Quakes running ads on KNBR this morning, of course all the highlights on the ad is Christian Espinoza scoring a couple of goals, why bother updating the ads.
Cristian mentions several things that made him decide to go to Nashville (for example the coach, a team that wants to grow, and other things). So I assume that means that San Jose does not offer that for him.
As I've been saying, everyone focuses on the supposed missed option deadline as the reason Espinoza is no longer on the Quakes. But he had every opportunity to re-sign with the Quakes, including allegedly the higherst offer by 10% but chose not to. I think the coach is a significant reason. I don't think Espinoza was happy with how Bruce treated his friend and countryman Hernán, and also may not have liked playing wingback.
My take is he was sour on Bruce on multiple levels...I don't think he had any respect for his old fashioned tactical approach or his gruff managerial style. Honestly, Espinoza was the consummate professional, but imo, Arena rubbed him the wrong way.
I'm less bullish on the "Espinoza left because he wanted to win" theory because we have the US's all-time winningest coach, and we doubled our points from the year before last year. Sure, we may snap right back or fail to improve much, but I think there's a decent chance we'll be better. That chance would be "decent-er" if Espinoza was actually on the team. But if he didn't leave, then, well, he'd be on the team! Also Nashville generally pretty good, but no juggarnaut, and finished 13th just a couple of years ago.
I wonder if he's one of those old-school coaches that believe humiliating players is a way to motivate them? (Like my middle school PE teachers.) Hard to see him inspiring a positive team vibe.
The odd thing is that Ted Ramey, on his pod, is always talking about Bruce as "the king of good vibes". Really? He's got a bit of a dry sense of humor, but "king of good vibes"? Not sure where that comes from. Sometimes Ted is a little off. Like he still doesn't get that Bruce loves Vieira and Vieira is gonna be in every game he's available. He doesn't rate him because "he didn't move the needle" last year. OK, but Bruce loves him and he's a sure starter for us, and likely captain.
[QUOTE="JazzyJ, post: 43490742, member: 30895"... but Bruce loves him (Vieira) and he's a sure starter for us, and likely captain.[/QUOTE] One more reason to fire Bruce.