On Saturday our ‘Caps came away with a valuable point in San Jose as they finished a three-match road spell with a 1-1 draw.
So what did we learn?
1. Making his own luck
WATCH: Hertzog finds an equalizer
Corey Hertzog’s equalizing goal in San Jose was that of a clinical finisher, and it was no surprise since he has been doing this in preseason and reserve games.
While you may say it was lucky, Hertzog has now consistently shown a knack for putting himself in the right place at the right time. He has previously capitalized on misplaced back passes and other defensive errors made by the opposition, and this goal was no different as a kind deflection landed at his feet.
It was a poacher’s goal and a reminder that we have another weapon in our squad.
2. Options
WATCH: Subs nearly connect on free kick
Martin Rennie has a strong squad and more options off the bench to change the game.
On Saturday, Hertzog and Russell Teibert got their first starts of the season as coach Rennie decided to shake up the team. This followed two good performances on the road, but two disappointing results. It may not have been pretty, but against a team like San Jose, you need to grind out a result.
It is now harder to predict what lineup Martin will start with as he seems to have his deepest squad since he became head coach. Last week it was Miller and Hurtado who gave the team a lift after coming off the bench against Chivas, and against San Jose it was Camilo and Gershon Koffie who came on to give us more of a threat going forward.
Competition for places will be key as Rennie looks to guide this team to the playoffs and beyond.
3. BOOM!
WATCH: Cannon comes up big
Like a fine wine, Joe Cannon just gets better with age.
He has already been in contention once for Save of the Week and it looks like there is more to come from Cannon as he is showing the same form he showed in the first half of last season.
Playing against his former club, Joe came up with a number of big saves and punches in San Jose that kept us in the game and enabled us to get our first point on the road.
Joe had a huge battle to win his starting spot back from Brad Knighton, but he came into preseason focused and motivated to be even better than last year and, based on this performance, he’s doing just that.
