<p><strong>Team:</strong>&nbsp;San Jose Earthquakes</p>
<p><strong>Coach:</strong>&nbsp;Frank Yallop</p>
<p><strong>Last Season:</strong>&nbsp;8-12-14, 7th Western Conference, 14th Overall</p>
<p><strong>Hashtag: </strong>#SJEarthquakes</p>
<p>Although it is an overused phrase, this year is a critical year for the San Jose ‘Quakes. &nbsp;The team is at a crossroads and this season will show if the newer franchise with the classic name can create a&nbsp;permanent&nbsp; and financially successful presence in the San Jose area. &nbsp;Is this a bit alarmist, considering that they are two years removed from making a deep playoff run and have as the face of their franchise one of the five best goal scorers in MLS? &nbsp;Maybe but consider the circumstances surrounding this team:</p>
<ul>
<li>Shirt sponsor since 2008 Amway and the club<a href="http://www.quakerattleandgoal.com/2012/2/20/2812198/wither-the-amway-jersey-sponsorship-what-is-next-for-the-san-jose" target="_blank"> parted ways in the offseason</a> and, as can be seen on the jersey, the team is keeping its main sponsor spot open for either Amway or a new partner to sign up with the team.</li>
<li>The San Jose Planning Council has approved the team breaking ground on its new soccer specific stadium, a major win for the team that promises not only a major financial windfall (the team has sold 10 of 12 field-level suites in the new stadium according to <em><a href="http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2012-02-23/san-jose-earthquakes-mls-stadium-permit-approved" target="_blank">The Sporting News</a></em>) but creates a shiny new home to keep current fans and attract new ones.</li>
<li>Head coach Frank Yallop seemingly lost his team in the middle of last season before ending 2011 making a very late playoff push. &nbsp;Despite his pedigree and past success, this could be a definitive season for him.</li>
</ul>
<div>Off the field the team has a lot going on but on the field this is a sneaky good team. &nbsp;This winter Yallop and the front office rebuilt the team to be speedier on the wings with the goal of creating more scoring chances for Chris Wondolowski and the other forwards. &nbsp;Unfortunately, in the stacked Western Conference this team could be much improved but have little to show for it in the standings.</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div><strong>Coaching Staff and Front Office:</strong>&nbsp; Frank Yallop has an impressive resume and a number of current MLS stars (as well as star coach Dominic Kinnear) were formed by him. &nbsp;So to doubt his coaching ability means there has been some really poor play on the field last season, and in fact there was. &nbsp;The ‘Quakes were inconsistent, but that could also be blamed on injuries and absences. &nbsp;Yallop is still a quality coach, but this season will go a long way to showing if he can still hold the attention of this roster.</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div><strong>Additions: &nbsp;</strong>We’ll begin looking at the newest ‘Quakes with a little bit of MLS history. &nbsp;New signee Sercan Guvenisik is the first Turkish-born player in MLS history, but the veteran lower-level German league player gives the team solid depth at forward and a tall scoring option off the bench. &nbsp;Three new midfielders that are all fighting for starting jobs were brought in before Christmas 2011. &nbsp;Marvin Chavez could have been<a href="http://www.bigdsoccer.com/2011/12/16/2641450/marvin-chavez-traded-to-san-jose" target="_blank"> the steal of the offseason</a> when he came over from FC Dallas for allocation money and will be counted on to contribute a few goals (he notched six with FC Dallas in ’11) while playing the wing or even up front.</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div>Also joining the midfield is RSL&nbsp;super-sub&nbsp;Jean Alexandre via trade. &nbsp;The Haitian is a speedy player who could play the wing or, as he did in Salt Lake City, provide cover as a holding midfielder. &nbsp;He has always been a player with potential, but now the 25-year-old will have the chance to make that next step. &nbsp; &nbsp;Shea Salinas<a href="http://www.quakerattleandgoal.com/2011/11/30/2600611/san-jose-earthquakes-sign-striker-steven-lenhart-to-contract" target="_blank"> comes home</a> to the team that drafted him in 2008 after a trade with Vancouver that again gives Yallop an option in midfield or off the bench. &nbsp;To help a defense that was offensive at times last season, the team acquired centerback Victor Bernardez who was<a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/earthquakes/ci_20083645" target="_blank"> injured recently</a> in a preseason match.</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div>But the biggest acquisition may have been the most recent. &nbsp;Midfielder Simon Dawkins <a href="http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3353/mls/2012/02/15/2906941/tottenham-midfielder-simon-dawkins-returns-to-san-jose" target="_blank">returns on loan from Tottenham Hotspur</a> after he spent some time this offseason on loan to FC Twente. &nbsp;When 100%, Dawkins was a dynamic threat from the midfield who scored six goals and contributed two assists but could create opportunities in space. &nbsp;With his return unknown, this was a huge lift for the team and fans.</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div><strong>Subtractions: &nbsp;</strong>When a player with the reputation like Bobby Convey’s is traded, it is usually a major detriment to his team. &nbsp;But what is lost in talent is gained in <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2012/2/23/2819197/bobby-convey-san-jose-stadium" target="_blank">clubhouse chemistry</a> as Convey was seemingly a major headache to management and his team. &nbsp;Soem familiar names on defense like Nana Attakora, Bobby Burling, and Chris Leitch are gone but the defense needed a retooling anyway.