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March 03, 2008
Aussies score twice in 1-1 draw with Mexico
Despite the result, we're guessing that everybody had a pretty good time at yesterday's 1-1 draw between los equipos Olipmicos del Mexico y Australia at the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland. The game was sold out and, unlike last year's Mexico/Ecuador match, this game was held on a weekend, which means there was much more time to tailgate.
San Mateo County Times correspondent Anna Belle Peevey reports the parking lot in her story about game day, which also features some good shots of the sellout crowd.
As for the match itself, Mexico's problems on offense continue, as was predicted before the match by Sports Illustrated's Luis Bueno. Mexico only got on the scoreboard thanks to an Aussie own goal and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Match reports are available from the Mercury News, S.F. Chronicle, Sydney Morning Herald, and other outlets.
Our favorite story of the day, though, comes from Merc columnist Ann Killion, who looks at the overflowing parking lot at the coliseum and asks, "How can the new San Jose Earthquakes tap into that incredible fan base?" To answer that question, she turned to an expert on the subject:
Freddy Adames is a member of the advocacy group Soccer Silicon Valley and is working with the Earthquakes to forge ties with the Hispanic community. He sat Sunday in a suite high above the noisy, pulsating red-and-green sea of fans who watched their beloved Tricolores draw with Australia 1-1 and asked, "How do they translate this experience to the Earthquakes?"
We're pleased to see both SSV in general and Freddy Adames in particular get some recognition. Freddy joined SSV's board of directors two years ago and has generously donated his time and talents to help SSV and the Quakes with outreach into the local Latino community. Yesterday was a great example, as he hosted a group of VIPs in a suite donated by the Quakes. Guests included Olivia Mendiola, CEO of the Mexican American Community Services Agency (MACSA); Xavier Campos of MACSA; Mario Gonzales, manager of MACSA's futsal program; Teresa Alvarado, executive director of the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley (HFSV); former NASL Earthquake Easy Perez; former Clash forward Paco Uribe; Viridiana Sanchez of the Mexican Consulate; Nicolas Roncagliolo of the Peruvian Consulate; Overfelt High School boys soccer coach Luis Ruelas; Marcela Davison-Aviles, president and CEO of the Mexican Heritage Corp.; and Marcos Gutierrez and Celina Rodriquez of the Hispanic media.
Speaking of SSV, we had our Annual Meeting on Saturday. There's no real news on the stadium front at this point, but we'll pass anything along as soon as we get it. The majority of the event involved a presentation of the programs of the new SSV Community Foundation by SSVCF president Don Gagliardi. Don has great plans for this organization and was eager to fill in everyone on the amazing things he wants the soccer community to achieve. Take a look at the link above for details and contact Don if you'd like to be involved. Donations are also welcome and can be made online.
Posted by Jay at March 3, 2008 07:05 AM
Comments
The Quakes season starts next month and you just realized the potential that exists to get those fans interested in the Quakes? Very disappointing for the lack of effort: an empty-looking booth and banners at the stadium entrances that were probably ignored by the attendants.
With such disregard, the name San Jose Earthquakes will never be attractive to those avid soccer fans. And some clever business person has just realized that it would be very profitable to bring a second MLS team to the Bay Area to cater to those fans.
Wasn't Pachuca trying to bring an MLS team here?
Posted by: San Francisco at March 3, 2008 03:16 PM
Wow -- where to begin?
First off, if you have complaints about anything, please contact the Earthquakes front office directly. They can be reached at (408) 556-7700. I'm sure they could answer any questions you have about the game.
It's not in our purview to answer for the Quakes, but I will make a couple observations. This is not the first time the Earthquakes have recognized the great passion of Latino soccer fans. You may not be aware of it but the Earthquakes sponsored a match between Mexico and Ecuador in March, 2007. That was a sellout as well.
You are also not aware of the partnerships that the Earthquakes have been building behind the scenes in both the Hispanic and youth soccer communities. It may interest you that many of the VIPs listed in the story here are well acquainted with various members of the Earthquakes front office. This was not by any means the first time that these people have spoken to each other.
As for the comment that everyone at the game ignored the banners, it sounds like they caught your eye, so obviously their marketing is reaching someone.
To answer your question, I am not aware of Pachuca ever having expressed interest in the Bay Area. Club America threatened to buy the team, fire the coaches, and change out half the roster immediately after the Quakes won MLS Cup 2003. That was not a popular idea with the fans for a number of reasons, the main one being that we were all pretty fond of the team as it was at that point. (Winning two championships in three years will do that.) In any case, Lew Wolff owns the MLS rights to Northern California, so it's extremely unlikely we'll see a second team here anytime soon.
Posted by: Jay Hipps, SSV at March 3, 2008 03:58 PM