Injuries, absences belie squad depth

There are times to worry, and there are times to accept things: When half your squad’s out with knocks, it’s probably the latter. Thankfully, we’re not quite to half yet — for Saturday, we know the following will be missing: Paulo Jr., Alvarez, Wingert, Morales, Arnoux. The following will probably be missing: Espindola, Saborio. There may be others, but there’s one striking thing about our absences, and yes, I know that’s not quite half our squad: Our first, second, and third-choice attacking triads are absent. Oh, and our starting left back.

So when our attacking line isn’t quite firing for several weeks, it’s hard to blame any one player in particular. Sure one or another might bear the brunt of fans’ frustration, but we’ve had a solid half-dozen attackers out for weeks. We’ve been playing one Jean Alexandre up front — and he’s done well, I’ve to say — and whoever happens to be fit or not on international duty that week. We’ve played our sixth-choice striker, attacking midfielders, defensive midfielders — and the rumblings of putting Olave up front from certain groups of fans show how desperate things are at current.

How do we avoid this situation? You can’t blame Jason Kreis for bringing full internationals into the team: The experience and ability provided by Saborio and Alvarez are invaluable. You can’t account for terrible, ankle-breaking tackles that put Morales out. Espindola has a few question marks over his fitness, and Paulo Jr. is young and injured. The same goes for young Cody Arnoux. Our remaining attackers? Alexandre, who’s only really filling in. Luis Gil, who is only 17. Artur Aghasyan, who has some real potential but is largely inexperienced and a bit of a gamble. Donny Toia, who hasn’t yet had a look in, but is young himself.

Our squad is reasonably deep. If we were to strengthen much more, we’d start to run afoul of the salary cap, let alone our own financial restrictions. We’re hardly a rich club, after all. What can be done? In 2008, England’s Everton played a 4-6-0 with some vague form of success. I don’t propose we play a strikerless system, but has Kreis considered a change in formation? I’m sure it’s passed his mind, but obviously enough, we’re still in our diamond 4-4-2 — though I’m almost inclined to describe it as a 4-3-3. More on that in the coming week.

Could the league institute a more flexible reserves and under-18s system? I’d like to see this side of the game pushed heavily, but it’s not a cheap endeavor. In time, the MLS and the US Soccer Federation (could we get them to change their name to the USFA, by the way?) will get a handle on this. There’s a fairly robust youth game, but it’s hardly a method for developing top talents. The youth talents that come through right now are, I think, reaching the top through luck and their own hard work and not some systemic success. Something more robust that focused on club football could help boost the national team and the club game, and that needs to be one of the top administrative priorities — after, of course, remaining financially solvent.

And, of course, we’d get more, better strikers. I wouldn’t complain.

Come on you Claret and Cobalt!