After a lengthy hiatus due to some technical difficulties, Quake, Rattle, and Goal! is back better than ever. And just like the early season on field performances of the San Jose Earthquakes, which currently resides atop the MLS Western Conference — first place in the west, baby! — there looks to be a whole lot of shakin’ going on here on the website. The site is expected to get a makeover in the coming months as part of a network-wide effort to provide the best on-line soccer coverage imaginable, and QRG aims to be your first-stop portal for all the news and views surrounding the First Place Quakes (here’s hoping that phrase won’t need to be retired for some time).

Kicking things off this morning, with the Earthquakes already safely arrived in the City of Brotherly Love ahead of their weekend match with the Philadelphia Union, is a look around the web for the news you need to know about the Quakes’ opponent. Yes, they will be without their coach, who as a matter of MLS procedure was given a touchline ban for his actions during the team’s fracas at The Home Depot Center in the Union’s 1-0 victory over Chivas USA last Saturday, and a pair of influential players for their red card earning one game suspensions. However, backed into the corner like some South Philly stray dog, expect the Union to come out fighting on Saturday afternoon against the Quakes as they look to extend their winning streak to three games. No matter that the team has barely dented the back of the net so far in 2012, players and supporters alike are expectant of an offensive revival along the shores of the Delaware River.

Over at The Goalkeeper blog at Philly.com, captained by the indefatigable Jonathan Tannenwald, we get a breakdown as to what we can expect to see (and not see) from Union head coach Peter Nowak this Saturday as he serves the first game of a two match suspension. No word on whether he will have access to the delicious Union branded pretzels that are a staple at PPL Park, but I am sure Jonathan will provide the scoop when it comes to light.

Meanwhile, as the Union celebrate a franchise record shutout streak, they address their biggest concern of the weekend — trying to contain red-hot Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski. Stories as this seem to appear every week from the Quakes’ upcoming opponent, and Wondo shrugs them off and scores a goal anyway. 16 goals in his last 16 matches in case you lost track, leading to one Bay Area sports fan on Twitter asking the pertinent question:

Hey @ChrisWondo, remember that game you played where you didn't score? Yeah, me neither.

— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) April 22, 2012

If you have a few minutes of time to burn listening to soccer podcasts this morning, then why not give the Philly Soccer Show a shot at brightening your day. With special focus on the sad fact that the Union have only scored 4 goals all season — Steven Beitashour has that number in just assists so far this season — the podcast tries to figure out where the Union scoring is going to come from. Plus, special guest star Frank Yallop gets the call from the Philly hosts, and the Earthquakes head coach gives the requisite answers to the requisite questions.

Lastly, if just-the-facts-ma’am match previews are more your style, check out the exhaustive offering from the fine folks at The Philly Soccer page. This article is worth it just to watch all the cataloged highlights from all the matches in the history of the San Jose Earthquakes versus Philadelphia Union rivalry. Okay, so the rivalry only goes back two years, but the stroll down recent-memory lane is worth a few minutes out of your day — plus it offers a glimpse of Arturo Alvarez’ greatest moment as a member of the Earthquakes!

Both the Earthquakes and the Union are looking to extend unbeaten streaks this weekend when they face off at PPL Park — guaranteeing a draw — as the best in the West meets a beast from the East. Who takes the spoils? Does Wondo make it 17 goals in 17 games? Will the River End fans be more creative and entertaining then the team they support? Be sure to check back soon for all the answers to those questions, and more, at Quake, Rattle, and Goal!

With Toronto FC experiencing an early season crisis due to the injury suffered by designated player Torsten Frings, talk turned to whether the Reds had enough depth at center back to contend on both the CONCACAF Champions League and MLS fronts. One name that resurfaced as part of that conversation was former TFC defender Nana Attakora, who in the last year of his initial four-year MLS contract, was shipped to the San Jose Earthquakes last July in exchange for forward Ryan Johnson. Attakora played sparingly for the Earthquakes over the remainder of the 2011 season, in part due to lingering injury concerns, and departed the team in the offseason to pursue professional opportunities overseas.

With Frings out of the picture in Toronto for the next four to six weeks, the still out-of-contract Attakora makes sense as a reinforcement for a defensive unit that will be lacking the former German international. Attakora has made it clear that he would welcome a return to MLS, but that he does not see San Jose as one of the options. In a rather open discussion about his future prospects in the league, Attakora shared his frustration at the actions of the Earthquakes management in not trading away his player rights to a team which he hopes will be more favorable for his professional development.

Due to the policies of the current MLS Collective Bargaining Agreement, the San Jose Earthquakes have the first right of refusal to any MLS contract involving Attakora. Unlikely to surrender those rights for the benefit of the player, the Earthquakes have been shopping them on the MLS market in an effort to receive some level of compensation -- draft picks and/or allocation money -- in exchange. To date, according to the comments of Attakora, a deal has not been reached and he remains in MLS contract limbo, and is all but being held hostage by San Jose.

