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Earthquakes in search of more goals in 2016

Photo by Chris Humphreys/USA Today Sports
Photo by Chris Humphreys/USA Today Sports

LAUDERHILL, Fla. — If there is one area that the San Jose Earthquakes are hoping to see a drastic improvement in in 2016, it is goal-scoring.

Year 1 of Dominic Kinnear’s second stint with the Earthquakes ended without a playoff berth, and one of the primary reasons for that was the club’s lack of goals. The Earthquakes found the back of the net just 41 times in 2015, an underwhelming total that was tied for third fewest in MLS and that contributed to them falling four points shy of a spot in the postseason in the tough Western Conference.

As a result, one of the Earthquakes’ main priorities for the new campaign is getting more production up top. That makes sense, of course, given the moves they have made so far this offseason. There was the re-signing of speedy attacker Quincy Amarikwa, the addition of free agent forward Chad Barrett, and the return of midfielder Simon Dawkins as a Designated Player.

Throw in the fact the 2015 newcomer Innocent Emeghara is recovered from his near-season-long injury, and the Earthquakes might have enough in the attacking arsenal to avoid the types of scoring woes that plagued them last year.

“There’s three to four guys you think can hopefully give you more goals,” Earthquakes head coach Kinnear told SBI. “There was a period of time last year when a second goal in games would have really won some more points for us and we couldn’t really get it. Hopefully these guys add that to us.”

Of that aforementioned quartet, Dawkins might be facing the biggest expectations. The 28-year-old Englishman played for the Earthquakes back in 2011 and 2012, and produced a combined 14 goals and three assists while also helping the club to its last playoff appearance four seasons ago.

Dawkins has spent all of his time playing in England since leaving the Earthquakes, and now returns a more polished and mature player. He will be counted on not only to bring experience, but also to replicate the previous success he enjoyed in his first stint in San Jose.

“I think it’s real good to get him back,” said Kinnear. “I think you look at him, it’s going to be goals, production from midfield. There’s going to be pressure on him to produce. I think it’s something that we definitely need.

“I think second half of the year with Quincy coming in and (Anibal) Godoy and Marc Pelosi, I think our team was better. Stats-wise I think we could use some more goals from midfield, and I think he’s going to provide that for us.”

More reinforcements could be on the way, too. Kinnear said the club is still looking to add some players to a roster that has remained mostly in tact from a season ago, and that they could arrive from abroad.

“Really nothing going on right now inside of MLS, some stuff going on outside of the country,” said Kinnear.

Another attacking player could potentially come via the MLS Draft on Thursday. The Earthquakes have the eighth selection, and are hoping to find a player that can come in and contribute this year like Fatai Alashe did in 2015.

Accomplishing that is tougher the further down you are in the draft order, however, and the club might need to make a deal if it wants improve its odds of landing a prospect ready to tackle life in the pros.

“Have we talked about moving up? Yeah,” said Kinnear. “I think every team probably has inside their own discussions, so I have no problem (saying) that we’ve looked to move up to see if we could do something. But obviously it’s other teams’ wants and what they need in order to come to the right decision that’s good for both parties.”

Comments

  1. Thomson is still a project. There’s no doubt that last season was the tale of two halves. Godoy, Pelosi and Quincy sparked the team for sure… hoping its enough. Come on Quakes!

    Reply
  2. And Tommy Thompson continues to fade into obscurity…

    Is anyone familiar with his situation? Is this Kinnear taking an Arena-esque veteran-first approach to building his roster? Or is Thompson not cutting it in training?

    Reply
    • He’s gotten looks, just hasn’t made the most of them. He has a clever touch but his shot always seems weak and all too often errant. Hopefully he can improve in training because he may not get as many minutes of the bench going forward .

      Reply

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