PHOTO: QUAKESFAN.COM
The San Jose Earthquakes are currently in Los Angeles without Simon Dawkins, who the club officially parted ways with via the club’s one offseason buyout option of a guaranteed contract (at the club’s expense).
The midfielder’s much-anticipated departure has minimal affects on the Black and Blue’s tactical structure given Dawkins, who was a revelation for the club in 2012 on loan from Tottenham Hotspurs, but fell out of favor with the club long ago, allowing for newly-appointed manager Mikael Stahre to construct a system from scratch without having Dawkins in mind.
In addition, the English-Jamaican’s exit opens new airways for general manager Jesse Fioranelli to land a couple — possibly lucrative — signings. Not only does the Designated Player dilemma get resolved, but nearly $500,000 in cap space, a roster spot and international slot open up. Though the Quakes, theoretically, can already take several different avenues to make up the fiscal void Dawkins leaves behind, the upcoming summer transfer window seems to be the likeliest of them all.
With all that in mind, last week’s preseason match against USL affiliate Reno 1868 FC was a small sample size of what the Quakes will be implementing this season under Mikael Stahre. On Saturday, the club will continue to elaborate their play in this year’s first-ever California Clasico, two weeks prior to the start of the new season.
Here are three things the Quakes need to show in their penultimate preseason match:
A consecutive, responsive showing from the Quintana-Cummings tandem
Stahre has been praiseworthy of the tandem’s strong abilities in the air, referring to them as “fighters.”
He’s not wrong, by all means.
Yeferson Quintana and Harold Cummings paired well in the backline against Reno but during those first 45 minutes; however, a couple of deficiencies were noticeable between both: lack of ball distribution from the back, pace, and communication.
Against the Los Angeles Galaxy’s star-studded attack, the Panamanian and Uruguayan’s MLS readiness will be put to the test. With that being said, if another solid showing is sealed, count on them being in the starting XI come the first Matchday.
Jungwirth and Godoy’s ability to combine in the heart of the pitch
Concurrent play from Anibal Godoy and Florian Jungwirth in the midst of the midfield has been minimal at best. On Saturday, whether it will be for the better or worse, it will likely change.
With all signs indicating Jungwirth will continue his transition back to his traditional No. 6 role, Godoy will be granted the key to play on both sides of the field: a role very few players in MLS can play at his level.
If they club is to reach playoffs for a consecutive season, the German’s unmatched defensive abilities will need to show as well as Godoy’s ability to properly combine the defense and attack.
Vako’s continued development as a left winger
Historically speaking, Vako has flourished either as a secondary striker or a central attacking midfielder, but under Stahre neither of the aforementioned should be a regular position for the Georgian.
The 25-year-old has yet to find the back of the net during the preseason, but his ability to aid the Quakes revamped-attack can’t be undermined. Now delivering his trade as a left winger, Vako looks to have found freedom in the final third; delivering shots on frame and creating goalscoring opportunities within the box.
Despite all the cry to have him play a central role, the DP looks capable of living up to his price tag on the left side of the field.
