The Official Cristian Espinoza thread

I think we likely have to define what a sucky kick is. Beckham likely placed it, mostly, exactly where he wanted. Espinoza often doesn't make it over the first defender.

 

That sometimes happens but my main complaint is that they are often too high. They’ve got some spin and some bend but they are high. The higher they are, the more time for the GK to get it or for defenders to contest it, and harder to place on frame with pace.

 

Well that's true, and whats the tactic/set piece play they're trying to run as well?

 

I gotta think it's not hit it low to the first defender. Maybe adjust the plan if the tactics option you wanted isn't available?

 

Based off the guys we have, and not having super ariel threats, I would go for near post run with a tip-lob cross with heavy top spin or I'd try to find Mensah's head.

We haven't had the luxury to have a Doyle, Gordon or Lenhart for a long ass time.

Beckham is the best set piece guy MLS has had so yes he had the ability to pick out any player he wanted.

 

To be fair, I actually think Espinoza's corners have improved a bit this year. I went back and watched a few from the Vancouver game and didn't see the high looping ones. But last year and years prior there were many times when I was tearing my hair out. Possibly one of the coaches has worked with him on it to address it, or he's taken the initiative to work on it himself. We'll see how it plays out this year.

 

No that was Salinas.

 

I can be both

 

If Nathan was healthy it would definitely make us more dangerous on corners

 

The team celebrating @CriisEspinoza7’s birthday 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/hmn3MJMuD9

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) April 4, 2023

 

What's the deal with the "7" on his twitter handle? For us, he's "10". If that's his number for Argentina - well, I don't know what the last time he was called up was, but it wasn't recently - that's for sure.

 

What’s the deal with only the Qii kids wearing Quakes swag in those birthday photos?

I wear it everywhere. Represent!!

 

He played 11 times for Argentina U20's.

 

Yeah if you identify most strongly with your home country Argentina, you may not want to advertise yourself as “the #10”.

 

To me, it's a good sign to see the players getting together like this, presumably outside of their work requirements. I think there's definitely a need for a separation between their job and their personal lives, but given the nature of their sport, this kind of informal relationship building is nice to see.

 

In a league filled with exciting attacking talent, @SJEarthquakes have possibly the most underrated, in Cristian Espinoza. He leads all of @MLS in Key Passes, Progressive Carries, Progressive Passes Received, and Expected Goals + Assisted Goals per 90 minutes! #MLSSeasonPass https://t.co/Ml72d0QzzX

— Nate Bukaty (@nate_bukaty) April 8, 2023

 

The number one reason (or the only reason?) to watch the Quakes this year.

 

Revisiting this comment. As good as Espinoza has been, his corner kicks were bad again against the RedBull. I think someone else needs to take them, Jackson perhaps? And put Espinoza at the top of the box to hammer in a clearance.
And don't they know that every time they try a short corner a kitten dies?

 

I feel like on balance his corners have been better this year though. He’s not hitting the really high ones. Another guy who hits them too high a lot is Pulisic. USMNT should find someone else to take them or fix it. Blancas from Quakes II hits ‘em good based on what I saw today and they scored on one (though called back for something).

 

Can Niko take corners?

 

Yes. Niko served the corner that Daniel Munie put away to beat Monterey Bay 2-1 in preseason.

Shown here at about 0:54...

A memorable night in Monterey.

Up next: Coachella. #VamosSJ pic.twitter.com/ttExyyu63f

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) February 6, 2023