Gritty comebacks, frustrating draws, WTF losses, spectacular near misses, bittersweet reunions, breathtaking golazos, & way, way too much red marked the Quakes' July.
A SUMMER SERIES OF SAN JOSE SNAP SHOTS
For the past few months, Quakes fans have experienced a rainbow of emotions, but mostly a lot of red, black, & blues. Here's a rather long recap, but, just like the Quakes, totally worth it.
We're also introducing our new fan soapbox: LOBINA Bar Talk!
(Skip down to the SJvTOR match if you can't wait)
LATE SPRING WAS RATHER SPRUNG:
San Jose stumbled into the summer posting enough goose eggs to make an fowl omelette: SJvDAL 0-0, PORvSJ 1-0, PORvSJ 2-0 (USOC). The Quakes were not playing poorly (well, except for the Open Cup match), but the soccer gods did not shade the matches Black & Blue.
ORLvSJ
The first MLS match after the international break presented a complex canvas of emotions as the match was the first Orlando community sports event following the horrific shooting at Pulse--a gay dance club--& which resulted in nearly 50 killed & many more wounded. Quakes players & fans joined Orlando in commemorating the victims, their families, as well as the first responders & the entire community devastated by the violence & loss of life:
"All you need is love." #OrlandoUnited #ORLvSJ https://t.co/BDwDRh0f37
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 19, 2016
Back in San Jose, the Ultras hosted a fundraiser to support #OrlandoUnited during the Quakes watch party at Golden State Brewery:
Thanks @brewgoldenstate & @TCL_USA for an awesome @SanJoseUltras #Quakes74 away watch party!#ORLvSJ#OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/PklGPs40bj
— LOBINA (@LOBINA_QUAKES15) June 19, 2016
The match itself was an up-&-down affair, with Orlando scoring two, but San Jose bouncing back with a goal by Barrett:
Lovely ball from @SalinasSJ11 to @CBarrett19 for his first goal with the @SJEarthquakes. #Quakes74 #MLS#ORLvSJ pic.twitter.com/gvmwrok8sf
— Quakes Epicenter (@QuakesEpicenter) June 19, 2016
& a late equalizer by Super-Sub Salinas:
Another look at @SalinasSJ11's last-gasp goal that earned #Quakes74 the road point. https://t.co/GM3BHMxWUu
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) June 19, 2016
Quincy expressed all Quakes fans' feelings by tackling Shea.
CaliClasico Part III:
The Final CaliClasico of the season at Stanford had the requisite Goonies Goal, as substitute-striker Barrett scored in the 90th minute off a substitute-superman Salinas free kick to equalize an earlier Dos Santos strike. However, the victorious tie was marred by many of the 50,000 fans chanting the homophobic "Puto" chant at each LA Galaxy goal kick. The discriminating chant not only disappointed die-hard supporters groups like Imperio Sismico, SJ Ultras, & The Faultliners--who have worked hard & diligently to squash that shit at Avaya--but also to Quakes players who play their hearts out for a positive fan experience.
CHIvSJ
The Quakes travelled to outside Chicago to play former SJ coach Frank Yallop's former Fire. With Wondo finally rejoining the team from USMNT duty for Copa America 2016, Quakes fans were excited about finally getting a 2016 win on the road.
Especially against the worst team in MLS.
I REALLY want @QuincyAmarikwa to have a great game against his former team. C'mon #QuincyTime, 2 goals! #Quakes74
— Quakes Fans (@QuakesFan) July 1, 2016
A quick reminder how lucky we are to have a world-class stadium in the city that's actually part of our team's name:
From Toyota Park in "
Chicago
"... Go @sjEarthquakes #Quakes74 !! pic.twitter.com/Zl0dPw3dlT
— David Keller (@dhkeller) July 1, 2016
And more Quakes fam showed up outside of Chicago as well!
We're right behind the Alashe Family (in from
Michigan
), just had a great chat with Fatai's dad and brother. Go #Quakes74!
— David Keller (@dhkeller) July 1, 2016
Unfortunately, it was more of a Chicagastop than a Chicago.
