Real Salt Lake - 2009 MLS Cup Champions

I watched the 2009 MLS Cup match last night and was rooting for RSL to upset LA Galaxy. The quality of the game was typical MLS standard - not quite as exquisite as European football, but the game was exciting. LA took the lead, but RSL came back with an equilizer in the 70th+ minute. They remained tied and went into OT. After OT didn't break the tie, the MLS Cup came down to PK's. The difference I think was Zazoo's version of a "Baggio" - Donovan sent his PK attempt over the crossbar!

A Sub-.500 team winning the MLS Cup: It is a nice story, but should never happen in a top flight league of any kind. Period.

2009 ends with a fizzle.

The Q's fall to the Galaxy 2-nil. We finish at the bottom of the Western Conference table (7-14-9) once again. As they always say, "There's always next year." My votes for 2009:

Quakes MVP: Ryan Johnson
Quakes Top Defender: Joe Cannon
Quakes Inspirational Leader: Joe Cannon

BEAT L.A.! BEAT L.A.!

Well, we are at the doorstep of the season close. Away at the HDC to take on the Galaxy. I am hoping that the Q's can muster up a great result this weekend. What can we say about this season that we haven't mentioned before? Injuries did us in. So many key players had seasons that never really started (Huckerby, Hernandez, Corrales). Ryan Johnson was again the team's highlight reel. Awesome job Ryan!! Season ticket renewal packets were sent out several weeks ago. H and I will definitely be renewing our seats. We understand that the Ultras are moving to our end of the field - next to the Casbah. Should liven up the our haven behind the north goal. It is time to focus on the EPL, the remaining WC qualifiers, and the Champions League.

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!

Arghhhhhh! Another Draw.

We were without Huckerby. They were without Mr. Posh. We took a 1-0 lead after only a few minutes into the match after a great goal by Pablo Campos. Pablo showed me some things tonight - he looked much more active and faster than last week. I look forward to seeing Pablo providing an impact throughout the rest of the season.

Unfortunately, at least to my eye, the Q's again when into the mode of playing not to lose. It seemed like in the 2nd half that they began to sit back and try to protect the one goal lead. Well - as we all know - a one goal lead is never safe. Our pressure on the ball seemed to disappear as the game went on and LA got the equilizer in 70+ minute. We did have some great chances in the first half, but couldn't get that all important second goal.

Up next: 4/25/09 @ QWest Field to take on Seattle Sounders FC

What Kind of Crowd Will There Be in Oakland?

The Q's have again scheduled 2 games this season at the Oakland Coliseum - the 2 home games with the LA Galaxy. Of course, they were anticipating the presence of a Mr. Posh Spice to bring in a larger crowd - but this won't be happening this year since Mr Posh is staying in Italy until after mid-season.

I am hoping that there will be a decent crowd, but I am not going to get my hopes up. I just hope that it doesn't turn out to be a huge stadium with a small crowd. H and I will be there - no matter what - to support the Q's. I think the confines of the SB San Siro give us a better home pitch advantage.

Bend This!

Well AC Milan couldn't come up with enough money to compensate the Galaxy (and the MLS) for the services of Becks....so Mr and Mrs Posh will be returning to LA LA Land for the 2009 season. I guess it just wasn't in the cards.

Better order your Becks Milan shirt while they are still around...

Dora, uh I mean, David the Explorer

Well, there is so much conversation out there with regards to David Beckham's desire to stay with AC Milan rather than return to the LA Galaxy & the MLS. In these discussions, there are the questions, "Is it only about the $?", "He is doing all of this to just be a strong candidate for England's Nat'l team for the 2010 WC?", "The MLS was not what he had hoped it would be?"

From the perspective of the "Zone". I see all of these questions as valid. I think the answer is pretty straight forward. You just have to put yourself in the boots of

Beckham. No matter how much he is known by his work off the pitch, at the core, he is a footballer. When he left Europe, I am sure he thought that this American adventure would be his career finale. I think he really believed he would become the soccer ambassador to a country that quite honestly needed one. At the same time, he knew he and Posh would be perfectly comfortable in LA with all the $ and celeb friends.

