Quakes downed by RSL (and Refs) + Double report

Just a quick report on today's sports "double". We stayed at the Cal gridiron game until the end of the 3rd Quarter (Cal ahead of Colorado St. by a score of 28-nil). We figured the lead was safe (Cal ended up winning 42-7). Met H in Berkeley and we jammed to the SB San Siro. We missed kickoff by about 15 minutes and when we saw that RSL had already scored (we later heard it happened in the first 3 minutes). Darren Huckerby made his contribution - scoring twice tonight, but the Quakes went down 3-2 to the visiting RSL team. The Q's did have a 2-1 lead at one point, but gave up 2 goals in the 2nd half. RSL is a very physical team and there were several skirmishes on the pitch. The refs didn't help the Quakes at all by missing/choosing not to make several obvious calls. I think the refs lost control of the game and RSl took advantage of it by ramping up their physical play. We come out with 0 pts and it certainly puts a damper on our playoff hopes. We gotta come back and hit these final games hard. Next up is FC Dallas on 10.2 (in Texas).

Missed "PK"

A PK (penalty kick) was taken tonight, but it wasn't a Quakes or RSL player that took it. It was me! We park in the parking structure for each game - the lot next door to Buck Shaw (see photo 1 below; P=Parking Lot; BS = Buck Shaw). Tonight we parked on the top floor of the garage.

After the game, there was alot of traffic - so we decided to hang out on the garage roof and kick the ball around (quite a few other fans had the same idea). H brought out his handy dandy, ever present Adidas Europass Glider out of his car.

It was a beautiful night - still warm, and we were just passing the ball back and forth. Then H took his position as goalie next to the wall of the parking lot and begged me to go for the PK (try to get the ball past him and hit the wall). How could I pass that opportunity up. I placed the ball down and had my mind set on going to my left (his right) and go for the imaginary "upper corner" of the net. I glided up to the ball with out hesitation, struck the ball cleanly - and got the shot past H and......also the top of the wall! My shot sailed off the 3rd floor roof of the parking structure into the night. (see photo 2 showing ball flight). Keep in mind it was dark and at night.

The story ended ok as we were able to recover the ball with the help of a kid that saw where the ball flew. H kept saying I did a "Baggio". I am going to need to look this up (but I have no doubt it is in reference to somebody blowing a PK in some World Cup moment and losing it for his team!). Thanks H.