</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div><strong>Projected Starters:</strong>&nbsp; Your starting keeper is Jon Busch who is a leader on this team and a good keeper. &nbsp;The interesting story for this position is the #2 spot, with current backup David Bingham fighting for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team and potentially looking for more playing time with another club. &nbsp;However, this is a problem any team would like to have. &nbsp;Consider this part of the field set and a strength.</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div>The back four will be talented but thin. &nbsp;Returning right back Steven Beitashour was an assist machine and can push up to help the attack. &nbsp;At left back, it will be a battle between original ‘Quake Ramiro Corrales and Justin Morrow with Corrales having a slight edge due to on-field leadership. &nbsp;In the center, Ike Opara is a rising star who is finally getting attention from the U.S. national team staff and is a very good defender with good height. &nbsp;The problem is he needs to remain healthy and take that next step for him to enter the conversation with players like Omar Gonzalez for future U.S. national defenders. &nbsp;Next to him will be Jason Hernandez but Bernardez could challenge for this spot depending on his injury. &nbsp;If any of these players are injured, yikes and hide your eyes.</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div>The composition of the midfield will depend on whether Yallop sticks with his tried-and-true 4-4-2 diamond or tries a 4-3-3. &nbsp;If he needs a holding midfielder, look for veteran Sam Cronin or Alexandre to get the first crack at manning that position and spearheading the San Jose attack. &nbsp;On the wings it looks like Salinas and Chavez will start, although with Dawkins <a href="http://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2011/09/dawkins-gets-career-going-san-jose" target="_blank">studying the playing style of Sami Nasri</a> he could be a wing option. &nbsp;Another new midfielder who will push to start is<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/mls/story/tresser-moreno-signs-with-san-jose-earthquakes-colombian-midfielder-020212" target="_blank"> Tressor Moreno</a>, who will push Khari Stephenson for the starting attacking midfielder role atop the diamond. &nbsp;There are numerous options Yallop can use, so it will be key for him to find the few that work and get those combinations to gel.</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div>The forwards are more defined. &nbsp;Chris Wondolowski will start when healthy since the past two years he has scored the most goals of any MLS player. &nbsp;Wondo is streaky to the max, so he either needs to become a bit more consistent or rely on his fellow forwards to pick up the slack. &nbsp;That other forward who will provide scoring cover is Steven Lenhart. &nbsp;If he can play as well as he did before leaving the team in July, San Jose will score a lot of goals. &nbsp;Behind those two is veteran Alan Gordon and Guvenisik, who are excellent depth for the occasional goal but cannot be relied upon to start numerous games for a playoff team.</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div><strong>Player to Watch:</strong>&nbsp; Steven Lenhart is the key to the success of this team. &nbsp;No offense to Gordon or Guvenisik, but Lenhart is able to force teams to respect both ‘Quakes forwards and give Wondolowski more chances to score. &nbsp;In May and June, when San Jose was playing its best last season, he scored four goals and two assists. &nbsp;If he can bring that attacking ability to the whole season, San Jose’s offense could be close to the best in the league.</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div><strong>Best Case Scenario:</strong>&nbsp; FC Dallas and RSL fans shake their heads as they look up to San Jose in the standings, primarily due to the fact that the rebuilt ‘Quakes midfield dominates games like no other. &nbsp;While they do not challenge for the Supporters’ Shield and cannot dent the LA/Seattle hold on the top of the conference, San Jose rides some upsets in the playoffs into the Western Conference finals. &nbsp;Wondo wins his second Golden Boot in three season, Dawkins goes back to England permanently as Spurs see he’s ready for the top flight, and Bingham is not the only player to be wooed by a European club in the offseason.</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div><strong>Worst Case Scenario:</strong>&nbsp; Opara is one of a number of injured defenders and the backline gives Busch no coverage. &nbsp;Wondo is as he has always been, scoring in bunches, but the promising midfield cannot create chances for the other forwards and San Jose loses a number of 3-1 matches. &nbsp;They slide to the bottom of a stacked Western Conference and take a hard look at the MLS drafts as a way to rebuild again. &nbsp;And Bobby Convey wins an MLS Cup.</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div><strong>Prediction:</strong>&nbsp; Here is the key to the season: four of the team’s first seven games are against teams that did not make the playoffs in 2011, while seven of the first eleven games are at home. &nbsp;If San Jose can get out to a strong start and weather a stretch this summer with six of seven games on the road against playoff contenders, then this team can slip into the final Western Conference playoff spot. &nbsp;San Jose will be better but their unbalanced schedule has some tough road trips (twice to Seattle and Portland, once to Sporting KC and New York). &nbsp;The ‘Quakes will finish seventh again in the Western Conference, but will be in the playoff hunt until the final month.</div>


