The Official Marcos Lopez Thread

Now this is more like it.

Look at this, a signing we're all happy with!

 

http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-le...now-a-path-to-mls-as-much-as-to-europes-elite

An article that talks about how MLS is now a destination for many south american players, referencing the Pity Martinez move to Atlanta and the Quakes snagging Lopez.
The article mentioned how Lopez was most used as an attacking left side player ahead of a back three.

 

I see what you did there... clever!

 

This guy looks like he could walk in and already be our most goal dangerous winger. The fact that we intend to have him as a LB bodes well for a season of swashbuckling, exciting futbol (pending further signings and sales).

 

To my point from that ESPN article:

The other conclusion is how this serves as proof of the rise and consolidation of MLS, which is now able to attract top talent from a club as big as River Plate. Such conclusions might also be confirmed by another recent MLS acquisition -- Peru's Marcos Lopez, who is leaving domestic champions Sporting Cristal to join the San Jose Earthquakes.

The interesting point here is that Lopez is a player on the way up. He just turned 19 and last year was his breakthrough season. In reports of the transaction, the U.S. news have tended to refer to Lopez as a defender. This, at best, is a half truth. He began his career at left-back and played there for his country in the 2017 South American Under-20 Championships. But he has been pushed much further forward. He spent 2018 operating wide on the left of a front three, using explosion and technique to burst in towards the penalty area. He had quite a year -- going to Russia as part of the sparring team, helping Peru prepare for their World Cup games, and doing so well that he was handed his international debut in September, coming on off the bench to play an attacking midfield role for the last 25 minutes of a 2-1 defeat to Germany.

 

I already have visions of he and Lima marauding down the flanks.

 

Marauding?

 

I have visions of them swashbuckling myself , good signing

 

Play 3 center backs and turn them loose! They could really be fun to watch and stretch defenses like crazy.

 

How about rampaging?

 

I think a 5 back line could work with Jungwirth, Kashia and Cummings and Lopez/Lima on the outside:

---------------------Wondo---Hoesen
---------------Vako------------------Espinoza
----------------------- Judson
--Lopez-------------------------------------------Lima
--------Cummings----Kashia----Jungwith
--------------some_one_new_please

 

Hear from the new man at left back. #WeAreSanJose ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/csY4xBdbD9

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) January 6, 2019

 

"Quakes signed a left back."

Twitter: pic.twitter.com/ZBelemmZFF

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) January 6, 2019

 

This is a stupid semantics thing, but if Lima and Lopez are going to be used to attack as more of a primary thing, then I wouldn't really look at it as a 5 person back line, kind of how like Toronto's back line was not really 5, though it was often described that way.

I only bring it up because I do think it's important that players be categorized by both their positioning and their role. If Lopez and Lima are going to be true defenders, then it would be a waste to have both of them on the field at the same time. You don't need five defenders for that many minutes during a game.

The question, for me, will be what is the role of the defensive midfielder in Almeyda's scheme? Is he going to play deep like a defender a lot of the time, thus freeing both Lopez and Lima at the same time? Or are Lopez and Lima going to take turns at being part of a four person defensive unit depending on circumstance and just shift over for the player that goes forward?

I prefer the first option mostly because it keeps the distribution of the field relatively even. I don't like when teams become lopsided because they become pretty easy to defend and the game takes a major aesthetic hit.

 

Perhaps, but, our need for a decent left back is so dire I can't imagine he won't be used there, or as a wingback.

 

We don't have a left back. We've been playing converted right backs and mostly a converted r/l winger at left back the past 3 years. Unless Almeyda plays with 3 in the back he'll be a left back.

 

Here’s the play that new #Quakes74 left back/winger Marcos Lopez made to draw the game-winning penalty kick in today’s Peru U-20 match vs. Uruguay 👀 pic.twitter.com/3bOrGUDjxN

— Jake Pisani (@JPisani28) January 19, 2019

 

Ok, so he’s going to be gone with both U-20s and full national team. Who fills in for him?

 

Partida? Or maybe Shea?

And who covers for Lima if Lima is gone with the Nats? Or unavailable for some other reason? Do we have a backup right back? Shea again? Call someone up from Reno?

This is a legit concern, but on the other hand, I want someone who is good enough to get called by his Nats team.

Go Quakes!!
We’re a tiny team!

- Mark

 

I think Paul Marie can play right back and Flo has experience there in Germany as well.

 

I still have a lot of doubt that he is really a left back. In that video he is on the right deep in the opposition's half.