One of the projects the Quakes have attempted over the past five seasons has been player development. Every manager during this period struggled to implement a system that made the most of the productive academy. After putting youth development as a lower-priority issue last season, Arena has fully accepted the movement. Unable or unwilling to spend as their rivals, the …
Against a Sporting Kansas City team that seems destined to challenge for the wooden spoon, Arena’s vision for this team came to life. Various new tactics appeared, but none felt more important than the new emphasis on width. By playing into this roster’s strengths, Arena may have found an interesting formation for success. Placing too much emphasis on the first …
Despite not yet making a roster move of note, the San Jose Earthquakes possess a number of players who may make a jump next season. Daniel Munie serves as a good example of the type of improvement that the Quakes may see: a young player sitting on the edges of the starting lineup who only needs one chance. With their …
When the Quakes selected Bruce Arena as their new manager, it was clear that there was a singular goal. Rather than being brought in to lead a project, the American managerial icon came to restore a sense of competency. Now, halfway through the season, the seeds of his work are beginning to show. Arena arrived in San Jose after a …
After an incredible start to the season, the Quakes entered a bit of a lull in recent weeks: a potent attack and solid defense experienced regression. However, how much of this promises to be long-term? Arena’s first few weeks gave fans a glimpse into this team’s potential. Coinciding with the absence of López, the team continues to struggle without the …
Six of the seven teams with a lower payroll than the San Jose Earthquakes finished in a play-in or playoff spot. While spending always helps, and the Quakes could surely use more, player evaluation remains key. The front office’s mixed results with player recruitment impact the results on the pitch just as much as the decision made by the coaching …
With their Leagues Cup run over, the Quakes return to MLS with nothing left to play for. Perhaps this means a reckoning with the core of their new project is warranted. Given that player development promised to be the core of the new-look Quakes, can anyone argue for its success? When Leitch launched his project, he aimed to follow the …
For a few seasons now, the left side of the team remains incomplete. Cowell promised to be the long-term solution, but the team failed to get the best out of him. With the season truly gone, what can Russell figure out with this position? Since Cowell left, the team has continued to lack stability on the left wing. While Cowell …
