July 25 - 2022 -- Friend, a weekly Sports Journal

Monday, July 25, 2022

Issue No. 443

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Publisher: Christopher Weills

Marketing Director: Robert Moselle

Director of Sales: Ann Cooke

Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee. Kenny Karst (retired).

Contributors: Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young

Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net

Photo of the Week

Edwin Donald Snider, called "Duke" by just about everyone, including his parents, was one of the best baseball players of the 1950s.

He swatted more home runs than any other player in that decade.

Snider is also the only slugger to hit at least four homers in two separate World Series. He started with the Dodgers in 1947 and stayed with the team for the next 15 seasons, then played for the Mets and the Giants his final two seasons in the Majors. He was the last person to knock it out of the park at Ebbets Field before the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.

Above, Snider appeared in The Rifleman and retired as a

San Francisco Giant.

Quote of the Week

"To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music,

no choreography, and the dancers hit each other."

-- Jack Handey

Letters to the Editor

Ah, Will the Thrill!

Them was 'Da Good Old Days.' One-flap down, one-handed catches

and the Thrill. Here's a quick short clip from 10/9/89 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGXnWDwcAoI

My title: "Shuttin' down Mitch 'Wild Thing' Williams and the Cubs for the NLCS."

A You remember where you were, moment in Giants' history.

Jerry Monkman

South San Francisco

If it Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It

This college realignment business is in Full Disaster mode. Cal and other Pac 10-12 schools, other conferences, like the ACC, and schools from around the country, now suddenly face major financial issues. A whole panoply of sports for which scholarships are offered is at risk. With increased travel costs to absorb and extra hours away from class for students, many sports scholarships and programs could face elimination. Teams may be forced to change conferences or be left out in the cold.

And what about rivalries and tradition? Twenty team Mega-Conferences -- seriously? What about all the other colleges who don't "make the grade?" This isn't Fraternity Rush Week -- the current system has been a basic fabric of society for students, families and educational institutions for years.

Robert A. Moselle, Esq.

Executive Director

Center for Continuing Education

Monterey, CA

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Contents

Columns

Hardly Trivial by T. Buff

Games

GAA Football Hurling

Oakland Spiders 22, LA Aviators 19

Oakland Roots SC 0, Las Vegas Lights FC 2

San Francisco Giants 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 7

San Jose Earthquakes 1, Portland Timbers 2

Features & Commentary

Enjoy Will Clark's Retirement, by Dave Newhouse

Remember Your First Time? by Andy Dolich

Sports Haiku -- Coach Shanahan, by Robert Moselle

Sports Illustrated Cover from the Autograph Collection of photographer Rich Yee

Organizations

Cal Bears

Oakland A's

Saint Mary's College Gaels

San Francisco Giants

San Jose State Spartans

Santa Clara Broncos

Stanford Cardinal

USF Dons

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

San Francisco Giants

Pictured above -- seconds before Giants rookie Will Clark would launch a Nolan Ryan fast ball deep into center field. Clark was the 53rd player ever, at that time, to hit a home run in his first MLB at-bat

Enjoy

Will Clark's Retirement

by Dave Newhouse

Will Clark retired as a major league ballplayer in 2000, but his image still remains: One of the sweetest swings the game of baseball has produced.

From the greatest opening act in baseball history — a first-at-bat center field home run off strikeout king Nolan Ryan in Houston's Astrodome — Clark accomplished many things with a bat in his hands, including a lifetime .303 batting average.

As the San Francisco Giants prepare to retire his uniform number, 22, this Saturday at Oracle Park, that .303 mark takes on a historical perspective, because a career .300 hitter is becoming more difficult to appreciate, and even harder to find.

Buster Posey retired with a .302 average in 2021, but the Giants as well as the cross-bay Oakland A’s presently view .300 as something akin to a mirage. Only one regular on either team, Giants outfielder Austin Slater, was hitting .300 (.303) at the All-Star Game break, when San Francisco’s team batting averages were .238, while the A’s collective batting average at that same juncture were .211.

It’s no wonder that the Giants, who won 107 games a year ago, are struggling to stay in the post-season picture, while the woeful A’s are a last-place team eyeing a 100-loss season.

But it’s not just the Bay Area teams which are coming up empty in the batter’s box, for baseball itself is swinging and missing, or grounding out and popping up, at an alarming rate.

