Story so far…

In a thrilling climax to the English football season, Manchester United and Chelsea were level on points with two games to go. They also happen to be the last remaining teams in the Champions League.

ManU won their game on Saturday and were thus 3 points clear. Chelsea had a tough game vs Newcastle tonight that they had to win to draw level.

Imagine my delight when I saw the headline.

Imagine my confusion when I saw the picture. Imagine my disappointment when I read the read the caption.

[Hint for the non-savvy. Chelsea are the team in blue. Ballack scored and he plays for Chelsea.]

The shortlist for world player of the year was announced today.

The list is

• Ronaldo (with the magic feet)
• Messi
• Kaka

It’s hard to choose between them - but they can’t give it Messi because he is only 20 and is certain to win it every subsequent year until 2017.

Things are moving along with the plan to bring the earthquakes back. In addition to the council meeting on Tuesday to (hopefully) approve the new stadium plans, the Quakes have hired a head coach.

As we mentioned, there’s also something else that will be happening on Tuesday. The San Jose Earthquakes will be holding a press conference to announce the hiring of a new head coach, and we have the inside scoop. So, in addition to coming out to support the stadium effort on Tuesday night, you’ll also be able to join your fellow Quakes fans in person to celebrate the hiring of Frank Yallop, a man who already owns two championship rings with the name “San Jose Earthquakes” on them.

http://www.soccersiliconvalley.com/

By the way, I have reserved the right to purchase 12 seasons tickets when they go on sale (any day now).

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a pool of tickets, 2 per family, that we could share?  6 of my reservations are already reserved. Let me know if you want one.

The Earthquakes have just announced that John Doyle is the new GM

They announced their fancy new shirts too:

We just got a call saying that the season ticket prices and venues will be announced in a couple of weeks. We have reserved two season tickets. Have you reserved yours?

Soccer is better exercise than jogging:

Now a new study led by Peter Klustrup offers us a new reason to play: Apparently if we don’t kill ourselves during the game, we actually get more exercise than spending an equivalent amount of time jogging:

Each period of exercise lasted about one hour and took place three times a week. After 12 weeks, researchers found that the body fat percentage in the soccer players dropped by 3.7 percent, compared to about 2 percent for the joggers.The soccer players also increased their muscle mass by almost 4.5 pounds, whereas the joggers didn’t have any significant change. Those who did no exercise registered little change in body fat and muscle mass.

It’s also more fun.

On the downside, you are more likely to get punched playing soccer. Especially if you are playing my team

Hey! Who’s that taking a corner? Why, it’s me!

Tom and Gina came along to watch us get our arses whuped on Sunday and took lots of pictures to preserve the arse-whuping for posterity (haha!geddit?).

In future, I will only invite people to games where we have a chance of winning…which is why I didn’t invite anyone to the final of my indoor league tonight.

Dear Soccer Silicon Valley member:

The San Jose Earthquakes will return in 2008!

MLS commissioner Don Garber will announce at Wednesday’s All-Star Game press luncheon that the league has accepted Lew Wolff’s proposal to have the Earthquakes play next season.

Pinch yourself–you’re not dreaming. Nine months from now, we will be watching the Earthquakes take the field.

We are the champions with two games to go. Ronaldo is Player of the Year…in case you were wondering…

Well played, The Guardian.

He and Kaka are the sort of players who prompt comparisons with other forms of art. Music, most obviously. Ronaldo’s mode is allegro molto vivace, with a pronounced fondness for bursts of staccato phrasing via those quick-stepping feet, his unorthodoxy extending to the fearless introduction of techniques that others might unveil only in rehearsal, for the amusement of their colleagues. Kaka plays at a permanent andante cantabile, with a sweetly flowing grace, his devastating sprint a thing of seemingly unhurried beauty, his body swaying as one change of direction blends seamlessly into another.

My Hope-O-Meter was at close to zero for this game. It will droop even lower for the second leg but, if it is half as good as this one was, I’ll enjoy it immensely even if, as I fear, we don’t win.