Each home game, the Earthquakes select a Season Ticket Holder to be this week's Fan of the Match, presented by Avaya. The lucky fan is presented with the amazing opportunity to experience warmups from field level, sit on the team bench, get a bag of free Earthquakes merchandise, and last but not least, meet a player for a photograph right after warmups! This week's Fan of the Match is Chris Valdivia.
SJEarthquakes.com: How does it feel to be recognized as the first Fan of the Match in 2017?
Chris Valdivia: “It's awesome. I’m really excited to be the first ‘Fan of the Match’ for the 2017 season. It’s definitely a chance for my family and I to get the season started off right.”
SJEQ: What does it mean to have your kids with you on the field pregame?
CV: “My kids mean everything to me, and soccer seems to mean everything to my kids, especially my oldest daughter Adalay. Just seeing her face light up when we told her we were selected to participate in the pre-game activities was worth the purchase of our season tickets. This is our second season attending Quakes games and she has always wanted to participate in the pre-game activities.”
SJEQ: How long have you been a fan of the San Jose Earthquakes?
CV: “To me the word ‘fan’ means a lot. Claiming to be a fan, to me, is a lot more than just putting on a team hat or jersey. I really don't like when people claim to be fans when they don't follow the team or know anything about the players, coaches, or organization. When you claim to be a fan, you should be committed to supporting your club in any way you can. You should be attending games and special events whenever possible. You should be keeping up with current news on the players, coaches and anything else going on with the organization. I'm not going to claim to be a fan if I wasn't doing even one of those things. But for the past year/beginning of last season, my family and I have been 100% devoted to supporting the Quakes organization, players, and coaches. Like I said I don't use the word fan lightly. So believe me when I say for over the past year my family and I have been huge fans.”
SJEQ: What is your most memorable moment in Quakes history?
CV: “For me, as a new fan, it has to be the opening of Avaya. To see how far the sport that I love has come, here in the USA, and have the Quakes be able to play in a soccer specific stadium is pretty memorable.”
SJEQ: Who are your favorite players and why?
CV: “Chris Wondolowski. Not just because he is one of the best strikers in MLS, or because of his call ups with the National Team; but because of how Chris goes out of his way to interact with the fans. One of the first games I attended with my family, we were leaving the game a little late, there were just a handful of people still hanging around the gate the players exit; and Wondo was just hanging out making sure everyone who wanted an autograph or a picture, got one. Those simple gestures made my family and I big Wondo fans.”