Take the batting leaders in either league at the All-Star Game halfway point: Paul Goldschmidt of St. Louis at .330 and Luis Arraez of Minnesota at .338. With the dog days of summer about to bark louder in 100-degree-plus heat, those two averages most certainly will decline, to where baseball will have two batting champions under .330 for the first time in 59 years, or when Carl Yastrzemski batted .321 for Boston and Tommy Davis hit .326 for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1963.

And Yastrzemski and Davis didn't have to put up with the more recent scientific approach to baseball that have made batting averages less significant. Hitters are dissected in computers, and pitchers are hand-picked to face certain hitters after reading through computer printouts of batters’ strengths and weaknesses. Ty Cobb and Rogers Hornsby never had to put up with this; that’s because relief pitchers were a scarcity 100 years ago. No computers and little bullpen activity is surely why Cobb batted .366 and Hornsby .358 lifetime.

There are added factors as to why we won’t see, even more currently, career hitters like Tony Gwynn (.338) and Rod Carew (.328). And it’s all because of another factor: Infield shifting. Stacking infielders on one side of the infield isn’t necessarily new, but what is more original is placing the second baseman in short right field. So many base hits are taken away in this manner. If left-handed hitting Ted Williams, the best pure hitter ever for average and power, were playing today, he’d go crazy witnessing this ploy, because he was a dedicated pull hitter.

You no longer have to be a 20-game winning pitcher to be effective, as that once heralded number has become a dwindling statistic in itself. Dave Stewart won 20 games four consecutive years in Oakland, and never won the Cy Young Award. Pitchers have won fewer than 20 games and won the Cy Young Award. With calculated pitching changes, and infield re-arranging, pitchers can be effective regardless.

If you require further evidence, last year’s batting champions were Yuli Gurriel of Houston (.319) and Trea Turner of the Dodgers (.328), and both their teams made the playoffs, Houston reaching the World Series. The Home Run now rules the game.

So let’s enjoy Will Clark on Saturday, for if the .300 hitter isn’t a dying breed, he’s certainly in sick bay.

* * *

Dave Newhouse's journalism career spans more than half a century, including 45 years at the Oakland Tribune before his retirement in November 2011. His most recent book, The Yankee Way, is available in bookstores and on amazon.com. Dave grew up in Menlo Park, graduated from San Jose State, and has radio and television experience, in addition to his work as an award-winning sportswriter and columnist. For earlier articles by Dave published in

Sports Today, click HERE.

San Francisco Giants 4

Los Angeles Dodgers 7

July 24, 2022

San Francisco Giants first baseman Darin Ruf hit his 11th homer of the season in the Giants' 7-4 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium on Sunday, July 24th. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Starting pitcher Alex Cobb struck out six Dodgers over 5-2/3 innings.

Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Left fielder Yermin Mercedes hit two doubles and now has five in 42 at-bats this season. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson takes in the ballgame from the stands. Klay's brother Trayce plays for the Dodgers. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

San Francisco Giants

Sit Down with a Giant - Will Clark

Ahead of Will Clark's jersey retirement ceremony on Saturday, July 30, “The Thrill” shares memories of how he became #22, his magical career and what it means to have his number and name join the best and most revered Giants to play the game.

Watch Now

Join us for the Will Clark #22 Retirement game on July 30

Ceremony starts at 5 p.m.

Buy Tickets

Learn More

It's official! We have selected a total of 21 players in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, including 17 from the college ranks and four high school athletes. The breakdown includes 11 pitchers, one catcher, five infielders, and four outfielders.

Daniel Susac from the University of Arizona was our first pick and went 19th overall. The Roseville, California, native hit .366 with 12 home runs and 62 RBI in 64 games with the Wildcats this season. The 21-year-old right-handed hitter was named Pac-12 All Conference, Baseball America Second Team All-American, and ABCA Second. Last season, Daniel was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and was a semifinalist for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award.

Keeping it local in the second round, we selected center fielder Henry Bolte from Palo Alto High School. The 18-year-old hit .441 with 29 walks, 13 home runs, and 42 RBI in 33 games as a high school senior this season. The right-handed hitter led the state of California in runs scored and home runs, and his 48 stolen bases were third in the state. He was named Most Valuable Player for the De Anza Division and the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Baseball Player of the Year.

Click below to learn more about Daniel, Henry, and the rest of our 2022 draft class!

Complete Coverage

Draft Central

The mesmerizing image of a ballpark

Remember

Your

First Time?

by Andy Dolich

For me, it was Ebbets Field in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn in 1953. I was a six-year-old following my dad and two older brothers through the turnstyle that changed my life.

