The Monday morning midfielder

Yes, it’s been a while. Maybe because so little has changed. For that reason, July 15 can’t come soon enough.

By now, you guys know the script when it comes to Quakes games: Tough at the back, industrious in midfield, punchless up front. That plotline was followed to a tee on Saturday against Chicago, and their offensive frustrations were summed up nicely with just minutes to go when Kei Kamara failed to hit the target from a distance of 14 yards. It’s a scenario that doesn’t look set to change, at least until the cavalry arrives in the middle of the month.

And arrive it must, because on several fronts San Jose has the makings of a solid side. The road haul of eight points from nine games, not to mention their five clean sheets on the season would have most teams sniffing around the playoff places. Yet the Quakes’ attack is still stuck at USL-2 level. Last year, Toronto set the benchmark for offensive futility with 25 goals in 30 games (that’s an average of 0.83 goals per game). San Jose appear set to blow that record away, as they currently check in at a cozy 0.71 goals per game.

Oddly, it would appear that one of the leading candidates to be signed when the transfer window opens is 37-year-old defensive midfielder Francisco Lima. The Brazilian certainly has the pedigree of having played for big clubs like AS Roma, and when I talked to Quakes’ manager Frank Yallop on Friday it sounded as if there was considerably more interest in Lima than many of the other candidates who have trained with the Quakes.

“He’s an experienced player who plays the position well,” said Yallop of Lima. “Your first worry is his fitness when you see his age, but he trained well, looked good. There’s nothing signed, but I liked what I saw and we’ll see if we can get something done.”

With former Norwich City forward Darren Huckerby slated to pay the Bay Area a visit this week, it’s clear that Yallop has plenty of irons in the fire when it comes to new acquisitions, and he expects to make several moves in the weeks ahead.

“We’ve targeted half a dozen guys,” said Yallop. “If any one of those guys signed it would be great. If we can sign three, terrific. I don’t think we’re going to sign more than three.”

On to the player ratings: (1-10, 5 = average)

Joe Cannon, 8 - Produced two stellar saves when it mattered most.

Eric Denton, 6 - Has delivered some solid performances since moving into the lineup, but you can’t help but wonder if he isn’t keep ing the spot warm for Ivan Guerrero or Ramiro Corrales.

Nick Garcia, 7 - Outstanding performance in his first game back from injury.

Kelly Gray, 6 - His passing out of the back wasn’t as sharp as it had been in game’s past, but he defended capably.

Jason Hernandez, 6 - After watching him for half a season, he definitely seems more comfortable at right back than in the middle.

Ivan Guerrero, 6 - Another solid performance, and he looked good when he slid into a more central role.

Ramiro Corrales, 8 - Stymied many a Chicago attack and his tackling was impeccable.

Ned Grabavoy, 5 - Had some decent touches, but still much too quiet offensively.

Ronnie O’Brien, 5 - Ditto, although he was filling in at right back by game’s end.

Ryan Johnson, 5 - Needs to spend more time fighting through challenges rather than looking for help from the referee.

Kei Kamara, 4 - Battled well, but must be more clinical in front of goal.

Subs:

John Cunliffe, 5 - Wasn’t goal dangerous, but he at least made a pest of himself.

Shea Salinas, 6 - Nearly stole two more points for San Jose, but he remains snake-bit in front of goal.