Friday, October 31, 2008

Skill Skool - Norwich City-Style!

Thanks to our buddy Graham for sending us the link to this great video. G's description of this clip: "I wanted to send you a link to a good video for the Faultzone. It is from Skysports TV channel back home, the program soccer am is on every saturday morning and is the bible for all footie fans back home. This clip is of Norwich City youngsters in the skill skool section."





I am definitely going to be checking out more "Skill Skool" clips online and seeing if I can catch some "Soccer AM" somewhere on the web! Thanks again Graham - for providing the "Zone" with more insights into English footie.

http://www.skysports.com/socceram/story/0,21644,13873_2661145,00.html

Boo!


Happy Halloween!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Re-Designed MLS Cup




The MLS just unveiled the newly designed MLS Cup. It looks nice. I wonder if they decided to re-design the thing because I got my sticky fingers on the old trophy this year! The Quakes have two of the old ones and we'll be gunning for a new one in 2009.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

...My current "prey"

The 2008 season is still warm and I am already trying to prepare for next season. I am on the hunt for this pair:

Today was close, but they just eluded me. I will re-group and try to initiate another capture attempt at daybreak......

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

My New Football Boots

H surprised me the other day with....a pair of football boots! He was doing his routine search through the local Ross store and found a pair of Reebok boots in my size for $9.99. Was it a deal?After quick research surf, I found out a little more information about these babies.

"The Reebok Pro Rage football boots launch Reebok straight into the premier league of top level football boots. With the recent hype attached to Reebok’s football boot sponsorship agreements with Thierry Henry and Andriy Shevchenko, the Pro Rage has been one of this years most eagerly awaited football boots.

Performance: Weighing in at 9.35 oz, this is a light football boot. This lightweight football boot has a micro synthetic upper, with a hidden lace system aiding control and maximising the strike area. The external TPU heel count increases stability, support and protection. The inside of the heel has a Griptonite anti slip coating that grips the foot and prevents boot slippage.
Available in 3 different soleplates, 12 stud moulded, 6 screw in studs or the variable blades.
Comfort: The one piece foot liner and elasticated Neoprene inner cradles the foot snugly for the ultimate comfort and touch of the football. The sockliner includes an anti friction fabric which reduces heat and moisture, reducing blistering.
Colours Available: Black/Copper
Price: from £72

Verdict: Fantastic price for a professional football boot. The Reebok Pro Rage football boot is set to be a mainstream winner."
(article is circa 2006)


Now what?
H says I need to get out there on the pitch! Well, my mind might say,"go for it", but my heart and lungs are singing a different tune ("I've fallen and I can't get up.")

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Ending the season on a high-note!



The Quakes ended the season last night with a 2-nil victory over Toronto FC (goals from Cochrane and Salinas). It was so great for the boys to end the season with the taste of the victory. It was an awesome night - the Quakes were attacking and much more aggressive tonight on offense and defense. We were able to pick up 3 more points to end the season 33 points and tied with the hated Galaxy (who tied FC Dallas in their last game). Team awards were given out prior to kickoff. Defensive MVP: Jason Hernandez Team MVP: Darren Huckerby. Humanitarian: Joe Cannon. (My votes would have been: Defensive MVP: Nick Garcia. Team MVP: Joe Cannon). We are already looking forward to the start of the 2009 season. Jim and his family have been great neighbors in Sec 108. They tolerated our drumming all season and it was alot of fun to cheer the Q's alongside them all year. A shout out to Kalia, Travis, Tanner, Kelsey + her friends, Proud Smurf and his family, and the rest of the gang in Sec 108.



Finally - our Victory celebration - mojarras fritas plate @ Chalateco!

We refrained from returning to Chalateco for some tilapia until the Quakes won again at home. We had to wait until the last game of the season, but it was worth it! We also ran into Proud Smurf and his family at the Chalateco after the game.



H on the "attack"!


www.chalateco.com



Our chef!

