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Week 7: SJvSKC
Drink Of The Match:
Celebrate #SJEvSKC w/ "Kansas City Ice Water":
— LOBINA (@LOBINA_QUAKES15) April 24, 2016
3/4oz gin
3/4oz vodka
1/2oz lime juice
Pour over ice, fill w/ 7-Up.#Quakes74 & Chill
Getting to the Game:
The big news: MLS adopts "No Fun League Security Procedures".
Is there a Fast Pass to this newest Disneyland ride?
Why yes!
Pay more money & you can access the Western "Above the Salt" Gate:
Yes, that is the gate closest to the supporters sections, and supporters have been using it since match day #1.
Just walk through like you belong & you're in there like swimwear!
According to a FO source, 2015 Season Ticket Holder Quakes Backpacks will be "grandfathered" in for the 2016 season: "We worked really hard with MLS to get that."
So keep carrying the STH bags (without umbrellas) with your one water bottle (sealed) into Avaya throughout 2016!
Supporters Don't Sit:
Earlier SJ Earthquakes Front Office announced that part of LOBINA terraces would be blocked off & "premium" service provided, basically trading 100's of General Admission terrace supporters space for 10's of Above The Salt exclusive seating.
Given the sellout of premium boxes & suites, not a bad money-driven FO move. As GoldenBallZen on r/SJEarthquakes summed up:
$167 per person (in a group of 6) you get near-pitch-side seats, a private table, dedicated server, dedicated security (with body cameras), food, drink, & "status" (guaranteed to be on TV, & easily identifiable to family & friends!). Pitch-side seats near center boxes are $155 for SJEvSKC, & few left. No-brainer for FO. If I had $167 and/or 6 friends I'd be there in a... Hella no! Part of soccer--for me--is standing on the terraces with fellow supporters.
Apparently no reserved tables on #LOBINA supports terraces this week! Yeay!#Quakes74 #SJEvSKC pic.twitter.com/pj9HTsyEt1
— LOBINA (@LOBINA_QUAKES15) April 24, 2016
There were rumors about Imperio Sismico, Faultliners, & Casbah moving to the LOBINA terraces, which would create supporter section excitement at both ends of the pitch, & allow for Call & Response, rather than the cacophony of now.
With 50 supporters (at $20/ticket) needed to occupy the same space as 6 "premier" ticket holders ($1000 / table), hard to see FO actively encouraging supporters groups to move to LOBINA terraces.
GAMETIME:
Soon after kickoff, the quality of play became readily apparent:
This is not a particularly convincing advertisement for #Quakes74's playoff credentials. #SJvSKC
— Colin Etnire (@ColinEtnire) April 24, 2016
Apparently, in honor of Prince, San Jose & Kansas City really are playing like it's 1999. (They both missed the playoffs that year.) #SJvSKC
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) April 24, 2016
And while Quakes play was not pretty on the pitch, in the BIG PICTURE of things:
Well if you believe that the moral arc of the universe bends towards justice, I recommend turning #Quakes74 #SJvSKC off now
— Colin Etnire (@ColinEtnire) April 24, 2016
Bingham continued his fab form & #USMNT-worthy performance:
I can't think of many other MLS keepers I'd rather have than David Bingham #SJvSKC #Quakes74
— Hudson (@huds_socceracct) April 24, 2016
1st Half Highlights:
Yayyyy! New socks!!! #QuakesMerch #Quakes74 #SJvSKC pic.twitter.com/MjsoT5Yo0L
— Old Man Jam (@JulianaMarie) April 24, 2016
Zero shots on target in first half for the Quakes. Five overall, all blocked. #SJvSKC
— Geoff Lepper (@quakesbeat) April 24, 2016
Let’s just jump to the SECOND HALF:
Wondo #116#Quakes74 #SJvSKC pic.twitter.com/7GlRLkYAVA
— LOBINA (@LOBINA_QUAKES15) April 24, 2016
Another look at @ChrisWondo's confident penalty conversion that gave #Quakes74 the second half lead. #SJvSKC pic.twitter.com/V8lBWygDAn
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) April 24, 2016
63' #Quakes74 Back line = SOLID. Bernardez clears to keep it a 1-0 San Jose lead. #SJvSKC pic.twitter.com/Qsv504rA3m
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) April 24, 2016
Constant 2016 MLS Theme: REFS SUCK
What do weatherman and @MLS @PROreferees have in common? They can be right half the time and still be considered professionals. #SJvSKC
— Ron Barnes (@Ron_Barnes) April 24, 2016
Peter Vermes not so happy:
This suited man red of face and displeased of countenance. #SJvSKC #Quakes74 pic.twitter.com/qyydtJlnAq
— Old Man Jam (@JulianaMarie) April 24, 2016
SKC Fan Analysis:
This game is horseshit #SJvSKC
— Nick Martens (@NickEMartens) April 24, 2016
Time to pull out the old Bernárdez Bingo cards!
