The Monday morning midfielder

Frank Yallop has clearly forgotten more about soccer than I, or most other media types will ever know. But in the aftermath of Saturday’s meltdown against Columbus, it’s clear that even for someone as astute as Yallop, the best-laid plans can sometimes go awry.

Case in point was his choice of substitutes midway through the second half. It was around the 63rd minute that the San Jose manager brought on Shea Salinas for a tired Peguero Jean Philippe. Not much to argue about there, especially with Columbus winning set piece after set piece in the Quakes’ half. Clearly something needed to be done to arrest the momentum the visitors’ had generated. Ditto for the introduction of Ryan Johnson in place of Ivan Guerrero. Both Johnson and Salinas provided a spark and greater energy out wide, a fact Yallop noted when I asked him afterward if the team’s defensive discipline had suffered as a result of the substitutions.

But while both players contributed to the attack, a couple of more subtle changes took place that did plenty to unhinge San Jose defensively. First, Ronnie O’Brien, who has struggled to last 60 minutes in recent games, let alone 80 or 90, was forced to move into the center of midfield. Yes, O’Brien was the hub around which most of San Jose’s attacks were built on Saturday, and he even did plenty to help out defensively on Crew speedster Robbie Rogers. But defending in the middle is a bit more demanding. There is no sideline to help out, and his move into the center weakened the spine of the team.

It’s one thing to move O’Brien into the middle when the Quakes are tied or trailing in a match and more creativity is required. It’s another when there is a lead to protect and more bite and steel are needed . That’s why bringing in Joe Vide to shore up the middle would have been a better move, leaving O’Brien to stay out wide with Salinas going up front.

Yes, this is the same Joe Vide whose giveaway in the New York game ultimately led to a penalty being conceded. But Vide’s battling qualities and tendency to stay at home would have been a better fit for the situation. This was especially true given the fact that there are times when Ramiro Corrales tends to go on walkabout and chase the ball rather than hold his position, which is the second facet of the match that had dire consequences. The first Columbus goal saw Corrales lose the ball on the left touchline. A couple of one-touch passes around an isolated O’Brien and the Crew were off to the races.

One can make the arguement that Corrales’ teammates should have read the situation better and adjusted for their teammate. But the fact remains that the Quakes needed more tactical discipline from Corrales, and as a result a shot at three valuable points was squandered. It will be interesting to see Yallop’s approach the next time there is a lead to protect.

Player ratings: (1-10; 5=average)

Cannon, 5: Saved the team’s bacon a couple of times, but he nearly gifted the Crew a goal with a slip prior to a clearance, and he won’t be happy to have conceded a goal through his legs for the second time this season.

Riley, 4: Came out second-best in his duels with Rogers, requiring O’Brien to give him considerable help.

Garcia, 4: It’s his job to hold the defense together, and it came apart like paper mache.

Hernandez, 4: Definitely a step backward from the Dallas performance.

Denton, 5: Linked up well with Guerrero, and defended adequately. With Cochrane on the mend, a return to the bench seems likely though.

O’Brien, 5: Saw plenty of the ball, but his crosses from the run of play, as well as his finishing, were just millimeters off. Given the paucity of offensive weapons on the team, more accuracy on both counts is what the Quakes need.

Corrales, 5: Scored with a brave header, but faded badly in the match, and was a step slow to close people down during the game’s most critical moments.

Grabavoy, 3: Wasn’t around the ball near as much as he needed to be.

Guerrero, 5: This guy seems to do something useful with the ball every time he gets it, begging the question: Why doesn’t he get it more?

Jean Philippe, 4: Looks like he’s still in the “getting to know you” phase.

Kamara, 5: Was absolutely owned by Chad Marshall in the first half. Came into the match better in the second.

Subs:

Salinas, 5: Looked dangerous at times down the right side, but his transition defense could be quicker.

Johnson, 6: His goal had an element of luck about it, but he continues to make a case for more playing time.

Glinton, 5: Got on the end of some dangerous chances late, showing why his best role may be that of Super-sub. Pending hernia surgery means he’ll miss the next two weeks.