SAN JOSE, Calif. – Stylistically speaking, the San Jose Earthquakes’ 2014 season pivoted sharply on one specific moment.
When Steven Lenhart’s right knee wouldn’t allow him to take the field against the Chicago Fire on July 23, coach Mark Watson turned away from the tactical persona that brought San Jose the Supporters’ Shield two years ago, moving Chris Wondolowski up from his usual second forward slot and pairing him with a smaller, more technical player – either Yannick Djalo, Matias Perez Garcia or Tommy Thompson, depending on who was available.
With Lenhart back to a full training regimen this week following Aug. 1 knee surgery, the question now is how the former 10-goal man can integrate himself into the Quakes’ new, free-flowing attack. San Jose has averaged 1.67 goals per game in their last nine matches – each played without a classic target forward – compared a 1.00 mark in their first 17 games this season, all but one of which featured Lenhart, Alan Gordon or Atiba Harris up top.
San Jose coach Mark Watson said it was a “possibility” that Lenhart (above, left) could see action Sunday against the LA Galaxy (3 pm ET, UniMas). And he voiced confidence that the seven-year veteran can mesh with the Quakes’ updated style.
“More than anything, we really just welcome him back,” Watson told MLSsoccer.com after training Friday. “Lenny gives you a lot of energy, a lot of fight and a strong physical presence. We’ve been working a lot on moving the ball and that kind of stuff, and I think he can do that. He can fit in in a bunch of different ways. I think some of the qualities that he has are things that we’re lacking at certain times.”
Perhaps foremost among those qualities is providing a hold-up outlet for teammates once they win a ball in the defensive third. San Jose has been focused on maintaining their shape to counteract a recent slew of goals, but the result has often been two banks of four players stuck so deep in their own end that possession quickly (and sometimes seemingly inevitably) reverts to the opposition.
Of all the key Quakes contributors on the bench, Lenhart appears the closest to resuming action. Djalo and Perez Garcia were partial participants Friday, while center back Clarence Goodson has yet to resume on-field work with the club.
San Jose could get another key addition, however, in the form of newly signed Uruguayan right back Pablo Pintos. Pintos went through his first practice with the club on Friday and is also seen as a potential selection by Watson.
“Today was an assessment day, and he looks good,” Watson said. “He takes good care of himself, he’s in good physical shape.”
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With San Jose (6-11-9) mired in a seven-match winless streak, this season’s final eight games represent an opportunity for Pintos to get acclimated to his new surroundings.
“I cover my space well on the right-hand side,” Pintos told MLSsoccer.com through a team translator. “I also want to get up and down, and get as many crosses in as possible. But of course, coming to a new team, the key thing is learning how your teammates play, working within that system and getting to know them well.”
