San Jose City Council Adopts EIR

Last night, the San Jose City Council adopted the Final EIR for the new Quakes stadium - a unanimous vote at that! Nice meeting coverage by Jay Hipps of Centerline Soccer

Tonight is the pre-season game vs the Dynamo at Kezar. H and I will be there warming up the drums for the season and H is bringing along some friends to introduce them to Quakes fever!

Let's Go Earthquakes....bang...bang...bang-bang-bang!

Dynamo, Timbers, Aston Villa FC

The Q's are gearing up for a couple of pre-season games coming up next week - Wed 3/17 vs Houston Dynamo (at Kezar) and Sat 3/20 vs Portland Timbers (at Buck Shaw). What can we expect from this coming season? I haven't a clue. We will have a completely different team than the one that we started with at the beginning of last season. Playoff hopes? I think we should keep those to ourselves for now.

I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things at Buck Shaw and banging our drums loud. Sec 108 - let's rock!

I have been keeping busy with my EPL club - Aston Villa FC. I am actually the chairperson for the Aston Villa supporters club here in California called "AVFC California". Villa is still in the hunt to break the Top 4 and qualifying for the Champions League next season, made it to the League Cup final (aka Carling Cup) - but fell to Man Utd, and are making a run for the FA Cup still (semifinal match v. Chelsea in early April).


Click the image to visit AVFC California!

Weaver Gone - Wondoloski In

The Quakes announced a move - sending Cam Weaver to the Houston Dynamo for Chris Wondoloski and a draft pick. Not earth-shattering news my any means. Wondoloski played for the old Quakes right before their move to Houston (I think he played most of his time with the reserves). Do we expect any bit change? No, but Wondoloski is coming from being part of two recent MLS Cup victories. Maybe that experience will help a little. He is local (Danville) so it must be exciting for his family and friends that he will be playing closer to home.

Quakes 3 Dyna-who? 2

YES - our first 3 points for the season. We have that first taste that will shift the momentum for the season right away.

I was unable to go to the game - but I see H had no problem getting a cameo on Yallop-Vision tv.




I would like to respond to GY's question, "What would keep Hucks here next season?" I did like the answer of "the sun". I know he mentioned that so many times last season so I'm sure he was loving that aspect of California living. But to tell you the truth, I think he must really miss his family back home (I know I would). I would love to see him stay because he is a fan favorite, but there really isn't much that could be used to bring him back. If the rumors are true - then I think he will return home, but he will ALWAYS be an Earthquake. And I believe 100% that he would not join any other MLS team because he doesn't want to ever play on a team against the Q's. We'll enjoy all that Hucks brings to the team and season this year and savor every moment.

What a downer of a day

Where do I start. In the morning I was beginning to feel like I was "coming down with something". Not a good start to the day. After getting home from the office - there was a double football night to look forward to. The US MNT played a world cup qualifier at Trinidad & Tobago @ 5pm on ESPN. I watched the first half of that game and switched the channel to CSNBA to catch the beginning of the Quakes at Houston game that started at 6pm. H came over too - to watch football and enjoy enchiladas made by my beauftiful bride, K. Turns out the enchiladas were the highlight of the night.

The U.S. MNT ended up losing their game 2-1. Congrats to T&T - this was their first win over the U.S.....EVER. It was too bad the US lost, but they didn;t field their strongest team and they are so far ahead in the Group A qualifier standings that a loss doesn't hurt them.

Now to the more important game of the evening....Quakes vs. Dynamo. Let's get the bad news over with - the Quakes lost 2-1. Ever since the Quakes ended their undeafeated streak, about 5 games ago, they seem like they are sleepwalking through games. My thoughts:

(1) Opposing teams have adjusted to the Quakes attack that was created with the additions of Huckerby, Lima, Alvarez, and Sealy. They have figured away to shut it down and the Quakes have not/or are unable to counter adjust.

(2) Fatigue and injury: We really miss Ramiro Corrales in the midfield. His absense has been a big loss. But in addition to Ramiro's absense - I think fatigue and just those late-season nagging injuries are catching up with the team. All of this attributes to diminished speed, slower movement away from the ball, less accuracy on passes, and more unforced errors overall.

The night ended with me going to sleep early with a fever. Humph.

The reality of making playoffs is fading fast. I am a man of faith, so I know miracles can happen. Keep praying!

Only 5 games left. C'mon Boys!

Only 5 regular season games left (+ 1 friendly against CD Fas). Tonight's match is HUGE. The team is going to have to be playing their "A" game from this point forward. The defensive lapses cost us a victory in our last game vs. Real Salt Lake. The boys need to help Joe out. All the other teams know what Hucks can do now so they are adjusting their D to put more pressure on him. Arturo had trouble getting into the last game - I hope that changes soon. C'mon Boys - "Let's Go Earthquakes - da-da-dadada-da-da-da

10/02 - Thursday
@ FC Dallas
6:00 p.m.
ESPN2, Deportes

10/07 - Tuesday
CD Fas &
7:00 p.m.

10/11 - Saturday
Chivas USA
7:00 p.m.
HDNet, CSNW

10/15 - Wednesday
@ Houston Dynamo
6:00 p.m.
CSNBA, DK, MLSLIVE.tv

10/18 - Saturday
@ Kansas City Wizards
5:00 p.m.
CSNBA, DK, MLSLIVE.tv

10/25 - Saturday
Toronto FC
7:00 p.m.
CSNBA, DK, MLSLIVE.tv

Marshalls, Ross, etc.

