Quakes fall to Real Salt Lake 3-0

The SJ Earthquakes home opener at Buck Shaw stadium was very disappointing, as sloppy passing and disappointing midfield play rewarded Real Salt Lake with a win.

The Earthquakes looked tight and played with very little fluidity. Real Salt Lake, the champions from last year, were very composed with outstanding play from their midfield as they created many opportunities and, more importantly, cashed in on those opportunities. The Earthquakes had opportunities too, so RSL isn’t unbeatable, but Cornell Glen or Ryan Johnson just couldn’t get the quality finish. Two goals were the result of the RSL midfield finding the back of the net, where was the defensive pressure from our midfield? It takes the whole team playing defense to win and just because the Earthquakes drafted Opara, a defensive force in College, doesn’t mean that a collective effort defending isn’t necessary.

The Earthquakes next game is against Chicago Fire, in Chicago, on April 10th. Let’s hope the butterflies are gone, their passes firmer and their shots better placed.