Do you remember the first time you walked into a ballpark, stadium or

arena for the very first time to see a professional sporting event. Is it

indelibly etched into your memory or only a wisp?

While watching the Major League Baseball All-Star game it hit me that the naming of sports venues has become an ongoing Cusinart of Corporations, both in business and not.

The Brooklyn Dodgers became the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1958 when

they switched coasts to play at the LA Memorial Coliseum in front of 78,672 fans at their first game. Dodger Stadium opened in 1962. It is the oldest baseball park in the MLB west of the Mississippi and one of the oldest three with Fenway and Wrigley.

Dodger Stadium has been Dodger Stadium for Sixty Years without

any naming rights partner.

Take a look at these ballparks, stadiums and arenas in the Golden State to see how many logos have been splashed across their homes and taken down over time. How many of these corporate entities are in business?

San Francisco

Stadium

Old

Kezar Stadium

Candlestick Park

3 Com

SF Stadium at Candlestick Point

Monster Park

New

Pacific Bell Park

SBC Park

AT&T Park

Oracle Park

Arena--Old

Kezar Pavilion

San Francisco Civic Auditorium

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

California State Livestock Pavilion

Cow Palace

Just in case you many have forgotten which sports with two legged athletes played in the building named after four legs:

San Francisco Seals (WHL) (1961–1966)

San Francisco Saints (ABL) (1961–1962)

San Francisco Warriors (NBA) (1962–1964, 1966–1971)

San Jose Earthquakes (NASL) (1975–1984)

San Francisco Shamrocks (PHL) (1977–1978)

San Francisco Fog (MISL) (1980–1981)

San Jose Sharks (NHL) (1991–1993)

San Francisco Spiders (IHL) (1995–1996)

San Jose Wolves (AIFA) (2010)

San Francisco Bulls (ECHL) (2012–2014)

San Francisco Shock (OWL) (2020-Present)

New

Chase Center

Oakland

Stadium

Oakland Alameda County Coliseum

Network Associates

McAfee

Overstock.com

O.co

Ring Central

Arena

Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Arena

Arena in Oakland

Oracle Arena

San Jose

Arena

San Jose Arena

Compaq Center

HP Pavilion

SAP Center

Santa Clara

Stadium

Levis

Sacramento

Old

Arco

Power Balance

Sleep Train

New

Golden One Center

Los Angeles

Stadiums

Dodger Stadium

Angels Stadium

So-Fi Stadium

Arena

Forum

Staples Center

Crypto.com Arena

San Diego

Stadium

San Diego Stadium

Jack Murphy

Qualcomm

Ballpark

Petco Park

Arena

San Diego International Sports Center

San Diego Sports Center

iPayOne Center

Valley View Casino Center

Pechanga Arena

I still get confused calling the Giants ballpark Oracle after Oracle traveled over the Bay Bridge and grew from an Oakland Arena to a

San Francisco ballpark.

* * *

Andy Dolich has over five decades of leadership in the sports industry, including executive positions in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, pro soccer and lacrosse. Presently Dolich is EVP of the Fan Controlled Football (FCF) and teaches sports business at Stanford's School of Continuing Studies. Dolich is also co-author of: 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro and co-author of LOL, Loss of Logo,

What's Your Next Move? For earlier articles by Andy Dolich published in Sports Today!, click HERE .

Sports Illustrated Cover: From the

Autograph Collection of Rich Yee

They may not be athletes, but they did make it onto the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Tyra Banks, Valeria Mazza and a few of the other models did a signing appearance right after the issue came out in 1996, and I was there.

What I remember most was their entrance. All the models walked past me to get to their tables and with heels on they were all well over six feet tall. Tyra was nice and greeted me. As she was signing my magazine, I remember asking her what perfume she wore. I don't recall what she said, but it smelled incredible. Valeria looked even nicer in person than in the magazine. She was super nice and even signed a few of her photos inside the magazine for me.

Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer

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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff

Manager ejections are on my mind.

My Sox were blown out 28-5 in a game this past week. How a manager having 28 runs scored against his team, with four of the runs occurring because of an 'inside the park GRAND SLAM' most likely caused by a dozing outfielder, did not go off the deep end and get ejected is beyond me.

With that said, what manager holds the modern day record for most ejections in their career?

Hint: Tony La Russa is fifth with 90 and

Bruce Bochy is ninth with 77...

(See answer below...)

Sports Haiku

Haiku: A traditional Japanese haiku is a three-line poem with seventeen syllables, written in a 5/7/5 syllable count. Sports Today! has expanded Haikus to embrace our readership and invites you to submit your own. Top entries will be published!

