Center Line Soccer

Wow — four goals in seven minutes. If that’s not enough to overload the senses of a soccer fan, nothing is.

It certainly overwhelmed the folks behind the scenes at Buck Shaw Stadium. Brian Holmes, whose crews run the show on the field every match,  noted afterwards that the three minutes between San Jose goals wasn’t enough to allow for the reloading of the cannon that gets set off after the Earthquakes score. Jed Mettee, director of broadcasting and communications for the team, was rewinding video in the press box to figure out who should be credited for the assists on the first goal while the next two were scored.

Guys, it could have been worse. Here at the Solar-Powered Soccer Blog, we take special pity on anyone who chose that seven-minute spell to take a bathroom break. “I just can’t hold it until halftime,” they would have thought. “Besides, what could happen?”

Well, four goals could happen. Two to send the home crowd into raptures, one to bring them back down, and another — a highlight reel shot that bent outside the post and back in by Brad Davis — to burst their bubble completely.

What’s really remarkable is that the Earthquakes didn’t crumble after earning a 2-0 lead and then giving it up over the course of three minutes.  They battled back, with Cam Weaver scoring a hugely important goal with a minute left in the half to give them a 3-2 lead they would never relinquish.

What a rollercoaster. Just the same, the Blog is pretty sure that everyone would be OK with it if, in the future, two goal leads remain two goal leads.

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Several members of FC Gold Pride were spotted in section 114 last night, including Brandi Chastain and Eriko Arakawa. Brandi was wearing a white wool cap which made it harder to recognize her, but scientists have yet to invent a hat that could contain the remarkable Arakawa afro, so it was the Japanese international’s unique coiffure that announced their presence at the game. The group was clearly into the game, too, putting everything into the “Earth” “Quakes” cheer from the east and west side stands.

FCGP opens their season next Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at Buck Shaw against the Boston Breakers.

• • •

Center Line Soccer’s coverage of last night’s game includes a match report, audio and video interviews, and a photo gallery. You can find it all here.

Other press reports include:

- Our own Pete Ratajczak has a match report and post-game story on MLSnet.com.

- Matt Schwab covers the match for the Contra Costa Times.

- Patrick Kinmartin of the Chico Enterprise Record takes a look at Bay Area native and former Earthquake Chris Wondolowski, who had one of Houston’s goals last night.

Finally, here are your match highlights, courtesy of MLSnet.com:

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