It's hard to believe that the 2011 MLS season has come to a close. Obviously, we are disappointed about not advancing to the playoffs like last season. It's our goal here at the Quakes to be a playoff team every season and to add that third star to our jersey.
While it's tough not to be playing come late fall, there was much to celebrate and remember this year. I thought it would be best to bring out another one of my Top-10 lists to summarize the great and exciting memories from the 2011 season.
Dave Kaval's Top 10 Memories from the 2011 MLS Season
<span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>Rank</strong></span> |
<strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">Memory</span></strong> |
|
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>10.</strong></span> |
<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>"Earthquake vs. Refrigerator: Earthquake wins</strong>"</span><br>
Who could forget a refrigerator being obliterated? Demolition Day was memorable to say the least and was a key moment in our pursuit of a new stadium.</p><a href="//www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTIi8v_7zmY">Watch: Demo Day Highlights</a> |
<img alt="" src="//sanjose-mp7static.mlsdev.net/mp6/10-DemoDay.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 158px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>9.</strong></span> |
<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>"British Export: Simon Dawkins joins San Jose on loan"</strong></span><br>
Getting Simon Dawkins on loan from Tottenham Hotspur was a big step for our partnership with Spurs and he was a major contributor on the field.</p><a href="http://sjtv.neulion.com/mlsvp/console.jsp?catid=1883&id=20328">Watch: Simon's First Goal vs. FCD</a> |
<img alt="" src="//sanjose-mp7static.mlsdev.net/mp6/040911SimonDawkins_KelleyCox.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 158px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>8.</strong></span> |
<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>"Q Goes the Distance"</strong></span><br>
We made an effort to improve pre-game the fan experience at Buck Shaw Stadium this season and one of the pinnacle moments was our mascot Q getting in the ring for Lucho Libre wrestling.</p><a href="//www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmfKHIO3uO0">Watch: Q vs. Luchador</a> |
<img alt="" src="//sanjose-mp7static.mlsdev.net/mp6/QvLuchador2_0.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 158px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>7.</strong></span> |
<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>"We Like Ike"</strong></span><br>
One of the most exciting games of the season was our U.S. Open Cup Qualifier against Portland at JELD-WEN Field. Ike Opara was the hero, earning the Quakes a 1-0 win with his 120th minute header.</p><a href="//www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2011/05/watch-ike-opara-scores-vs-timbers-120th-minute">Watch: Opara Scores Game Winner</a> |
<img alt="" src="//sanjose-mp7static.mlsdev.net/mp6/Opara.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 151px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>6.</strong></span> |
<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>"41,028 Strong"</strong></span><br>
Our match against the New York Red Bulls at Stanford Stadium was epic. From the parachuters to Steven Lenhart's header to the amazing fireworks show, July 2, 2011 was a night to remember.</p><a href="//www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZI2oDmSRLE">Watch: Stanford Stadium 360</a> |
<img alt="" src="//sanjose-mp7static.mlsdev.net/mp6/Fireworks.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 151px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>5.</strong></span> |
<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>"Six Games Unbeaten"</strong></span><br>
For one month, from May 11 to June 11, our team looked unbeatable. In fact, the squad put together a six-game unbeaten stream, culminating in a 4-2 thrashing of D.C. United at RFK Stadium.</p><a href="//www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvqjnjCufXg">Watch: Lenhart Scores a Hat Trick vs. DCU</a> |
<img alt="" src="//sanjose-mp7static.mlsdev.net/mp6/Lenhart_0.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 151px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>4.</strong></span> |
<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>"Burial Party"</strong></span><br>
After a trying stretch, the club buried its 13-game winless streak with a special ceremony following a 2-0 win against the Chicago Fire at Buck Shaw Stadium on Sept. 10.</p><a href="http://sjtv.neulion.com/mlsvp/console.jsp?catid=1883&id=18963">Watch: Highlights from 2-0 Win vs. CHI</a> |
<img alt="" src="//sanjose-mp7static.mlsdev.net/mp6/BurialParty.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 151px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>3.</strong></span> |
<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>"Sellout Streak"</strong></span><br>
We ended the season on a six-match sellout streak, a true testament to the dedication of our fans. We also added an extra set of bleachers for the final home game for a total of 10,744 fans in the house.</p><a href="http://sjtv.neulion.com/mlsvp/console.jsp?catid=1883&id=18963">Watch: Highlights from 2-0 Win vs. CHI</a> |
<img alt="" src="//sanjose-mp7static.mlsdev.net/mp6/SoccerCityUSA.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 151px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>2.</strong></span> |
<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>"Great Deluge"</strong></span><br>
What a way to kickoff the 2011 season! The Great Deluge brought some of our most diehard fans out to Buck Shaw for the season opener against Real Salt Lake.</p><a href="http://sjtv.neulion.com/mlsvp/console.jsp?catid=1883&id=12874">Watch: Highlights from March 19, 2011</a> |
<img alt="" src="//sanjose-mp7static.mlsdev.net/mp6/deluge.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 151px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>1.</strong></span> |
<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>"Second Wondo of the World"</strong></span><br>
Chris Wondolowski led the league in goals for a second-straight year and continued his assault on the club's record books. What a season for Wondo!</p><a href="http://sjtv.neulion.com/mlsvp/console.jsp?catid=1883&id=20333">Watch: Wondo Scores Goal No. 16</a> |
<img alt="" src="//sanjose-mp7static.mlsdev.net/mp6/102211ChrisWondolowski_GoalCelebration.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 151px; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid;"> |
I want to thank everyone for all their support this season and for being a part of these great memories. We look forward to the 2012 season and making more history here in San Jose.
GO QUAKES!
Dave Kaval
President
San Jose Earthquakes
