San Jose Earthquakes   0-0   Houston Dynamo

Preseason game 2 - San Francisco -Kezar Stadium - Attendance: 4,113

Match report: click here

Stats: click here 

An average pre-season match,
An unusual level of emotion

San Francisco, Sunday Feb. 17, 2008

The fact that the quality of the match was not great yesterday was not a surprise. It was only the second pre-season game for both teams and obviously, adjustments remain to be made.

This lack of alchimy put the Earthquakes in trouble during the first half, being dominated most of the time and leaving the best opportunities to the Dynamo.

The second half was much more encouraging for San Jose. They clearly dominated the game in term of possession and created a few interesting situations in the oposite box, the best of them at the 49th minute, on a corner kick perfectly stroke  by Ramiro Corrales, when only a miraculous reflex by Pat Onstad (Houston's goalkeeper) saved the Dynamo from a powerful header by Fabrice Noel.

That was the only real opportunity for the locals and, despite the Earthquakes' domination, Houston managed to create the best opporunities especially with two corners saved on the goal line by San Jose's defenders.

The first half was for Houston, the second for San Jose and, overall, Houston had the best opportunities to score. Frank Yallop will probably be glad of the impressive organization and physical contenance shown by his team, especially in the second half, totally matching the challenge proposed by the MLS Champions. He will also probably have noted that, even during their domination period, they didn't really threaten their opponent except on one or two opportunities.

Individually, in the absence of Ryan Cochrane, the defense was a source of satisfaction, Nick Garcia having a great game. Shea Salinas (picked by the SJE at the draft) on his right wing and Ramiro Corralles (international player signed by the SJE last week from Houston) as a center midfield both showed a promising performance. But it is Yuri Morales (doing a good job on his left wing, an unusual position for him) who received the biggest ovation, returning to Kezar with emotion after a full season at the former local USL-1 team, the California Victory (Click here here to read our interview with Yuri)

The biggest satisfaction for the Earthquakes' staff was probably the attendance and the atmosphere in and around Kezar Stadium. 4,115 persons took seat in the cold evening for this match which was a little more than just a pre-season game. The dominating feeling yesterday night was emotion.

Emotion at Kezar Stadium

Emotion for Kezar stadium and San Francisco fans having a chance to watch professional soccer for the first time since the last match of the California Victory last year and for the last time until the possible return of a USL-1 franchise in 2009.

Emotion for Yuri Morales, former Victory player, returning to kezar with all his relatives and fans supporting him.

Emotion for the 1906 Ultras, part of the group being former California Victory fans and feeling home at Kezar (Click here to read the story)

Emotion for the long term fans of the Earthquakes, torn between their former team (The San Jose Earthquakes moved to Houston 2 years and a half ago, became the Dynamo, but remained in the heart of the fans) and the new Earthquakes they are supporting now.

Emotion at Kezar Pub after the match where the fans had the opportunity to have a toast with some of their favorite players. 

Facts

San Jose Earthquakes:
Preston Burpo (Cannon, 45') Taylor Graham (Hernandez, 45') James Riley (Pozniak, 45', Ayres, 54'), Nick Garcia, Eric Denton (Marlin, 64') Yuri Morales (Smarte, 79') Ramiro Corrales (Bohnenkamp, 84') Ned Grabavoy (Vide, 45'), Shea Salinas, Fabrice Noel (Taylor, 61'), Kei Kamara (Glinton 45'). 

Houston Dynamo:
Pat Onstad, Patrick Ianni, Eddie Robinson, Bobby Boswell, Stuart Holden, Ricardo Clark, Dwayne De Rosario, Richard Mulrooney, Corey Ashe (Jeff Cameron , 41'), Chris Wondolowski (Chabala, 76') Brian Ching.

Cautions/Ejections

SJE: James Riley (yellow: Reckless Foul) 37th.

HOU:  Brian Ching (yellow: Reckless Foul) 34th., Brian Ching (Red - second yellow: Reckless Foul) 85th.

Statistics

Shots: HOU – 12, SJ – 3

Shots on Goal: HOU – 4, SJ – 1

Saves: HOU – 1, SJ – 4

Fouls: HOU – 12, SJ – 12

Corners: HOU – 4, SJ – 4

Offside: HOU – 2, SJ - 2

Stats: mls.net & T.H.

