New System, New Issues

PHOTO: San Jose Earthquakes

With the Quakes finding themselves in the play-in range so far, the team’s potential seems to be in that range. One of the changes made by Bruce Arena coming into this season was moving towards a new formation.

To raise their ceiling, the team will need to understand the factors hindering the use of the system.

After leaving Los Angeles without any points, the team remains closer to being out of the playoffs than in. It remains too early to call this team’s future, but warning signs are appearing. 

Essentially deploying a 3-5-2, Arena hoped that this would create a defensive foundation for the team. At the same time, it gave the team the best chance to get the most out of their strikers. While the team still struggles defensively, they have looked much better offensively his season 

However, the team’s ceiling is tied to their formation and personnel. In the back, Romney continues to be the weak link, while reverting back to Costa hurts the team’s production. While Arena eventually pushed Niko Tsakiris into the starting eleven, the delaying of this move coincided with a tough spell for the team.

When the final whistle blew on Saturday, Arena’s team surely felt that they should have left with a point.

Now, as the season continues to get harder, they need to reflect on how much progress has been made.

Arena’s decision to play a 3-5-2, essentially for the first time in recent Quakes’ history, looks great so far. For the roster created by Arena and Leitch, this system fits the team almost perfectly.

One of the issues that clouded the Quakes for years was their weak defensive record. Year after year, no matter the coach, they found themselves with embarrassing goal differentials.

By playing three center backs, the idea is to create a team with a defensive mindset. The combination of who plays those roles matters a lot as well, but Arena wants them to defend. In a way, think of this as an extreme course correction.

For the most part, Rodrigues and Wilson have played great to start the season. Playing in a back three gets the most out of the Brazilian by covering up for him when he goes forward. Wilson improved on the flashes he showed last year and remains the team’s rock in the back.

When the team signed both Arango and Matrínez, most expected that the former MVP would serve as the team’s supersub. Instead, to maximize the team’s potential, Arena fit them both into the starting eleven. Thus far, that partnership has proven to be one of the best attacking partnerships in the league.

Another aspect of the team that deserves a shoutout has to be the midfield pairing of Harkes and Leroux. The two complement each other so well, despite no one thinking they’d be starters in the preseason. Harkes plays deeper in that same role Yueill occupied, while Leroux is allowed to play more box-to-box, which has led him to be the team’s best midfielder.

By going against what most expected from him in the offseason, Arena found a system that fits this team well.

With numerous players finding a second life under the iconic manager, hope has been injected into the fan base.

Unfortunately, especially after starting the season so well, the system has hit a brick wall. The summer window likely promises to be the next chance for this team to improve upon.

Not to totally single out a player, but Romney continues to be the weakest part of the backline. Not a talented passer, nor athletic enough to keep up in the modern MLS, his mistakes have cost the team. Giving Munie a run would be fair to this team. Romney isn’t a starter anymore and is too often targeted by opponents.

Another interesting change in the backline has been the reduced role of Jamar Ricketts in recent weeks. The left back started the season so well, electrifying the left side of the pitch on both sides of the ball. Especially with Espinoza as his counterpart on the right, Ricketts fits the best with this team. 

Costa still offers enough to the team, but isn’t as dynamic, especially defensively, as Ricketts. Returning the American back to the starting eleven while having Costa off the bench gives the team the best chance at being balanced.

By waiting so long to use Tsakiris and choosing to play Arango as a ten, Arena stunted the team’s play. Already discussed to death, but this shows some of the limitations of Arena. The difference in how he trusts certain youngsters is interesting and will play a role until López is back.

Entering the season, it seemed that the team finally had the depth required for a sustained playoff push. However, the lack of any real production from the bench continues to be an issue. Barring the game against D.C., no bench player has yet to truly impact the team positively.

After getting through a relatively easy portion of the season, the Quakes enter a tough stretch, somewhat limping. While panicking at this point seems a little too premature, concerning signs are present. 

As the team slowly comes back down to Earth after a hot start, the actual potential of this team appears. Arena’s system and roster pertain to a play-in level team, which is still a big improvement over past seasons.

Both fortunately and unfortunately, this team seems both a good and bad stretch away from having their future determined.

PHOTO: San Jose Earthquakes