Latest / Tectonic Takes / Episode 189: Short Memories

Transcript

Episode 189: Short Memories · Tectonic Takes

• Abram: What's up Quakes fans? We are back again. Unfortunately it's after three no loss, so we're not too happy. another piece of bad news, Devin is not here to join us today, but I did replace him with Kevin. I just changed the first letter of the name and then, you know, works out. How you doing today, Kevin? Kevin: Hello, hello. Yeah, so probably a new face for a lot of people watching. My name's Kevin. you can find me over at Quakesaholics. very happy to be here. yeah, unfortunate you are missing your co-host. I'm missing my co-host, but we're combining to make the most of it. yeah, definitely a disappointing result over the weekend, three null loss. I mean, there's honestly few positives to take away from this match. but I mean no one said being a Quakes fan was gonna be easy and I think this is just part of it. hopefully short term memory move on to the next and we'll see how they play against Colorado and then RSL and then, you know, hopefully make an actual presence in the playoffs. Abram: Yeah, so y you mentioned short memories and I think that's gonna be really important because in the grand scheme of things, we haven't lost in our last nine. we've only lost one in our last ten. Most teams would be very happy with that. And I think we are two overall as a fan base, but this one definitely for one reason or another took the s you know, the wind out of our sails a little bit and it it hurt. It I think it would have been the same feeling if it was a one nil loss, where do you stand on on, you know, the overall bigger picture of of our forum right now? Kevin: Yeah, it's it's tough to critique the Quakes right now. You know, it's just one match, but it's a match that really hurts. And I think it's a match that ended in a way that we definitely weren't prepared for. I mean, you look at the first 80 minutes of the match, maybe 78 minutes up until those four substitutions came on. And for the most part, the Quakes looked pretty solid like they have in, you know, the previous nine men nine matches that you mentioned where they did go on that undefeated run. It is worth mentioning that I think we have six draws in ten matches. So, you know It's good to have unbeaten streaks, but I think it's very easy to get carried away and think that just because we have those streaks at the Quakes, you know, playing phenomenally, in that stretch of games, there were matches where we were, you know, scoring in the ninety-fourth minute and while those draws were epic and you know, as a Quakes fan, you're like, I just dodged a bullet. I think what we saw in this match in this three little three zero loss is the culmination of just a string of injuries. And particularly in this match Honestly, Bruce Arena kinda threw the game in my opinion, making those substitutions. Of course, Ronaldo Vieira comes off injured and so I understand that. You know, something like Bring on Nico Shakiris, who was listed as questionable for the match. Are we really gonna expose him to another injury when you have someone like Ian Harks who has more like a one-to-one profile with the player that you're taking out? And yeah, it's like you're making forty percent of the changes all at once, and four minutes later we can see the first goal and then it's just a landslide from there. It's really unfortunate. Abram: I was really surprised to see so many changes all at once and you know I guess I didn't think that or immediately think that it was going to cause such a big shift in the match because other than energy, because like you know, you play FIFA and you you do a you know, a substitution, take a bunch of players out, it's like, Okay, well they have more stamina now, that's great. But there's so much more that goes on in a real game when you're playing next to somebody else now, right? but another thing you mentioned, that this this game does hurt. I think for me it hurts because Dallas was where we wanted to be, right? So on on the on the standings, we're we're looking at the teams above us and we're we're a team that has a chance to go further on. But if we can't beat Dallas then that kind of dream dissipates a little bit. where do you think that the San Jose are gonna end up at you know, toward the end of the season? We only have a few games left. So where where are you guys over at Quick The Holic seeing us end up on the table? Kevin: Yeah, that's a I would probably answer this very differently Saturday night, fresh off of that loss. I was definitely upset after that. You know, Abram: Mm. Fair, fair. Kevin: having some time to, you know, reflect, you know, calm down a little bit. you know, I I don't see us going too far lower than sixth. Of course, knock you on wood, like I don't want to jinx us. we'll be in playoffs, I can say that much, right? but yeah, looking at the standings right now, I mean third or above anything can happen. we did get a pretty fortunate result, I would say, last night, in the traffico between LAFC and Galaxy, you know, LAFC being a couple points behind us. with those two teams drawing, you know, it kind of leaves Galaxy on that fringe, maybe just outside of playoffs, depending on on the results. And then also LAFC, I believe, is now still in six two positions before. below us. And the positive there is that they actually have a game, like an extra game played on top of us. So we have a game in hand in that sense. And so, you know, LAFC was definitely one those, you know, teams that I was thinking, okay, maybe they can actually make a serious push. They have a huge opportunity against the Galaxy team that, you know, I mean as a Quakes fan, I'll always, you know, slander Galaxy, but I mean, even objectively, right? Like Galaxy this season isn't a team that is, you know, a strong contender. LAFC I would say on paper is definitely more so. So Abram: Yeah. Kevin: So I was definitely more worried about that. but yeah, I mean, I look at some of these teams that are