SAN JOSE, Calif. – One game away: That’s how close the San Jose Earthquakes came from reaching the MLS Cup final for the first time since the franchise was re-established in 2008.
But the fact that the underdogs got that far in the first place was a feat in and of itself. Riding some fantastic play from forward/midfielder Chris Wondolowski and left winger Bobby Convey surprisingly landed the Quakes in the Eastern Conference final.
However, if they are to reach MLS Cup in 2011, San Jose must take care of seven things.
Home, sweet home
The Quakes must make headway on their new stadium, which received the all-clear from the city of San Jose in April but is on hold until the club secures more sponsorship dollars to defray the cost. About a month ago, Earthquakes owner Lew Wolff said the team hopes to open the 15,000-seat arena by 2013 at the latest.
[inlinenode:315104]Stay healthy
Whether it was losing attacking midfielder André Luiz for a large part of the season with a knee injury, starting center back Ike Opara or former goalkeeper Joe Cannon with foot fractures, or not having forward Eduardo until late in the year, the Quakes were hampered by the injury bug this season – and in 2009, too. It’d be nice to see what a healthy team can accomplish.
Put forth a consistent lineup
Fielding the same lineup will be fundamental for San Jose in 2011. Golden Boot winner Wondolowski saw considerable time both as forward and as right winger; Comeback Player of the Year Convey lined up at left winger, left back and even central attacking midfield; Ryan Johnson and Scott Sealy sometimes took turns up top or in the midfield; and Tim Ward saw time in both fullback positions.
This season, there was an air of musical chairs in San Jose, and a huge reason was the injuries that plagued the team. While it’s definitely good to have guys that can fill in at different spots, it would be better if each man could settle into his regular spot for the entire season.
Find some depth at outside back
Although they’re well stocked in the middle, San Jose are thin on the left and right sides. Ramiro Corrales, the team captain and starter at left back, will be 33 next year and missed 10 matches due to injury this season – 11 if you count the Eastern Conference Championship. Chris Leitch, who started 15 regular-season matches at right back, was also on the shelf for a couple months. Ward, picked up in midseason, proved valuable on either side, but he can’t play both positions at once.
Backup ‘keeper a top priority
Cannon’s move to Vancouver in the Expansion Draft solved the Earthquakes’ problem of figuring out what to do with the veteran, who had been supplanted as starting ‘keeper by Jon Busch. However, that presents San Jose with a new problem: Find a backup. Ideally, the Quakes would develop a young netminder for 35-year-old Busch to take under his wing. But whether they bring along a youngster or find a veteran second-stringer, getting a 'keeper is a must.
[inlinenode:310388]Catalyst for the attack
Another top priority for San Jose will be to find someone who can spark the attack. GM John Doyle had brought in DP Geovanni and Jamaican midfielder Khari Stephenson in 2010 to solve that problem after André Luiz’s season-ending injury, but declined to renew the option on both for next season.
André Luiz will again be tasked with igniting the Quakes attack in 2011, and while his classy passing is unquestionable, one has to wonder how well he’ll bounce back from knee surgery and how much juice is left in his 36-year-old legs.
Develop a strike partner for Wondolowski
The Bay Area native emerged as the league’s Cinderella story and led MLS with 18 goals, but no other Quake scored more than three in the regular season. Cornell Glen missed a bushel of open chances, Johnson was more successful as a left-wing playmaker, Sealy found a niche as an attacking midfielder and Eduardo simply wasn’t healthy for much of the season. With Wondolowksi assured a full-time move to striker next season, he’ll need some help if the team is to go further in 2011 than it did this year.
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