Friday, October 24, 2008

More Football Funnies

From our friends at Pepsi

The Season Finale

The Q's take on Toronto FC tomorrow night - the final game of the season. It will be nice to complete this campaign at the SB San Siro. Even though this game does not have any playoff implications, it will certainly determine whether the Q's have a chance to overtake the Galaxy in the standings. LA currently has 32 pts and the Q's have 30. LA plays FC Dallas @ the Home Depot Center (noon time kickoff). If FCD can win, it will all be up to the Q's to win and move up in the table.

Gridiron and Football "Double" Again

Cal Gridiron is taking on UCLA (Univ. of California for Lower Achievers) at 12:30pm in Berkeley. Shouldn't be too bad a rush to get to the Q's game at the SB Siro @ 7pm.

Beckham on loan to ACM

I don't have many thoughts on this subject. He can do what he wants. What does bother me is the issue of his mission to break the record for England Nat'l Team caps. So many people are saying he is getting "cheap" caps for basically token appearances. That is BOGUS. His impact in the MLS this year was mediocre at best. He should use his off-season resting his tired body.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

If you are going to foul someone, go for it!

This video is from Euro '08. I was in pain when I saw this happen live. Is this the alternative to the slide tackle? How do you practice such a move? This obviously the result of years of training - to be able to hit your target while it is running at full speed. I don't recall a yellow card being drawn on this one. All I remember is Miroslav Klose dropping like a stone.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Thanks Adidas! (NOT)


I think I found the season's curse. Look who Adidas has representing the Q's on their official MLS gear webpages - YIKES! The Curse of the Kamara strikes again. I never thought I would say this, but - Nike? Puma? What do you have in blue and black?

Saturday, October 18, 2008

"Moment of Silence"


The Fault Zone has entered a moment of silence - following the Q's defeat at the hands of the KC Wizards tonight 3-2. No playoffs this year. :(


Time to ZAP the Wizards

Tonight is the second-to-last game of the season for the Quakes. We take on KC at their place - CommunityAmeruca Ballpark (the of the minor league KC T-Bones of the Northern League). The game is on CSNBA tonight at 5pm. GO QUAKES!

Playoff hopes are very dim - only exciting to those math junkies that have figured out we are not eliminated. I think even with a slim-to-no chance on reaching the post-season, we need to think about getting past the Galaxy at the end. This should give us enought incentive it might just well get us to the MLS Finals!

MLS Rumor: This photo was supposed to have been taken of "Posh" while her hubby was away on national team duty.

Friday, October 17, 2008

2008 Quakes MVP

My vote for San Jose Earthquakes MVP is our "Superman" in the net - Joe Cannon. Joe has been the rock of this team. His play this year has never been questioned or criticized. His saves helped us win games and most of the time the goals that he gave up were not his fault at all (defensive breakdowns or those wonderful "own" goals we saw earlier in the season).

Joe is a veteran and plays like one. But the one thing that I like the most about Joe is the connection he makes with the Quakes supporters. He definitely promotes the idea that we are all on the same team and he always shows his appreciation for the fans at every game. He is the team leader and authority on the field - and the Quakes wouldn't of had such a great season this first year without him in the net.




Thursday, October 16, 2008

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!










Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Gotta win the last 3

I don't know if I have caaptured all of the possible combinations of wins-losses-ties that would get the Quakes into the playoffs, but one thing I do know, WE NEED TO WIN ALL 3 OF OUR FINAL GAMES to stay in the mathematical hunt for that last Western Conference playoff spot.



Wednesday Football "Double"

U.S. Men's National Team @ Tinidad & Tobago (World Cup qualifier); ESPN 5:00pm PST

Quakes @ Houston; Comcast Sports Bay Area & MLStv 6:00pm PST

A little football sparring + Football Commercials


A small battle with Facebook friends last night about the virtues of true football versus that poor imitation that involves very little ball/foot contact. It was fun. By the end of it - I issued 3 yellow cards, 1 red card, a suspension, and one PK. Whew.