above us, you know, Vancouver, Dallas, St. Louis, it's gonna be hard to catch up. definitely doable. I mean, as a Quakes fan, like you you always have to believe in the team. but you know, with the with the match result like this Dallas game, in the last 10 minutes we concede three goals. I feel like that's just, you know, a a tactical coaching mistake of making too many changes all at once and maybe trying to overcommit to try to get the win. You know, if this was the playoffs, you know, in two, three weeks from now and we're playing that first round of playoffs where it's a three-game series, we probably wouldn't have made those decisions, right? We would probably say, you know, we're happy with potentially seeing out a draw, and then knowing that we're gonna come back to San Jose to play the second leg or maybe even a third match, right? Depending on if we finish top Top four or not. So I wouldn't look at this game too much and think that okay, just because we couldn't beat Dallas, the season's over and like we're not gonna make a run in playoffs. Abram: Right. Kevin: I mean, you look at some of the results that the Quakes have gotten. I mean, just the match before, right? We played against Nashville, who just won the supporters shield, and we were able to see how to draw against that match. So, you know, and like even Vancouver being top of the West, we got solid results again against them. we've gotten solid results against top contenders in the West. And so yeah, it it really sucks to lose 3-0. And again, not many positive to say about this match. But if I take a step back, if I try to be, you know, more cool, calm, collected about it, not reading into it too much. I'm still hopeful. Abram: cool calm collected is in the Quake's way. We have to be reactive about everything, right? no, Kevin: Mm-hmm. Abram: but I watched you guys' show earlier today 'cause I knew I'd be talking to you. you you you mentioned quite a few things. I think Marie did have a stinker. there's been a few games where I'm like Marie's you know, should be considered to start just 'cause I like the way that he builds up. Unfortunately that's his strength and he doesn't have the the defensive part to back it up. And we've known that from quite some time. But with this, you know, formation and having Muni on the right side, I'm like, okay, well maybe that can, you know, cover some of those deficiencies. But this match, as soon as Murray comes on, they're like, finally, we can we can take him on and they they definitely exploited that. But I do want to talk about the other side. It wasn't as bad in this game. Ricketts, so Ricketts is is so potent when when he has the ability to be. Like he can make a lot of things happen. But I feel like we haven't seen that guy in a while. Like he he when he's confident and he's taking players on, then then you know he's great. But at a more like normal baseline It it seems like he's a step behind mentally. maybe he he doesn't have the best touch when receiving the ball and that already puts him a step behind. and he can make up for it with pace, but it only takes you so far when you are starting, on the back foot. what is your takeaway on Ricketts this season, I guess, overall? Kevin: Yeah, so if if you're asking me About Ricketts on this season. I think he's done an excellent job. I mean, definitely stepping in for Dawan Jones on that left side. I remember when Dahuan Jones came Abram: Right, yeah. Kevin: out injured. I was like, the season might be over. And that was, you know, when we had that streak at the beginning of the year, I think it was Abram: Right, yeah. Kevin: what, like a four or five wins at that point into the year, the team was looking solid. and at that point, you know, Ricketts was playing as a left winger even and he looked solid as a left winger. so when we move him back into left wing back, I think we still retained some of that attacking threat, at least. first half of the season. more recently, I see what you're saying that it feels like some of the productivity on that left side doesn't seem like it's been quite there. But I mean, I still have to give him credit, right? This is probably the player that has played the most minutes for the Quakes. I would be surprised if someone had more minutes. and this is a player that I joke about this with Luis that he doesn't know how to run, he only sprints. Anytime the Quakes are tracking back Abram: That's a good way to describe it, yeah. Kevin: on a play. Yeah, like anytime quakes are tracking back. Back on a play, I'm always looking at Ricketts as being that one that just sprinting down from you know that more that like left wing pocket of the field and you know oftentimes putting in a sliding challenge in the dying moments so you know clear the ball out. So, you know, I really can't find many things to fault Ricketts on. his hustle is there. And when I think about you know left side of the field productivity and and why it hasn't quite been there. I should think to the attack, right? Since we've switched to this three center back formation with wing backs, we haven't been scoring as many goals. At least that's just my perception of it. I guess I'd probably should have checked the numbers before making that claim, but you know, we see Buddha go on extended Droughts matches where he doesn't score goals. Judd also had his fair share of games where he wasn't scoring goals. Of course, now he's you know it's at 16 goals, so it's phenomenal for him. And I mean Timo Werner, right? I I f I feel like sometimes maybe that connection between Timo Werner and Jamar Ricketts isn't quite there. And you know, I don't place that much fault on Jamar Ricketts because I look at Timo Werner and how he plays with other players. Oftentimes I I'm questioning like he really couldn't take a better first touch, you couldn't place a better pass. Abram: Yeah. Kevin: And obviously like it's a lot easier to, just sit in the stands or, you know, on your couch and and criticize players and I I get that, but when I'm