Messi!

I just had to post this YouTube clip that captures Lionel Messi's bicycle kick that was so close to hitting the back of the net (our seats were on the second deck - right above the vantage point of this video)  Barca v Chivas (8.8.09 Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA)

Quakes Stumble and Barca Comes to Town

Today was what had been marketed as the "Night of Champions" at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.  MLS Champions Columbus Crew taking on the Quakes and then followed by FC Barcelona vs Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas). Prior to the football, we had a great turnout for a tailgate in the 'Stick parking lot (friends from church, work, relatives, friends of friends).  Of course we had way too much food - H was an amazing tailgate host!  The lot was filled with Barca and Chivas supporters + football fans in general.  Latin music, thousands of bbqs....alot of fun.

The Q's drop the first game 3-nil and pretty much snuffed out any hopes for a miracle playoff run.  It is too bad to see them come of such a great game against Seattle and lay an egg tonight.  Barca did not disapppoint in the 2nd game.  We were fortunate to be sitting above the goal Barca was targeting during the first half (before all of the subs came in after halftime).  Barca is incredible - the possession game was a thing of beauty and there were several tries that easily could have been goals (including a Messi bicycle kick attempt!).  The game ended in a 1-1 draw with both goals coming in the 2nd half.  It was totally worth it to see Barca's first team play 45 minutes - they are incredible.

International Football in the Bay Area this Summer + Soccer Fours!

2009 Gold Cup: I have my tickets for the first round matches that will be played at the Oakland Coliseum on July 5th (Guadeloupe vs Panama and Mexico vs Nicaragua)

Int'l Friendly August 8th: Today - I just secured tickets to the FC Barcelona vs Club Deportivo Guadalajara (a double header with the first game being the Q's vs the Columbus Crew).

I decided to pass on the World Football Challenge match between Inter and Club America (at Stanford Stadium). It would have been fun to do this one too - but $ is scarce and choices had to be made. Now if it were AC Milan or Chelsea.....

Soccer Fours:

Well - with the encouragement of H, I have finally stepped onto the pitch myself by starting to participate in a 4v4 program called Soccer Fours. They pick-up 4v4 games are on Wednesday nights at Franklin Sq Park in San Francisco. No refs, no score keeping, no league of official teams. It involves mostly club players, but even a novice like me felt welcome to join in. My legs were sore and I was definitely sucking wind during the 1 hour session that consisted of six 10-minute games. Check it out at http://www.soccerfours.com/

Franklin Sq Park pitch (artificial turf)

YES! 3 Points!

The Quakes took on the Galaxy today at the Oakland Coliseum - the result was a 2-1 victory and 3 points! The taste of victory is sweet especially since we have been on a diet for so long this season. The Galaxy was without Kazoo and the Quakes took advantage by playing an above average game. PK by Pablo Campos and another goal for Ryan Johnson. Joe Cannon had a great game and kept us in the game.

Next game is July 3rd at Real Salt Lake.

FC Barcelona vs Chivas on August 8th!!

Looking forward to the announced doubleheader coming up in August at Candlestick Park: First game is Q's vs Columbus Crew Second game is FC Barcelona vs. Chivas!