SAN JOSE, Calif. — On an overcast mid-day at the Earthquakes’ training ground, Steve Ralston, in the midst of his interim coach position, placed passes to his forwards during a shooting drill, a trademark routine from the former and longtime assistant.
The Quakes, who were defeated in their first three games under the command of Ralston, are in the midst of a five-game losing streak, the league’s second worst only behind the decaying Colorado Rapids’s six. And given that success at this level — as in any other professional sports league — is measured by victories, it can’t be argued that Ralston’s tenure is anything but superior to his predecessor’s.
But the transforming culture at Earthquakes Way can be sensed in the air, and despite the high-flying, Supporters Shield-chasing New York Red Bulls in town, the former midfielder is keen on pushing his side until the last breath, even if the majority have them for dead.
“You always have something to play for,” Ralston told Quakes Epicenter in regards to San Jose’s remaining three games. “Right? It’s your (the player’s) job. You have to play well.”
“Just being professional is the thing and having your own pride in yourself, in the way that you play that you want to come out, get better, and win,” he added. “Obviously, what we have done hasn’t been good enough, so I think those guys will try to prove something, fight for something.”
Along with the art that is attempting to stabilize a once paper-thin first-team environment, San Jose’s tactics and line-up roatations, too, have been brushed up.
For instance, Tommy Thompson, healthy and all, has earned his way back into the mix after nearly a season in exile; JT Marcinkowski looks to have graduated from “prospect” to “crucial” in regards to his role within the team; the Quakes retain their shape when defending and generate an attack in more than one way.
And yet still, the positive results have failed to follow, even when it seemed idiotic to bet against them.
That said, what is it that is truly causing the Quakes never-ending suffering? Is it the case of a mystical, dark curse? Maybe plain ol’ fate?
“I think this season has been where if something could go wrong it has gone wrong,” Ralston said. “The little calls change the complexion of games at times, [but] mostly it’s on us. It’s our mentality and not being strong enough to fight through those adversities we’ve had.”
“I wish I could put my finger on what it is because it has been a problem all season,” he added.
Ralston, who has great “respect” for the Red Bulls’ coaching staff and lauds their “aggressive” methodology, expressed that there should be no plus if his side gets a positive result against one of the best in the league.
Reminded time and time again by the cruel side of destiny and the reflection of the standings, the Quakes, in the process of hiring a coach and it’s legendary captain only three goals away from everlasting life, acknowledge they have been marginalized to worry about one thing and one thing only until the season truly culminates.
“For us right now, it doesn’t matter who the opponent is, we want to win a game,” Ralston said adamantly. “We want three points. We want to win at home. We want to prove that we are a better team than what we’ve displayed.”