Football Commercials

I love searching YouTube for funny football ads from different parts of the world (most of them come out of Europe). From time to time, I'll post one here for your amusement. This one is a solution to being an only child in love with football.



Monday, October 13, 2008

Strategic Partnership Puzzles H


H has expressed his puzzlement over this so-called "strategic partneship" between the Quakes and Tottenham Hotspur. His last email to me said, "What are the Quakes going to share with them? Q? Kickin' for Chickin promotion?". He thinks that maybe Tottenham is interested in the rumored Microsoft sponsorship with the Quakes ($). I am less skeptical - I look at it as a sign that the Quakes organization, despite it only being an infant in age, is respected by some even outside of the MLS. We'll see what comes of it all. I told H maybe Hucks is being woooed back to the EPL...or maybe the Section 108 teen-idol Shea Salinas will be headed over to the Spurs.

(Doesn't this shirt sponsor logo look better??)


Sunday, October 12, 2008

Football Shirts: A Supporter's Pride or An Expensive Rash Gone Wild?


My football shirt collection is tiny - but even this small collection has grown faster than I ever thought possible. It started with my Quakes training top, then my Quakes replica. AC Milan. University of California, Berkeley. US Nat'l Team. FC Barcelona. Brazil Nat'l Team. Ireland. Italy Nat'l Team.
The next few in my sights: Chelsea FC, Manchester City, 08/09 Quakes, Celtic FC.
I think that football club supporters accumulate so many shirts because of the world of football is just that - global. Unlike the NFL, MLB, NBA, or NHL, the world of football stretches around the entire globe (where the American sports are single leagues). "Premier" football leagues exist in every country on this earth. I ran across this interesting website that focuses totally on the culture of football shirts http://www.footballshirtculture.com/ Check it out!

There is always next year? We are still mathematically in it.

Dang it - the Q's went down to the So Cal goats (Chivas USA) 1-nil. I'm still questioning the goal that Chivas got. Braun (Chivas) looked offsides by a mile before he scored the games only goal. I have watched the replay over and over - it was offisides and we got cheated. One of the sideline refs missed calls all night. Our last 3 games were influenced too much by poor calls or no calls. Looks like no playoffs this year - unless there is a miracle (the Q's win their last 3 games and we get a little help from others). Over all - it has been a great season and alot of fun. Two away games (Houston and K.C.) and one home game (FC Toronto) remains.

Shhhhhh Part II

We arrived at the game last night and warmed up on the drums. A man and his son was sitting two rows in front of us. As it got closer to kickoff, the guy turned around and asked us if we could not play so loud because he couldn't hear anything (H thought he asked if we were going to be playing during the whole game). Either way - I think this guy took away some of the mojo and partly the reason why we lost. Too bad "earplug" wasn't at the game so she could share a pair with this guy.

Post-game meal

We tried to get back to CV before Val's closed, but we missed it by just a few minutes. RATS. We then went to see if Los Molcajetes was open - strike #2. We finally ended up at Don Jose's in the CV village (we got there at 10:15pm and they close at 11pm). The food was good and we drowned our football disappointment with enchiladas, chile rellenos, and burritos.





US Clobbers Cuba in WC Qualifier



Great to hear that the US MNT beat Cuba in their WC qualifier yesterday in Washington DC. US won 6-1 and have qualified for the final phase of WC qualifying. U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A


Friday, October 10, 2008

Do or Die

Well - I think tomorrow's game against Chivas USA will determine the fate of the Quakes this season. If we can win and pick 3 points, we'll still be in the hunt for that final playoff spot. If we tie or lose, I think that will be our season unless something really crazy happens.



The keys to the game: ALL of our key starters need to have their A games on.



#1 JOE CANNON: Has been solid in net all year and I am sure he will be the same tomorrow at the SBSS.



#2 RAMIRO CORRALES: Ramiro has been injured much of the season and I hope that he returns in this game - we need his midfield experience.

