I want to personally thank all the Quakes fans that came to Buck Shaw this weekend to see our team bury the winless streak with a dominating 2-0 win versus the Chicago Fire.
It was such a great sight to see the stands packed and the loud EARTH…….QUAKES cheers. We had a ton of tickets sold the last week to secure the fourth-consecutive sellout at Buck Shaw. With the team in need of the emotional lift of a full stadium, our fans delivered. That says a ton.
The fan support and energy really made a difference for the team and I thought we played with intensity and determination throughout the match. I have to give a special shout out to Jon Busch whose heroics in goal at the end of the first half were instrumental in getting the win and exorcizing the demon that had been plaguing the team.
[inline_node:10478]I think the highlight of the night for me was Chris Wondolowski grabbing a shovel after the match and physically filling in the hole in the epicenter that contained all sorts of bad karma items – from used airline tickets to turf from Buck Shaw from the location of the opponents’ goal strikes. We will forever mark the spot with a special RIP marker that will be a unique addition to the Epicenter.
The best thing about getting three points this weekend was that it has catapulted us back into the playoff discussion, especially with two games against fellow bubble teams Houston and Portland on tap in the next 10 days. The team will have to reprise its role as road warriors in order to get that second straight playoff appearance. Last year, the Quakes had one of the best road records in the League and a solid run over the next two weeks will once again position us for the post season.
The squad is ready to do whatever it takes at this point to make it happen. The team is certainly focused and loose and ready to rise up the table. It will be a fun ride for everyone involved. I encourage folks to catch the match against the Dynamo this weekend at 5:30 p.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet California as we begin this final push. For all our fans up the Peninsula, we are hosting a viewing party at Fiddler's Green in Millbrae (click for info) and would love to see you there.
GO QUAKES!
Dave Kaval
President
San Jose Earthquakes