MLS Preview '12 &#8211; San Jose Earthquakes

MLS Preview '12 - San Jose Earthquakes - World Soccer Talk

MLS Preview '12 – San Jose Earthquakes

<p>This time last year, the San Jose Earthquakes were riding high. &nbsp;They had upset the New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference playoffs and had seen the emergence of Chris Wondolowski as a bona fide goal scorer. &nbsp;Although the team had definite weaknesses and was not at the level of, say, Real Salt Lake, this was certainly a team that could be a playoff contender.</p>
<p>The outlook could not be more different this year as opposed to last. &nbsp;Wondo is still a goal scorer, tying Dwayne De Rosario for most goals scored this season, but his goals came in bunches and he was not a consistent threat. &nbsp;There are question marks throughout the roster including whether the head coach will last through the upcoming season. &nbsp;This is a team in flux, and if they fail to seriously contend for the playoffs this season we could see a massive roster overhaul this time next year (which arguably is a good thing).</p>
<p>Let’s limit ourselves to the key three questions that will tip the balance on San Jose’s 2012 season:</p>
<p><strong>1. What is the status of Steven Lenhart?</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/earthquakes/ci_19440435" target="_blank">We know he is signed</a>. &nbsp;He was a critical scoring option for the team last season, partnering well with Wondo to provide a second up-front scoring option for a team that at times&nbsp;desperately&nbsp;needed goals. &nbsp;But the death of his father took him away from the game for an extended period of time, which coincided with their funk.</p>
<p>I personally will never judge someone for how they deal with the death of a parent, so I will simply say how he is mentally and physically fit for 2012 will be important for this team. &nbsp;To be blunt, absent signing a big money striker, this team will fail without him. &nbsp;As many goals as Wondo scores, he is inconsistent and cannot be relied upon to lead a team’s offense if that team is competing for a high-seed in the playoffs. &nbsp;Lenhart is the perfect partner for him, and San Jose knows this.</p>
<p><strong>2. Can the ‘Quakes run their way into the playoffs?</strong></p>
<p>To address some of their issues from this past season, Frank Yallop is rebuilding his midfield around <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/earthquakes/ci_19440435">speed</a>. &nbsp;And not since Keanu Reeves tried to drive a bus has such a desire for going fast been so confusing. &nbsp;San Jose made a great trade to bring <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/12/17/san-jose-acquires-honduran-chavez-from-dallas/">Marvin Chavez over from Dallas</a>&nbsp;but also this offseason they&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/12/1/2604036/san-jose-earthquakes-trade-jean-alexandre-real-salt-lake">acquired Jean Alexandre</a> from Real Salt Lake. &nbsp;Alexandre has been a backup at RSL but has shown some flashes of being a productive midfielder if he gets regular playing time. &nbsp;Undoubtedly Chavez is a great pickup but time will tell if Alexandre and their additional acquisitions this offseason can make them a faster team that can quickly get the ball up front to Wondo and Lenhart.</p>
<p>Looking at their depth as a whole, however, you wonder if these moves make sense. &nbsp;In addition to the two players mentioned, the ‘Quakes have also picked up Shea Salinas while re-signing Khari Stephenson. &nbsp;Looking at the current roster, it is composed of players who would be good depth players on a MLS Cup contender, not ones that can be counted on to drive a team to the Cup. &nbsp;Maybe the new speed will change this.</p>
<p><strong>3. Can the ‘Quakes count on Ike Opara?</strong></p>
<p>The injured Opara was symbolic of the San Jose defense last season: underachieving and made worse by the loss of Brandon McDonald via trade to DC. &nbsp;The once rising U.S. star was not even invited to Caleb Porter’s U-23 camp this offseason as he continues to recover from injury. &nbsp;He was named an “<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/24-under-24/news/article/2011/09/12/24-under-24-players-who-missed-cut">honorable mention</a>” for the MLS “24 under 24” list but this could be a make or break season for him. &nbsp;If he stays healthy and helps solidify a bad SJ defense, he will be back on track to be the next U.S. up-and-coming defender. &nbsp;More injuries or sporadic play and we could be lamenting “what if”.</p>


Offseason on the Brink: 3 Questions for San Jose

Offseason on the Brink: 3 Questions for San Jose - World Soccer Talk

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MLS Preview '12 – San Jose Earthquakes

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