2015 Winter Transfer Window - Squad Review - tarantism's Dynasty

tarantism's Dynasty Blog

2015 Winter Transfer Window - Squad Review

Posted on November 3, 2014 at 08:12 PM.

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With new manager Joshua Affonso and his staff preparing for the winter transfer window, starting on January 1st, we have compiled our squad review for the 2014/2015 transition. Below we have given a letter grade to each position, along with some suggestions for how to improve each area of the team.

Goalkeepers (2): D-

Probable Starter - Bryan Meredith
Reserves - Billy Knutsen

With the departure of incumbent first teamer Jon Busch, who had been a key player with the team since 2010, the Earthquakes are left with no experienced options at the position entering 2015. Busch, who is a currently a free agent, made the decision following the season to test free agency but remains in contact with the team and could possibly return for yet another season with San Jose, but if he does not then the team will likely probe the transfer market for an experienced replacement. If they are not able to find one, MLS veteran Bryan Meredith would likely fill the shoes of Busch as the starter. Meredith has just 12 matches experience at the MLS level in his professional career, but the only other option currently on the roster is 22 year old Billy Knutsen, who has never appeared in an MLS match. As it stands, look for the Quakes to add a player via the transfer market and then look to send Knutsen out on loan for yet another season.

Defenders (9): D+

Probable Starters - Victor Bern�rdez, Jordan Stewart, Pablo Pintos and Clarence Goodson.
Reserves - Jason Hernandez, Tommy Muller, Shaun Francis, Andreas G�rlitz and Brandon Barklage.

The Earthquakes struggled as a team defensively last season, and the first thing that I notice when looking over the roster for the back line is the average age, which is right around 30 years old. For a group that struggled to keep up with the attack of opposing squads throughout last season, yet another year of aging on the legs cannot be a positive thing going forwards. Another negative aspect of this unit is the amount of dead money - with Clarence Goodson, Andreas G�rlitz and Brandon Barklage combining to earn 31,000 euro last season while notching just 23 appearances total for San Jose. Both Barklage and Goodson appeared in decent form for stretches during the last campaign, and Affonso plans to use them in some capacity. Still, there is a high likelihood that there will be some shuffling of this unit during the transfer window, especially with Affonso saying during his press conference that he and his staff would like to clear more time for 23 year old Tommy Muller.

Midfielders (10): C

Probable Starters - Atiba Harris, Shea Salinas, Sam Cronin, Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi.
Reserves - Khari Stephenson, Cordell Cato, Yannick Djal�, Tommy Thompson, J.J. Koval, Matias P�rez Garc�a.

The Earthquakes are best equipped going forward at the midfield position. This area of the squad boasts nice experience and variance of skills in the starting lineup, and a good mix of veterans and promising youth with the reserves. The Quakes could turn to the transfer market, deciding that more seasoned experience is needed on the bench in the midfield. If this is the case then you may see Thompson and Koval sent out on loan to gain experience as GM Jon Doyle sees both as future first team players. Matias P�rez Garc�a is the lone albatross here, with a high salary and only six appearances for the squad in 2014. The disgruntled midfielder will likely be a prime candidate for transfer to another club this winter.

Attackers (4): B

Probable Starters - Chris Wondolowski, Steven Lenhart.
Reserves - Billy Schuler, Michael Fucito.

Undoubtedly the strongest position currently for the Quakes, they boast a Team USA player in Wondolowski and nice depth behind him in Lenhart and Fucito. A name to watch this season will be Schuler, who is just 23 years of age and thought of by many on the staff as a future first team player. There will likely be little movement here during the transfer window as the team allocates it's resources to more pressing areas.