Thank you for your many entries!

Coach Shanahan:

This is Your Playbook

It's almost here. Talk of Jimmy G. and Deebo

fills the airwaves. The cotton is high

and the livin' is easy.

We don't have to decide,

"Does he stay, or does he go?"

Or, "Do we pay, or does he go?"

That's why there is a Coach Shanahan

-- to make those decisions.

Coach, all you need to know is in this Haiku.

We hope you can achieve your dream of a

49ers Super Bowl win this season.

* * *

For Coach Shanahan

It's all so easy if you

just look to your soul

* * *

Contributed by Robert Moselle

https://www.cce-mcle.com/

As noted in the USG's own Haiku below, we invite entries for "Best Sports Haiku." The winner will be published!

Sports Haikus ©️ USG/Sports Today's Haiku Invitation

Ultimate Sports Guide

Wants to Publish Your Haiku

You must send it in

To: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com

Cal Bears

Three Bears Earn All-American Honors

Ahyi And Faralisch Earn First Team; Cassidy

Takes Second Team Honors

BERKELEY – Cal women's rowers Lucine Ahyi, Juliane Faralisch, and Issy Cassidy all were named to the Pocock Racing Shells All-American Team as announced by the voting committee on Thursday afternoon. Ahyi and Faralisch took home first-team honors, while Cassidy was named to the second team.

This is the second All-American honor for Faralisch, a senior from Heidelberg, Germany. Previously she was named a Second Team All-American by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association in 2019. The senior earned All-Pac-12 honors this season after rowing in the varsity eight that placed sixth at the NCAA Championships this spring.

Ahyi earns All-American honors for the first time following a tremendous senior campaign. The native of Nantes, France earned All-Pac-12 Honors after guiding the Bears V8+ to a third-place finish at the Pac-12 Championships and a sixth-place finish in the Grand Finals of the NCAA Championships. She also advanced to the semi-finals in the coxless pairs with teammate Fien van Westreenen at the Henley Royal Regatta.

For Cassidy, this is her first All-American honor. The senior rowed in the stroke seat for the Bears varsity eight at the NCAA Championships. She also competed in the Bears V8+ boat that won its head-to-head race on the opening day of the Henley Royal Regatta, the program's first-ever victory in the historic event.

STAY CONNECTED

For complete coverage of Cal women's rowing, please follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWRowing), Instagram (@CalWRowing), and Facebook (Facebook.com/CalWRowing).

For a full report, visit HERE.

www.calbears.com

Stanford Cardinal

Bill Walsh Legacy Game Returns

Stanford and San Jose State will renew long-time

Bay Area rivalry.

STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford and San Jose State will renew a long-time Bay Area football rivalry with a four-game series beginning in 2025.

The Cardinal and Spartans will play two games in San Jose (2025, 2035) and two games at Stanford (2026, 2028), replacing four games in Stanford's previously scheduled agreement with BYU, who is set to join the Big 12 Conference in 2023.

Stanford will still host BYU on Nov. 26 of this year at Stanford Stadium and travel to Provo on Aug. 30, 2031, for a nonconference matchup.

Stanford and San Jose State have played 67 times, a series which began in 1900. The Cardinal owns a 52-14-1 record against the Spartans, a matchup which has not taken place since 2013. The 2025 matchup will be just the fifth played in San Jose in the long history of the rivalry. The game was renamed the Bill Walsh Legacy Game following the passing of the legendary Stanford coach, and SJSU alum, Bill Walsh in 2007.

By Stanford Athletics. For a full report, visit HERE.

www.gostanford.com

San Jose State Spartans

SJSU's Stiles Earns BCGCA

All-America Honors

SAN JOSE, Calif. - San José State's Kristopher Stiles was named to the inaugural Black College Golf Coaches Association (BCGCA) All-American team, announced last week by the organization. Stiles tallied 12 rounds of par or better, including a career-low 64 in the opening round of The Godwin at the Stanford Golf Course.

The Black College Golf Coaches Association and Golf Coaches Association of America have partnered to present the inaugural BCGCA Awards. The awards honor black college golfers from all backgrounds and across all divisions of college golf. Honors include the Adrian Stills Award (Black College Golfer of the Year), HBCU Golfer of the Year, BCGCA All-America Team, BCGCA and HBCU Outstanding Freshmen of the Year, BCGCA All-Freshmen Team, and BCGCA and HBCU Coaches of the Year.

