Everyone knows that within the MLS, Real Salt Lake plays the most attractive soccer, centering on a controlling midfield, short passing game and forwards with plenty of pace. RSL hasn’t played in over 11 days and will be well rested to face the visiting Earthquakes, who tied with Vancouver this past Wednesday.
The obvious strategic approach for San Jose would be to play like Real Madrid as they faced FC Barcelona last season: park the bus in front of the goal and wait for a counter attack, but that wouldn’t work for the Quakes because there are no speedy forwards on the roster.So what should the Quakes do?A change in the lineup is order, granted that coach Yallop will most likely play the same guys from Wednesday’s match. Ramiro Corrales is suspended on yellow card accumulation.
In midfield, Dawkins needs to play in the central midfield along with Baca who can both control possession and make accurate passes. Khari needs to come in only as sub because his defensive skills aren’t the best at the moment. Ring has to continue to breakup as many plays as the defending midfielder. Peterson and Convey have to continue their efforts on the wings.
At forwards, Lenhart has to sit on the bench. His poor performances in the last two matches are reasons enough. Ellis McLoughlin can shot cannon balls with both feet and should play up top with Wondo. Hopefully, newly acquired Gordon will be healthy enough to come on as a sub. Wondo is only good when he gets service, so all midfielders have to work extra hard to deliver the perfect balls to him so that the one-touch Wondo can finish it and find the back of the net again.
As for the defense, I don’t know much about the newly acquired Attakora, hopefully we can will see him play soon. Leitch needs to sit this match out after his awful defensive performance against Vancouver. Ward should be placed as the right back because he can defend well and has good feet to push the ball to the midfield and forwards.
A tough match awaits San Jose. Fans are hoping that the Quakes can keep focus, play excellent defense and continue their offensive spark, which Wondo ignited against the Whitecaps. Here is my take on what the lineup should be vs RSL.
Go Earthquakes!
(image courtesy of sjearthquakes.com)
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