Quake, Rattle and Goal: FanPosts

Alan Gordon handed a three game suspension for homophobic slur.

2013-04-16T21:34:13Z

Alan Gordon will be suspended for a total of four games: three for the homophobic slur he directed at Portland's midfielder Will Johnson, and one more for the red card he received in the 69th minute of Saturday's game against the Timbers.

Wondolowski Golazo Earns MLS Goal of the Week

2013-03-30T03:32:12Z

Chris Wondolowski won MLS Goal of the Week, with his second goal of the season, which earned the Earthquakes 1-0 victory over the visiting Seattle Sounders at a sold out Buck Shaw Stadium last Saturday night.

Wondolowski Goal vs Seattle Sounders FC 3/23/13 (via San Jose Earthquakes)

Per the Center Line Soccer match report: "A superb goal from star striker Chris Wondolowski just seconds into first half stoppage time was the difference as the Quakes beat Seattle for the fourth straight match stretching back to the start of 2012. For Wondolowski, it was his third game winning goal against the Sounders in the streak. He missed the two easy ones early, but he scored the real hard one," said head coach Frank Yallop. "That’s Wondo: he doesn’t drop his head, he always feels he’s going to score."

On to Houston this weekend - a victory will ensure they are still heading in the right direction at BBVA Compass field. Wondolowski will be looking to add to his tally against the only team in MLS against whom he hasn't scored during his career.

Wondolowski Goal vs Seattle Sounders FC 3/23/13 (via San Jose Earthquakes)

Earthquakes ranking in CONCACAF

2013-01-11T20:36:08Z

This site has the Earthquakes ranked as the top club in MLS. However, there are still numerous Mexican clubs ranked ahead of them. What are your thoughts? Should the Earthquakes be ranked ahead of the Galaxy and the Dynamo even though they got knocked out of the playoffs so early? Should clubs from Guatemala and Honduras be ranked ahead of them? I am kind of surprised that not a single MLS club is in the top 10.

Earthquakes Gameday: Wondo Chases Record

2012-10-27T19:05:52Z

So, here we are, final game of the regular season. The final warmup before the big time.

Oh and apparently Chris Wondolowski is chasing some scoring record or something.

Wondo and the Earthquakes will try to break that record against the Portland Timbers. This won't be easy though, Portland has played us tough despite them not being a good team. The Earthquakes have suffered a 2-1 loss to Portland and played to a 2-2 draw against them this season.

On the plus side, the Earthquakes have clinched the Supporter's Shield, so the only thing to play for is Wondo's record chase. Wondo just needs 1 goal to tie Lassiter's regular season goal scoring record of 27 goals. I would be surprised if he doesn't tie it. However breaking will be a taller order.

At the same time, the way this season has gone, one has to think the footballing gods will be smiling down upon Wondo today.

LET'S GO EARTHQUAKES!!!!!!

So, here we are, final game of the regular season. The final warmup before the big time.

Oh and apparently Chris Wondolowski is chasing some scoring record or something.

At the same time, the way this season has gone, one has to think the footballing gods will be smiling down upon Wondo today.

LET'S GO EARTHQUAKES!!!!!!

Let me introduce myself here... and explain myself!

2012-06-28T05:12:46Z

Back in the 1990's, I first started playing soccer in the East Bay Area, and becoming more interested in the sport... At that time, I didn't have cable at home or anything, but one thing that somehow came through on a few stations were San Jose Clash games. My father, who went to many Quakes games - some that included George Best years back, started watching them with me, and taking me to matches... I loved those early Clash/Quakes games at Spartan Stadium, and it was so fun to go see Ronnie Ecklund, Rich Mulrooney, and some kid named Landon Donovan play. It got me really interested in the sport, and I loved my Quakes. I bought FIFA video games every single year on my Sega and played them till the wee hours of the morning. I loved soccer. It was my favourite thing along with Sharks Hockey.

Then came 2005 and I just completely dropped out of giving a care about MLS. They moved my club. TO FRIGGIN HOUSTAN TEXAS!!? I was heartbroken as a Wimbledon supporter... Here I had a club that had been so successful and gained such a following, taken out of town because Spartan Stadium was "too small." I was livid. Livid that they would do this to me.