Stiles competed in 11-of-12 tournaments this season
Stiles posted a scoring average of 73.27
The sophomore carded five rounds in the 60s
Stiles tallied a pair of top-20 finishes
at the Amer Ari Invitational (T-15/67-73-67=207)
at the 75th Western Intercollegiate (T-17/71-79-68=218)

2021-22 Black College Golf Coaches Association Awards

Adrian Stills Award presented to the Black College Golfer of the Year

Kieron Van Wyk, College of Charleston

HBCU Golfer of The Year

Gregory Odom Jr., Howard

BCGCA All-America Team

Jeffrey Cunningham, Drexel

Javan Johnson, Taylor

Steve Kibare, Dalton State

Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa, Drexel

Gregory Odom, Howard

Quinn Riley, Duke

Kristopher Stiles, San Jose State

Troy Taylor II, Michigan State

Kieron Van Wyk, College of Charleston

Everett Whiten Jr, Howard

BCGCA Outstanding Freshman

Kieron Van Wyk, College of Charleston

HBCU Outstanding Freshman

Kci Lindskog, Texas Southern

BCGCA All-Freshmen Team

Camron Jones, Chicago State

Kci Lindskog, Texas Southern

Tyler Partee, Florida A&M

Miles Taylor, Florida A&M

Kieron Van Wyk, College of Charleston

BCGCA Coach of The Year

Andy Walker, VCU

HBCU Coach of the Year

Gary Grandison, Texas Southern

#AllSpartans

www.sjsuspartans.com

Saint Mary's College Gaels

Bowen, Kuhse Recipients of NABC Honors Court

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced their annual recipients of the NABC Honors Court, and Saint Mary's has two players landing on the list. Kyle Bowen and Tommy Kuhse qualified for this year's NABC Honors Court by meeting the academic and athletic qualifications.

The NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards recognize men's basketball programs that completed the 2021-22 academic year with a team GPA of 3.0 or higher. The NABC Honors Court, meanwhile, includes junior, senior and graduate student men's basketball players who finished the 2021-22 year with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. The NABC's academic awards include honorees from all levels of college basketball.

Kyle Bowen lands on the list with a 3.76 grade point average as a business administration major. The junior out of Perth, Australia started all 34 games for the Gaels during the 2021-22 season, and set career-bests in minutes per game (29.4), points per game (5.6), and three-point field goal percentage (39.2%) to name a few. He set a career-best in points on four different occasions, and was the team's second-best shooter from beyond the arc.

Tommy Kuhse ends his Saint Mary's career with a 3.45 grade point average, with a Master's in Business Administration. Kuhse was named to the All-WCC First Team as well as taking home Sixth Man of the Year award honors after his best season to date. He shot 49.4% from the floor, 45.0% from beyond the arc, and averaged 12.2 points per game while breaking the 1,000-point mark late in the regular season.

Both Bowen and Kuhse were also named to the West Coast Conference All-Academic First Team, giving the Gaels two on the list for the first time since 2016.

For a full report, click HERE.

www.smcgaels.com

USF Dons

Men's Basketball Honored by NABC for

Academic Excellence

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced recently the recipients of the 2021-22 NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards and NABC Honors Court, representing outstanding achievement in the classroom by collegiate men's basketball teams and student-athletes.

For USF, the 2021-22 Dons earned the Team Academic Excellence Award as a team while student-athletes Justin Bieker, Yauhen Massalski, Dzmitry Ryuny and Jonas Visser were named to the 2021-22 NABC Honors Court.

"Academic success is a core value of the NABC and a priority shared by men's basketball programs across the country," said NABC Executive Director Craig Robinson. "Excellence in the classroom requires hard work and dedication, and the NABC considers it a privilege to honor these deserving student-athletes and the coaches and staff who support them."

Over 2,000 players earned spots on the NABC Honors Court and over 300 programs received NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards for 2021-22. A full list of Honors Court recipients is available by clicking here.

For more information and updates on the University of San Francisco basketball program, be sure to follow the Dons on Twitter @USFDonsMBB, @USFDonsMBB on Instagram and @USFDonsMBB on Facebook.

For a full report, click HERE.

www.usfdons.com

Santa Clara Broncos

Trio Earns WGCA All-America Scholar Honors

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - Santa Clara women's golf sophomores Lauren Shew and Inara Sharma, as well as freshman Borina Sutikto, have been honored as 2021-22 Women's Golf Coaches Association All-America Scholars. The criteria for selection to the All-American Scholar Team are some of the most stringent in all of college athletics. The minimum cumulative GPA is 3.50.

