Yes, we started out poor, but, then we won two games in a row with the arrival of Hernan and were well on our way to winning a third in Portland (and 4 unbeaten) before that horrendous handball call against Wilson. The season truly spiraled out of control after that.
If we "don't have the players you need" then you also didn't have the players you needed in 2023, yet we made the playoffs in 2023 while we are historically bad in 2024. Why? The only differences in our starting lineup in the 1st game of 2024 relative to a typical game in 2023 were: Benji (for Cade) and Skahan (for Monteiro). You've been a tireless advocate for Benji over Cade so we know that's an upgrade in your eyes. As for Skahan vs. Monteiro, Skahan was a stopgap and nearly everyone on this board except maybe me believes that Monteiro held us back last year. At worst, in your eyes, that should be a push. So why the massive drop in form? Plus we had Costa, Wilson, and Pellegrino coming on line within the next game or two.
If Monteiro held us back last year, how come we were such an excellent playoff world beater team? I think Monteiro at least had a little chemistry with Jebo whereas once he left, Jebo has been stranded in no man's land. For whatever reason Espinoza and Hernan can't find Jebo, and on those rare occasions when they do, Jebo can't finish. But Jebo is just one part of the problem. As usual, Quakes have a few good players but not nearly enough.
I'm not one of the Monteiro detractors (one of the very few non-detractors) so I don't need convincing. But even with Skahan vs. Monteiro for me it's a bit of 6 of one half a dozen of the other. Skahan plays more direct. Monteiro was better for possession. Everyone complains that we don't play direct enough, so Skahan is a guy who will help in that regard. If Jebo can't "finish the job" that's not a 2023-2024 roster delta. If he got worse somehow, he got worse somehow, but that doesn't mean the roster got worse. Same player - I think it's mostly a confidence issue, which is one my main themes in explaining the 2023 / 2024 delta.
I saw Jebo miss a header that was served up on a platter. I think he had a few other misses too. He's not playing well. But he's just one part of a much bigger problem. For instance, his back up is Judd who Chris Leitch brought over from LA where he was earning about $62,000/year and had scored maybe one goal. We need a quality CF and a decent back up who can come in and occasionally change a game.
Jebo is not on an island, contrary to your prior post. It’s not Leitch’s fault he’s not currently playing well.
yes. when your offseason was crap, and you get off to a crap start, it can snowball pretty quick. sprinkle in an injury or two (that good teams can roll with because they expect that and have some decent bench depth), and a FO that's unresponsive, and a culture o' fail (11 losing seasons in a row - breaking all records for crap!)...these guys know there's no help on the way, they've been left to drown, that can play on a players confidence, I'm sure.
This is about much more than Jebo's struggles. Leitch is responsible for this 50th anniversary season of shame, worst season MLS has ever seen (from any team), after 11 consecutive losing seasons, all of which he's been a part of, in one role or another, as a part of the San Jose Earthquakes. You knew he was a company yes-man when he took this job. That wasn't what we needed then, it's not what we need now. We need someone with the courage, connections and will to shake things up. Our team is a complete joke. Well done Chris Leitch.
If it's the worst ever MLS season, and it could be, then why(?), when we were a playoff team last year and we arguably have an improved roster? That's the question. I'm more interested in analysis than repeated piling on an individual. Thought over sadism every time . Your mileage may vary.
Is Jebo on an island or not? Has he been complete crap for a long time or not? Lot of demonstrable disinformation from you and then you pivot. As if you had not spewed nonsense, and you arrive at the same unfounded conclusion.
So it's all because our backup to Jebo is Preston Judd? We had no backup to Jebo until the last few games of the season last year, and that was Akinola, who was a complete disaster. So my question stands, why the massive dropoff when our roster is arguably improved in 2024 over 2023?
Seriously, are you saying one game is the reason the season went downhill? Not the team continuously giving up goals late in games or players not playing together or not performing. Teams overcome poor officiating during a season. It happens all of the time.
That's post #1334. I know, numbers are hard. Judd is just one of many Leitch signings that haven't panned out.
This team is mentally weak, so yes the Portland fiasco was a turning point. Had the Quakes won and been on a three game winning streak it would have carried forward. Instead they were given a lesson that nothing they do matters. It was internalized. Half the game is 90 percent mental, or something like that, per the St. Louis sage, Yogi Berra.
That post is all about the roster. But again, the roster this year is arguably better than last year's. So it doesn't explain the massive downfall of the team. Judd may not have "panned out" but he "panned out" better than last year's Akinola. So you see, it's an A / B comparison. That's the matter at hand. You can't just say the roster is not good enough without pointing out why it got way, way worse than the 2023 roster, in such a way that would explain the massive drop in form. I mean even if you could make the case that it's a little worse (and I don't think even that's true), it still doesn't explain the massive, historic drop in form.
I've answered your question, counselor. Jebo was poor for most of last season and all of this one. We need a new CF and a decent backup striker. But first we need a real GM. Your boy Leitch has utterly failed our team and our town, whether you can see it or not.
Daniel had one great season, but was trailing off last season and was average this season before going out for the season. Hernan is incomplete. Too early to tell with Munie and the team is crap. Rickets is incomplete. You can't call them good acquisitions at this point. Jebo was a good acquisition.
Sorry Jazzer, I explained it to you in the simplest way I could but it's not registering therefore I must move on, as I think you're stuck on confused.