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Focus on
1906 Ultras

San Francisco, Sunday Feb. 17, 2008

"One minute of applause for what you've done, then you'll be forgotten and forever gone"

It is with these words written on a giant banner that the 1906 Ultras welcomed the Houston Dynamo yesterday night at Kezar Stadium.

According to Napoleon, a member of the group, the line was in reference to the fact that, even after moving to Houston, the former Earthquakes (now Dynamo) remained appreciated and loved by the San Jose fans. In 2006, the Ultras even went to LA to support the Dynamo against the Galaxy!

With the new Earthquakes in San Jose, the fans needed to make it clear that this period is over. They are now fully commited to San Jose and the Dynamo is just a opponent as any other MLS team.

"A new rivalry may even start", Nap. stated "and this will probably last until the last former Earthquake player leaves Houston."

Indeed, unlike Ryan Cochran who moved back to San Jose, a lot of former Quakes are still part of the Dynamo's roster.

A few hours before Saturday's match, we met the 1906 Ultras on the grass area between Kezar stadium and Golden Gate Park, busy painting their banners.

Yesterday was a very special night for the Ultras, with a high level of emotion, for at least 3 reasons: the match was at Kezar stadium where some members of the group used to support the California Victory last year; Yuri Morales (former Vic.) started the math and didn't forget to thank his long term fans;  the first minute of applause was the last one adressed to the Dynamo.

For those reasons, we thought we had to help you discover who they are. Tony and Dan, two leaders of the group, accepted to answer a few questions to help us understand who they are.

- Tony, Dan, Your energy has already been noticed during the first pre-season match in San Jose, How did you manage to keep the group together during those 2 1/2 years without the Earthquakes?

        "We are actually the result of the merging of two groups: the Ultras,  long-term supporters of the SJE and the 1906 (refering to the year of the big Earthquake) who supported the California Victory last year. We all kept in touch, mostly through the Internet.

- How many members do you have?

        "50 already and we keep growing. We will reach 200 before the end of the first season."

- How are you going to support the team?

        "We want to bring the European Ultra's Culture to San Jose. Dan is Romanian and a former fan of Steaua Bucarest. He's bringing us his experience but we are all hardcore fans. Anyway, look at and listen to us tonight, you'll make your own opinion!"

- One last question: what are your relationships with other SJE supporters groups?

        "There's only one, The Casbah...They are family friendly, we are not. again, we are hardcore fans and if you are at Kezar tonight, you will see what it means!"

So, what did we see during the match?

We saw, and mostly heard, a very determined group of supporters singing to encourage their team, insulting to impress the opponent, jumping to remain warm in this cold evening, and creating the atmosphere all along the 90 minutes. Their goal is obviously not to be politicaly correct, but their support will probably be precious to the SJE!

Want to know more about 1906 Ultras? www.sjultras.com

Story and Interview by T.H.
Photos: Nap - The Project FC

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Interview with
Yuri Morales

His smile after the match was saying a lot! 5 months after the last game of his difficult season with the California Victory due to the club's administrative problems, coming back to Kezar stadium in the starting eleven of the SJE was like a dream for him. Before we could ask him a few questions, Yuri spent a long time shaking hands and taking pictures with his fans, friends and relatives in the stands. It looked like he knew everyone here! Here are the few words he gave us:

- Yuri, How does it feel to be back to Kezar...

        "It was great..."

- ...And starting the game?

        "Well, I'm speechless because it happened so fast...signing for the pre-season, coming back here and getting to start...It was amazing! My family and many of my friends were here so they cheered me on and that's all I can ask for. It's a great feeling"!

- ...Do you have an idea on when the staff is going to take a decision about you for the regular season*?

        "I have no idea. Right now, I am just taking it day by day, enjoying the experience while it lasts and I hope to earn the contract. I just need to stay consistent and keep working hard...That's it."

- Thank you Yuri, we hope things will work for you!

        "Me too!"


*Yuri "the Fury" Morales (his nickname at the California Victory) played 78 minutes yesterday night and did his job well on the left wing although it is not his favorite position. On January 20th, www.thebaysoccer.com was the first media to announce that after trials, he was selected to play the pre-season with the SJE. He is now awaiting a decision from the staff before, if things go well, signing a contract for the regular season.

Interview: T.H.
Photos: Nap. - The Project FC

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