#3 FRANCISCO LIMA: Francisco has been such a playmaker since he has arrived to SJ, but has been off of his game the last several outings. We need his spark again.

#4 ARTURO ALVAREZ: Arturo has not gotten his shots the last couple games and we need his offensive presence to be felt early in tomorrow's game.

#5 DARREN HUCKERBY: Hucks continues to be on fire, but has been slowed down due to an injury this week. We pray that he is 100% for tomorrow - without him, we really help the Chivas defense in planning for the game.

#6 RONNIE O'BRIEN: Ronnie is another major player on this team that has not been on his game in recent weeks. I am sure he is really beat up at this point in the season, but I hope that his energy and spark from the right side shines tomorrow night.

#7 NICK GARCIA: Nick is our warrior! He is the key to our amazing defense and I'm certain that he will be giving 200% at the SB San Siro tomorrow.

#8 SCOTT SEALY: Scott is another player the Quakes brought on that has energized the team in the 2nd half of the season. He and Lima need to be in perfect harmony in the midfield for us to have a chance.

Hotspur Partnership



Well - not being a football expert by any stretch of the imagination - I am still trying to better understand what the announcement that the Quakes have entered into a "strategic partnership" with the Tottenham Hotspur club from the English Premier League will mean to the Quakes and to football in the U.S. Looking at the EPL league table - Tottenham is at the bottom right now. But they are a EPL team - one of the greatest football leagues on the planet. It will be interesting to follow this and learn more about what this partnership will evolve into over time. The most immediate dilemma that I see is - do I need to become a Hotspur supporter now? Right now I have elected to support Chelsea FC and Manchester City (Chelsea because of John Terry and Frank Lappard and Manchester City because they are the cross town rivals of the hated Manchester United club). Tottenham? We'll see.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Slum Soccer




I just found out about this organization today. I look forward to learning more about how people are using football to reach those who have been shunned by society.

http://www.slumsoccer.org/


I also ran across this website and blog today - the soccer project. Looks really interesting.
http://www.thesoccerproject.com/

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Quakes vs CD FAS - an international "too" friendly


The Quakes reserves took on El Salvadorian club champions CD FAS at the SB San Siro. H's friend, we'll just call her "El Salvador", was lets say - VERY enthusiastic and friendly. Yikes. We did our best to maintain good foreign relations (the US Ambassadors to El Salvador would have been proud!). Lesson: be careful with your drums at international football games - FAS FAS Fas-Fas-Fas, FAS FAS, Fas-Fas-Fas. We were literally stuck between Miss El Salvador - who was dancing (I guess you could call it that) up a storm for CD FAS and our friends to our left who were CD Aguila supporters (Go Eagles). There is nothing like "rubbing elbows" with those from another country.

(H - next time, please don't encourage them!)


We stayed away from a "latin" post-game meal tonight (we are still recovering from our El Salvador experience). We hit Yung Kee for a late night snack in Oakland Chinatown (Mongolian beef chow mein HK-style and won ton noodle soup w/roast duck)







Monday, October 6, 2008

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).

Friday, October 3, 2008

...One day

Real Salt Lake is moving into their new stadium mid-season. They must be grateful to get off of that astro turf. I can't wait until the Quakes get to put together their own "new home" video promo. I do have to say, the SB San Siro has grown on me. The field is always in perfect shape and the home supporters are filling the stands.




We also got our email saying that it is time to renew our season tickets for 2009. I am not ready to think about that just yet - I want our 2008 season to go on a little longer (all the way to the MLS Cup). One can dream, right?

MLS Referees

This is particulary true of the last two games the Quakes have played (Yes, I mean you two - Abiodun Okulaja and Paul Ward). Quakes lose their last home game 3-2 (a game that I thought the refs had no control over) and then tonight's 1-1 tie vs FC Dallas (which should have been a win for the Quakes). That pk call was a gift to Dallas and a shameful display of the quality of referees that are working games at this level.

'nuff said.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Hucks - MLS Player of the Month!









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)