Monday, March 28, 2011

Wondo Being Wondo

That's more like it. The Quakes opened up their road schedule with a 2-0 win over last year's MLS Cup finalists FC Dallas behind two goals from Chris Wondolowski. Wondolowski drew plaudits for his finishes, particularly the first, which is up for MLS Goal of the Week. Check out all the nominees here and be sure to vote for Wondo!
-----
FC Dallas captain was none too pleased post-game with giving up two early goals to San Jose:

-----
Lots to preview for the Quakes next match at home on Saturday against Seattle Sounders, be sure to check back midweek for more updates!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Left Out In The Rain

Still drying off here at The Core, but that doesn't stop us from giving you a round-up of all the news surrounding the Quakes tough 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake over the weekend.
-----
In other news, new gameday experience app Yorder was profiled in the San Francisco Chronicle over the weekend. Make sure you download that to get food and merchandise delivered directly to your seat at Buck Shaw!
-----
With the Quakes on the road in Dallas next weekend, be sure to check back with some reports and previews on the match!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Countdown To Kickoff

The Quakes have officially finished their pre-season, which means there's just one week of practising left until the start of the 2011 MLS regular season. Their final tune-up came against the Portland Timbers during a closed-door scrimmage at Buck Shaw Stadium. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Chris Wondolowski getting on the scoresheet yet again, making it five matches in a row with a goal. Joe Nuxoll from Center Line Soccer was on hand to snap some pictures.
-----
MLS' Salary Cap Challenge fantasy game was just released, and definitely worth checking out. You only pick seven players and add up your points on a weekly basis. There's already a group created for Quakes fans!
-----
Also just annouced was the expansion of the Quakes pre-academy system. Tryouts for the U12 pre-academy development program are coming soon, and will also feature the opportunity for players interested in joining the U14 pre-academy pool. Tryouts will be held on March 16th, 23rd  & 30th from 5:30-7:30pm at Lincoln High School in San Jose.
-----
In honor of the rapidly approaching First Kick 2011, why not end this update with a mantra for the team this coming weekend against Real Salt Lake: WINNING!

Monday, March 7, 2011

SLOw Monday Recap

The Quakes returned to San Jose with two more wins to add to their preseason tally, with he first team beating the Colorado Rapids 1-0 and a younger set of reserves and trialists defeating Cal Poly by the same score.
Wondo continues find the net, this time with a first half penalty fired straight down the middle to beat Matt Pickens.
In the scrimmage against Cal Poly (two 30-minute halves were played) trialist Matt Luzunaris finished a chance created by Bobby Convey to take down the hosting Cal Poly. Luzunaris also came on as a sub in the Rapids match, and showed well mixing it up with the Colorado centerbacks, and engaging in physical play holding up the ball.
Luzunaris has been trialling extensively with San Jose in the pre-season. The 21-year-old has already played in Germany and Austria, as well as a loan spell in Brazil with giants Botafogo. Visa restrictions did not allow to play with the Brazilian team, but he spent his time training with the first team.
Luzunaris also scored two goals against Cal-Berkeley during a pre-season scrimmage in February, and one in the exhibition against Colchester in England.
-----
Steven Lenhart underwent minor surgery in his knee after picking up a knock right before the team left their stay in England. Lenhart will be out for the season opener, but here's hoping that he isn't out much longer than that!
-----
Everyone's smartphones were out at Thursday's demolition ceremony, and there are some great photos and videos posted from the event around the web. The highlight for many was seeing a refigerator taken out of the building and completely demolished by the excavator. Listen to those "ooh"s and "aah"s!



-----
Last but not least, the Quakes Academy teams were both in action this weekend in Southern California. The U16 team won both their matches, defeated Arsenal FC 1-0 and Real Salt Lake's U16s 2-1. The U18s were less fortunate, defeating Arsenal FC 4-0 but falling to their Real Salt Lake counterparts 2-0. The 20 match schedule in the USSF Development Academy Northwest Division will be going on throughout the year.