Deerfield High School Class of 1983 Yearbook Pages

Rich Berkshire asked me to post these photos.... Enjoy DHS class of 1983.   Remember the Reunion is coming up in September of 2013....   30 Years!

Dear Alan,

I love our bash brothers.   I love the energy and enthusiasm that they bring to the pitch.

...And still, I will hope to see Alan Gordon off the pitch for the next 4 games.   I am an emotional person.   I understand that pre-programmed words fly out of our mouths in the heat of the moment.  Hurtful words, that we do not intend, for beliefs that we do not really hold, can escape our bodies, like aliens in a bad B movie.   But, there needs to be some pain to re-program.   Just as with Colin Clark then with Houston, and the Sounders Ball Boy,  a 3 game suspension is warranted.

There are gay professional athletes, there always have been, there always will be.   We need to create a culture where they feel that they do not have to hide.   Tonight on Nightline (ABC), Robbie Rogers will talk about his experience as a gay athlete.

Alan, keep your cleats on, and watch your words, you are awesome, but you have not been acting in the Quakes best interest.   Come on guys don't cross the line!

Quakes push Sounders into the Basement

This weekend I confused people.  Dressed in my rave green jersey with my Quakes scarf around my neck, I went to the San Jose Earthquakes vs Seattle Sounders game where I feel like Mrs. Harbinger, supporting both her guys, and wanting them both to do their best.   I am not sure either team did that.

Wondo scored!   I loved that.   The keepers both played well.   Sounder's dominated possession, in a large part due to Mauro Rosales and Osvaldo Alonso.   Bottom line, Sigi was out-coached by Frank.  I was happy to get a win pin...   but I left feeling very unsatisfied.   I felt like I had watched a reserve game!

The Sounder's could hardly move beyond the mid-field.  I went in very concerned about the Quake's defense.   It seemed there was no need to worry.   Nana Attakora was fabulous.   We were flat nearly everywhere else.   Shea Salinas pushed some forward momentum, but there were too many rookie mistakes.   At one point Ty Harden looked like the strongest member of the Sounders offense, as he seemingly sent a beautiful cross to Estrada.

I am so glad we have two more Sounders vs. Quakes matches!

USMNT: A Cap Instead of a Pint For Justin Morrow!

It is with great trepidation that I await our next set of World Cup Qualifying games.   USA!   USA!   USA!

I feel personally responsible for Justin Morrow being there.   You see we bought a pint with Justin at an auction last fall, that seems to have brought him pints and pints of luck!   We still haven't had a beer with him, every time we start to narrow down the dates, Justin gets the call up!

So happy for him!   I think it is a sign to all the other Quakes out there...  If there is a charity auction, say you will go for a pint with the highest bidder!   It has to be good for your Karma!

Thierry Henry... Adam Jahn... Goonies are back!

Yeah, got my win pin.   I knew it would happen....   There was Goonie in the air tonight!

I have to start by commending Thierry Henry.   The man is a legend.   He is bigger in real life, then he appears on the television.  I have been privileged to watch other greats play, Messi is a force- in a Jedi kind of way...  but Henry is somehow more beautiful on the ball.   He walks with grace, toes pointed out (is this for marketing the different colored leather on the inner boot?)   He looks like he is going to break out in a plie at any moment.   His one touch passes look like they are choreographed.   The only thing that gives away that they are not, is somehow the other Red Bulls don't seem to be in on the choreo!   Thankfully that at least has been the standard for the first couple of games!  His crosses are meticulous.  He seems a calm, and noble opponent.   No diving for this super star, he appears not to hit the pitch, except in cases when it is prudent to protect against less skilled players.   Truly a joy to watch play.

Now for my take on the Goonies!   I love the way this team plays with such heart.   They look like they are a group of guys who really like and trust each other.   A bunch of blue collar players with more heart and passion than any other team.   It is a joy to watch them.   Kudos to the guys that gave so much and left it all  on the field.   A big shout out to Shea Salinas, Rafa Bacca and Mike Fucito.   You guys wore down the defenders in a big way!   Then came in some really nice fresh legs.   Sam Garza,  Cordell Cato and finally Adam Jahn.   Wow...   Adam Jahn.   NICE!   Post game I think there was an entire section that waited to congratulate him....   and that was in addition to the Ultras!  Love that he is a Norcal kid.   I hope this is the first of many games we will see him shine in.  

Salazar scarred me with the way he was calling the game.  that encroachment call at the end absolved him of any prior slights.   So good.   So Goonie!  You gave us a home win!  So happy to have been there for an awesome ending.   I love this game!

UNLUCKY!

Reflecting on last nights game, the word that comes to mind is "unlucky".  Unless of course you are Nick Rimando, or a Real Salt Lake fan.   Congrats man!  100 shut outs is a pretty cool accomplishment- but one that I never wanted to see from you on my pitch!

There were opportunities, there were attempts, but nothing found the back of the net for my Quakes!   We are a strong team.   With notable starters from last season on the bench with injuries, our guys looked very solid.   Being a fan of Mike Fucito, it was awesome to watch him play!   He takes the pitch with the same wicked enthusiasm that Chris "Wondo"lowski exhibits!   I love it! 

I would like to say that I also appreciated that these guys who worked their butts off all game, a full 90, did not let up even after stoppage time.   They continued down the field and made sure to Thank the Ultras, and other supporters.   I do believe Wondo was the last player to walk through the tunnel.   Correct me if I am wrong.   In my mind, that is what makes a player truly great! 