So I ditched the MLS completely and I turned to Europe. I became a massive Celtic supporter (Yeah, I'm Catholic haha), as well as a pretty close follower of Newcastle United (which is now my main focus, really). I couldn't attend matches or anything, but I'd still wake up at 4am to watch matches on the internet - completely screwing up my sleep schedule during my first few years of college and probably messing up my GPA terribly so. My walls were no more adorned with Earthquakes garb, but instead with that of the Irish Tricolour and the black and white of the Toon Army.

When the MLS brought back a team to San Jose, I was no longer based in the Bay Area - but instead, Was living in Oregon going to school - Where I still am. I still couldn't get into MLS, as there was no way to see matches - either by attending or watching on TV. There just weren't any opportunities, and the Timbers weren't even around yet... I knew that San Jose had a stint with an aged Darren Huckerby, and I followed as best as I could, but it just wasn't the same now that I wasn't in California.

Then came the Timbers in 2009... and Oregon started going soccer psychotic. I watched wary-eyed knowing the quality of play wasn't quite what I was used to while following EPL and Champions League matches, but Newcastle had just been relegated, Celtic was a dud in the CL, and I had all summer to rekindle my relationship with MLS... Besides, the USA were in the Confederations cup. It was time to get excited about american "soccer" again.

The Timbers weren't even an MLS side yet, but they were getting 10 thousand at their games... sometimes more. I attended a few matches and realized that this USL division wasn't all that different than the early games I attended at Spartan Stadium. My love for american soccer was back. (plus they had some dude with a chansaw - what can I say, that's pretty attractive to a fan) There was a heavy push by many of the Timbers Rangers (as they used to be called when i started following the club) to get them updated to an MLS side - especially once Seattle was given a club. in 2011, this finally happened, and the rest is history - we all know what happens when Soccer's going down in Portland now - regardless of how crap the team sorta is. The support is unbelievable.

In 2010, the Quakes did well enough to make the semi finals of the playoffs. I watched from afar, but still couldn't really adhere to the club. Even as I still watched every Sharks game like a maniac. (some may recognize me from ftf or boc. perhaps CGB if they follow cal sports)

This year, however.. things have started to change. Yes, I still really am close to the timbers, but I've been following the Quakes like crazy! every match... it's fantastic to watch. They play well as a team without any large name player being brought over from Europe, or out of what would otherwise be basically a form of retirement (JP Angel, T Henry, BLECKham... i'm looking at you). No, instead they have this Wondo dude... who went to high school down the road from me... showing those guys UP. It's fucking FANTASTIC! And it's bringing me back to the quakes.

SO... Let me offer my sincere apologies for not following the quakes closer all along... and for now being somewhat torn between two clubs with the Timbers, and Quakes both garnering my equal attention... as I live between both... 10 miles from the California/Oregon border. 5+ hours from both Portland and SJ.

I know it's sacrilege to have bond with two sides... especially in the same division... In Europe it would be unheard of... It's like being a fan of the A's AND the Giants (which in my opinion is fucking disgusting in today's climate) but I can't help it. It's my first love + the team that made me re-realize love. It's hard to pick a side now when the two match up... I own jerseys from both sides...

But yeah, really I'm just coming along to share my story, and let you guys know I'm going to be hanging around here this summer, following the Quakes from now on. Maybe you guys can help me reluctantly pick a side once and for all? Probably not... but regardless. Here's to a great season for San Jose.

Go Quakes! (and Timbers!)

Couple of Articles on the 1906 Ultras

2011-04-22T18:36:36Z

Earthquakes, MLS Walk Fine Line Between Fan Groups, Families - San Jose Mercury News

Decent article, pretty even-handed but more of a cursory explanation of the issues surrounding supporters groups in MLS. More geared toward casual sports fans who are not familiar with MLS supporters groups.

The Romanian media has picked up the story too, though some things were clearly lost in translation:

http://www.sport.ro/stranieri/poveste-incredibila-el-e-romanul-care-a-dus-steaua-in-america-de-ce-e-acuzat-de-rasism-si-cum-a-socat.html

I used Google Translate to read it.

Earthquakes, MLS Walk Fine Line Between Fan Groups, Families - San Jose Mercury News

The Romanian media has picked up the story too, though some things were clearly lost in translation:

http://www.sport.ro/stranieri/poveste-incredibila-el-e-romanul-care-a-dus-steaua-in-america-de-ce-e-acuzat-de-rasism-si-cum-a-socat.html

I used Google Translate to read it.