The CHIvSJ Match Itself:
Hate to say it, but this looks like two crap teams playing each other. We gotta win this one. #COYQ
— Quakes Fans (@QuakesFan) July 2, 2016
Gonna be really interesting to see what Kinnear can do with 3 DP slots & a ton of cap room this winter. #CHIvSJ
— Matthew Doyle (@MLSAnalyst) July 2, 2016
Did I just see MPG track back? #Quakes74
— Matt Wyke (@mattwyke10) July 2, 2016
Sloppy ball handling will be the death of the #Quakes74 tonight. Also look slow and not creative. WAKE UP!
— DOGSO Catcher (@timothyjaxon) July 2, 2016
And, to bottom it out once again, the Puto Chant rears its ugly head:
And, yes, that's a very clear "p**o" chant from the @ChicagoFire's "Sector Latino" cheering section. Disappointing. #Quakes74 @MLS
— David Keller (@dhkeller) July 2, 2016
Strike that: the Puto Chant doesn't do anything by itself. PEOPLE shout out that homophobic crap:
Chicago Fire fans gleefully chant "puto" during a free kick vs. San Jose Earthquakes. #CHIvSJ pic.twitter.com/3UER7twNdT
— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) July 2, 2016
We can easily stop this shit. Just don't say it.
And when you hear it, turn to the person shouting it & calmly say, "We don't say that here."
Team & Stadium owners, who always want to be on the right side of history & fanbase, will have instructed the stewards to engage shouters & so will have people to help escort foul-mouth "fans" out of the stands.
Speaking of shit, it was a sorry match, with poor performances all around & only MLS ALL-STAR David Bingham providing a spark of spirit:
38' SAVE BINGHAM! He leaps to tip a bullet over the bar to keep things scoreless in
Chicago
. #CHIvSJ #Quakes74
— #QuakeTheVote (@SJEarthquakes) July 2, 2016
@NerdyGales Apparently once
Chad
and Shea get subbed into the match. Hopefully we won't be down a goal when it happens.
— DOGSO Catcher (@timothyjaxon) July 2, 2016
State of the Quakes play at the moment: pic.twitter.com/Yru8eRobSS
— Mexican Pirate King (@Christophicles) July 2, 2016
Friggin' 1-0 loss to the WORST team in MLS.
It happens.
On the bright side:
@jjgamble49 @LOBINA_QUAKES15 @TalkQuakes if supporting a team was easy we'd all be Galaxy fans...
— Dr. Nitzoldinho (@SJQuakesGuy1977) July 2, 2016
On the dark side, Alashe got his head smacked hard, & had to be taken off (with his family watching).
With concussions, it could be weeks.
If @FataiPrince27 has head injury @SJEarthquakes down to Matheus Silva, 19, at center back. Horrible collision. He's out for game.
— Elliott Almond (@ElliottAlmond) July 2, 2016
These are the matches that temper my expectations about where the Quakes'll land as a playoff team (they'll finish 6th, skin of their teeth)
— Sterling McGarvey (@sterling_m) July 2, 2016
Indeed, this was not the level of play that will get the #Quakes74 to the postseason. Road record drops to 0-5-4. https://t.co/TuWlSr834h
— Robert Jonas (@robertjonas) July 2, 2016
SJvDAL
Nothing like losing away to the worst team in the league & then hosting the best on another emotional celtic knot of a night: the Quakes welcomed red-hot FC Dallas to Avaya one day after the tragic shooting of people & police officers in Dallas, but a match which also celebrated LGBTQ Pride, with longtime Quakes fan-favorite journo Kate Scott slamming home the ceremonial opening goal:
Well done @katetscott scoring not one but TWO goals on the @SJEarthquakes #Pride game opening kick! New @MLS star? pic.twitter.com/9NoRwwQOLe
— You Can Play Project (@YouCanPlayTeam) July 9, 2016
As a bar with an awesome screen, so honored to share the scene! Check out that Great Scott Rocket! & Q embrace!
The match itself was just as emotionally & physically engaging: Quakes played well & on the front foot for much of the match. Cards were shown. Cards were not shown. Dallas rocked in a goal. Wondo was ? Most fans left Avaya looking like we'd just watched all 24 hours of Twin Peaks in one sitting, but were given a Fire Walk With Me VHS tape on the way out.
Oh, Quakes lost 0-1.
Playing well to the best team in MLS.
So it goes.
