LEICESTER, England – Last season was clearly a breakout year for Chris Wondolowski, but without the 2010 Budweiser Golden Boot winner, the Quakes’ offense looked unconvincing.
Aside from Wondolowski's 18-goal haul in the regular season, the next highest scorers in the side were Arturo Alvarez, Ike Opara and Bobby Convey, each with just three apiece.
That puts pressure on Wondolowski to repeat last season’s feats, so to help him out head coach Frank Yallop brought in Steven Lenhart from the Columbus Crew to ease his star striker's scoring burden.
Lenhart is hardly renowned for being a prolific marksman — he has 13 goals in three regular seasons — but he brings plenty to the table. He has a well-rounded game and is favored by many people for his tireless work ethic, strong hold-up play and good strength and pace on and off the ball.
“He is a forceful player that never stops running” Yallop told MLSsoccer.com. “He creates a lot of problems.”
Yallop understands that Lenhart won’t necessarily score a hatful of goals, but he said his presence on the field will create chances.
[inlinenode:329254]Since joining the Quakes, Lenhart has been in good form, recently posting two goals and an assist in scrimmages against Birmingham City and Leicester City on the club’s preseason trip to England.
“I am feeling fit and happy with my recent goals” Lenhart told MLSsoccer.com. “I am optimistic and feel that despite a great last season, we can get better.”
In addition to Lenhart’s arrival, Yallop has been experimenting with a new dynamic during the Quakes’ stay at Spurs Lodge. The team have lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Lenhart up top and Ryan Johnson and Joey Gjertsen on the flanks.
Wondolowski has dropped into central midfield.
“It helps to have Wondo in the middle as we try to get more possession” he said. “We move the ball well playing this way.”
Despite the risk in placing Wondo further back on the field, Yallop said the change can benefit the team’s game, despite its obvious shortcomings against Leicester, which he attributed to his side's lack of fitness.
Wondolowski, for his part is happy with the new role and said he is prepared to play a reduced attacking role for the good of the team.
“It helps us keep possession and create chances” he told MLSsoccer.com, adding “I will do whatever benefits the team the most.”
“I am feeling confident and the team is doing well," he added. "There will be a lot of chances this season and it is on me to finish them.”
After Thurday's defeat in Leicester, the Quakes return to Spurs Lodge for two more days of training before heading back to California on Sunday.
<p><em><strong>Check out the Feb. 24 edition of the <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/extratime" target="blank">ExtraTime Radio podcast</a>, featuring D.C. United's Charlie Davies, </strong></em><strong><em>Real Salt Lake's Nick Rimando and league executive Nelson Rodriguez</em></strong> <em><strong>talking about the new playoff structure.</strong></em></p>
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