Pre-match: San Jose Earthquakes - Club Deportivo Chivas USA (Saturday, 4/26) pregame thread

We still play negative soccer, we just do it more politely now.

 

IMO that would work only if Salinas were a reasonable goal threat, which he isn't. His shots look more like my 3-iron than attempts on goal.

 

Fair point but I don't think he has to score necessarily. He would have two good targets to cross to in Wondo and Harris. And it can be a bit unbalanced, with Harris tending to go more forward and pinch in more than Salinas.

 

Given the forward situation this weekend, I would expect us to play for the 0-0 draw. If we get a goal early, expect us to bunker like there's no tomorrow -- if we don't score a goal early, expect us to bunker like there's no tomorrow. If Chivas scores, I think we're toast.

 

Why can't we play like we always play and just have Shuler play up top with Wondo? Two forwards playing forward. It is not a complicated game.

 

Agreed. I would expect Schuler or Harris to start at center forward.

 

I hope I'm wrong but I have this funny feeling the Quakes will lose this game........

 

We are THE bunker specialists....

 

Shuler yes, Harris never.

 

Yes, especially if the GoatShaggers score early. Which they might. We are notoriously slow out of the gate. Most of our first halves this season have been weak. I know, it's a small sample size. Go back to last year, the year before, and back to '10 too. We have a tendency to start off slow and then find our footing in the second half. (I shouldn't have to make this argument, but hey, I want to be clear, lest I be misunderstood.) So it's possible that the GoatLovers score an early goal.

Of course, it's also possible that we score an early goal or three. We had a couple of good attacks very early last week, and then went into a shell for most of the rest of the first half.

The GoatBangers will probably try to play possession, and we'll probably let them. (Though of course, it could go differently! That's why we play the games, after all!)

I fully expect Wat(TF) to go with his beloved 4-4-2, but I'd like to see us try something different. A 4-3-3 would be interesting, and with our injuries, perhaps not a bad idea. One of the areas where we suck as a team is that we always play and practice the same formation, and therefore we have difficulty shifting to a different formation. I think that we have the personnel and discipline to be able to practice other formations (at least once in a while) so that when we have to go to a different formation, it's not tierra incognita. We have a good argument to play a 4-5-1 this weekend, but I bet we don't.

Whatever. I'm going to drink and play guitar whilst watching the match.

go quakes!!
Fire JD and Wat(TF)!!

- Mark

 

you're not the only one, unfortunately.

 

Won't be a great BD present for me!

 

Kinda reflects how things are going for us.

 

Unfortunately, I do not have that option, but may have to pull out my telecaster (headphones, of course) after!

 

Related to the earlier discussion, I just wanted to add that, in the MLS, it is a fairly small divide between sucking and stomping. Heal up 3 or 4 starters and the games at least become interesting/watchable* again. Heal up 3 or 4 starters and add a quality central attacking midfielder, and suddenly we could be kicking butt, even though the roster would have only changed slightly. At that point we’d still be in a hole standings-wise but it would be exciting to see whether and how quickly we could climb out of it.

May such things come to pass… soon.

*Footnote: I’m still watching every minute of every game, may all that is good help me.

 

Anoher 0-0 incoming?

 

i don't really rate fucito i doubt he would make a difference

 

"It's like deja vu, all over again." -- Yogi Berra

 

While not thrilled that neither of the Bash Brothers will be playing, not disappointed to see What Shuler can bring to the table... Really hoping that Atiba remains on the bench of the 18 and doesn't see the pitch...

Would also hope to see Khari get to see some minutes.

Expect to see this:

Wondo Shuler

Salinas JJ Cronin Cato

Stewart Bernardez Goodson Gorlitz

The Jon

Bench:

Harris, Stephenson, Harden, JP, Garza (back from loan), Neil, Meredith

Really thin bench.... :-(

 

That would be insane. You generally only play 1 or 2 forwards at a time anyway. The fact that we only have 2 or 3 shouldn't really be that big of a deal. At home against a mediocre team in Chivas, winless with 3 points from 5 games, we should absolutely push for 3 points and I can't imagine we will look for anything less. Parking the bus at home to Chivas (or any team in MLS really) would be pretty humiliating.

A front six of

-------- Wondo - Schuler -------
Salinas - Cronin - Koval - Harris

still leaves Cato, Stephenson, maybe Garza, and maybe Djalo on the bench as attacking subs, plus Harris can play striker as well. Not a ton of options, but you can only make 3 subs anyway, and there's Pierazzi and defensive subs that may also be needed.

 

haha, exactly, we cant beat no one! We are gonna set one of the lowest points totals in league history, this is literally one of the worst teams in league history & all you guys in denial who call others out for being negative, blah blah blah, will be eating you're words in 3 months time.

Every week that goes past & we fail to win & then lost again and again and again, at some point in the near future you're gonna have to admit you were wrong 'cause it's going to be undeniable.

 

I actually think we will beat Chivas.