« Wolff interview available for download | Main | US/Mexico Gold Cup final outdraws Stanley Cup in TV ratings »
June 25, 2007
Two years ago today...
The history of the Earthquakes is marked by several games that help define the team's legacy and what it means to be a fan. These are the sorts of games that take on legendary status in the minds of supporters, that get talked about at tailgates years into the future. 49ers fans talk about "The Catch," A's fans can talk about great performances by players like Dave Stewart, Eck, Rickey Henderson, and the Bash Brothers, and Quakes fans can recite the names of the goal scorers in 5-2 or the team's MLS Cup wins.
Or, we can talk about the match that was played two years ago today. Columnist Tino Palace got it right when he called it an "instant classic," and added this about San Jose's fans:
If someone can tell me when an MLS atmosphere for a regular season game looked better on television, I would love to hear it, because that was one of the most wonderful displays in the 10-year history of the league. There was some question about how Donovan's return would be received by the Quakes fans, and there was absolutely no doubt from the beginning.From the booing every time Landon touched the ball, to the eye-catching amount of signs ripping their former golden boy to the folks organizing the piñata, I was frankly awed by the Spartan Stadium faithful. The atmosphere for that match was as fun as any regular-season game I have seen on TV in a long while, in any league. Congrats to everyone at the match. Whatever happens with the San Jose franchise down the road, for me that match was the legacy of the wonderful soccer fans in the area.
Better still than those words, we can watch eight minutes of video highlights from the day.
Posted by Jay at June 25, 2007 12:48 PM
Comments
That was a great game, and imagine how much better the San Jose Earthquakes will look now that ESPN2 broadcasts its games in 16:9 HD. Hopefully Fox Sports Net Bay Area will air its San Jose Earthquakes broadcasts in 16:9 HD as well, and hopefully Comcast finally begins carrying HDNet soon so that almost all San Jose Earthquakes games can be seen here in 16:9 HD. :D
Posted by: Goodsport at June 26, 2007 01:07 PM
To reiterate what that soccer observer said: the best atmosphere seen in a long while "in any league."
Of course, it must have been a mirage, because per the Mercury News no one cares about soccer in San Jose.
Posted by: Don Gagliardi at June 26, 2007 01:42 PM
The article made me smile, and the video highlights caused a huge grin. That plus the 5-2 game are parts a great tradition.
Posted by: Ned at June 26, 2007 06:55 PM