The newly signed Panamanian has made the difference for an Earthquakes team on a three-game winning streak, writes Thomas Floyd.

WASHINGTON — Anibal Godoy hasn't had much time to settle in with the San Jose Earthquakes. The good news? It turns out a trial by fire suits him just fine.

The Panamanian hadn't even practiced with his new teammates before starting against the Colorado Rapids on Aug. 14. Time for training was limited last week as San Jose went on a daunting cross-country road trip to face Sporting Kansas City and D.C. United, a pair of Supporters' Shield contenders.

Godoy wasn't fazed. When the dust settled, the 25-year-old had logged every minute of the three-game stretch as the Earthquakes snapped an 0-5-1 skid with a trio of shutout victories.

"The more games you play, the quicker it gets you into a rhythm with your teammates," Godoy told Goal USA through a translator. "Getting together for these three games so quickly has been great for my confidence."

Five days had passed since Panama wrapped its third-place CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign when Godoy received word of San Jose's offer. The holding midfielder was enjoying a welcome respite after starting five games in 19 days during the July tournament, but he immediately began ramping up his fitness.

A week later, he was signed. Despite the frantic start to his MLS career, Godoy has thrived. The Earthquakes were outscored 13-4 during the six-game winless spell. With Godoy in the lineup, San Jose still hasn't conceded a goal — notching a 1-0 win over Colorado, a 5-0 shellacking of Kansas City and a 2-0 triumph against United.

That, it's safe to say, isn't a coincidence.

"He really has only practiced with us three times," said Earthquakes coach Dominic Kinnear, himself seeming surprised by the number. "The guys appreciate him. The guys understand what he's doing for the team: He has good positional awareness, he's good on the ball, he doesn't get rattled under pressure, he covers a lot of ground and he makes a lot of tackles."

San Jose's average formation in a 3-1 loss to Vancouver on July 27 (before acquiring Anibal Godoy) and a 2-0 win over D.C. United on Saturday. Note the positions of Godoy (No. 30), Fatai Alashe (No. 27) and Chris Wondolowski (No. 8).

Kinnear has tried several variations on a direct style during his first season back in San Jose. Whether it was considered a 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1, his formation typically featured rookie Fatai Alashe as a lone defensive midfielder behind a pair of attack-minded players — such as Matias Perez Garcia and Chris Wondolowski. Two wingers then would flank the central midfield trio, with bruiser Quincy Amarikwa serving as the target forward.

It was an alignment filled with attacking intent, but one that often left Alashe exposed in the middle. Enter Godoy, who has stepped in for the injured Perez Garcia the past two games and partnered with Alashe in defensive midfield. With that double pivot protecting the back line, Wondolowski has ventured further into the attacking third — his natural habitat — and found the net in back-to-back matches. Wingers Shea Salinas (who scored against United) and Cordell Cato (who bagged a brace versus Kansas City) also are pushing higher.

Godoy and Alashe do the dirty work, and everyone else reaps the rewards.

"It takes a lot pressure off Fatai," defender Clarence Goodson said. "I think Fatai has done very well for us, but he is a rookie and having Godoy in there gives him someone really good to learn from. ... When you have two road games, to be able to sit in there with two very strong holding midfielders, that's massive."

Added Godoy: "So far it's been a great partnership, and hopefully we'll continue to grow together."

Godoy's passing chart during San Jose's 2-0 win over D.C. United on Saturday.

Of course, that formation wouldn't click without a player of Godoy's caliber. Although the three-game sample size is miniscule, he appears to have the makings of an elite MLS defensive midfielder.

His 91.4 percent passing accuracy is just a hair behind Osvaldo Alonso's 91.6 clip, which leads all regular starters in 2015. Averaging 46 passes completed, 10 recoveries and six duels won per game, Godoy is keeping pace with the likes of top-tier defensive midfielders Dax McCarty, Kyle Beckerman and Juninho.

"He makes the game really easy," Alashe said. "It's nice to play in there with someone who is going to break up play as well. And he's obviously very good on the ball, as you can see — he sprays a good ball and helps us keep it."

Maintaining that level won't be easy, and the reintroduction of Perez Garcia could heap more defensive responsibility on Godoy. But with seven of their last nine games at home and Godoy patrolling the midfield, the Earthquakes (10-10-5) have to feel good about returning to the postseason this fall.

Godoy, who arrived from Hungarian side Honved Budapest, wasn't a particularly splashy signing during a summer that saw myriad big names come to MLS. Yet when it comes to shaping the playoff picture, he just might be the most influential midseason acquisition of them all.

"When he gets the ball, he doesn't do anything flashy but is just simple — keeps the ball moving, one-, two-touch," Wondolowski said. "Then we're able to hold it and link up that way. That's been a huge addition for us."

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