looking at how other players on this team perform and then I compare that to Timo Werner, someone who I expect a lot more out of because of, you know, the pedigree, the salary Abram: Course. Kevin: and for all that Timo Werner is, you know, may maybe that's why we don't get as much out of the left side, you know? Abram: I'm glad you point that out because Ricketts I the criticism I have of him I still you know I still believe that, but it is exacerbated by the way that Werner plays. He doesn't give him any grace. He's just like, you know what I want and then he plays as if everyone knows what he wants them to do. he might be frustrated about it, but he is the one who's not on the same page as everyone else. And and I think that's a consistency that we continue to see. And you know, he's had a decent season and we can't take that away from him. But there there is these times where he's coming back into the game from from fitness issues or whatever it might be, and he's just somewhere else. There was a few runs where the the Dallas defense beat him to the ball, but I don't think that they just out sprinted him. He just didn't seem to be at a hundred percent sprinting for the ball. And I don't know if that's the guy I want on the field all the time. But what's even worse than a sixty, seventy percent team of Werner is Jack Skayan out of position. 'Cause Jack Skin is not a like for like for Werner. Ca can we talk about like what that sub was and it just nullified all our attacks. Kevin: Yeah. Yeah, just just backing up a little bit, right? Like Timo Werner in this match, Abram: Sure, yeah. Kevin: I agree, didn't have the greatest game. And against Nashville as well, didn't have the greatest game. And so I feel like Timo Werner is just that player for the Quakes where we all know that in terms of who has the highest ceiling of having, you know, a a solid performance, Timo Werner probably does have the highest ceiling on this team. The problem is that It feels like the floor, at least the difference between the ceiling and the floor, is probably the largest compared to any other player on the team. And so I agree with that, you know, and maybe that's a fitness thing, maybe that's just him knowing his body and he can't, you know, push himself too much or he might aggravate that injury. But yeah, you know, in this match against Dallas, it feels like a lot of the attacking ideas were just to send long balls and hope that, you know, Timo Werner or Usani Buddha get on the end of that. And like you mentioned, Timo Werner just wasn't getting there. And you know, bring On Jack Skane, I I question that substitution because Jack Skane isn't a player who's gonna you know provide more speed than Timo Werner, or is gonna be able to, you know, beat a man more consistently than Timo Werner, or is gonna have even better shooting than Timo Werner. Maybe he does, Abram: Mm. Kevin: maybe he doesn't, but I just feel like we haven't seen enough of Jack Skane to really say that concretely. When I think about Jack Skane, I think about someone who is more suited to play as a midfielder. And so sure, Jack Skane probably still could have came into this match. You know, we saw Ronald Vieira come out. Maybe instead of playing Nico in there, you put Jack Skane in there. And I understand that, Abram: Mm-hmm. Kevin: you know, as Quakes fans, we want to see Nico because he's probably our best attacking player. But if he's listed as questionable and we have already, you know, at that point, I think it was five or six injuries going to the match. I just don't see why you expose Nico that way and you're pairing him with Jack Skane. Like how much is Nico really going to be able to do? You know, you bring in Nico hoping to, you know, get more through balls in. Is Jack Skin necessarily gonna do better than Timo Verna there? I'm not convinced. And it's like besides that, right? If you wanna make an attacking sub, you have Luka Iovanovich on the bench. Like why not just bring in Luka? And we saw that later on in, you know, first touch of the game, you know, dribbles outside of the box, past like two or three players, draws a foul, and then Nico Shakiris gets his free kick. So yeah, I like I see what you're saying. Like why bring on Jack Skin? And I don't know. That that's a question for Bruce Arena. Abram: So did you get a chance to watch the press conference, after last match? So Kevin: I d I did watch your press conference, yes I did. Abram: when I asked Bruce w what can he do to get more minutes? Did you understand what I'm trying to get at? Or or was I that confusing? Kevin: No, no. I I watched it, actually I watched it with Luis and we both looked at each other and we're like, Okay, common sense, we know what you're implying and w we know what you're asking. I feel like Bruce Serena just one of those coaches where you have to spell out the question or he's just gonna dismiss it, right? Like if you Abram: Yeah. Yes. Kevin: misname a player as a fullback instead of a wing back, he'll just No, we don't play with fullbacks and that'll be it, right? And so I think that's just Bruce Serena's way and it just I don't know, you just gotta deal with it, I guess. But yeah, to your point, I I know what you're saying. It's Abram: I was listening to your show and I was really hoping you wouldn't talk about this because I wanted to talk about it. Buddha is not a striker. Right? He's just he's a fantastic winger. I I really love Useni as a person and as a winger and I I think that he tries so hard as as a striker, you know, even though he's out of position, he does his best and I admire him for that. But it's just not productive and conducive to us winning games. Why why when is this experiment gonna end? Kevin: I don't know. I mean, well, no, I do know. The experiment ends Abram: Because I got Kevin: when press and j is available, right? Like throw Abram: Okay, well yeah. But even then, he we've seen Buddha line up with Preston as a striker and that Kevin: Yes. Abram: that kinda works a little bit better. But even