San Jose Earthquakes
2007 Record: None
Coach: Frank Yallop (1st Year, kinda)
Key Players: Joe Cannon, Nick Garcia, Ned Gravaboy
Key Pickups: Everyone
Key Losses: None
2008 Outlook: Poor
San Jose is back to defend their title. Well, kind of anyways. Despite winning the Supporter’s Shield in 2005 (as well as MLS Cups in 2001 and 2003), the Quakes were placed on “hiatus” after the 2005 season. That’s a nice word MLS, “hiatus”.
A “hiatus” is defined as “a break or interruption in continuity”. TV shows go on hiatus. And when the TV shows come back, the old cast comes back too.
It’s not like Desperate Housewives is going to return from the writer’s strike with Angela Lansbury playing Eva Longoria’s role. Though for some sick reason I won’t articulate here (and you’ll be thanking me for that, I’m sure), I’d like to see Lansbury do Longoria (or her role anyways).
So MLS, if it really was just a “hiatus” shouldn’t the Quakes get all their old players back? De Rosario, Onstad, Ching, Barrett, Robinson, Waibel, Mullan… come on down!!! I wonder if SJE fans feel like those last two MLS Cups are sort of theirs, instead of Houston‘s. I know I would.
So no, SJ does not get its core of superstars back. They don’t even get Angela Lansbury, who I understand can play some quality defense. All they really get is an end to this so-called “hiatus”. And since they won’t be getting their Dynamos back, they need to make do with what they could scrounge from the other teams’ second tiers.
They are currently a team that resembles a hobo’s Thanksgiving. It’s basically just everybody else’s scraps thrown together. At least it’s served hot though, eh? (That was a bad pun about southern California and I apologize for it).
There are some signs that indicate SJE will not be that bad this year (or at least not as bad as TFC last year). The defense is actually pretty tough, and despite being a rookie team, the Quakes will have some good veteran leadership.
Ronnie O’Brien is an MLS legend and should be one of the Quakes most active offensive entities. He will need to be active though because SJ lacks any true scoring threat. The player on the team who scored the most MLS goals last season is Gavin Glinton, who only scored four. O’Brien’s impressive number of career assists will probably not get too much higher so long as SJE lacks an intimidating forward.
Joe Cannon is a fine keeper and a fan favorite. The defense is also suprisingly well stocked, with Nick Garcia, Ryan Cochrane, Chris Pozniak, James Riley and Ramiro Corrales.
One thing the Quakes lack is depth. Other than at keeper, injuries to any of the Quakes’ starters would prove deadly to the squad’s chances. Let’s hope the trainers are skilled in San Jose, otherwise it could be a long season.
I don’t think the Quakes will make the playoffs, but that prediction takes absolutely no cojones to make. Of course they will struggle, their an expansion team in their first season!
Have patience SJ fans. Hopefully, the Quakes’ poor play will only continue for a brief period of time. You know, just one more short hiatus…
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Joe Cannon (aka “My Joe” and “F-I-N-E”) is a fine
goalkeeper indeed, who can hardly be described as
a ‘scrap’. He was every bit as valuable to the
Galaxy as Beckham (no offense) and THE most important component of that team last season. What they were thinking by trading him will remain an enigma but it’s a new day and a great
cause for celebration for the Quakes. My Joe is a talented, consistent, dedicated, and motivated
soccer player who is the very best the game has to offer, and ANY team he’s a part of has an automatic chance at making the playoffs AND winning the season. Had there been more players of his calibre in the Galaxy last season, they might have gone undefeated. What success they did have was due largely in part to Joe’s hard work. He kept the faith and was sent packing for it and that’s pretty much how the loyal ones were treated this time around but it’s all good. Joe is back home where he’ll be appreciated and supported. I’m sure Frank knows who he has in Joe so the outlook for the Quakes is quite bright. My Joe is the world’s greatest soccer player who will someday probably be the world’s greatest soccer coach!!! Luv ya Joe!!!!!
cannon was traded, not acquired in the expansion draft, so i exclude him (and Garcia and O’Brien, among others) from the “scraps” comment.
he’s a fine keeper. better than the guy LA has now. if it weren’t for lalas being mentally unstable, he would still be with the Gals.
but no, lalas needs his offensive superstars, even if it means there will be no money left for defense or keepers. that’s why cannon is gone. he was one of the highest paid keepers in the league and the Gals couldn’t afford him (and keep Donovan, Ruiz, Beckham, etc.)
i love your passion. i hope Joe blanks the Gals every time he faces them.
Can San Jose beat Chivas USA record of 4 wins in a season this year?
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