Attakora has become an integral part of the Canadian National Team set-up in recent years and could feature in the upcoming CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament. He expressed even before his move to San Jose last summer that he hoped to find his way in European football, so it came as no surprise that he spurned a contract offer made in January to return to the Earthquakes for the 2012 season. Still, given his production during his limited time in San Jose, it calls attention to just how much value Attakora places on his worth. MLSsoccer's Earthquakes beat writer said it best this morning.

Gotta say, Nana Attakora's sense of righteous indignation is far stronger than his play last season was. #SJEarthquakes bit.ly/GEHhgE

— Geoff Lepper (@sjquakes) March 21, 2012

Earthquakes management is under no obligation to trade his contract rights within MLS, but this outburst from Attakora only made it more difficult for them to do so. While understandable that Attakora finds his situation frustrating, diminishing his value by his comments only makes it less likely that he will see the field in the near future.

It’s all Ike, all the time, around these parts lately, and why not. San Jose Earthquakes defender Ike Opara is making his mark as the captain of the U.S. Men’s National Team U23s as they prepare for the CONCACAF region Olympic qualifying tournament starting later this week. Opara was a fixture with the U20s prior to joining MLS, and if not for a pair of injury-plagued seasons would likely be near the top of the list of young American center backs.

Opara’s success with the U23s in turn whets the appetite for most Earthquakes fans to see the athletic defender back in the mix for a starting position in head coach Frank Yallop’s starting XI. However, the projected duo of Opara and Honduran international Victor Bernardez in a central back pairing for San Jose will have to wait, and may not even be as necessary as once envisioned given the unit’s results to start the MLS season. Without conceding a goal from the run of play in a pair of home games the past two weekends, the Earthquakes rate as one of the most effective defenses in the league.

Still it will be a positive for the team to have a player of Opara’s quality back in the mix, and it is clear that coach Yallop will give the third year defender every opportunity to make the match day line-up upon his return following Olympic qualifying. In the meantime, Opara continues to train in earnest ahead of the group stage games in the qualifying tournament that get underway this weekend in Nashville, TN. And in his off time, he took some time out to talk about camp, his favorite Valentin, and whether he prefers a cowboy hat to cowboy boots. Check out the latest from US Soccer’s Studio 90 and a visit from Ike Opara after the break.

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What was a foregone conclusion around San Jose became a reality yesterday with confirmation that San Jose Earthquakes defender Ike Opara was called in to the U.S. Men’s National Team U-23s ahead of the upcoming CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament. Following two straight appearances as team captain for the U-23s, head coach Caleb Porter was convinced that Opara had returned to the form he displayed throughout a successful stint with the national team in 2009 as a member of the U-20s and in glimpses over the past two seasons as a member of the Earthquakes.

"They’d called a few times, and I was just rehabbing and it wasn’t the smart time to go," said Opara last week following an Earthquakes training session. "It was finally good to get in there. It was nice because the comfort level was already there, just because of growing up with those guys, and meeting coach Porter in the past. So it wasn’t too foreign. I felt at home, for the most part so it was good."

Opara looked steady in the center of defense for the U-23s in a dos-a-cero victory over their Mexican counterparts to close out the team’s February training camp. Being named captain of that match was also a memorable experience for the 23-year old Earthquakes defender, as he recognized it marked his return to prominence with the national team.

"Coach Porter had a process of going with a new captain in each game, and I had the honor twice," shared Opara. "It was definitely special and a long time since I’d been the captain — the last few times in college and a couple times with the U-20s. It was definitely a nice time and an honor."

Finally over the injuries that have plagued the start of his MLS career, the athletically talented Opara now has his sites set on securing a place for the U.S. in the upcoming 2012 London Olympics. However, to get there the team will need to navigate through the qualifying tournament and finish in the top two. For Opara, the task at hand is clear and the reward if successful is desired.

"I think it’s self-explanatory," said Opara on having the chance to represent his country in the Olympics. "It’d be a big honor."

Of the current San Jose Earthquakes, only Ramiro Corrales has had that experience — he appeared in two matches for Team USA during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. If the U-23s can get it done against their CONCACAF foes over the next few weeks, Opara has a strong chance to join Captain Corrales in that exclusive group.

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One of the more enjoyable activities associated with covering the San Jose Earthquakes is the interactions I have with fans and media members in the other MLS markets. In terms of tonight's home opener against Eastern Conference foe New England Revolution, my Gillette Stadium counterparts are few but far from silent. Just last night I spent a fun filled happy hour (and beyond!) with Revs beat writer extraordinaire Kyle McCarthy talking the latest behind-the-scenes MLS news and views, as well as a healthy sprinkling of football, college basketball, and even hockey. The Guinness was smooth and the sliders were meaty -- and both were a great complement to a fantastic conversation.

Meanwhile back in the land of clam chowder and baked beans, The Bent Musket's own Steven Stoehr provided his own brand of expert commentary via the wonders of the internet. Given that Steven couldn't (or maybe wouldn't) make the journey to the Bay Area for tonight's MLS First Kick season opener, we exchanged talking points over email and produced what must be the most comprehensive look into the opponents' teams that has been seen around these SB Nation parts so far this season.