under Luci like th he was throwing him at striker and it didn't make any sense. And and we're hearing the press like, Luci actually prefers him as a striker and we see it on on the field and it's like, Why does he do that? I don't understand. And then you see Ian Russell, same thing. It's just putting him at striker. It has continued. Do you think that there's something about Buddha in training he's like prime R nine Ronaldo or or what is it? Kevin: It must be. Like it it really must be. I think you know, that's just one of those things that It's kinda like Angus Gunn, right? a lot of Quakes fans are thinking, why is Angus Gunn playing over and over and over again? We want to see Earl Edwards Jr. And I think it just comes back to either the coach trusts that player more than whoever's up next. So in this case, Buddha over Luka Yovenovich or Nonzo Adamabua, or he sees something in training that says you should be able to succeed as a striker. And I don't know which one of those it is. I do think it's worth mentioning that goal scoring is definitely like a momentum and confidence-based thing. And I just think that it's been what, three, four matches since Buddha has scored. And I think the match that he did score and it was playing as a winger, at least the play came from one of the bands. And I like even in this FC Dallas game, right? we had a moment, I think it was in the first half, where Timo Werner playing the way that Ricketts does, right? just running down the side and doing a cutback pass. It was like a cross that just went directly across the box. And Buddha was like two steps too late. And you know, you even saw Werner get frustrated with that. And so there are moments like that where I'm thinking, it Even if Buddha was playing as a winger, like those kinds of scenarios, he should be putting away those balls. But it could just be a confidence thing, you know? And maybe that confidence thing is just from an accumulation of matches without scoring. Maybe he just feels uncomfortable playing as a striker. I'm not sure. but I agree with you that Buddha is a phenomenal player, phenomenal person, but I just think he's a winger. Abram: And do you think this match has a different result if Preston Judd isn't missing with yellow card accumulation? Kevin: one hundred percent. One hundred percent. maybe I'll say ninety-nine percent, 'cause you never know, right? Abram: Yeah. Kevin: and and the reason I say that, right, is because the clearest opportunity that San Jose Earthquakes had against FC Dallas was when Buddha had that one-on-one with Daniel was it Bolaroo that put that through ball? Or maybe it was Louvin. I'm not quite sure who did the pass. but regardless, we see Buddha go one v one with the keeper. And that's a situation where we see Judd infrequently, right? If we go back to I think it was a Colorado Rapids game that Judd basically had a similar run, but it was called offside by basically like three inches, right? And Abram: Mm-hmm. Kevin: maybe even in the RSL game as well, or at least moments where he would be ready to make those runs. And I think that's how the Quakes play. If you have five players in your defense, you're gonna have less players up top and you're probably gonna be, you know, relying on through balls. And that's what we've seen the Quakes do. And to have that kind of a strategy work out, you need someone who's clinical in front of goal and you need someone who is fast. Preston Judd, when he's dribbling, he isn't the fastest, I would say, but Abram: No. Kevin: off the ball, he is pretty quick. maybe as quick if not quicker than Buddha. and so for that like for that reason, I think if you put Judd in that situation, he's probably gonna score that goal eight, nine times out of ten. And if you're up one zero on the road, that just completely changes the game state, right? And you can take it easier. You don't have to bring in Nico Shakiris and Jack Skein at the end, right? Abram: Yeah. Kevin: You can bring in Harks, you can bring in you know another defender, see the game out. So yeah. Maybe it's not one hundred percent the Quakes win that game, but it's much more likely with Preston Jet on the field for sure. Abram: I definitely agree. And another thing is just in terms of profiles, like what a player can and can't do. When I found us getting space on the wing and beating a defender or whatever, that usually is supposed to fill you with excitement, what's to come, they're gonna put the ball in or whatever. When Buddha is the guy in the box, marked by by a few center backs or six foot three, whatever, he's not the guy that you want the ball to go to. Because he's he's n just not that tall. He you know, he he'll throw his body around, but like I said, like that only gets you so much. He I think he's like five eight, five nine. and hey, I'm a short king as well, but I'm also not calling Kevin: Yeah. Abram: for the ball on the box, right? and when you have Judd, it it's a completely different thing. You're like, put the ball in the box. Like I don't even care if you're aiming like a little bit off of where he is, he'll find it. and Kevin: Mm-hmm. Abram: you don't have that kind of confidence w when it's Buddha in the box just 'cause it's just not the same type of striker. Kevin: You know what's funny about that though is that like sure we can joke about maybe Buda isn't the greatest, you know, header in the box, but he sure can score a headed goal from outside the box, right? Like we saw against San Diego. I'm pretty sure it was San Diego, right? Abram: Yeah. Yeah, yeah, well, San Diego. Kevin: yeah. So I I don't know. I'm Abram: Yeah. Kevin: just thinking about that, I'm laughing, I'm like, yeah, how does that happen? Abram: It it it's I think there's something about that goal that's kinda damaging because you know, as much as you and I agree that Buddha isn't a striker, there are people who don't believe that. They don't they don't really understand the game as as well I would say, or at least because they disagree with me, I I obviously