From the moment that Francisco Lima turned his back on the San Jose Earthquakes this past offseason, general manager John Doyle and head coach Frank Yallop have been desperately trying to fill the void in the center of midfield. Nearly halfway through the season, the gap is one the Quakes are still struggling to plug.
While Ramiro Corrales has been a mainstay, Yallop has burned through five other options to partner his captain. The season began with Bobby Convey in the middle, but some ineffective play saw Simon Elliott soon thrown into the mix. Elliott's international commitments with New Zealand soon saw Yallop turn to Aaron Pitchkolan and Brandon McDonald. Finally last weekend, with Elliott at the Confederations Cup, Pitchkolan drafted into defense, and with McDonald and Convey injured, Yallop was forced to turn to newly signed Canadian Antonio Ribeiro.
"[Ribeiro] was the only one who is a center midfielder, really," said Yallop. "[Chris Wondolowski's] played there, but he's more of a forward. ... So we sign Ribeiro and play him because we've got no one else.
"I think he did fine. He's new to it, and I think he'll get better. The more games you play the fitter you get."
Such upheaval has made life complicated for Corrales. Last year his partnership with Lima proved to be a springboard for the Quakes' midseason revival that saw them go on a nine-game unbeaten streak.
The Brazilian's range freed Corrales to get forward more while also contributing defensively. But with the revolving door going on beside Corrales this season has made establishing the same kind of chemistry difficult.
"I just try to make whoever is in there playing with me comfortable," said Corrales. "I just tell them that the work ethic has to there. They're all good players, but we just haven't found the team that clicks because every week it's been changing.
"I think the balance, just the way we attack, sometimes it's been like a race, just up and down. But the last few games it's been a bit better. Our shape has [improved], and we have to pick and choose our times to go forward, and we've done a little bit better with that. It needs to be even better though."
Things don't appear to be getting much clearer ahead of this weekend's tilt against Los Angeles at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. Elliott, who has been the most effective out of all of Corrales' partners so far, will still be encumbered by his international duties in South Africa.
But Convey might have recovered sufficiently from a left hamstring strain to resume his partnership with Corrales. Another week of training with is teammates could also see Ribeiro play a part in the proceedings, and McDonald is a possibility has well.
Given all of these options, Yallop hinted that he could try to play Ribeiro in the middle while sliding Convey out wide. That would push Darren Huckerby up top alongside Ryan Johnson.
"[Huckerby] doesn't like to play up front, but he's pretty dangerous up there," said Yallop. "We'll talk to the guys individually and make sure they're mentally right."
Yallop also indicated he wasn't concerned about Convey's ever-changing role for the club, one that has seen him alternate between the middle and the left flank.
"Bobby played better in the Salt Lake game," said Yallop. "Even though [his position] was wider, I think he would have played well wherever he played in that game. He was starting to feel himself. The tough part is he got injured and now it's up and down, up and down. That's the hard part for any player."
If Convey can replicate that form in a central role, then perhaps that midfield hole will be filled once and for all.
Jeff Carlisle is a contributor to MLSnet.com
