Saturday, August 29, 2009

Quakes Drop match to Revs; The Quick Re-Birth of WSD?

The Quakes took on the Revs today, but lost another one (2-1 Revs).  The game was scoreless about 2/3 through the game, but then the Revs got 2 goals and went up 2-nil.  Ramon Sanchez did knock in a nice header for his first MLS goal close to the end of regulation eliminating Reis' clean sheet.  Up next for the Q's are a couple of non-league games (9/4 vs Copa Alianza All-Stars and 9/8 vs CD Aguila).  My guess is that these games will be games for the Quakes reserves.  Next MLS game will be against Colorado at Buck Shaw on 9/18.

Rebirth as "World Football Daily"

well - less than a week ago, World Soccer Daily ended (the only daily football talk show in America) due to controversial comments by host Steven Cohen with regards to the Hillsborough 96 tragedy.  Yesterday it was announced that WSD would return as "WFD" under a different format (no advertisers, but listener supported through "subscription".  I think that this show is great for football in the US.  I just have to make a personal decision as to whether to make the financial commitment for a subscription or not.  (It is a nominal amount, but cash doesn't grow on trees).  we'll see. 

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Quakes Win, Football Fans in the U.S. Lose

The Q's picked up 3 points against KC with the last minute (actually extra time) goal by Chris Wondoloski.  This season appears to be in the books already, but it is great to see that the lads are not giving up.  It has been a looooooooong season.  

Tonight is also the final summer session for Soccer Fours.  Starting this fall, it is moving to Thursday nights - which I cannot do.  :(  It was fun while it lasted.

Farewell to World Soccer Daily

Without much notice, the only daily football podcast in the U.S. has ended - World Soccer Daily.  I won't go into the details about what happened - you can do that by checking the web.  It saddens me that this program will not be available to us anymore because of the narrow-mindedness of some LFC supporters  that forced Steven Cohen to end WSD because of remarks he made about the horrible events that ended in the death of 96 fans at Hillsborough.  It is a loss for football fans here in America.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

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)

Sunday, August 9, 2009

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.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

2009 Peace Cup Champions



Aston Villa beat Juventus in the 2009 Peace Cup Finals this past weekend on penalty kicks. The Peace Cup is a pre-season friendly tournament (http://www.peacecup.com/). GK Brad Guzan saved the day in the finals.





MLS Playoff Picture (as of Aug 5, 2009)


Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Claret and Blue - Who Do You Support?

As you know, I am now a supporter of Aston Villa of the EPL. What's the story behind the popularity of team colors "claret and blue"? There are 3 teams currently in the EPL that have home uniforms that are near identical. Confusing is an understatement. I am going to have to do a little digging to see if there some sort of story behind these colors.
West Ham United Aston Villa FC Burnley FC

Monday, August 3, 2009

YES! 3 Points!

Finally - a win at home. It has been so long. Yes, yes - it did help that (1) Lundberg was on red card suspension from last week and (2) Sounders went a player down after Riley is sent off with a red card in the first half. But the Q's played the best we have seen all season. Our two new lads in the midfield (Sanchez and Luis) looked really good and kept turnovers to a minimum. Shea used his speed not to score, but to deliver balls for scoring chances (he ended up with two assists yesterday). The Q's 4-nil victory left us at the SB San Siro in a frenzy. We got a gift own goal and then goals from Glen, Huckerby, and Wondoloski. Woo hoo.

I am looking forward to the double header next week (Q's vs Columbus and then followed by Barca vs Chivas), BUT I am not looking forward to going to Candlestick Park to see the matches!