Yallop aims to keep Quakes intact
Despite disappointing season, San Jose manager believes building blocks in place
Yallop has his reasons for wanting to keep the core of his side intact. One year ago, the departure of building blocks like forward Scott Sealy and midfielder Francisco Lima meant that much of the chemistry that had been established in 2008 had to be reconstituted in 2009. And it wasn't until midseason that adequate replacements were found.
Bolstering the argument for stability is the team's performance after the All-Star break, one that went beyond their 4-4-4 record. San Jose was plodding along with a 3-10-5 record at the season's unofficial halfway point, but rather than pack it in, an infusion of new players helped the Quakes recapture the intensity and fight that was a staple of the team in 2008.
That in turn allowed San Jose to have an impact on the playoff race, even if its own hopes had already evaporated. The Quakes took points off of Colorado, Toronto and D.C. United, helping to turn those sides into playoff spectators. All of this has Yallop thinking positively heading into the offseason.
"I'm excited about the team," said Yallop. "They responded, they didn't quit, and we scored some goals. The signs are there."
For that reason, no players have been released, at least immediately. San Jose also went so far as to secure the services of defender Ramiro Corrales, signing the product of nearby Salinas to a new contract.
But Yallop's work is far from done. The Quakes' finishing kick of 16 points in their last 12 games projects to 40 points over an entire season, which wouldn't necessarily be enough to secure a playoff spot, and it's certain that other teams will not be idle.
There is also no guarantee that the injuries which helped sink the Quakes' season won't return in 2010, especially since midseason arrivals like Cornell Glen and Andre Luiz proved no more able to stay healthy than mainstays such as Darren Huckerby and Jason Hernandez.
For that reason, Yallop is taking a somewhat different approach to the upcoming offseason. Following the 2008 campaign, the players almost immediately went their separate ways and didn't get back together until training camp opened in February. This time Yallop has the team practicing for two weeks beyond the end of the season. The squad will also reconvene some time in December, the better to gauge the fitness of the players, especially those performers like Glen and Hernandez who are recovering from surgery.
"I think we need to make sure we stick together as a team," said Yallop. "And we weren't that healthy in preseason last year. We need to try and make sure we don't make the same mistakes [as in 2009].
"We've looked at our training, and [our injuries] aren't so much muscle things but ankles and knees. What we can do is maybe strengthen the body a bit so we don't get those."
Of course, improving the side with new acquisitions is also a priority. General manager John Doyle is on record as saying the team needs another pure goalscorer, one that could deliver in the neighborhood of 15 goals. But perhaps encouraged by the emergence of Ryan Johnson and his 11 tallies in 2009, as well as the play of Glen when healthy, Yallop is of the opinion that a more creative influence is needed to bolster the Quakes attack.
"I just think we're not overly inventive in the final third, and I think that hurt us," said Yallop. "I don't think our goalscoring was terrible, but we didn't maintain possession well, and it doesn't give the opposition opportunities when you're possessing the ball and doing the right things in games. So we're looking for someone to take the game over for us, either as a second forward or in the midfield."
Other than that, the Quakes manager feels not much else is needed, although adding some depth at center back and the center of midfield would also help. But if at minimum, the attack can be improved, and a greater level of health can be achieved, San Jose could find themselves in the thick of things next season.
"If we can keep this core together and add to it, we're going to be a good side next year, more competitive," he said.
Jeff Carlisle is a contributor to MLSnet.com
