was a vocal, imposing presence at the heart of the Seals defense, who marshaled his troops with admirable tenacity, much to the frustration of Shaw, Kim and Callahan, who simply could not find a way through.

Coach Florez brought Sean Franklin in for Callahan before halftime to help strengthen the attack, but still no breakthrough could be made, and the first half ended goalless. Dylan Leslie came on for Oscar Sims at half time - Sims had been suffering from stomach cramps during the first half – and immediately asserted himself on the game, combining nicely with Paladini and Davis, searching for that probing through ball, or that precision pass over the top of the Seals back line.

But still, no matter how much pressure was applied, the Quakes simply could not find the chance they needed to break the deadlock. Ryan Shaw did manage to break through on one occasion, but his shot was wide of the mark, and Mike Zaher unleashed a left-footed thunderbolt which Seals keeper Eric Conner tipped round the post, but beyond this chances were a rarity for both teams. Coach Florez made more changes as the half progressed – Patricio Gutierrez, Marcus Chorvat and Chad Borak in for Paladini, Shaw, and a clearly disappointed Mat Davis – while the introduction of UCLA midfielder Kyle Nakazawa, making his debut for the Quakes half way through the second half, added an extra skilful dimension to the attack. Nakazawa, who was a starter on the U-17 National Team that placed fifth at the FIFA World Youth Championships in 2005, contributed greatly to the creativity of the central midfield, and as the Quakes pressed for the winner he was instrumental in a number of moves.

As the clock ticked down, and with crowd screaming a chorus of accompaniment to every attack, the Quakes threw everything forward. A last-minute corner found Sean Franklin’s forehead, but his powerful header fell into Conner’s grateful hands, and the Seals survived. There was a palpable air of disappointment as the final whistle blew, as both the crowd and the players knew the draw meant that the Quakes playoff destiny was now no longer in their own hands.

As it stands, if the Quakes beat the Seahorses in their final regular season game on Friday, they will finish on 32 points. Assuming San Jose, Fresno and Ventura also win all their remaining games, Fresno will also finish on 32 points, San Jose will finish on 31 points, and Ventura will finish with 34 and win the league. The Quakes, however, have a superior goal difference over Fresno, and will finish in second place behind Ventura (assuming that Fresno do not overturn their 6-goal goal difference deficit).

So, it all comes down to the final game – next Friday, July 13th, 7pm, at Granada Hills Charter High School in the San Fernando Valley, against the Southern California Seahorses. It’s a make-or-break game for the boys in blue, which could see them either qualify for the playoffs for the first time, or have their hearts broken again in the final game.

Match report by Jon Broxton