Home Grown!

Everybody knows that home grown fruits and vegetables taste better! And so to with soccer,  Home grown rocks!

Look at Messi, that little Argentinian who was plucked from South America as a wee seedling, and sent to Catalonia to set down roots, and grow!   He is the poster child for an academy system operating at peak performance- he and the majority of Barcelona's team.   I can't wait for that culture to grow here!

So I know this is a quirk that many of you may find hard to look past, but I am a Sounders' fan.  Now some day I may drop it all together, but for now, I follow the team, and cheer for them when they play everyone except the Quakes.   Then I sit there as if I were Mrs. Harbough....  I love them both!  Last night I watched with mortification at the way Seattle played, but also with pride.   For in my mind, the man of the match was DeAndre Yedlin, a home grown lad.   I love that!  He was speedy and fierce, but most of all he played with heart.   When Gspurning (the keeper) came out and got tied up....  Yedlin went to heroic efforts to make a save!  I think it was about more than the game, it was about the TEAM.   I think home grown players are wired a little bit differently.  It's a good thing.

As the Quakes build not just a new stadium, but a whole sports complex, I think they are building something even bigger.  I see vision in this club.  With the California sunshine and the bit of fog, I think this will be the perfect environment to grow amazing talent.   One look at Wondolowski & Beitashour, and you know that the local stock is great!

My personal fantasy is that one day there will be Residence Academies like La Masia (Barcelona's) and that nice little stadium that the 49'ers are building will undergo renovation for real football!  I love the beautiful game!

Designated Players...

The Quakes finally made wonderful Wondo a designated player (DP).   I like how the Quakes operate. Wondo is homegrown, going from a developmental player to a DP.   He earned his status, and his street cred has been approved by the team.   I think that is an element that so many DP's lack, a healthy relationship with the team.   

When I lived in Seattle we had Freddie Lundberg.   A guy, who it was rumored would sit in team sessions with his masseuse rubbing him down while the other guys sat there.   It is hard to have a relationship of teamwork and trust when the difference in player salaries is so extreme.   

Now I would argue that the average MLS soccer player should be paid more.   You have guys trying to live in areas with high costs of living making just over $ 30,000/ year, and they appear on the pitch with Beckham, Henry, and Keane who make millions.   I am thinking they find it hard to socialize with that large of a salary differential.   I am thinking when a guy who is making 100 times as much as you do shows up and doesn't really reach out to be a part of the team, you might start to resent them.   I am happy we don't have those outrageous salary disparities on our Quakes...   They are such an awesome TEAM....  

A Soccer Mom's Perspective on the Pre-Season

Recently I watched the Hangout session that  Miguel Duarte from the Quakes hosted.   He was hanging out with 5 guys talking about soccer in the week prior to the first kick on Sunday.   Now I love hanging out with guys talking about soccer, but in my mind, there was a problem with the Hangout Session.  There were no women!

So being as though I am currently un-gainfully un-employed...  I thought it the perfect time to become the chick that gets to hang with the guys and talk soccer.

I am like an 11 year old boy when it comes to soccer.   Mind you, according to my soccer aficionado son, I am like an 11 year old boy, who maybe doesn't really know all the nuances of the game, and maybe is a bit unclear about all the rules, and maybe has the eyesight of a bat, skewed to favor my team.   But I have the enthusiasm of that 11 year old boy who  has a bit of hero-worship going on for the players.

Today my blog will address one of Miguels questions:  

Who will the break out player of the 2013 Season be?

First off let me say, with Frank Yallop coaching, I think there will be more than one.   From my discussions with the players (very select sampling at last years Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation Fundraiser) , they LOVE playing for Frank Yallop.   He is a player's coach.   He lets the magic happen.   Any wonder Wondo, and Lenny and Gordon all were top goal scorers in the league?   Coincidence that Marvin Chavez blossomed so nicely last season?  I think it's the stardust that Frank seemingly sprinkles in the eyes of the players.   He seems to empower them to unleash everything they've got!

Now, at the top of my breakout player list is Mike Fucito.   I love this guy!   Mike may not remember, but we go way back (not as far as he and Charlie Davies...but pretty far.) It was the Sunday after Mike scored an amazing Goonie-style stoppage time goal to give Seattle the victory over what was then the KC Wizards.   I was at Starfire in Tukwilla WA (a complex, much like the one the Quakes are developing) with my son, either at a game, or practice, or tryout.....I spent a lot of time at Starfire!  I was heading over to the Sounders' fields,  because someone had said the reserves were playing.  I was too late to watch the game, but ended up walking with Mike for a little bit.   Hero worshipping woman that I am, I congratulated him, and pondered if perhaps he had more goals/minute than any other player in the MLS.   Mike and I left Seattle within days of each other.  When a friend texted me that Mikey was a trialist for the Quakes, I was beside myself with excitement.

Mike is one of the hardest working guy on the pitch.  My nickname for him of Sparky never caught on in Seattle, but he was a spark plug out there.  The whole field fired up when he would sub on.   Opportunities were created.  In Seattle, the Emerald City Supporters wore T-shirts touting Church of Fucito.  When he bounced around last season, I worried that perhaps this legend in the making may never reach his full potential.   Now I think he will be like so many great Harvard grads before him and find gold in Silicon Valley!   Mikey, I believe you will be a break out player in 2013, and I can't wait to watch.