We just hope Kate Scott--a Bay Area sports fan & fab journalist who has tirelessly championed soccer on types of airwaves--felt the love Avaya & LOBINA could give. Especially after all the Buck Shaw broadcasts she rocked with her love of Quakes, soccer, & Bay Area sport shining through! She is one of the major forces behind the Quakes broadcasting success today, & all fans need to recognize her professional & personal heart-felt contribution to San Jose's expanding-market success.
Week 16: SJvTOR
After weeks of ties, not scoring, & good performances being rewarded with losses or whoopee cushions, Quakes fans did not enter Avaya fulling believing in the possibility of the mythical THREE POINTS.
Sure, Toronto was missing Michael Bradley. And that occasional USMNT striker of the Hamstring Affliction. But Toronto FC has a quality side with quality players, including two of San Jose's best defenders from our 2012 wonderseason: Justin Morrow & Steven Beitashour.
We miss both of you, & were happy to see you back in San Jose.
Even after you combined to score on us.
Love you both.
[Slams shotglass down, starts drinking straight from bottle]
#DOTM (Drink Of The Match):
Prep for #SJvTOR w/ "Canadian Killer Kool-Aid":
1/2oz vodka
1oz Midori
1oz amaretto
Cranberry juice
Sprite
KEY INGREDIENT: #Quakes74 win!
— LOBINA (@LOBINA_QUAKES15) July 16, 2016
Security has slowly expanded to the curb:
People now have to remove everything around their waists in addition to emptying pockets. Quakes STH bags are still grandfathered in, but otherwise it's no go for bags, umbrellas, etc. Notice the metal detectors. At the supporters' gate, there were many police & a physical patdown. People were not tickled.
PRE GAME:
With all the injuries & absences to the Quakes roster, at least somebody was scouting for quality replacements:
I caught a Meowth at @AvayaStadium. Over by where the players come out. #PokemonGO #Quakes74 #SJvTOR
— Jeff Hisaoka (@teriyaki240) July 17, 2016
But mainly the mood was frustration & SMH:
With 7 players out injured for SJ and 6 for TOR, the two most crippled teams in @MLS are set to battle each other tonight. #SJvTOR
— Stephen Plodinec (@steveplod) July 16, 2016
Introducing "LOBINA Bar Talk": a series of video interviews in which Quakes fans get to rant until drunk. Or vice versa. Our first installment features Dan @QuakesFan, speaking during the beginning of the match on his thoughts on the State of the Quakes:
We hope to meet with many Quakes fans & hear what you have to say!
[SPOILER ALERT] Multi-Level Ironic Tweet of the Match:
Beitashour: "The main thing we've been focusing on is being tough to score on." #TFCLive #SJvTOR pic.twitter.com/t63Je41LTR
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) July 15, 2016
LINEUPS
Here is your #Quakes74 starting XI & bench for #SJvTOR!
Matchcenter: https://t.co/BXX6SUYfPp pic.twitter.com/SooGz9JHH1
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) July 17, 2016
The @BacardiCanada Projected Starting XI vs. @SJEarthquakes → https://t.co/VAgLJkKJBT #SJvTOR #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/wBdxPDNerc
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) July 16, 2016
The MATCH
Dude. The Quakes played an amazing first 40 minutes, putting on a master-class of the High Press. Cato & Quintero combined consistently to bring the ball up the right side. Francis, Dawkins, & even Alashe busted up the left. Geez Stewart & Big Vic Bernárdez shut down Toronto's attempts to drive up the middle.
GOAL!!
WATCH: @QuincyAmarikwa opens the scoring at @AvayaStadium.#Quakes74 | #SJvTOR pic.twitter.com/PMoclrZTT3
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) July 17, 2016
MUMA WINS A BMW!!
Is this the worst free kick of all time? #SJvTOR #Quakes74 pic.twitter.com/x3Op2aqvBT
— Eric Giacometti (@Eric_Giacometti) July 17, 2016
CARD!!!
Godoy is shown a straight red card. pic.twitter.com/W0k36Y7ssW
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) July 17, 2016
Exact same foul not called / called yellow all match. At this point Avaya came alive, with the whole crowd booing the ref & cheering on Wondo, who went either apoplectic or apocalyptic or both. No sympathy for Endoh--who was barely touched--and the crowd would rain boos on him at every ball touch for the rest of the match.
