Loosey-goosey

Had a chance to watch the team practice yesterday and the mood is definitely upbeat. Frank Yallop is pushing for a win and emphasizing goal scoring — check out the audio interview here — but if the guys are feeling any pressure, it doesn’t show.

Even the coaches are loosey-goosey. As practice wound down, a three-sided kickaround developed between Yallop, assistant coach Ian Russell, and goalkeeper coach Jason Batty. While we’re certain that even Yallop would admit that he doesn’t have the wheels to play anymore, we can report that he still delivers a ball from 40 yards with great accuracy.

Former Quakes midfielder Ronnie Ekelund was also on hand, and said that things were going well in his transition from player to coach. “I’ve been with Frank before, just on the other side of the fence, but he’s easy to work with and I think we’ve got a good bunch of guys here.” Yallop’s collaborative approach to his coaching staff means that Ekelund doesn’t have any specific responsibilities (set pieces, for example), but is free to contribute ideas or observations to both players and his fellow coaches. At home games, he has been stationed above the action to watch the match unfold from more of a bird’s eye view. “I come down at half time and give my input.”

The positive mood among the players means that even the act of heading back to the locker room can give rise to some friendly competition. As Kei Kamara and a teammate left the Buck Shaw pitch on the way to the showers, Kamara called for two balls from equipment manager Alan Kakinami. Standing at one side of Stanton Field, the new artificial turf practice field, first Kamara and then his compatriot kicked a ball towards the small gate on the other side of the field in an impromptu game of soccer golf. (Kamara won, to the immediate response of “Rematch!”)

In short, Yallop wants a home win and spirits are high. We think Columbus is going to have their hands full on Saturday night.

- Fan correspondent Kevin Matthiessen turns in his review of last Saturday’s match for Soccer by Ives, and even manages to work in a plug for Center Line Soccer. Thanks, Kevin! You remain our favorite fan correspondent writing for a blog operated by a former New Jersey newspaper reporter.

- Tacoma’s News Tribune looks forward to a rivalry in 2009 between the Quakes and the Sounders. It’s not mentioned in the story, but we understand there are already discussions underway between supporters of the two teams for a special cup competition between the two sides every year. Stay tuned…

- CSTV.com notes the signing of former South Carolina goalkeeper Mike Gustavson to a contract with the Quakes.

- NPSL side Real San Jose is offering a special deal on tickets for Earthquakes fans. At 3:00 on Saturday, RSJ faces the reigning Northwest Conference champion, Sonoma Sol, at Paz Rocha Stadium on the campus of Yerba Buena High School. Earthquakes fans who show their Quakes game ticket can get a 50 percent discount, bringing the cost of an adult ticket to see Real San Jose to $5 and a youth ticket to $2.50. See their web site for more details.

- Finally, MLSnet.com offers just the facts, ma’am, about Saturday’s match.