Landon Donovan is my least favorite player in the history of The Major League Soccer. And its not even close.

Growing up idolizing Barry Bonds probably did a lot to skew my view of “villains”. I always figured that the Giants weren’t paying him to be a nice guy, they were paying him to hit home runs. And as long as he did that, he was loved. Same goes with a guy like Carlos Ruiz. You don’t pay him to attend charity dinners and kiss babies foreheads, you pay him to score goals. But Landon is different.

Many Quakes fans will attribute their hatred to the infamous move to Leverkusen followed by his return to The MLS, and to the Galaxy. For me, this “backstabbing” was anything but. Donovan was ASSIGNED to the Quakes, and the rumor had always been that he would have rather been close to home, aka the Galaxy. So when he came back home, he did just that. Fine.

My problems with Lando Donrissian stem from his current stay in Los Angeles. Look no further than his goal celebration after his 3rd goal in the 90something minute to put LA up 5-2. Jumping around, screaming, the whole nine. Your team just won for the first time since the middle of JUNE, and that win put you even on points with an expansion team, and that team even has a game in hand.

But feel free to boast, Landon. You deserve it?

I feel the source of our discontent is an anxiety that perhaps the rivalry itself is being undermined and is in jeopardy.  Certainly not for the die-hard Quakes (and L.A.) supporters, but part of what made the rivalry so special in the past is the way in which it was able to weave a spell over all those who came into its web, whoever they might be.  The return of Judas match in 2005 was filled with tension and passion, not just from the supporter’s groups, but from every square inch of Spartan stadium.  The famous miracle comeback in 2003 had every last member of that crowd jumping and screaming by the end of it.  Given this rich history, so much of what I witnessed and experienced on Saturday just felt wrong. 

 Much has been made of the Beckham effect, namely the throngs of curiosity seekers and young girls attracted to Mr. Posh wherever the Galaxy touch down.  What most in the media have failed to take into account (or don’t really care enough to find out, I’m looking at you Merc), is that while this is fine, albeit annoying, in Chicago or D.C. or anywhere else in the league, it is absolutely damaging in the Bay Area.  Part of what is so invigorating about the rivalry, as I mentioned, is the way in which it joins every person in the stands (minus the traveling Galaxy fans) into one united entity willing our collective champions to victory.  When this is taken away, and L.A. goals are greeted in our supposed “home” by deafening cheers, it rips at the soul of our rivalry and the hearts of Quakes fans.  I went down to L.A. for the opening game of the season, and I have to say, the experience was not that far removed away from the match in Oakland two nights ago.  In both cases, being in the heart of the supporter’s groups felt like a case of us against the world. 

Is this all an overreaction?  Maybe.  But part of what Quakes fans are going through this season is the realization that we must win back everything we had before.  I don’t think any of us expected a championship team again right from the start, but some of the things we did believe we could have right now haven’t come to fruition either.  Namely, a squad of guys, no matter how untalented or inexperienced, who would leave every last piece of themselves out there on the field against our most hated rivals.  The problem is our players out there, for the most part, don’t hate L.A.  I think it was a strategic mistake on Yallop’s part to play down the rivalry, even though I applauded his decision at first.  Make your team understand the history of the match-up, make them understand how important it is to the fans, make them understand their responsibility.  Yes, that’s a lot of pressure, but at least you make the stakes clear.  We’re not asking for victory necessarily or even a beautiful game.  Just get out there and fight your hardest, and maybe we won’t be happy, but at least those wounds will only be of the flesh, able to be mended by the sweat of those who play for us.

