We are two matches into the new season, and Quakes have thus far been on both ends of a 3-2 result. In summary, it has been a chaotic entrance to the season, with plenty of positives and negatives to be observed. Manager Mikael Stahre has clearly begun to impose his tactical setup on the new Quakes side, but it has undoubtedly not been entirely successful.

To begin, I really like what I’ve seen from our attack. It seems clear to me that the fears of a poor attack this year will be proved inaccurate. Vako looks skilled as ever on the ball, and therefore a constant danger to the opposition. Danny Hoesen, despite being starved of service against Sporting Kansas City, is developing into a true number nine. He’s leading the line, holding the ball up well, and looking a constant goal threat. Magnus Eriksson has really impressed me. He offers a completely different set of skills in comparison to Vako on the other wing, thus diversifying our attack and making it more effective. His vision and passing ability stand out above the rest of the Quakes team. He also demonstrates decent defensive capabilities and a willingness to drop back, a valuable trait for a winger. Chris Wondolowski hasn’t been in top form, but we all know what he brings to this team, so hopefully, there will be an improvement.

The tactical setup, of our attack, in particular, has been interesting to watch. We seem to line up in a 4-4-2 shape. However, when we gain possession of the ball, Vako and Eriksson drift towards the middle, where they are most effective. This opens up space for the outside backs to move forward, and combine with the centrally positioned wingers. We have attacked in a free-flowing and direct style, utilizing the creative abilities of our players, in a way that has not been seen in San Jose in recent years, with the exception perhaps on Chris Leitch’s time as manager. Our attacking talent is miles ahead as a group in comparison to previous seasons, so I am highly optimistic that we will be effective in that department going forward.

In the midfield and the defense seem to be where the main problems lie. When without the ball, we are utilizing a low press and high press system, generally sitting back and picking specific times to press up the pitch into the opposition’s half. In both games, the midfield has tired, and reverted to sitting too deep, however. This leaves a massive gap in the middle of the pitch, enabling the opposition to dictate the match and prove threatening. Stahre is very much at fault for allowing this to happen. In both matches, it has been clear that our midfield was out of energy in the second half, and was in need of reinforcing. He has until the 82nd minute against Minnesota, and the 74th minute against SKC to make changes to the midfield. In both cases, the damage was already mostly done. Stahre needs to be more proactive in his substitutions.

In the case of the defense, the problems have not been in the way we have set up tactically, but purely down to individual errors and a lack of discipline. Every single goal we have conceded has been entirely preventable, if not for serious defensive errors. Two times, one in each match, have a lack of pressure on the attacking player resulted in too much time to shoot from distance, and subsequent goals. I refuse to believe that the players have been coached to do this. It is purely on them, and Stahre must use our upcoming bye week to correct this unfortunate tendency, as well as others. Regarding our personnel, Salinas looks the clear weak link in the defense, and probably in the entire starting eleven. Joel Qwiberg was surely brought in to be the starting left back, so it is quite perplexing why he was not even on the bench against Sporting Kansas City. Yeferson Quintana and Harold Cummings must not escape without criticism as well. Both have looked dominant in the air, but clumsy and error-prone when marking and defending on the ground. Many have suggested in the aftermath of last night’s defeat that Jungwirth should be moved back into the defense to alleviate the issues. However, he is the dominant presence in the midfield, and removing him from his center midfield position would spell havoc for our team. The center back partnership has to remain the same, even if their performances have not been entirely satisfactory.

To summarize, our attack looks very promising, but our midfield and defense very suspect. Much work has to be done if we want to be a competitive force in the west this season. With another bye week coming up, I expect to see an improved Quakes team take the field in our next league match, at home to New York City F.C.