Statement from 1906 Ultras Capo Dan Margarit re: Ultras Protest

2011-04-14T05:09:47Z

For the record, I am not Dan, from Big Soccer

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1708729

I am happy to report that the much-publicized 1906 Ultras protest is resolved. Today I had a very productive meeting with San Jose Earthquakes President Dave Kaval, whom I thank for his graciousness in meeting me in the East Bay. We have mutually decided to move forward in collaborative fashion by improving communication and focusing on working together for the well being of the Earthquakes organization and its entire fanbase.

Two of the sanctions imposed on the 1906 Ultras have been modified. A “red card” received by a non-member of the 1906 Ultras was removed from the group's record, while the period of probation for the Charlie Sheen tifo was reduced to three games inclusive of the one just played, with the further clarification that the probation does not prevent the 1906 Ultras from displaying appropriate tifo during the course of the probation.

As importantly, the 1906 Ultras and the Earthquakes have agreed that moving forward both parties will do our best to avoid repeating mistakes made in the past and to take a proactive approach to avoid further miscommunications. The San Jose Earthquakes' history and tradition obliges us to give them our full and unreserved support and we intend to continue do so as we have over the past eight years. The 1906 Ultras would like to thank the numerous fans who showed solidarity with us during our recent protest, and we would like to invite ALL Earthquakes fans join in our songs and chants so as to turn Buckshaw Stadium into the loudest in the league.

For the record, I am not Dan, from Big Soccer

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1708729

I am happy to report that the much-publicized 1906 Ultras protest is resolved. Today I had a very productive meeting with San Jose Earthquakes President Dave Kaval, whom I thank for his graciousness in meeting me in the East Bay. We have mutually decided to move forward in collaborative fashion by improving communication and focusing on working together for the well being of the Earthquakes organization and its entire fanbase.

Two of the sanctions imposed on the 1906 Ultras have been modified. A “red card” received by a non-member of the 1906 Ultras was removed from the group's record, while the period of probation for the Charlie Sheen tifo was reduced to three games inclusive of the one just played, with the further clarification that the probation does not prevent the 1906 Ultras from displaying appropriate tifo during the course of the probation.

As importantly, the 1906 Ultras and the Earthquakes have agreed that moving forward both parties will do our best to avoid repeating mistakes made in the past and to take a proactive approach to avoid further miscommunications. The San Jose Earthquakes' history and tradition obliges us to give them our full and unreserved support and we intend to continue do so as we have over the past eight years. The 1906 Ultras would like to thank the numerous fans who showed solidarity with us during our recent protest, and we would like to invite ALL Earthquakes fans join in our songs and chants so as to turn Buckshaw Stadium into the loudest in the league.

Statement Regarding 1906 Ultras Protest

2011-04-10T06:04:31Z

1906 Ultras Statement Regarding Protest

We are protesting the unjust probation that the Earthquakes front office have imposed on our group as punishment for our Tifo (overhead banner) at the Seattle home game on April 2nd. We will not stand for the front office’s unwarranted attempt at censorship. Three days after the Seattle game, Ultras leaders received an e-mail from the Earthquakes front office notifying us that a Seattle supporter complained about the tifo on Twitter, and that the Earthquakes front office agreed that the tifo was vulgar, a violation of the fan code of conduct, poorly represented the club, and that as a result the Ultras were being punished by being placed on probation.

The tifo at the Seattle game was in no way vulgar or obscene, and in no way violates the fan code of conduct. There was no nudity, no sexual acts, and no profanity. The tifo was merely an irreverent take on Charlie Sheen, something which the Earthquakes front office itself has indulged in (see their youtube video from a few weeks ago). If the tifo was so obscene and such a violation of the code of conduct, why did no Earthquakes staff member ask us to take it down, or complain to us during or after the game? Why did not a single Earthquakes fan complain about the tifo? Why did the front office not say anything to us for three full days? For the Earthquakes front office to now come forward and suggest the tifo was obscene is extremely insulting to the Ultras artists who spent countless hours of their free time making it. Our protest will continue until the unjust probation is lifted.

Sincerely,

1906 ultras leadership