Replacing the players they lost in the offseason - such as forward Scott Sealy, winger Ronnie O'Brien and holding midfielder Francisco Lima - proved tougher than expected. Injuries struck defenders Ryan Cochrane and Jason Hernandez while veteran defenders failed to show their mettle. Injuries also plagued the attack. Huckerby struggled all year with a hip ailment that forced the midfielder into what looks to be career-ending surgery. Strikers Weaver and Campos never settled into the side, and by mid-July both had been traded. Such a weakened team struggled to maintain possession and proved porous at the back, plummeting to last place in defensive rating in 2009.
The Earthquakes' finish to the season, however, provided some promise for 2010. They finished their last 10 games 3-3-4, taking points of several teams vying for a playoff spot. "In the second half, we proved that we could battle, fight, and compete against teams, and get a result when needed," said defender Chris Leitch. "That's what we need to do from the start next year." During this stretch, new players emerged who could provide the team's spine next year. Ramon Sanchez, acquired mid-season, proved a stabilizing force in the midfield. Leitch, one of the few preseason acquisitions to pay off, delivered a solid season at right back to earn the team's Defensive Player of the Year. And striker Ryan Johnson picked up the slack of the departed forwards by netting 11 goals by season end. Quakes players hope to build on the team's mid-season renovation in 2009. "They were great changes to start the process," goalkeeper Joe Cannon said. "I think we have a good core here, we just need to add a little bit to it. The main ingredients are there, but there are a few more things that we need to be competitive game in and game out."
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