San Jose Earthquakes: Attack Issues Holding Them Back
By Jesse Tapia
San Jose Earthquakes need to solve their problems in front of goal
The San Jose Earthquakes are currently on a seven game winless streak and the reason why is that they can’t score goals. In the span of these seven games, the Earthquakes have given up seven goals and have only scored four goals.
The Earthquakes currently sit in eighth place of the Western Conference standings with a minus-two goal differential. They are only three points behind behind the Vancouver Whitecaps and they have played one less match than the Whitecaps. These Earthquakes forwards owe their midfield and defenders a thank you because without them they would be a last place squad in the west.
The Earthquakes rely heavily on Chris Wondolowski to lead their attack and he has gone missing as of late. Wondolowski isn’t having the best of seasons as it is but after returning from the USMNT squad Wondolowski has not scored once only taking two shots and putting zero of them on goal.
The Earthquakes rely heavily on Chris Wondolowski to lead their attack and he has gone missing as of late.
A possible answer to Wondolowski’s scoring woes could be the fact that there is no threat to score playing next to him which gives opposing teams a chance to put their focus on stopping Wondolowski.
Quincy Amarikwa has been the man to play alongside Wondolowski this season but has been extremely disappointing as he has only scored one goal all season. The earthquakes can’t look to their bench because they have no better options.
Simon Dawkins and Chad Randall Barrett are usually the two players who come off the bench to help this Earthquakes attack but have only managed three goals combined this season. The Earthquakes also have local favorite Tommy Thompson as an option on the bench but the young forward isn’t ready yet to become the player the Earthquakes are expecting him to be.
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With the Earthquakes attacking struggles going on this season, it makes their decision to draft a goalkeeper with the eighth pick in the MLS Super Draft even more puzzling. The Earthquakes currently have David Bingham as their number one keeper and he is a young solid goalkeeper that currently sits seventh in the MLS for saves made.
Even at the time of the pick people around the league were questioning the selection but now it looks even more foolish. The Earthquakes could have used that pick on a young striker who quite possibly could have helped out these Earthquakes in the scoring department.
The Earthquakes currently have the opportunity to pick up player on transfer but I don’t see them making any changes mid-season. If they were to pick up a player I would expect them to pick up a player who could be a spark off the bench.
The Earthquakes need to figure something out with their attack because with the season in full swing and their squad sitting in eighth place, they need to start scoring in order to pick up these crucial points.