will say that. But the point I'm trying to make is that goal is fantastic and Nico, you know, puts the ball in the perfect place for Buddha to to do just that, exactly what he did. And people will be like, that's why Buddha's a striker, that's why he scores goals and no. Nico put that ball like in in the best place possible, like physically possible for that to happen. That doesn't happen all the time. And then Buddha to to execute it, amazing, a fantastic goal. But it's not something that, you know, you ask him to do it again the next week. So many factors have to go right for that to happen. And and all the goals that he did score for for when he was on a really hot run of form, he was playing winger and and finding himself in spaces where that's where I think his strength is, not starting centrally but drifting into the the dangerous areas. That's why he's so much more effective as a winger. But regardless, I I'm working myself up because people genuinely Kevin: Yeah. Abram: want to argue with this about this with me, and I'm like, it's just he's just not. so is there anything else about this match that you wanted to to talk about? I know Daniel is is played amazing and and it was very disappointing. Kevin: Yeah, I mean, you know, it's it's hard to see Danielle play against us. We we have to watch Christian Espinosa play against us in the national game. you know, on the same weekend that we play Danielle and he gets a clean sheet, Christian Espinosa's also lifting the supporters shield, so I I think it just kinda feeds into those decisions that as a fan I I question from Bruce Serena, right? getting rid of certain key players, bringing in certain key players and not playing them, at least for more than five minutes in the case of Luka Yovanovich. yeah, the like the substitutions. I think this match more than anything, I'm not too disappointed about how individual players played, which maybe there's something to, you know take as a positive, but I just question the decision making from Bruce Arena. of course, it it's kind of it lines up well in the sense that we have a match only of four days later. And so when we play against Colorado, you know, if we get a win, it it you know changes the narrative completely because it's like, yeah, Abram: Completely. Kevin: the FC Dallas game was just a fluke. But right now, as we're waiting for that next match day, it's kind of like Okay, are are we gonna be able to turn this around? And that's my biggest question. Abram: Yeah, absolutely. and I think that probably will be like maybe second to letting go of Christian Espinosa, which he wants to paint on on Chris Leach. I'm not so sure. I think that getting rid of Daniel on purpose, right? It's not like they they forgot that Daniel was there. But maybe had reservations about the fact that Daniel never learned English while he was here and you know, things like that. but it's not much better with gun, unfortunately. Like he had a better pedigree for sure. And on paper you could you could see why, you know, somebody would make that decision, but but also if we're talking about the paper route Gunn, if he was here the whole season would have been on a D P contract. Just with how much he's making. It it's a lot of money. And he's also an international slot. So it's not like, you know, we're saving an international slot, 'cause Daniel was on one as well. So we we' paying him more, still an international slot, and we aren't winning as many games. So just overall not a great look. anything you want to add on that? Add to that before we move on. Kevin: Yeah, so I I will admit first of all that I am in that group of Quakes fans that are just over this whole situation. For the fact that we lost Danielle, a player that one was extremely consistent other than when he would get injured, he was a player that was very well respected, very well loved by Quakes fans. And you know, Daniel, how many times have we've been saved? by Danielle getting some like crazy say, right? To be able to keep the a game level, to then give the Quakes breathing room to go and chase a goal, either get a draw or a victory ultimately. And a keeper that across fifteen matches played for the Quakes and MLS only conceded fifteen goals. And of course that does come in a stretch where, you know, Daniel Muni earned MLS All Star recognition. And so it's not just the keeper there. It is also the defensive unit. And it is worth mentioning that Gunn came in At probably one of the lowest points for the Quakes defensively. Now Gunn has played 14 matches. He's considered 28 goals. So as an average or a ratio, it's twice as much as Danielle. I don't think all of that is necessarily on Gun. I think he's Abram: Mm-hmm. Kevin: had some games, especially early on. You know, first impressions matter, and those first impressions were quite abysmal, if we're just speaking frankly. I do think that Angus Gunn has improved a lot, and so has the defense. It kind of goes hand in hand. a goalkeeper is part of the defensive unit. and if I look at just the first half of the FC Dallas game, he had three pretty tremendous saves. And so I do want to give, and I think we need to give him credit for that. But I get it. Like, when that ball goes in, the first player we look at is always gonna be Angus Gunn. And I think also just some of the some of the moments that aren't just when that ball hits the back of the net. I think there's also other moments where I'm just like, you really decided to do that? I'm thinking when he, comes Abram: Hmm. Kevin: out of the box very aggressively, when there's a corner and he he kind of it's like it just seems like he's jumping kind of awkwardly or gingerly, like one knee up, like kind of scared to get hit by another player. and I mean I get that too, right? There's so many bodies y I wouldn't want to get hit either. But you know, you compare to how Earl Edwards Jr. plays. we saw this, I think it was in just looked a lot more solid in those moments. on set pieces, when the shots coming in. One of the things that