MLS 2009 Preview: San Jose Earthquakes

By: Laurie | March 10th, 2009

We’re continuing our season previews today with a look at last year’s ~~whipping boys~~ expansion team, the San Jose Earthquakes, who are looking for more than they got out of last year.

Our San Jose blogger is Ian, who recently started his own Earthquakes podcast. Be sure to check it out. And while you’re at it, get more of Ian’s wit and wisdom at San Jose Offside.

Nuts and Bolts: What’s the big picture?
The goal is clear in season two: make the playoffs. The loss of key component Ronnie O’Brien, as well as Francisco Lima and Scott Sealy leaves a few holes, but the Quakes have brought in several new players, including Bobby Convey. Arturo Alvarez will be moved back from the forward position to right wing to replace O’Brien. Can Yallop work some magic once again, and ahead of schedule turn this team into a playoff contender? Or is true success a season or two away?

How did the team do last year and why?
Expansion seasons are like a first kiss, sloppy, awkward, a little disappointing and ultimately leaving you wanting more. The Quakes finished bottom of the league, but that’s not the whole story. After a frustrating first half of of the season, marked by offensive impotence, attacking Viagra came in the form of Darren Huckerby, Arturo Alvarez, and Scott Sealy. Huckerby especially ignited the team, and the Quakes went on a lengthy unbeaten run which launched them into a playoff spot for a short period of time. Ultimately, the Quakes fizzled out, especially after the injury of key midfield anchor Ramiro Corrales, missing the playoffs. Still, a foundation was laid for 2009.

The star — who is the team built around?
Clearly, Darren Huckerby is the key player. His direct style of play and incisive runs from the left wing strike fear into the hearts of defenses throughout the MLS. At times towards the end of the season, it looked as if teams keyed in on taking Huckerby out of the game, and thus short circuiting our offense. Other attacking players such as Alvarez, Ryan Johnson, Cam Weaver, and Bobby Convey will have to do their part to keep defenders honest, and allow Huckerby the space to shine.

The newcomers — who’s going to come in and make a difference?
The most recognizable newcomer is Bobby Convey. Though most of his career has been spent on the left wing, Convey will be deployed in a central attacking midfield role. He will be relied upon to provide creativity and a more attacking style of distribution than the Quakes saw from the central midfield position in 2008. How well he settles into this role will be a key factor in how well the Quakes do this season. Also vital will be the performance of Cam Weaver, a scoring leader for the USL Seattle Sounders three years ago. He has been brought in to fulfill the role of target man as a largely unknown quantity, and Quakes fans are hoping he is more Brian Ching than Kei Kamara. Finally, MLS veteran Simon Elliott has been brought into the team to provide depth off the bench in the central midfield, a case of Yallop learning from the injury to Corrales perhaps.

We’ll win the league if…?
The defense can stay organized and do a better job of dealing with pacy forwards, Bobby Convey lives up to expectations in the attacking midfield spot, and if Ryan Johnson can top ten goals in the season.

We’ll be in trouble if…?
Convey looks uncomfortable in the middle, injuries pile up, and if neither Leitch or Jamil Roberts settle into the right back spot.

Some things you may not know.
1) The Casbah supporter’s group name comes from the days when the team was named the San Jose Clash, with the reference being to a song by U.K punk band The Clash, “Rock the Casbah”.
2) Bobby Convey is partially blind in his left eye due to optic nerve damage.
3) With the addition of the Seattle Sounders, there are now two teams in the MLS with names and identities related to teams in the defunct NASL. The Seattle-San Jose rivalry will be contested in a Heritage Cup to recognize this link.

My prediction:
I tend to be overly optimistic, but I predict that the Quakes will sneak into the playoffs as the very last seed.