MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Head Coach Luchi Gonzalez and Defender Carlos Akapo Speak Ahead of Saturday's Match vs. the New York Red Bulls

Published on April 5, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes are preparing to face the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, April 8. The match will kick off from Harrison, New Jersey at 4:30 p.m. PT and will be streamed globally on MLS Season Pass (Apple TV), as well as on local radio via 810 AM The Spread (English) and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).

Head coach Luchi Gonzalez and defender Carlos Akapo spoke to media today ahead of Saturday's road match.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES HEAD COACH LUCHI GONZALEZ

On Saturday's away match vs. the New York Red Bulls:

"Our expectation is that there's consistency in how the [New York Red Bulls] are going to play, especially at home. But they have a clear identity in how they want to get pressure on the ball. Their intensity is full-throttle, high energy, collective, pressing, getting pressure on the ball, jumping lines, and doing it well. We learned that in preseason. I thought we had moments that we were successful to break it and could have also shown our danger in the attack but on that day in preseason, the Red Bulls got the better of us. So, we know how dangerous and effective that their style and identity is, and we respect that. We have to be ready for some things I would believe are similar despite any results they or us may have. It's early in the season for any of us and it's a long season so we're focused on the next opportunity. You mentioned St. Louis [CITY SC], they have a similar identity and similar style with, without the ball, and whether a team is successful right now like St. Louis and earning points or not. So, we have to respect that it is a style that can be very effective and we have to be ready. We know with the ball, we have to be clear in our intentions and purpose, almost find this balance of urgency with patience to try and break lines and play with our identity, play with our desire of possession. But, more desire of breaking lines and attacking. Creating a threat in the attack. So how to do that and when to do it, that's not clear. We're working this week with video, with training, to try to improve that because it's going to be very difficult. We know that. And look, without the ball as well, like getting pressure on the ball, we also like getting in a midblock with compactness, triggers to get pressure on the ball and readjusting when pressure is broken, reorganizing and trying the cycle again. So, we believe that's something that we have to measure and see how we can be effective doing that when a team is very dangerous vertically themselves, playing forward, playing in behind. So how are we getting pressure on the ball, when are we getting pressure on the ball. Those are the things that we also need to measure and learn from these past experiences in the preseason, from St. Louis and see how we can improve and get better in the next opportunity coming up this weekend."

On Saturday's player availability:

"Carlos [Gruezo] is progressing. More available this week than he was last week. Does that mean he's on our roster? Does that mean he's in a discussion for our lineup? It's too early to tell. But I think in the next 48 hours that will be more clear. But, we're grateful that he's in the mix more in training. He's getting more volume. He's getting more healthy, more in rhythm, getting fitness, getting confidence. So, it's good to have him back in the mix. Not clear what the role will be yet. But we'll get there. Regarding Niko [Tsakiris], he is progressing. Ideally, we would like him training with us soon. Almost there, really close. There're a few benchmarks that need to be achieved physically and in terms of body mechanics before he can get on the ball in a team training. We're really close but we're not there yet."

On brining the central defenders into the attack:

"Yeah, look they're close [to scoring]. They are both dangerous naturally, they both have natural tools that make them dangerous attacking the box, first and foremost on set pieces. They show that in training, and we know the opponent is aware of that, they scout that. But they have that naturally because of their physical and mental tools and their timing. And other guys too can do that in the back line. Most of these chances are coming in the first phase of a set piece, or the second and third phase when the ball is being recycled or we still have possession and we put it back into the mix, as was the case with Rodrigues almost having a chance in the second half late in the game, right? I think that the team is doing a good job of having a structure after the set piece, where there's multiple phases in the run of play where the ball can still be dangerous, we can put balls in the box. Why not take advantage of our center backs in there? But then other players need to be adjusting in a structure, so we are not caught in a transition moment without our two very important players in the back line. So, I think the team's done a good job finding its structure while maintaining attacks with center backs. But we encourage it and I encourage it. We talk about it and we want to be intentional about these guys scoring. I know their number one priority is to defend the back line, the box, and to protect the goal, but the added value is that they can score at any moment and I'm confident they're going to sooner than later."

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER CARLOS AKAPO

On his fitness level:

"I feel much better now, maybe not 100% yet, more like 90%. I think I need to adapt physically a bit more, but I'm working on getting to my complete fitness level."

On facing the Red Bulls and what they learned about them during preseason:

"We learned that they were very technical and physical. They have a high pressing style, so we'll have to play fast in order to break lines and reduce their pressing. And we also have to try to press more so that they can't attack us as much."

On Luchi Gonzalez's developments to the team's style of play:

"I think the team's style of play has changed a bit from last year. I arrived at the club basically towards the end of last season, in those last games where we could have reached the MLS playoffs. We've had good feelings about this year so far, we've been really strong at home. It's true, we need to earn a win on the road, but we've had a positive start so far. I think our fans are excited. I think Luchi has been important because he's instilled a championship-like mentality. He's helping us compete at a high level to qualify for the MLS playoffs."

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