The Goats Come to San Jose
By: Chris | April 22nd, 2011
Chivas USA (0-2-3 3 points) take on the Quakes (1-2-2 5 points) at home tomorrow, Saturday, for an afternoon match. This will be, barring any schedule changes or additional games, the only afternoon game this season. Chivas has been on a poor run in their first 5 games. Their offense has been quiet and defense shaky. With the exception of the previous game, the Quakes have shown a lot of attacking prowess so far this season. The team will look to get their first win since beating FC Dallas 4 weeks ago.
The Quakes have shown the attacking quality of Yallop’s new 4-3-3 system. The problem has been their consistent lack of quality defense since the Seattle game. Last season the Quakes posted a club record 13 shutouts. Granted this year we’ve only seen 5 games, but that solid defense from last year has only been seen in the first two games. The RSL goal was a lucky shot that bounced off the post.
One of the problems with the Quakes’ formation this year is that in a 4-3-3 the right and left backs push forward into the attack. This right and left midfielders are supposed to cover for the back’s runs, but Gjertsen and Convey aren’t true defenders. Convey also doesn’t like defending, and he prefers to orchestrate crosses from the left. The other problem has been a lack of a quality right midfielder. Yallop has been moving people around on the right side to try and find the right fit. The first three games Gjertsen played on the right and in the following two it was Convey.
Arjen Robben is an example of a player who is left footed who plays on the right. This enables the player to cut into the middle from the wings. By coming in from the right, Robben and Convey can conceivably use their dominant left feet to cross or take a shot at goal.
Convey doesn’t look comfortable on the right and in the Seattle and Toronto games he would float back to the middle or left side of the field where he’s more effective. Yallop will probably move Stephenson to the right for the Chivas match. He’s counting on Stephenson’s ability to read the game, hold the ball and distribute to give the team more options on the right.
Convey will likely move back to the left, Stephenson to the right, and Cronin in the defensive mid. Up top will probably be Dawkins on the left, Johnson in the middle and Wondo on the right. Wondo likes to float around in the 2nd half, working defense and offense. His distribution skills aren’t great, but as everyone knows his ability to find space is amazing. So Yallop lets him roam around and do what he likes as long as he’s able to find space. Dawkins can usually be found in the middle of the final 3rd. Like Wondo he can be found working defensively around the center circle. Johnson has been the big target man this season so far. But his finishing abilities have been poor. Lenhart is back to training with the team but he probably won’t be starting. He might be able to sub for about 15-20 minutes and will probably play in the reserve game this weekend.
I hope the team can get back to some quality attacking soccer. Despite my horrendous prediction last week, I think the Quakes will be able to keep a clean sheet tomorrow and secure a win.
GO QUAKES!
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