For the complete look at what I had to say to Steven, check out the first half of our conversation over at The Bent Musket. And when you are done with that, come on back to QRG to see what Steven had to say about the Revolution. Two teams looking to start the 2012 season right -- two teams that arguably could be on the outside looking in come the MLS Cup playoffs. But before a ball is kicked, we'll both take the blue pill of optimism and believe that anything is possible for our local teams.

(Part two of the conversation after the break.)

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With the start of the MLS regular season less than ten days away, the San Jose Earthquakes continue making strides toward their March 10 home opener against the New England Revolution. Currently training in Portland and participating in a preseason tournament, head coach Frank Yallop and his coaching staff have been narrowing down the list of players that will feature against the Revs. Last Monday evening, a look at coach Yallop’s potential Starting XI heading into the season was unveiled in a match against the Portland Timbers.

In front of over 16,000 Timbers fans — and this was only a preseason game — the Earthquakes polished off a rough-and-tumble 1-1 draw with Portland. After conceding a wonderful goal from Timbers midfielder Kalif Alhassan in the 15^th minute, the Earthquakes again found themselves this preseason looking up at a deficit on the scoreboard. The team rallied, and for many spells of the first hand were certainly the team on the ascendency. However, an equalizer never materialized, as a focus on controlling the ball led to an increase in possession advantage over the Timbers, execution on goal in the attacking third was sparse.

The second half opened in much the same manner, and it appeared that it was only a matter of time before the Earthquakes would find the back of the net. The forward line of Steven Lenhart and Chris Wondolowski were growing in comfort with each other and in the 59^th minute, the pair contributed to San Jose’s equalizer. Following a drive down the right wing, Wondolowski whipped the ball into the six-yard box into the path of the advancing Lenhart, and the ball was clipped into the goal by Timbers defender Hanyer Mosquera. Whether or not Lenhart would have finished the cross in a similar manner was unclear, but the own-goal was a just reward for an Earthquakes side that was pressing forward with purpose.

Notable in the line-up was defender Justin Morrow, who was asked to play out of position as a centerback. The third year defender normally lines up as a left back and is the back-up to regular starter Ramiro Corrales. With regular centerbacks Jason Hernandez (injury) and Ike Opara (USMNT U-23 training camp) unavailable, Morrow played solidly alongside offseason acquisition Victor Bernardez in the heart of the Earthquakes defense. Barring a move to bring in more depth at the centerback position, Morrow may find his was into the regular season line-up as coach Yallop’s fourth choice behind Opara, Bernardez, and Hernandez.

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Arguably the most important day in the short five year history of the relaunched San Jose Earthquakes organization has arrived, as the City of San Jose Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on whether or not to proceed with granting the planned development land-use permit agreed upon back in December 2011. An appeal filed by the Newhall Neighborhood Association — a group of nearby homeowners to the stadium site — that claims noise and light pollution restrictions are not worded strongly enough in the current version of the permit has delayed the Earthquakes project, but that hurdle can be removed tonight with a favorable decision by the Planning Commission.

The reasons for and against the appeal are clearly spelled out, and so the decision comes down to whether the commission panel judges that the Earthquakes organization has done enough to minimize the impact the proposed new stadium will have on the local neighborhoods. Recently completed independent assessments of the noise and light pollution from the stadium design set forth by the Earthquakes would actually be lower than originally predicted from early reports. Claims that the Earthquakes are not acting in good faith with local neighborhood leaders also ring false, as the organization has voluntarily dropped the hosting of such money generating events such as musical concerts from the list of allowable activities at the new stadium. Earthquakes president David Kaval has made it clear that the team has respected the planning process from day one, and will continue to make community input a part of the process moving forward.

In documents released early last week, the staff of the Planning Commission came out unequivocally in favor of denying the Newhall appeal and allowing the Earthquakes permit to stand as agreed.

1. The Planned Development Permit, as issued, conforms in all aspects to the Planned Development Zoning (File No. PDC09-004) of the property in that, the proposed project conforms to the approved General Development Plan.

2. The proposed project conforms in all aspects to the provisions of Title 20 of the San Jose Municipal Code.

3. No new information has been substantiated that would contradict the analysis provided in the Project Environmental Impact Report, "FMC?Coleman Avenue Planned Development Rezoning (File No. PDC98-104)" or the finding previously made by the Planning Director in the Planned Development Permit (File no. PD11-002).

If tonight’s decision, which is being broadcast live on the City of San Jose’s website, goes in favor of the Earthquakes, expect the organization to quickly spell out a timetable for the project. Architectural plans, financing plans, and the completion of the land purchase are all activities that will begin in earnest as the Earthquakes will make every attempt to break ground on the stadium this summer and have it ready for play in 2013.

For more stories on tonight's Planning Commission hearing, follow the links below:

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