Everyone who has "Bicycle clearance" on your Muma bingo card has to fill it out #Quakes74 #SJvSKC
— Colin Etnire (@ColinEtnire) April 24, 2016
Quakes center backs have adjusted well to Dwyer finding space in the hole. Now tracking him and refusing to let him turn. #SJvSKC
— Henry Trotter (@henryisfutbol) April 24, 2016
BINGHAM!
#SJvSKC Bingham with 5 saves and plenty of other positive impacts on today's game. Making a case for the Copa
— Hudson (@huds_socceracct) April 24, 2016
Post-Match Madness:
Apparently, St. Zuzi transcends all MLS boundries:
Awkward picture and his eyes are closed but it still counts...ZEUS!! #SJvSKC pic.twitter.com/rfQGqgh6vQ
— Ari Carrillo (@ari_carrillo) April 25, 2016
And SKC fans do silly things at Avaya:
(Dwyernman?)
Came in my #DwyernMan shirt for you today @Ddwyer14!! Good effort. #roaddron #SJvSKC pic.twitter.com/nki3IYqOcj
— Rachelle Sciortino (@RuhchelleMeyuh) April 24, 2016
SKC fans coming outta the Bay Area woodwork:
Happy fan. Thx @Brad_Davis11, you were too sweet. #SJvSKC #SportingKC pic.twitter.com/b5NcpbUK04
— Kelly Kubik (@kubik_kelly) April 26, 2016
Not surprising, given the thousands who have migrated to the Bay Area over the past few years. Seems like every match a few Quakes fans pull on their "home" jerseys just for the day. Next match against Seattle, just ask those seafoam-clad Flounder fans where they really live.
All part of the diversity of the Bay Area!
The real loser of SJvSKC: Marrufo & PROreferees:
@PROreferees @MLS #SJvSKC #NYvORL pic.twitter.com/YAWxt3KDqH
— Ashley Barton (@BartonAsh) April 25, 2016
Can't believe I'm saying this. I'm now in favor of a relegation system for @MLS. Just amongst the @PROreferees though! #NYvORL #SJvSKC
— Ryan Wakefield (@rwakie) April 25, 2016
No matter what, always great to meet the #Quakes74 twitter troops!
Healthy online community, both on twitter & reddit!
@SJQuakesGuy1977 Always hella awesome to talk with solid #Quakes74 fans from the Buck Shaw era like you & yr wife! pic.twitter.com/hff1lMp3ZO
— LOBINA (@LOBINA_QUAKES15) April 25, 2016
POST GAME ANALYSIS:
Sometimes you win ugly. We'll take the 3 points though #SJvSKC
— SJTremors (@SJTremors) April 24, 2016
Would Kinnear act any other way?
Kinnear was shockingly honest and open during post-game presser about the penalty and other topics coaches tend to duck #quakes74 #SJvSKC
— Colin Etnire (@ColinEtnire) April 24, 2016
First Wondo plays with his own kids:
#SJvSKC @SJEarthquakes @ChrisWondo playing with his kids with the biggest smile on his face on national TV is wonderful. I want kids now.
— Leonardo (@leothelionis34) April 24, 2016
Then his other kids:
Post 1-0 #SJvSKC win, #Quakes74 @ChrisWondo & @BinghamDb join celebrating 13 years @SanJoseUltras @brewgoldenstate pic.twitter.com/JBekUoZiaw
— LOBINA (@LOBINA_QUAKES15) April 24, 2016
Golden State Brew is a 5-minute drive north of Avaya, & the new home for Ultras pre/post/away match party.
SIDE NOTE: Given how often & awesome Bingham scores, it’s amazing how clean his sheets are.
Nothing like @brewgoldenstate after posting another clean sheet for @BinghamDb after win #SJvSKC @SanJoseUltras pic.twitter.com/g3xNavLH4I
— LOBINA (@LOBINA_QUAKES15) April 24, 2016
AND BINGHAM JERSEYS ARE IN THE HOUSE!!!
Finally!
Quakes Prez listened to fans, & finally offered 'keeper jerseys! You'll still need to get "Bingham" lettered on them (available onsite) & embroider the two stars, but here they are!
And post-match Bingham came over to the Supporters Section to sign the new 'keeper kits:
No word on if Avaya will offer a Salon Service to craft Davy B. coiffures for supporters anytime soon.
ON TO THE WASHINGTON D.C. SWAMPLAND STADIUM!!
And Q is ready to do color commentary:
@MonicaGonzo @ESPN Let me know if you ever want to take a day off. I got this..... #QMascot #Quakes74 pic.twitter.com/xc9xmudizd
— Q Mascot (@QMascot) April 25, 2016
Given that Comcast Sports Network doesn't even send the Quakes Call Crew of Anthony Passarelli & Chris Dangerfield to away matches, perhaps Q's Marcel Marceau-inspired play-by-play will have the last word.
Nah, we'll let Wondo call / order the next shot: