Games are 90 Minutes

At times this season, it's seemed like the Wizards don't realize the game if 90 minutes long. They played about 55 minutes against Colorado earlier this season before playing the last 10 to get the win in that game. They played 70 minutes against Chivas USA before sitting back and letting Chivas almost get a point. Last night in San Jose, the Wizards seemed to only play for about 20 minutes to start the second half. In the first half last night, the Earthquakes brought the game to the Wizards. If not for Kevin Hartman being quick off his line, the Wizards could have been down 1-0 inside the first 30 seconds of the game. The 'Quakes continued to pressure, and only some good goalkeeping from Hartman kept Ronnie O'Brien out. Late in the first half, the 'Quakes got the goal they deserved, as O'Brien lofted a ball into the back post towards Arturo Alvarez and another Earthquake. With only one Wizard covering the two of them, Alvarez was able to get to the ball first and head it past Hartman.

To start the second half, Coach Onalfo brought on Carlos Marinelli and the extra offense seemed to help the Wizards as they started the half. The Wizards were the ones bringing the game to the 'Quakes, and in the 64th minute got a deserved equalizer, as Michael Harrington crossed to Davy Arnaud who beat Joe Cannon through his 5 hole to tie the game at 1-1. After the goal, though, the Wizards seemed to quit playing. The 'Quakes were the ones with all the possession and all the dangerous chances, the Wizards were on their back foot. The goal that was coming, finally came in the 83rd minute, as Ryan Johnson headed a Francisco Lima cross back across goal into the path of Darren Huckerby, who was in an offside position, and he headed it past Hartman to give San Jose the lead. Thanks to a poster on bigsoccer, we have this picture of the time when the ball left Johnson's head.


Even with that, the Wizards still had a chance to tie very late, as a late cross got all the way through the San Jose box to an unmarked Chance Myers. Myers, though, scuffed the shot horribly, and former Wizard Nick Garcia cleared it off the line.

Wizards Man of the Match - Davy Arnaud - Arnaud got the goal and gave his typical effort last night. Having been marked up against Nick Garcia was no easy task, but Arnaud was able to create a couple dangerous chances that just weren't finished.

Honorable Mention - Kevin Hartman