Winner: Matias Almeyda
Matias Almeyda has had to endure plenty of stick for some of San Jose’s defeats this season.
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His unique blend of man-marking in open play and relentless commitment to playing out from the back, no matter the pressure, has seen his side be their own worst enemy at times this season.
However, when it works, it really, really works and you have to admire anyone who will stick to their guns in the face of sheer adversity as Almeyda has.
Saturday was one of those occasions where it really did work. The Earthquakes out-passed the Fire 538 to 323, while they completed 21 dribbles to just five from Chicago. The California side outperformed their rivals in pretty much every department.
The 4-1 win now makes it four wins in a row at home for the Earthquakes, a run which has elevated Almeyda’s side into the Western Conference playoff places, for now. That may not last but the signs of progress and improvement are slowly creeping in.