Shew was honored for the second-straight season while Sharma and Sutikto each made their first appearance on the team.

Shew appeared in six events this season with a pair of top 10 finishes. Sharma was one of three Bronco golfers to play in all 10 events and led the squad at the WCC Championship with an eighth-place finish. Sutikto had a freshman campaign to remember as she posted a team-best eight top-20 finishes en route to tallying the fourth-lowest stroke average in program history (74.07) and garnering All-WCC honors.

Connect with the Broncos on Social Media

• Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

• Women's Golf: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

For a full report, click HERE.

www.santaclarabroncos.com

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San Jose Earthquakes 1

Portland Timbers 2

July 23, 2022

MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 1, Portland Timbers 2

Quakes return home to face RSL on July 30

PORTLAND, Ore. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the Portland Timbers 2-1 on Saturday night at Providence Park.

The Quakes nearly scored on two separate occasions in the first 30 minutes – one on a curling effort by Cristian Espinoza and one on a header by Marcos Lopez – but were denied by spectacular saves from goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic both times.

Benji Kikanović got the Earthquakes on the board just before halftime. A clever set piece by San Jose played Espinoza through on goal. His low shot was saved but the clearance by a Timbers' defender was misplayed and found Kikanović alone at the back post for the tap-in.

Portland equalized eight minutes into the second half when a shot from distance was incidentally redirected by Jaroslaw Niezgoda past goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski. The Timbers then took the lead in the 71st minute on a header by Dairon Asprilla.

The Earthquakes will now return to San Jose to host Real Salt Lake on Saturday, July 30. The match will kick off from PayPal Park at 7 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports California, KNBR 1050 (English), and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).

MEDIA ASSETS

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD POSTGAME SOUNDBITES

GAME NOTES

The Earthquakes currently hold a 5-9-7 record (22 pts.) during the 2022 MLS regular season.
San Jose is now 9-17-4 all-time vs. the Portland Timbers, including a 0-12-4 record on the road.
The Earthquakes are now 5-5-4 in MLS play under interim head coach Alex Covelo.
The Quakes led at halftime of a road match against the Timbers for just the third time in 16 visits to Portland.
Benji Kikanović scored his third goal of the season and seventh of his MLS career. Kikanović has scored or assisted in four of the team’s five matches thus far during the month of July.

MATCH INFORMATION

2022 MLS Regular Season, Portland Timbers 2 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes, Saturday, July 23, 2022 – Providence Park in Portland, Ore., Attendance: 23,795

Scoring Summary: SJ (1-0) – Benji Kikanović (unassisted) 42’, POR (1-1) – Jaroslaw Niezgoda (Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson) 53’, POR (2-1) – Dairon Asprilla (Santiago Moreno, Yimmi Chara) 71’

Misconduct Summary: POR – Josecarlos Van Rankin (caution) 39’, POR – Yimmi Chara (caution) 40’, POR – Claudio Bravo (caution) 41’, SJ – Nathan (caution) 49’

POR – Dairon Asprilla (caution) 67’, SJ – Jackson Yueill (caution) 7

PORTLAND TIMBERS: Aljaz Ivacic; Josecarlos Van Rankin (Bill Tuiloma 76), Clausio Bravo, Dario Zuparic, Larrys Mabiala; Eryk Williamson (Santiago Moreno 59), Diego Chara ©, Yimmi Chara, Dairon Asprilla (Felipe Mora 76), Marvin Loria (Cristhian Paredes 46); Jaroslaw Niezgoda (David Ayala 90+5). Substitutes not used: David Bingham (GK), Zachery McGraw, Pablo Bonilla, Nathan Fogaca.

SHOTS: 19; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 18; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 6

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: JT Marcinkowski; Marcos Lopez, Tanner Beason, Nathan, Tommy Thompson (Paul Marie 61); Eric Remedi (Judson 61), Jamiro Monteiro, Jackson Yueill ©; Benji Kikanovic (Cade Cowell 77), Jeremy Ebobisse, Cristian Espinoza. Substitutes not used: Matt Bersano (GK), Oskar Ågren, Ousseni Bouda, Jan Gregus, Jack Skahan, Niko Tsakiris.

SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 15; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 3

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH ALEX COVELO

On the first half vs the second half:

“We had a very good first half. We had our chances to score here which is not easy. At halftime we were talking about that point, a critical point where the opponent is trying to push and pass that moment, and we needed to be ready to hold that part and control the game. They were going to press more and find more balls in behind. When we were going through that moment, they scored off a rebound and then we started to suffer a little bit. We were still able to create a couple chances to win the game with Cristian [Espinoza] and Cade [Cowell].”

On Benji Kikanović’s contributions:

“I think that Benji is doing very well the last few games so that’s why he keeps playing. He helps us by defending, he’s committed with the team, he’s a good header of the ball, he connects well between lines. That’s why he’s playing. That’s why we made that decision the last few games.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES FORWARD BENJI KIKANOVIC

On what’s needed to reach the playoffs and competing for that MLS Cup:

“I just think as a whole group we need to stop leaking goals left and right, that starts from up front because we start the defense all the way to the back. If we are going to keep leaking goals like this then it’s not going to happen, playoffs are not going to happen. It sucks to say and I’m being blunt but it’s the honest truth, we can score, that’s not the problem. We can score but sometimes defensively I don’t know if we don’t concentrate enough, I couldn’t tell you what it is but it’s on every single one of us. We need to tighten up everywhere really, not just the back. It sucks for JT [Marcinkowski] because he’s making saves doing what he can, we’re all trying to do what we can, but we’re giving up goals. We just need to come together and figure it out.”

On if he has to expel too much energy defensively:

“It’s always tough but my job as winger is to go up and down so I can’t really complain, and I’ll do whatever I need to do for the team. If I need to be back more, I’ll be back more. If I need to be up more then I’ll be up more. Obviously I get tired, I can only run so much and wish I could not get tired, wish I could be like a horse just keep going up and down. It’s tough but you have to do it and help out your team in any way you can.”

www.sjearthquakes.com

San Jose Earthquakes 1

RC Celta de Vigo 1

July 20, 2022

Earthquakes head coach Alex Covelo watches as Celta defender and captain Hugo Mallo (#2) controls a pass. RC Celta de Vigo tied the San Jose Earthquakes 1–1 in an international friendly at PayPal Park on July 20, 2022 in San Jose, California. © 2022 Alex Ho.

Earthquakes defender Tommy Thompson (#22) leaps for the ball.

Earthquakes goalkeeper Emi Ochoa (#41) with a comfortable save.

Oakland Roots SC 0

Las Vegas Lights FC 2

July 23, 2022

10-Man Roots Drop Three Points at Laney

In front of a 3,500+ crowd at Laney College, a 10-man Oakland Roots squad fell 2-0 to the Las Vegas Lights on Saturday night.

Roots probed against the Lights’ defense early and often; winger Edgardo Rito was particularly dangerous but the best chance of the half went to Darek Formella, who had a full volley saved by the Lights keeper in the 24th minute.

Roots made it an uphill battle in the 43rd minute when goalkeeper Paul Blanchette took down streaking Lights forward Caleb Jennings, and received a red card for the infraction. Roots coach Juan Guerra also received a red card in the moments after the red card was given to Blanchette.

Momentum shifted slightly in the Lights’ favor with its man-up advantage, but Roots’ defense held until the 53rd minute when forward Caleb Jennings found strike partner Daniel Trejo with a cross field pass, and the former Cal State Northridge forward buried the finish.

Twenty minutes later, the Lights doubled their lead when center back Tony Leone scored a header on the far post.

Oakland pushed on, but couldn’t find an answer against Las Vegas. Roots continue their playoff push at Laney College on Wednesday night, when they face Phoenix Rising FC.

Talking to First Assistant Coach Marcos Reina Torres

What are your thoughts on how the red card affected the match?

Yeah, it was another good game from the team when it was 11 vs. 11. But the red card changed everything — we had to defend and we didn't defend until they scored one. At 0-0 you can still be alive and then you can try and fight for at least a tie or a goal. It was difficult to manage. We switched to a 3-4-2 formation to press more and it kind of worked because we were playing near their goal. Not the way we like to play but a way that allowed us to be near their goal.

Heading into Wednesday without Juan at the helm, what do you do to prepare?

We will prepare for it as usual. Juan will be there at training so he will train us well — at the game he won't be there but we'll prepare the way we normally do, for an 11 vs. 11 game and we'll get a result.

