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Earthquakes outlook Donovan, Lagos are keys up front for San Jose
Updated: Sunday October 21, 2001 1:38 PM
HOW THEY BEAT YOU: The Earthquakes very seldom beat themselves. The central core -- defenders Troy Dayak and Jeff Agoos and midfielders Richard Mulrooney and Ronnie Ekelund -- is nearly impenetrable. They always seem to have numbers back. Landon Donovan and Manny Lagos are the key figures in attack. Donovan brings a breath of magic to a team steeped in solid fundamentals. He sees the seams his teammates sometimes miss. Whether he plays attacking mid or second forward isn't nearly as important as just having him on the field. Lagos is only adequate with his left foot, yet he still manages to find teammates with passes. He can be deadly cutting inside to serve up a teammate or wind up his right foot. Unsung hero Mulrooney wins balls, blocks passing lanes, runs from 18 to 18 and can hit superb balls out of the back in any direction and at most distances. He also delivers telling dead balls. HOW YOU BEAT THEM: Because of their team speed, the Quakes are hard to exploit on the counterattack, although a few teams have had success with long balls down the center. They've also conceded goals on set plays.
If the back line has a soft spot, it's on the outside, yet Wade Barrett and Zak Ibsen don't make all that many mistakes. The left side can be vulnerable if Lagos is caught upfield and the ball is played into that space or behind the central midfielders. Keeper Joe Cannon seldom errs, although he will on occasion venture outside the six on balls he cannot reach. Without Donovan, the attack can be predictable. Ronald Cerritos is having a better season than a year ago but still squanders too many chances. Junior Agogo adds size and speed, but none of the attackers is all that dangerous in the air.
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