"I WAS HAPPY TO HAVE THE TEAM BACK AND HAVE THE STADIUM BUILT.”

John Jussen was a member of Soccer Silicon Valley, an advocacy group that worked with local politicians and potential investors to stop the club’s move to Houston and later helped the club get re-established back in San Jose in 2007. Jussen has been a fan of the club since 1974 and his a regular at every Quakes home match.

After all these years with the club, how does it feel to be a Devotion Scarf recipient?

“It’s an honor. I’m excited and looking forward to this weekend. It was something I wasn’t necessarily expecting. I was happy to have the team back and have the stadium built.”

How did you find out that you had received this award?

“I got a call from the club and they informed me that I had been selected. The first people I told were my family and some friends. The biggest reward for me is when I come to the stadium every game and just sit back and watch the rest of the fans enjoy the experience. It’s not necessarily about myself."

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"SURE ENOUGH, THE CAMP WAS RUN BY PELE."

When did you first start becoming a fan of the Quakes?

“My first game that I ever attended was the club’s first match in 1974. The game was at San Jose State and my family had season tickets from 1974 to 1984 and was involved with the Earthquakes way back when. I have pictures from my first soccer camp I went to put on by the club in 1974. Sure enough, the camp was run by Pele.

Where do you sit during home matches and how long have you been there?

“That’s a good question. I don’t sit during the game. My whole family is with The Ultras. We enjoy going to every game and being a part of the Ultras and going to away games with them. We don’t miss any games.”

"HE WAS THE HEART OF THE CLUB FROM THE VERY BEGINNING."

Who is your favorite Quakes player and why?

“My favorite player of all-time is Johnny Moore. He was the heart of the club from the very beginning. He was a player who played with the spirit of the team, similar to what Wondolowski plays with now. Johnny was a general manager back then. We went to the office all the time. We even watched the indoor games and watched the championship. I remember my mom bringing flowers to the office and Johnny being there. He put my team on the field before one of the Earthquakes games when I was younger. Obviously, with him being the general manager during the 2003 MLS Cup and everything he did for the team.”

What is your favorite moment?

“It has to be the LA Galaxy 5-4 comeback win in 2003. Nobody expected us to win. It was kind of a dark and dreary day. After we scored the winning goal, it started to sprinkle. After that moment, you realized there was something bigger going on here. I just remember Alexi Lalas walking off the field with a dejected face, so that was my number one moment."