San Jose’ s 4x0 win over RSL is due to either: the Quakes being a revitalized side under Bruce Arena or to RSL being down bad.
Bruce Arena, the most familiar of all coaches, was on the sidelines for the Quakes for the first time. And he pulled a bit of a switcheroo, trotting his side out in a 3-4-1-2 instead of the typical
BRUCE ARENA
4-4-2( Bruce has used either a flat 4-4-2 or a diamond primarily throughout his career) we’ ve come to know over the past 30 years. It finished 4x0.
Daniel was excellent in goal. The Quakes set up in a 3-4-1-2 attacking shape, with star power up front: Hernán López playing underneatf Josef Martinez and Chicho Arango while Cristian Espinza and Jamar Ricketts operated as wingbacks. Espinoza with two assists and
Ricketts goal in JOSEF MARTINEZ his first MLS start
stole the show.
RSL lost a ton of firepower this offseason and while it’ s too early to panic, it’ s fair to be a little worried about what the future holds.
RSL show concerns after the departures of forwards Chicho Arango and Anderson Julio. DP No. 10
CHICHO ARANGO
Diogo Gonçalves didn’ t immediately click last season and, this team hasn’ t looked the same since losing Andrés Gómez last August.
Defensively, San Jose weren ' t airtight. Diego Luna found holes from his spot in the left half space and Salt Lake managed a 21-to-14 shot edge over their hosts.
There’ s work to do without the ball, a
DIEGO LUNA fact that showed even against a rotated RSL squad amid Concacaf Champions Cup play.
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