Gunn does, which honestly at this point I think is just like part of his style as a goalkeeper. It it makes me nervous is like when a a shot comes directly at him, very rarely does he actually just outright catch the ball. It seems like he's always trying to deflect at the ground, let it bounce, then pick it up. I don't know if he's trying to kill time or what, but there's those moments of insecurity. And that Abram: Mm-hmm. Kevin: insecurity is why I would prefer for someone like Earl Edwards Jr. to be the starting goalkeeper. But I also recognize that Gunn has improved a lot, and Bruce Serena seems to really like Gunn and really trust Gunn. I think Abram: Mm-hmm. Kevin: he's also said you would you'd probably be the best source for this being on the press conferences. I think he did say that he looked for Angus Gunn far before we got rid of Danielle. So it just it just seems like Bruce. is seeing something that we haven't seen yet or something that Angus Gunn hasn't had the opportunity to show us. So I don't know. I I see it both ways. It's it's a hard decision. and it obviously it's a lot easier as a fan to just say, we want Earl Edwards Jr. because he played two solid matches, but I think one of them was against Portland, who is, I would say, you know, at least this year, a mediocre team, and then Colorado Rapids, which I mean, we'll play them again in in a couple of days, so we'll see how that goes. But Yeah, it's it's a hard decision and I I recognize that, but I get people that are just like, I'm over Angus gun. I get it. Abram: I I'd have to agree 'cause we we do do a lot of defending Angus Gun on on this show. Just because I defend keepers, I I don't think it's always their fault. But I do have to recognize at some point if I'm defending this guy every single week there's a pattern and and you Kevin: Yeah. Abram: you were even a little bit nice to him where you're like when when the ball is shot at him, it's not even like he does goalkeeper things. He's just Let's it hit him sometimes. And that's I don't know any goalkeeper coaches who advise that. I but y you'd mentioned that we are facing Colorado and that's a perfect segue. we're not gonna talk too much about them because we this episode comes out on Thursday, which is the day after, but we can talk about it little bit. The last match we played against them we drew one one with a goal from Romney in the fifty seventh minute. a lucky goal to be honest. And looking at the the stats, they they had a lot more of the ball. They had sixty three percent possession. They had one X G to R point six five. This is a game where I feel like we kind of got away with it and hey you know, credit to the Quakes, we've been able to do that pretty consistently and and if you're that's a a skill in itself. So definitely recognize that. But do you think it's gonna be different now that we're not at elevation? And I know that's an obvious probably, but what do you think is gonna be different this time around? Kevin: Yeah, it'll definitely be different. I mean if you come off a 3-0 loss, you're probably mentally just going into it a lot differently than if you had gone in. I think at that point we probably like a six game on Beaten Streak, something like that. it'll definitely be different. I I will try to save my reputation and not make a prediction. but I'm a Abram: Yeah. Kevin: very I'm a very optimistic Quakes fan before the match. And then when something bad happens, I'm very pessimistic, maybe overly pessimistic. So I'm kind of in this weird spot where it's like I feel bad about the Dallas game, but I have full faith in our team and the boys. so I guess the the viewers will have the benefit of knowing what happened in that match. but thinking about that away game, yes, I think you mentioned XG was what, point six five or something like that. The stats, they were pretty ugly. Yeah, this Abram: Something like that, yeah. Yeah, point six five, correct. Kevin: yeah, the stats are pretty ugly. if you look at foot mob, you they have different categories for defending, attacking, passing, whatever, key stats. You look at those and they highlight for each row what team dominated that stat. And for that match, I'm pretty sure it was like all Burgundy, all Corado Rapids, top to bottom. And you look at those numbers and you're like, wow, like the Quakes really got dominated. But I think, you know, if if you watch the game, I think the game also does paint a different picture. I think this was a match that the Quakes could have had three goals. And for me, that match was a match of very thin margins. Offsides. We talked about this at the beginning of the video of Preston Judge scoring that first goal. I think it was in what first 10 or so minutes called offsides by just inches. There was a moment, I think it was in the second half, where Daniel Munich was basically in the keeper box, one on one with the keeper. He was offsides, but then just sent it barely out wide to the right. And so I think about those moments. I think about how Earl Edwards got nine saves in that match. So yeah, like Colorado statistically did dominate, but that's not to say that the Quakes were out of this match and I think about, you know, more of a threatening moments. I would give it to the Quakes, but that isn't reflected in the stats because if a play is offsides, you don't you know you don't you don't accumulate XG. Abram: Yeah, absolutely. And and there's a few factors, I think, that that are different. I think that we are g gonna be a lot more fit, I think being at home. Well let me let me w walk that back a little bit because it's only been three days by the time they they play that match. So that is gonna be a difference. Kevin: even without stats, like you mentioned that we'd be more fit. And without even looking at the stats, I agree with that. Because we'll have players that are back from injury, right? Like if Nico played for the last 10 minutes of this match, I'm assuming that Nico will be ready for this match. Preston Judd hasn't played