San Jose Earthquakes interim head coach Alex Covelo labeled Eduardo ‘Chofis’ Lopez as ‘inconsistent’ after his recent involvement with the team.
The player first arrived to Major League Soccer in January 2021, joining the Earthquakes on loan from Chivas de Guadalajara. The team extended Chofis’ stay in December, renewing his contract through June 2022.
While Covelo praised the player, it’s no secret his performances have not been up to par in 2022. Chofis has managed one goal in four games this season, as he spends the majority of time on the sidelines nursing a previous injury.
“With Eduardo it has been complicated because he has a long injury, there has to be rehabilitation, then he goes into training and when he began to get in shape he felt a little pain in the same area and that is why it has been a little inconsistent,” the manager told TUDN.
Chofis has missed 11 games overall, 10 due to injury and one caused by a sudden relapse. But given his history with the team, the interim manager is reluctant to let the player go.
During his first year with the Western Conference side, Chofis managed a team-high 12 goals and four assists in 32 appearances. He recorded three game-winning goals to secure the side their 10th place spot on the table.
“It has been very inconsistent so far, hopefully we can get it back,“ Covelo added.
Chofis’ sudden return to form would come at a perfect time for the Earthquakes, who have seen a difficult start to their 2022 campaign. The team stands in 13th place in the West with 14 points in 14 games and a record of 3W-5D-6L.
Off the field, the team is also undergoing a structural change after dismissing head coach Matias Almeyda in April. Former Earthquakes II head coach Alex Covelo has since taken the realm.
“Matías is a guy who connects quickly with the locker room, that happened where the two parts had to end and with Matías and his work group there was always a bond and a good relationship, we saw him train, see him close to the first team, somehow maintain the positive aspects and at the same time incorporate nuances,” said Covelo of the ongoing situation.
The Earthquakes return to the field on June 11 when facing Nashville SC.
