PHOTO: ISI Photos
Mikael Stahre, who has expressed time and time again that the sensation that winning games brings is a key reason why he coaches, has struggled early on at the helm of the San Jose Earthquakes. The Quakes sit second from the bottom in the Western Conference table, — two points out of the last five matches and five points adrift from a playoff spot — yet Stahre remains keen on the notion that his team is “getting better” despite the results.
“We are taking steps and moving forward,” Stahre told Quakes Epicenter ahead of the Quakes match against the Columbus Crew.
But he, too, acknowledges that the urgency to win (and to demonstrate other things) is more omnipresent than ever before.
“We need points, that’s for sure. We need solid defense. We need collective effort. We need individual quality. Everything counts in soccer, but we have to improve a lot of things.”
After making noise during the winter transfer window by landing several players, including one of their “highest paid signings ever” in DP Magnus Eriksson, the slow start has not been what Stahre and Co. “expected.” At times, the team showcases glimpses of brilliance in the attack, but more often than not San Jose has payed the ultimate price due to its vulnerable and disjointed backline.
Stahre, who has been unhesitant to assume responsibility after some of his side’s losses this season, understands that the Quakes defense is a talking point, but believes that the early struggles primarily link to the team’s overall, collective play. “Obviously, we have conceded 13 goals — that’s not good enough,” Stahre said. “You just can’t blame the defenders; it’s a collective sport. Everyone has to be connected and play together. [Also], I think we have also conceded different types of goals.”
In all fairness, that’s how the Quakes season has been so far: erratic. The season opener against Minnesota United gave everyone a taste of the attack’s potential, while the losses against Sporting KC and Orlando called out how feeble the defense truly is.
So what is it that the Quakes manager is looking for from his players against the Crew? Stahre is urging equilibrium from his side but, more importantly, he is expecting more from his players.
“It’s about raising the bar a little bit and to take one step further — little bit more quality in every single situation,” Stahre said. “I think we need 10 percent more in everything.”
Three points won’t come easy on the road — the club’s history says so — even less against Greg Berhalter and his men, who despite not winning in their last four games are championed as one of the most tactically gifted sides in MLS. It’s then — on Saturday at Mapfre Stadium — that San Jose can make a much-needed statement and align the club’s internal mindset with the product on the field.
“I think the atmosphere in the group and the team spirit is absolutely fantastic,” Stahre added. “So, I strongly believe in this group and in our club and in what we’re doing at the moment. It’s our time now, for sure, and we need points. But the only thing we can do is work hard, analyze, and to prepare ourselves to try and win the next game.”
The Quakes are going to need every ounce of the team’s spirit and preparation to put a near-historically bad start behind.