 At the end of the day, Quakes fans felt persecuted in their own home, betrayed by their own players (rightly or wrongly), and worried that perhaps San Jose may become irrelevant to L.A.  Yes, I said it.  After two years absence, what if things have changed and that rivalry can never be recaptured?  Those are the stakes for us fans.  Only if you understand that can you understand the reaction from Quakes’ fans, the deep bitterness so evident in the past few days.  At times, perhaps Quakes fans have come off as being “ungrateful” or too quick to complain about every little thing, especially after we were fortunate enough to get our team back.  However, in the end, if nothing else, we only ask one thing from the front office, from Lew Wolff, from anyone else in charge.  Don’t give us back a body with no soul.  We need this rivalry.  It is part of our identity and enriches the entire league immeasurably.  If that means changing the venue to preserve the spirit, make it so.  If that means losing out on some revenue, so be it.  I know that’s not the logic that will win out in the real world, but I’ll tell you this.  A vibrant Quakes-Galaxy rivalry, the kind that creates memories that will last a lifetime and stories that blend into dreams, will ultimately do more to bring in committed, long-term soccer fans than a legion of Beckhams.

End rant. 

Genius.

Also, quote from former San Jose Earthquake George Best: “He cannot kick with his left foot, he cannot head a ball, he cannot tackle, and he does not score many goals. Apart from that, he’s all right.”

The Earthquakes and Columbus Crew combined for 25 corner kicks Saturday night at Buck Shaw Stadium, setting a club record for combined corner kicks in a regular season game. The previous Quakes record for combined corner kicks was 21, set on Aug. 5, 1998 in a match against the New England Revolution. Columbus also set an opponent’s record for corner kicks in a game and a half against San Jose. The Crew had 18 corner kicks with 11 of them coming in the second half.

Congratulations us! I think we should next focus on breaking the record for longest allowed stoppage time or perhaps the most throw-ins?

Anyways, here are some quick links of note:

* Jay Hipps reported on his blog a few days ago, “there are already discussions underway between supporters of the [Quakes and Seattle] for a special cup competition between the two sides every year.” Now, I’ve mentioned this before on this blog but I think it’s worth repeating, if Drew Carey really puts together his marching band, then I think the Quakes need to retaliate by hiring Oakland’s own, Extra Action Marching Band, to blow Seattle out of the, err, stadium. And I also think it’s worthwhile to add here that I realized a few months ago I am in no way the demographic the Quakes are marketing to. So I know my brilliant ideas will never ever see the light of day but I’m still going to suggest them whenever I can.

* Jeff Carslisle reports the Quakes will be trialling “a parade of players until the transfer window reopens in July.” Already come and gone are two Brazilians, Morelia duo Marcinho and Wanderson. Both recently played in Mexico’s second division.

* The San Jose City Council meeting to vote on the proposed sale of the old FMC site has been postponed to May 20th.

* If you are stuck in San Fransisco on May 21, there will be people at The Chieftan – 198 Fifth Street (5th & Howard) starting @ 11:30am to watch the Champions League final.

* The EPL is over, the Euros start soonish, the Champions League final is next week, the Quakes are away… what is left for this weekend? USL-2 bitches! The SF Seals home opener is Saturday night starting at 7pm at The University of San Francisco. Your Saturday is already set – watch the Quakes game then stumble up to USF for the soccer and some music. See everyone there!

Was it me or did you get the sense that there was zero passion from the players and the crowd last night (don’t pounce SJUltras – the camera barely showed you)? Was a two year hiatus and constant Galaxy player purges enough to kill the longest standing rivalry in MLS? I swear I see loads more atmosphere when Chivas and LA play each other. And I think it was only Donovan who perked up a bit during last night’s game (I even made a comment that he only comes alive when he plays Mexico or San Jose). So its only one game and I may be overreacting here but boy will I be bummed if I’m right.

I’ve calmed down a bit and read Jeff Carlisle’s excellent analysis of our performance last night. Coupled with the positive comments from dwsharks and Alex (thanks guys), its pretty clear we need an experienced striker up front immediately. And now that the union released player salaries, we can guestimate just how much money Doyle has left to do this – or rather Carlisle can: $850,000. Seems we still have a good chunk o’ cash at our disposal. Although, I think we’re a bit tied until the next transfer window opens up. So get ready for more suckage on the pitch for the next few weeks (but I think we can clean up that backline immediately). At least the next SanHo game is here (Oaktown baby!) meaning I get to spend my day standing around in the parking lot drinking beer and eating hot dogs before witnessing the carnage. Awesome!