The one thing I believe he did not expect was how much he would miss playing at the highest level. This "loan" to the Rossoneri opened up his eyes to (1) his competetive nature (2) his love for the game at the highest levels and (3) his abilities can still contribute at this level. Just the fact that a team like AC Milan was interested in a loan must have been exciting for Becks. If the same thing happens to Hucks - I wouldn't be surprised if his decisions were similar. Look at Rickey Henderson - he was hanging around and hanging around with the hope of a MLB team to become interested in a 40+ yr old outfielder that still had tools. He sure didn't keep playing in the minors for the money. He loves baseball. I really think that Beckham now realizes how much he loves football. Also, Beckham doesn't have to be "the" player at the San Siro - he'll just be one of the boys. He can just focus on his part to help this great team (I am a biased AC Milan supporter). A bonus: I think Becks can learn alot from Kaka :)

Was his short stay in the US beneficial to football in this country? Sure, maybe a little bit. The long-term impact might be significant if other overseas stars see that the MLS is a valid alternative depending on where you are in your career.

(*One thing H pointed out - now I have to figure out another marketing approach to sell my group seats for the Q's vs Galaxy game later this summer..."

1 "friendly" and 1 "must win"

There will be 2 Quakes games this week at the SB San Siro. The first one is tomorrow night vs CD FAS - an international friendly. Don't expect the first team out there on the pitch for this one. CD FAS is a top club from El Salvador. The big game will be on Saturday when we take on Chivas USA - a must win as I see it if we are going maintain an outside chance to get into post season play. Chivas is one of the teams that is also fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Currently they have 39 points (2nd to Houston with 43). The Q's only have 30. RSL, Colorado, and FC Dallas are the teams we are trying to catch (this is why the FC Dallas tie last week really hurt us). This week: NY @ RSL, Toronto @ Dallas, and Colorado @ LA. (The Galaxy is behind the Q's with 29 pts. Ideally - Quakes win, RSL and Dallas lose, and Colorado and LA tie).

Beat LA! Beat LA Beat LA!

I was out of town and missed the Quakes vs Galaxy re-match at McAfee. I was in Reno and couldn't get the people running the sports lounge at the hotel I was staying at to just run one of their 50+ big screen lcds to the Quakes game. "Sorry sir - but this is too big of a baseball day so we can't put the MLS on". Geeeeez. I only missed the best game of the season so far - thanks alot.

2 of the 3 goals were scored by newcomers Huckerby and Alvarez. This new lineup changes the team completely. The guys played with confidence and attacked on the offensive end - something we just haven't seen much of this season. I see Billy Beane's fingerprints all over these recent transactions. What I am curious about is the A's current slump tied to the Quakes making major moves recently? Can't split time between 2 franchises without one taking a hit.

Hmmmmmmmmm.

Quakes go down to the Donovan-less Galaxy

Well, I just returned home after seeing the Quakes take a hammering from the Galaxy 3-0. Close to 30,000 were at the game at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland (the largest crowd in Quakes history). Of course a majority of them were there to see one person - David "Mr Posh Spice" Beckham. he had a decent game, nothing spectacular. I do agree that Beckham has done alot for the MLS - in terms of visibility and credibility. The Galaxy were even without Donovan who was with the US men's national team getting ready for their world cup qualifier against Barbados tomorrow. Who knows what the score could have been.

The Quakes did pick it up in the 2nd half - after Shea Salinas got into the game. The speed that he brings to Quakes lineup really makes a difference. Too bad he missed another shot right in front of the goal though (arghhhhhh).

A couple of things. It was great to see that large crowd. The Quakes didn't do alot to "win" any of them over to support SJ soccer in the long term. The turnout did show that there are soccer fans out there - they are just not Quakles fans (YET!)

Tonight was the game that was the debut of my new "The Fault Zone" banner. It is not very big, but I think it turned out nice. I am going to have add something to highlight the letters a little better though. I think it will look great at the South Bay San Siro! (Buck Shaw). Thanks to my friend David for delivering it in time for the game tonight.

6/8/08 Quakes thump the Crew

YES! An away victory against one of the best teams in the MLS this year. Ryan Johnson and Ronnie O'Brien are my favorites so far this season. I'm looking for Johnson to make alot of noise this year. He has size and speed plus he attacks. We need someone like this on the team - a go to person. Ramiro Corrales is another high point this year. Looking forward to the home game coming up against the hated Galaxy at the Oakland Coliseum. I have a group of 130 people from my work that are going together.