Even non-Quakes supporters took issue with the red:
I'm no #Quakes74 fan but this ref has made this game a pile of shit. #SJvTOR thats not fair to any player regardless of who you like
— Rachel Cardoza (@ECSRachel) July 17, 2016
Forget Wondo or Gio; I came to #SJvTOR to see watch this sweet ref... #Quakes74 #AreYouFuckingKiddingMe
— Dr. Nitzoldinho (@SJQuakesGuy1977) July 17, 2016
So the Quakes, a goal up, now had to play the next 50 minutes a man down.
Not surprisingly, soon there was...
GOAL!
Justin Morrow with the equalizer. #TFCLive #SJvTOR https://t.co/FqrFWgGDEG
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) July 17, 2016
Always awesome to see Beita & J-Mo in
San Jose
.
Sigh.
At halftime it was tied up 1-1. The stadium booed Endoh & the ref off. Wondo immediately went back to blasting the ref for his inconsistency. Many supporters started shaking their heads at the prospect of another draw. Or worse.
Beer & Natchos sales skyrocketed.
And soon after the Second Half started:
CARD!!
53' Red card issued to Alberto Quintero... #Quakes74 down to 9 men. #SJvTOR
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) July 17, 2016
Even our dog is perplexed about the red cards given to the @SJEarthquakes the ref. #SJvTOR #MLS pic.twitter.com/VHfgy29t8r
— Hijo de Puttis (@hijodeputtis) July 17, 2016
Endoh & the Red Card Ref strike again! If Avaya was noisy before, we really woke up the neighbors now, as the entire stadium exploded with chants of:
REF YOU SUCK!!
Apparently it registered on the stadium seismograph as the most forceful fan-induced event in Avaya history.
Equaled only moments later when Cato rocked up the center of the pitch to feed Dawkins, charging up the left. 2 on 5. Dawkins stopped well outside the box, Cato screamed past to pull away one defender, while Dawkins juked inside around two more, wound up and....
GOAL!!!
WATCH: Down to 9 men, Simon Dawkins gives #Quakes74 a 2-1 lead late! #SJvTOR pic.twitter.com/QWxtg14MyD
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) July 17, 2016
9-man #Quakes74 score?
2-1 #SJvTOR pic.twitter.com/Yki02EpC19
— LOBINA (@LOBINA_QUAKES15) July 17, 2016
For the next 20 minutes all Quakes supporters were screaming & cheering at every stop, at every blocked cross, at every Quakes clearance. Goalkeeper David Bingham put in an MLS ALL STAR performance grabbing crosses & blocking shots to keep Toronto from equalizing.
TORONTO
ANALYSIS:
The greyest, curliest and shortest pube on my ballsack would be more effective on the pitch than Jay Chapman #tfc #SJvTOR
— George Weah's cousin (@HeronSean) July 17, 2016
POST MATCH
That was one of the most, if not the most, bizarre, maddening, and beautifully uplifting games I have ever been to. Holy
Toledo
. #SJvTOR
— Mexican Pirate King (@Christophicles) July 17, 2016
2 men sent off, but still score in the second half. One of the greatest #Quakes74 wins @AvayaStadium ever. #SJvTOR pic.twitter.com/ApckBDMlvi
— Alex Laverty (@afrikantraveler) July 17, 2016
QUAKES BREAK THE WINLESS STREAK DOWN 2 MEN! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? #SJvTOR
— John Marshall (@johnprostsoccer) July 17, 2016
@BinghamDb just had one of the most commanding performances by a GK dealing with crosses that I've ever seen #SJvTOR
— Keagen Briggs (@Kbriggsbro) July 17, 2016
And in our second edition of "LOBINA Bar Talk" (with an easter egg at the end!):
So many great performances! So difficult to decide a Player of the Match!
Muma has been a beast this match. Arguably MotM if not Dawkins or Bingham. #SJvTOR
— William Sinsky (@WSinsky) July 17, 2016
Sure, we love Quakes winning.
Especially since we've been screwed by PROrefs & constantly dissed by MLS & mainstream media (e.g. MLS "Extra Time Radio"--with a Bay Area journo!--focused on "Toronto Loses" rather than "San Jose Wins with 9 players").
But we really love our homegrown Quakes, no matter what:
@SBeitashour thanks for the picture last night! Now come back and play in
San Jose
again! #SJvTOR #Beita pic.twitter.com/vTgMIW3c00
— Ari Carrillo (@ari_carrillo) July 17, 2016
Now on to Real Salt Lake for that elusive road win!!