H is the king of football-related goods at discount retail chains! http://www.hcanfinditfootball.com/ Jersey's, jackets, t-shirts, balls, etc. (sizes and styles are limited....to one)

Game this Saturday @ Houston

Just read some infomation on Centerline Soccer that Nick Garcia (hamstring), Ronnie O'Brien (ankle), and Darren Huckerby (hip) sat out of practice yesterday. Also - there seems to be a question still on whether the game in Houston will be played or not due to the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Lets pray for the people affected in Texas (and also for Nick, Ronnie, and Darren to make a full recovery).

http://www.centerlinesoccer.com

Battling with Houston

It was a pretty epic battle on the pitch between the Dynamo and Quakes last night. Ronnie O'Brien's first half goal was amazing from the right side. Too bad we just couldn't hold onto the lead. DeRosario and Ching didn't start for the Dynamo (rumor was they were getting rested from national team play), but both were brought into the game in the second half and Houston got the equalizer from Ching. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. We did get one point, but we really wanted to get the three. Next Saturday we play Houston again, but this time at their place.


Warrior - Nick Garcia

Nick sustained a cut above his eye during the game and stayed in the game after having his head wrapped (looking like someone that got treated at a M*A*S*H unit or something. He played tough defense all night long despite the injury.


Sellout at the SB San Siro

It was a sellout at the SB San Siro and the crowed really got behind the team in a loud way. It was really exciting to be in the midst of the "epicenter"! Here is "The Fault Zone" banner in all of its glory prior to kickoff in front of Section 108.

#6 Darren Huckerby Story (Thanks Graham!)

Post Game Meal - Hot Pot City

(http://www.hotpotcitymilpitas.com/index.asp)

Well - since we didn't win, fried fish at the Chalatecho just didn't seem appropriate. Instead we ended up at Hot Pot City in Milpitas. Another first for me (although I had heard about it alot from H and my brothers). The food was great and we also got the post-10 pm discount!

This is a link to a "how-to" Taiwanese bbq hot pot dining http://www.hotpotcitymilpitas.com/video/video.asp

From the HPC website:
We are the original Authentic Taiwanese Hot Pot Restaurant in the Bay Area. Established in San Francisco with our first restaurant on 9th Avenue in the Sunset District, this Asian cuisine is where you cook your own food at the table in a fire induced hot pot that has s simmering broth with a circle grill for barbequing.

The Hot Pot City in Milpitas offers the restaurant patrons an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Feast for less than most meals in the Bay Area. With this style of cooking method, everyone can enjoy cooking their favorite food in our sizzling soup base or simply barbequing them on the side.

We offer large variety of fresh food item such as shrimp, mussels, fish, squid and our fresh meat selections are beef, pork, lamb, chicken.

In our preparation of the special marinated meats for barbequing, there is no MSG added. *for the health conscious, please ask your server id you would like to substitute margarine instead of butter for barbequing your meats.

Also included are freshest seasonal vegetables from local farmers, tofu and noodles and much much more. One of the most important steps in Hot Pot cooking is the dipping sauce. The most common and favorite sauce is the Satay Sauce, Sometimes called Taiwanese BBQ Sauce. The basic principal for this dipping sauce is to add a variety of condiments to suit one¡¦s taste (green onion, garlic, soy sauce, etc.) in a small bowl and dip your food into the sauce just before eating the food.

For the enjoyment of the first timers, it will be our pleasure from attentive staff to guide you on this very unique way of cooking and eating this style of Taiwanese Hot Pot

Houston Dynamo (not "old" Earthquakes)

The Quakes take on the Houston Dynamo tomorrow at the SB San Siro and it is yet another crucial game for the Quakes to stay in the playoff hunt.

I am getting tired of hearing the stuff about "this is a match-up between the old Quakes and the new Quakes". Yes - Houston was a new team a couple of years ago and they happen to be the old Quakes team that got moved to the Lone Star State. I started as a football fan in 2005, so I did know that players on the Houston roster as the old Earthquakes. I wondered how I would do in rooting for the new Quakes, especially when they played Houston.But I think because I only followed the Quakes a short time before they left, I didn't have the attachment to these players that others did. I am a supporter of the San Jose Earthquakes. They are the Houston Dynamo. As Anikan Skywalker said during the end of Star Wars episode 3: "If you are not with me, you are against me." Houston Dynamo is the enemy on Saturday. GO EARTHQUAKES!

May 22, 2008 vs. Houston Dynamo

The first regular season against our former selves? I was wondering how hard it would be to root against a team full of players that we grew to love before their hasty move to the Lone Star State. It turned out not to be very hard at all - seeing them all in their bright orange jerseys (DeRosario, Ching, Clark, Barrett, and the rest).

The Quakes came to play and beat the Dynamo 2-1. It was so great to see them win their first game at the South Bay San Siro. Kai Kamara led the way with his first goal at Buck Shaw. The game was on ESPN national broadcast - I was wondering how our crackerjack box sized Buck Shaw Stadium came over on tv.

Commentary: The concession stands at Buck Shaw stink and the no tailgating rule at Santa Clara U sucks big time. Also, Quakes merchandise is way over priced (the so-called season ticket discount didn't make much difference). Maybe since you can only get 10K people into that place - you make us the lost ticket revenue by selling beanies for $25, caps for $30, mini balls for $15, and jerseys for $95. C'mon - give us a break.

Next "Home" game: versus Mr. Posh Spice and the Galaxy at the Oakland Coliseum on 6/14. The Quakes hit the road for games against Real Salt Lake (5/31) and re-match with the Columbus Crew (6/7)