The San Jose Earthquakes are showing their pre-season promise. The team is now undefeated in their last three games and at top of the table. Last Saturday, the boys in black and blue crushed the Whitecaps by scoring 3 goals in 11 minutes, as they came back in the second half after giving up their first in play goal of the season. In the first half, the Earthquakes kept possession but weren’t able to connect with their forwards Simone Dawkins and Chris Wondolowski.
Wondo showed he isn’t so hot playing as the target forward, which isn’t a surprise because this isn’t his specialty. While Dawkins isn’t a natural forward but an attacking center midfielder. Both were played out of position. In the end of the first half, Tressor Moreno replaced an injured Marvin Chavez. Moreno looked sharp as he helped bring order into the center midfield. In the second half, Dawkins was replaced by target forward Alan Gordon. Wondo pushed back as the second forward.
The Myth of the “Big” Target Forward
The misconception so far is the credit to Alan Gordon for holding onto the ball and allowing the Earthquakes to be able to score, and in previous games the credit has been given to Steven Lenhart. However, the three goals from Saturday’s match didn’t come from this style of play, nor has any goal for this season been produced with the help of the big target forward “holding onto ball”.
Here is a breakdown of this season’s goals:
San Jose vs New England – Shea Salinas intercepted a pass and fed Wondo to score.
San Jose vs Toronto – Sam Cronin played a ball into the box for Wondo to finish. – Marvin Chavez dribbled into the box and passed the ball to Salinas to score. – Rafael Baca dribbled into the box and passed the ball to Wondo to score.
San Jose vs Vancouver – Ramiro Corrales threw the ball to Wondo, who was marked by the strong Jay DeMerit; Wondo managed to shield the ball and find the back of the net, by chipping the ball over goalkeeper Cannon who was expecting Wondo to nail the shot with his laces. – Ramiro Corrales crossed the ball into the box and Alan Gordon made a quick run and scored with a brilliant header. – Tressor Moreno placed a free kick into the box, Gordon made an intelligent run drawing three defenders (because after he had scored, he had became a treat), and Wondo left unmarked, scored the final goal of the match.
The Quakes have earned their goals by playing more intelligently and technically. Against the Whitecaps, the Earthquakes kept the ball on the ground and produced their highest technical stats of the season: 56.8% Possession, 457 Total Passes, 81% Pass Accuracy. If they continue to play with this style and keep their defense strong, they will produce positive results.
Wondo’s Partner vs Red Bulls
The big target forwards, Lenhart and Gordon are injured and will not play against the Red Bulls. The question is will be Wondo’s partner?
Option A) Frank Yallop will most likely start Khari Stephenson because of his tall height. Yet, last season, when Stephenson partnered with Wondo, he played as a below average forward, at times disappearing in games. Perhaps this season, the competition to play, Stephenson might produce a better performance.
Option B) Tall rookie forward Cesar Diaz Pizarro has also been added to the mix of possible starters. At the Sunday reserve match, he produced a forgettable performance.
Option C) I would rather see seasoned Turkish striker Sercan Guvenisik partner with Wondo. Granted that Guvenisik likes to play behind defenders and he is average height, yet he, like Gordon, has experience to draw defenders, find space and make good runs to score and most importantly, free Wondo to find space.
The past two matches against Seattle and Vancouver, the Earthquakes have been tested, and proven they are good enough to beat quality MLS teams. The next big test will be against an attack centric New York lead by Henry. The boys in black and blue can win; only if they continue playing smart. After all, winning matches demands intelligence, not just pace and muscle.
(image courtesy of John Todd/ISIPhotos.net)
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