Don’t let the same situation happen to you. If you – typical average Earthquakes fan – find yourself face to face with a Beckhamaniac (Beckham-a-loonie?), I’ve put together this handy chart that outlines in great detail what you must do immediately in order to set this person straight.

Memorize it. Practice at home if you must. So when the inevitable encounter occurs, you will be ready to throw down (and rep the Bay).

So here’s my Quakes v Galaxy preview: We school their asses and they run off the pitch crying. Also, Bianca subs in as Beckham’s new target forward because Alan Gordon is gonna flip out and go back to the Portland Timbers (i.e. a real soccer club). Oh and Allison needs to put Kei Kamara in her fantasy team’s starting lineup asap because that dude is going to score on Thursday (and I hope I just threw out a double entendre for our young striker).

Well, there’s not much more to say on the topic, really. Except Ryan Cochrane has a few words, i.e. an excerpt from his recent interview over at American Soccer Reader:

Guys who haven’t really been here, who don’t know about the San Jose – L.A. rivalry, they’ll learn quickly, and we’ve been warning them about it. That, I don’t want to say hatred, but it kind of is, for L.A. has never gone away for me, even when I was in Houston. And I know those guys in Houston feel the same way about L.A. as they did when they were in San Jose. So it’s going to be fun, it’s going to be heated, it’s going to be a battle. Obviously they have a lot of attention on them with Beckham and with their new coach and all that. It’s kind of the David vs. Goliath thing right now and we love that role for us.

And our captain, Nick Garcia, had a little tv interview during halftime at a recent San Jose Sharks game.

Note at the end of the video, there’s a quick shot of Ryan with what the majority of Bigsoccer readers think is his girlfriend. Apparently, they also think she is a hottie. And now, after watching the video of the alleged girlfriend, I’m feeling pretty good about myself – not gonna lie folks. Yup, ego boost in full effect (and I agree, she is a looker, no doubt). Go Earthquakes.

Right, so how about that Galaxy, eh? Do they have any fans left now? Honestly, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. And it was so painful to watch, I cannot even bring myself to smack talk over at jen’s La Galaxy The Offside blog. Yes, it was that bad.

In the world of Quakes news, there isn’t too much going on today. Jay Hipps over at Center Line Soccer has a little media round-up reactions to Saturday’s Gals game and Champions Soccer Radio is looking for fans to cover the Quakes. I just have to say that last year, I was all over csrn’s Chivas podcast so I really hope there’s a Quakes one too.

One last thing. My favorite taco truck returned. Tacos Chaves drove back to its original spot in front of the Emeryville Pak N Save. And a little note to Yallop and Doyle: the next time you find yourselves over at the Match Analysis offices and are maybe feeling a little bit peckish, that truck is just around the corner at 40th and Emery St. Delicious!

Little did I know, Doyle and Kinnear are friends going waaay back to their childhoods in Fremont. And with that in mind, calling these upcoming exhibition games friendlies couldn’t be more appropriate. The article is short and has very little new Quakes news. Basically, the roster is still incomplete and Doyle says he’s focusing on the talent in camp now but doesn’t rule out adding some new players:

The Earthquakes team that takes the field this week should be pretty close to the one that opens the season April 3 in Carson. But Doyle just returned from a scouting trip to Argentina and said his team might add players in the coming weeks. “I’m very excited to see what we have,” he said.

I’m pretty sure the Quakes never released a list of who is in camp and since I can’t find any big-name signing rumors this week (unless you count Corrales), I’m really pulling for the younger players to step up and shine during these games. C’mon Shea, Adam, and Danny… even you, Kei. Put a couple in the back of the net. Think of all the beers us fans will buy you after the games (you guys are over 21… right?).

On a personal note, I just bought a new camera (my last one got stolen) so I hope to have a bunch of pictures of Saturday’s game up on this blog. And to everyone, get excited! Its almost game time!

So what do we come up with? Rodeo clowns? Opera Singers? A halftime SRL performance? Leave your suggestions in the comments…