Post-match: San Jose Earthquakes - Real Salt Lake (Saturday, 7/30) post-game thread [R]

We have actually played more direct recently, playing balls thru to Espinoza, Cade, and Benji, with some success, but it varies game to game depending on opponent and how they set up their defense.

 

Cade blows by defenders with regularity. What happens next tends to be forgettable.



Photo by Nap Badillo.

 

Generally, he’s been good for one such run (ending in futility) per game. After that the opponent is prepared. Not.Good.Enough.

 

Funny how when we lose (or have a “bad tie”) we get slower, and probably less good looking too. Imagine how much faster and more good-looking we’d be if that last RSL shot had gone wide

With Cade it’s not just the speed but also the strength. He’s able to play thru challenges sometimes with his strength. But yes the final ball has been the problem recently, but it’ll get better. He needs a goal. Maybe tonight?

 

BTW Cade and Benji have apparently raced, according to Benji. Benji was coy with who won but his body language seemed to suggest it was him. He’s got a heck of a 5th gear and his stride is smoother than Cade’s, but I have not seen it lately. I wonder if he’s just not used to the minutes he’s getting.

 

Benji turned on the gas on one play last night (v Inter Miami) that was remarkable. I have never seen him move so fast! Nice to know he has the capability, when needed. Now we just need to set the pace a bit faster overall.

 

I would still put my money on Cade. If Benji is the fastest player on the team he should show it more. Otherwise, he is just a taller, longer-legged Fierro.

 

I haven’t seen it recently for some reason but I’ve seen him turn on the jets something fierce. I don’t know if he’s not 100% or not used to the minutes he’s getting or focusing more energy on defense, etc. Also he needs a longer run-up to get into gear and I assume they raced probably a 40 or something. Cade can get going in shorter distances. Benji had a breakaway goal last year where he flew by the last defender. I’ll see if I can find that one so that you see what I mean.

 

I know that he is fast, I just want to see him take advantage of the fact.

 

You doubted that Benji would beat Cade in a race. That's what I was responding to. In an interview Benji said they raced, and he didn't want to say it, but you could tell by his non-answer that he won. At 30s here you can see his breakaway goal and how easily he gets separation on the defenders.



But I've seen him turn on the jets more than that - on longer runs. And yes, I wish we could leverage his speed more. As I said, I'm not seeing it much recently.

Here's the interview where they asked him who is faster (at 1:00 or so).

 

I must have missed that. I haven’t noticed the “Benji jets” in a while.

 

When you look at the second view of that the defender is initially back-pedaling so its no surprise that someone with Benji's speed would blow past him. And the other defender was first defending the passer.

 

I know it’s not the best example of the “Benji jets” but the best ones didn’t result in goals and are hard to find. There was a play last year where he came out of nowhere to win a ball deep in the opponent’s half on the Quakes left side. It led to a a good chance but not a goal IIRC. Or if it did it is probably too early In the play for the highlight clip. Anyone who watches the games closely and has an eye for those sorts of things would have noticed it.

 

You're preaching to the choir. I totally agree that he has some real speed. I want to see more of it! And he needs to work on some moves, ala Shea, and beat his man to the end line, and have a good cut inside move.

 

True he hasn’t been effective 1v1 against defenders deep in the left side recently.

 

The last couple of games, I got the impression that Covelo subs Shea and Cade on at the same time so that Shea can play below Cade and maybe tutor him a little.

 

If so, that's taking on the job training to a different level.

 

Last season, I saw Shea would talk to Cade right before Cade subbed on. So when I saw Covelo subbing the pair together, I assumed the lessons are continuing. When you think about it, the 2 have key similar strengths = wheels and good upper body strength.

 

Shea, "good upper body strength"?

 

He’s still the only Quakes player with a shirtless bobblehead.

 

Unfortunately. Has anyone sewn together a little shirt for him yet?

 

I just assumed he wanted two attacking players on the field because we needed a goal(s). I doubt Shea was subbed in just to be Cade's on-field mentor.

 

Good idea! I don't have this bobblehead, though. Gave mine to the museum.

 

If Shea is Cade’s onfield mentor I guess that would explain Cade’s lack of final product recently .