With Timo Werner sidelined for most of the season so far, a step back in the team’s offense may have been expected. Given the team’s defensive tilt, Arena’s offensive changes seem to have gone relatively unnoticed. However, against Sporting KC, the free-flowing attack stole the show. Last season revolved around Arena shoehorning in three very talented but mismatched attackers. While …
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 …
Approaching the final stretch of the season, the San Jose Earthquakes hover right towards the bottom of the play-in. With other teams closing in on them, every game becomes key to securing that spot. However, as their schedule continues to give them no breathing room, how can the team survive? Having started the season as well as they did, the …
One of the promises made by the appointment of Bruce Arena was a focus on defensive improvements. With every preceding season producing even worse defensive records, Arena only needed a slight improvement to not be seen as a disappointment. After a positive first few weeks, and despite a hot offense, the Quakes find themselves as one of the leakiest teams. …
Going into their match against Kansas City, the Quakes looked to keep their good from going. Despite being down a man for most of the second half, Bruce Arena’s side left with all three points. If the opening match showcased their defensive potential, the offensive flashes came out in Kansas. Arena’s decision to play with a three-man backline finally turned …
Despite the team’s inability to fully turn things around, Russell’s experimenting is starting to pay off slowly. Saturday’s game proved to be another session for the manager to tinker with his squad. By the end of the game, it slowly became clear that his vision for the side was forming. Honestly, the Quakes deserved to have tied the game on …
Another week, another loss. Without a single point, the Quakes are spiraling towards another lost season. So much has gone wrong for the team, but is anything salvageable? Saturday’s loss is by no means the team’s worst, and in a vacuum, it’s not a terrible result. However, when considering the context of this loss, it’s disastrous. The Quakes’ season is …
Saturday was a chance for the Quakes to further solidify their position in the playoff hunt. Instead, it turned into a disappointing loss that will have a big impact in the weeks to come. Every game now becomes the most important match of the season. The Quakes let a golden opportunity slip through their hands. Sporting KC are not the …