because, you know, yellow card accumulation. That's a player that playing up top will be fresh, or at least more fresh than the rest of the team. So, you know, I agree with what you're saying, like the team will be more fit. Abram: Yeah, that that is true. and I think, Nico maybe the last match wasn't the one for him. there was a few moments where he would get the ball in the pocket and then the pocket would collapse immediately. now that Nico's on the field and you know, Verner's not, so there's only one real focal point that we're gonna look through attack because I love Jack, but he's not he's not making things happen like that. I think that if we're able to start, Nico, Werner and Judd, that that brings a whole new aspect to this. Judd is is like huge. having him back for this game is gonna be big. and honestly, although there was you know in terms of possession t Colorado had the the better stats I didn't s look at any of their players, maybe Whitaker I thought was kinda dangerous, but I didn't look at anyone and be like, Okay, well well that that's somebody who's definitely gonna score against us like like I do when I'm we're facing a Vander or someone like that. Kevin: Yeah. I think what you're asking about is like, am I worried about any particular players or does Colorado have star players? And I I think the answer is no. I think in terms of like just name for name, the Quakes just on paper are a better squad. I don't think there's anything else to it. Abram: Yeah. so I I'm not gonna ask you to make a prediction 'cause this we do have a match very quickly after that one. we're playing RSL. And we have also played RSL very recently, another one one draw. Another game where a defender scored late to get us the the the draw. D is there do you approach this game with a different, set of eyes, like w how you view this one. Kevin: Yeah, hard to forget that Jack Jacinski Goonies Never Say Die moment. definitely one of the more memorable matches or results, despite it being a draw. in terms of, you know, looking at that Saturday match, well like it's hard to say. because I think what we see is that when we have three matches in a week, usually one of those is a rotation match. So between, you know, whether it's the Colorado match where there is the RSL match I wouldn't be surprised if Bruce Rena does go with some kind of rotation. It wouldn't be my preference, but just being realistic, it could happen. RSL is a team that, you know, looking at their past five matches, it's kind of hard to tell, like, okay, is this team for real or not? And, you know, just look at the form and it's like, what? They beat St. Louis 3-0. Like what happened? You kind of have to click into it and see that St. Louis got a red card when the match was only 1-0. And Abram: Got it. Kevin: I think it's also worth mentioning that St. Louis, they did just win the open cup final. That was a match that they played 120 minutes and then had to go to penalty kicks. And I'm looking at, you know, player for player. They made basically, I think, five or six substitutions for the RSL match. So I'm not looking into that result too much. they beat Kansas City 3-1. I think it's, you know, it's harder to lose to Kansas City than to beat Kansas City these days. and Abram: Ha ha. Kevin: I as a Quakes fan, I love to say that because it's like outside of California, that's like the team that I most want to beat, right? Abram: Yeah. Kevin: maybe Seattle. It's depending on the match day, I guess. Abram: Okay. Kevin: Yeah, I don't know. I think RSL, reading into the results, it's kinda hard. even you go four or five matches back, they got a three-zero against New England, who is, you know, a top contender in the East. But then they also lose two to one to Philadelphia. So I see RSL as being more of like a mixed bag of results, not really sure what to expect. But I mean, ultimately, based off of the performance that we saw the Quakes play against them, I think three or four matches ago. That match, by the stats, right? We were talking about stats against Colorado. That was also a match that statistically looked pretty ugly for the Quakes. but the Quakes still looked decent. And that was a match that was, you know, three days after the Colorado one, maybe four days. So I don't know, anything can happen in MLS, but you know, compared to those matches playing on the road, before this Colorado match and before this RSL match, I would say I'm a lot more positive that we should be getting a positive result across those games. Abram: Yeah. looking at at the the stats against RSL, we we do look a lot better. another thing we have going for us is that they play on Wednesday as well. so you know they're not gonna come into this fresh and They they're missing a few players just like we are. I think that honestly them missing Diego Luna that changes like their whole season. and I think we're seeing that. That's where that kind of explains a little bit where they are on the table. But without them, they're they're still like we saw a few weeks ago, still a threat. We just have to start playing better offensively. I think that We haven't been able to score many goals. I can't recall the last time we didn't have a game that was one one. So it was Portland, in September. That was last month where we had a three one against Portland. And that was great, but we just haven't looked very good offensively. and we w To to be fair, we've been missing a few players. We've been missing Nico. Werner is just coming back. And the biggest thing is probably that we have Judd, so Buddha does not need to play striker. Kevin: think the last thing to mention about the RSL match, I think maybe this will be controversial. Presumably Judd is back, right? Presumably Nico should be back. I looked at the yellow card accumulation rule. you have to get three yellow cards to miss a match. So unless you know Preston Judd gets a double yellow and gets sent off, he should be playing in that match against RSL. Niko probably should be playing. And I think that