Kashia, Luis Felipe key to defensive resurgence and ‘stability’ in San Jose

By San Jose Earthquakes

August 7^th, 2018

Georgia National Team defender Guram Kashia was signed using Targeted Allocation Money on June 14 to both bolster a back line that was stuck in neutral and provide some stability to a rotation of center backs. Harold Cummings (15 starts), Yeferson Quintana (10), Jimmy Ockford (9), Florian Jungwirth (6) and Francois Affolter (5) have all started in the center of the defense this season, with the Panamanian Cummings asserting himself as the first choice with his bullish demeanor and fiery personality – not to mention recent World Cup experience.

In 21 total matches prior to Kashia’s debut, including 19 MLS contests, an Open Cup game in Portland and a friendly vs. Mexico’s Club Leon, the Earthquakes conceded 42 goals (2 goals/game) and kept zero shutouts. San Jose allowed 2+ goals on 15 occasions and held their opponents to one goal just six times.

Kashia, Luis Felipe key to defensive resurgence and ‘stability’ in San Jose

Since Kashia first stepped on the pitch for San Jose, the Quakes have played four matches – three as part of the MLS regular season and a friendly against England’s Manchester United. The club has allowed two goals in the four games, posting two shutouts and keeping all four opponents to one goal or less. The three MLS matches included a stunning road victory over first-place FC Dallas, a scoreless draw against Real Salt Lake, who currently occupy a playoff spot in the West, and a narrow defeat to the red-hot Seattle Sounders FC, who are in the midst of a seven-game unbeaten streak.

“Guram is a rock that keeps the defense really compact,” explained Anibal Godoy after the team’s training session on Tuesday. “He also helps the defense and midfield work together, so we’ve been able to be a lot more aggressive.”

Left back Shea Salinas was also quick to compliment Kashia and his immediate impact on the club:

“Guram’s provided so much stability to our backline. He’s such a good communicator. He’s really knowledgeable when we should step, when we should drop. And he wins a lot of balls for us. He covers Harold really well and that’s made all of our jobs a little easier.”

Not to be overlooked is Quakes’ young midfielder Luis Felipe, who has also started each of the last four games. Felipe was the youngest of three players signed from Reno 1868 FC in the offseason and was the last to make his First Team debut for San Jose. Nonetheless, he’s quickly made a name for himself and doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon.

“Ever since our first training session, I’ve watched Luis Felipe and known he’s a really good player,” said Godoy. “Very complete – defending, attacking. He does it all. I like him a lot. He has done a good job running the midfield and providing stability. He compliments the team very well and he’s helped me a lot in the midfield, especially with the distribution of the ball.”

“Luis Felipe has been awesome since he’s come in,” said Salinas. “He’s won a ton of balls in the midfield and he distributes well once he’s won them. Hopefully he keeps playing like this because he’s been very good for us.”

His instincts, positioning and passing are well beyond his age and experience level. He has started twice with Godoy and twice with Florian Jungwirth, who each offer a sturdy veteran presence alongside the 22-year-old.

“I look up to Godoy because I like the way he plays,” explained Felipe. “As a left-footed midfielder, I’m always trying to learn something from him. I also like playing with Guram. He’s a leader. He’s always talking to us. He’s confident and strong.”

Felipe was born in New York but moved to Brazil as a child. He spent much of his youth career with Cruzeiro’s academy, later returning to the United States as a part of the NASL’s Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. Following a successful run with the club and a nomination as the league’s Young Player of the Year, he explored his options to join a USL or MLS side. He eventually signed with Reno knowing the team’s strong relationship with San Jose.

Catch Kashia, Felipe and the rest of the Earthquakes as they roll into Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, looking to pick up points for the third consecutive game. The match against the Colorado Rapids kicks off at 6 p.m. PT and can be watched on NBC Sports California Plus.

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