When you've just dropped a 3-0 decision, and your team sits at the bottom of the Western Conference, it's tough to find some positives. But San Jose Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop still believes in his expansion side.
"I think the game was quite even," Yallop said after his team lost 3-0 to the Los Angeles Galaxy Saturday night, "(except for) the quality in the final third. We didn't have it, and they did. The quality of the three goals was very good, and showed the difference between the two sides. I think most of the game was pretty even, but (LA had) three quality strikes by Edson Buddle, and the service to him was very good."
After the Galaxy's Edson Buddle opened the scoring in the sixth minute, San Jose struggled to find an equalizer. Ryan Johnson's diving header in the 24th minute was saved by goalkeeper Steve Cronin, and a John Cunliffe shot in the 41st minute sailed wide of the left post.
"Tonight, we had chances," Yallop said "If we go into the locker room 1-1, then it's a different story. We had a good talk at halftime, and were getting back into the game, but obviously the second goal kind of killed the game off for us."
That second goal came on a Buddle header in the 63rd minute. Five minutes later, another Buddle header made it 3-0.
"It's very disappointing to lose at home, by any margin, let alone 3-0," Yallop said.
With Kei Kamara (Sierra Leone) and Ivan Guerrero (Honduras) away on national team duty, San Jose had to juggle their lineup a bit. John Cunliffe got the start alongside Ryan Johnson at forward for the Earthquakes, while Adam Smarte made his MLS debut at right back.
"I think we missed Kei (Kamara) a bit," Yallop said. "Kei was just beginning to get going; he scored a goal against Houston, and then he's gone for five games. With a light squad, I don't think we can afford to have those guys missing.
"We had two rookies on the field, Adam Smarte started, and he had not seen any minutes, and Jamil Roberts came on as a sub. We make no excuses, these guys have been with us for a bit and tried their best but I think it showed we're lacking quality in some areas."
But that doesn't mean Yallop doesn't like his team's chances the rest of the season.
"I look at the whole picture," he said. "When you look over 11 games and how we've done I think we've played better than the points have showed. But in the end, in this league you've got to get points. That's the big thing.
"We've talked about it, and we still have a chance. We're not miles adrift from the top of the table, so there's something to shoot for, to try and get there by the end of the season. But obviously we've got to pick up some more points, and win these types of games at home."
However, a home game is also something that won't be coming for a while. The Earthquakes face four consecutive games on the road, beginning with Wednesday's trip to face Real Salt Lake.
"The hope is that we come together on the road and get some results. We have a ton of away games now. We're not at home for more than a month, so we can't put our heads down," said goalkeeper Joe Cannon.
The Quakes won't be back in northern California for a home game until July 12, when the Colorado Rapids come calling. It could be a new-look San Jose side by then, too.
"Hopefully, come July 15 (when the transfer window opens) there are some new players to add to our team and that will give us a bit more consistency," Yallop said. "We're looking at some experienced players to help us. The young guys gave everything they had tonight, and that's important."
Pete Ratajczak is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