allows us to maybe go back to that formation or at least that starting 11 where we just play with straight up four midfielders. We play with Louvin and Ronald Vier in the back and we play with With Nico Shakir's and and Bolarue. And then that just leaves Judd as being that player on top. And the reason I say maybe this is controversial is because in a system like that, there's a big name that's being left off. And I think that would be Timo Werner in this case. you know, I I don't I'm wondering if you have any thoughts on that. Like I felt like that was a pretty successful system, but am I crazy to think that two matches away from playoffs we should be playing with Timo Werner on the bench? Abram: Well, no, I I d I don't think that's crazy. something I I didn't realize before this match or before this this episode is that Boluru's level with Timo on on on goal contributions at least in terms of what Fault Mob is is showing. So he's not the only one, is what I'm trying to say. Kevin: Mm-hmm. Abram: and he's not fit. It's like very clear he's not fit and so just you know, just for that, I think it makes total sense to to leave him on the bench and bring him on later. he can provide a lot later on in the match when when you know defenders are more tired. so we've had like three formations with like a back five. And so it's kind of like Kevin: Mm-hmm. Abram: hard to keep track at this point. this last one is kinda like a pyramid or a Christmas tree where it's it's f three three centre backs, wing backs Two center midfielders and then two kind of a a more attacking midfielders and then a striker. And so you're you're saying that we would go with that against Colorado, right? Kevin: Yeah. So sort of. you know, let's just just for the sake of simplicity, let's just consider the wing backs as being part of the back line. What I'm Abram: Yeah, yeah. Kevin: saying is play three center backs and those wing backs, so a back line of five, and then you play two center defensive midfielders, Ronald Vieira and Edward Lowen, and then you play two in front of them, which would be Bolaru and Nico Shakiris, and then Judd as the lone striker. So it's like 541 or 5221. It's like Abram: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Kevin: I don't know. It's like on paper you can say a bunch of numbers, but in terms of how it actually plays, the point is that it's Nico and Bo further up top, providing through balls to Preston Judd, exploiting space. And then if that doesn't work, you have Edward Lowen who can place a pretty dang good pass. and he can be finding Bolaru if he goes out wide. I feel like Bolerou also oftentimes finds himself in the box. I know he prefers this seemingly prefers to shoot from outside of the box and you know make me lose my voice every Saturday night. Abram: Yeah. Kevin: I'm here for it. Keep keep doing what you're doing, Bo. We love you. but yeah I I think that at least from the World Cup break onwards, that's the version of the Quakes that I've enjoyed watching the most. Abram: I think I would agree. I think out of all the formations that have the five at the back, that's the one that we've felt the happiest in. everyone that we wanna see except for Timo Werner who was injured for for a long time when we're using that was on the field and thriving. I think it's totally justified. 'Cause not only do we play better, but Timo obviously isn't fit. So I I definitely think we could see something like that Timo I think he could play one of those roles, the the more attacking midfield roles. if not striker or whatever. obviously we don't want him at anything else on the pitch. I wouldn't see him at wing back or or mid. I've actually seen somebody in the Discord say that we should try Timo as wing back. And I'm like even if that worked like tactically, I don't think he would do it. I I think that he would be kinda pissed about it. But no I Sorry. No, no, Kevin: Yeah. He's not he's not Krishna Espinosa. Abram: he's not Christian Espinosa and and that's a a key difference. But no, I I I think if I was in Bruce Bruce shoes, I would make a lot of changes. First of all, I'd make I'd make like GW out immediately. That's the first thing I would do. And then I might focus on on the on the pitch and I think I would probably go with the formation that you suggested, Kevin. but we will be back to cover those games. guys, check out Quick Zaholic. They are publishing like right after the game or the day after. if you're feeling restless in the days between the the Quick game and the Tectonic upload, make sure to go check them out. very good quality content over there. Kevin, where can the people find you? I I told them to go look for you, you tell where to find you. Kevin: Yeah, I'm sure we'll, send you some links to put in the description or whatever. Abram: Yeah, we'll put a link. Kevin: yeah, I mean first and foremost, you know, thank you for having me. thank you for the kind words as well. you know I I consider myself a fan first and just a fan that is very passionate about this and just likes to talk about these things. so yeah, you know, kind words, very much appreciated. you know, I appreciate all the people that have supported us on our channel and you know, if anyone comes and you know checks us out, thank you as well. but yeah, I just want to let everyone know like if y'all enjoyed this, if you want us to keep making content together, we wanna keep making content together, and you know, there's one way to let us know. So do the do the pleasantries if you if you can. Abram: I don't think Devin would ever forgive me if we didn't have you back on so that we could all have a conversation. If I'm like, no, just me. Kevin: Yeah. Abram: Just me and Kevin. but yeah, definitely Kevin: Ha ha Abram: we'll be looking to work together more often. Honestly, whether or not you guys like it. I think I think we're just like we're gonna make that happen. but thank you so much, Kevin. we'll see you guys n Kevin: For sure. Abram: next week. but until then, GW out. Kevin: Always.