Oakland Roots SC at Las Vegas Lights FC, USL Championship | July 23, 2022, Venue: Laney College, Oakland, California, Kickoff: 7:00 PM PT, Weather: 67 degrees, clear

SCORELINE: OAK: 0, LV: 2

SCORING SUMMARY: LV: 53’ Daniel Trejo, LV: 73’ Tony Leone

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY: OAK: 43’ Paul Blanchette (red card), OAK: 44’ Juan Guerra (red card)

OAk: 65’ Jose Hernandez (yellow card), OAK: 79’ Alejandro Fuenmayor (yellow card), LV: 81’ Alejandro Lara (yellow card), LV: 81’ Jorge Almaguer (yellow card)

OAKLAND ROOTS LINEUP: Paul Blanchette, Danny Barbir (Johnny Rodriguez), Emrah Klimenta, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Edgardo Rito (Memo Diaz), Matías Fissore (Tarek Morad), José Hernández, Juan Azocar, Mikael Johnsen (Taylor Bailey), Darek Formella (Charlie Dennis), Óttar Magnús Karlsson

Unused subs: Ariel Mbumba, Jesús Enríquez

LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC LINEUP: Abraham Romero, Mohamed Traore, Alejandro Lara, Morten Bjørshol, Tony Leone, Alvaro Quezada, Daniel Crisostomo (c), Frank Daroma (Christopher Jaime), Daron Iskenderian (Jorge Almaguer), Daniel Trejo (Nathan Ordaz), Caleb Jennings (Dekel Keinan))

Unused subs: Tomas Romero, Chase Bromstedt, Christian Torres

www.oaklandrootssc.com

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

Danny Russo Joins WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as Communications Manager

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is proud to

announce Danny Russo has joined as the

Communications Manager

Danny grew up in car-crazy Southern California and has been immersed in the world of car culture and racing since he was 10 years old. After graduating from San Francisco State University with a degree in Communications in 2008, Danny built a successful career in sales and marketing, where he honed his writing and communication skills. After marrying in 2012, Danny and his wife Michelle lived all over the West Coast with their three rescued terriers, in epic locations like Monterey, Portland, and Southern California.

While building his career in sales, Danny also wrote blogs and website copy for automotive clients worldwide. In 2018 he took his passion full time, and he struck out on his own with Michelle and started an automotive freelance writing business. Over the course of hundreds of blogs and articles, Danny began to make a name for himself as an automotive and motorsports enthusiast, who could also craft compelling yet informative copy for automotive companies. This expertise allowed the business to thrive and organically grow to include some of the best brands in the industry.

Danny’s passion for motorsports, the Monterey Peninsula, and preserving America’s racing heritage pushed him to apply for the Communications role at the legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. As a passionate fan of events like the Monterey Historics, Indycar, and more, Danny will bring his passion for telling compelling stories and his sales and marketing skills together with his love of automotive culture to tell Laguna Seca’s story to journalists, and race fans from all over the world.

“It’s a dream to work for a track with the historic pedigree of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. From playing racing simulators as a teenager to visiting the track as an adult, Laguna Seca has always lived in my mind as a place where dreams are made. I’m proud to tell the story and be part of the team that helps Laguna Seca grow and thrive in this pivotal role.”

As part of the Marketing and Digital team, Danny will work closely with Barry Toepke, director of heritage events and public relations, and John Narigi, president and general manager. “We are very pleased to welcome Danny to the dynamic team where we will greatly benefit from his expertise and passion,” Narigi said. “His first day coincided with the opening day of MotoAmerica racing and he jumped right in.”

For all media inquiries, please contact Danny at RussoD@Laguna-Seca.com.

www.weathertechraceway.com

Oakland Spiders 22

LA Aviators 19

July 23, 2022

Looking to be out of position, but with size and most importantly the reach advantage, Max Williams (#87) comes down with the scoring disc late in the second quarter, as the Oakland Spiders hosted the Los Angeles Aviators at Fremont High School in Oakland, CA on Saturday, July 23.

Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.

Defensive team specialist Patrick Xu (#9) goes up to snag the disc for the score on a breakpoint. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.

Always on the field having played 22 points in the game, co-captain Keenan Laurence (#51) uses his size and position to block out the defenders to take in the throw midfield, keeping the offensive momentum going. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.

Team general manager and sometime player Jackson Stearns (#21) has taken to the mic to be the master of ceremonies, announcing all the home games this season. His witty banter and insight to the game made the guest experience very entertaining. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.

Leading the cheer to appreciate the home team crowd after the game,

co-captain Justin Norden (#3) ended the game with 46 completions and leading the team. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.

A young Spiders fan has all the essentials to root for the home team: the free blow-up slap sticks and his homemade sign in the closing minutes of the game. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Caption and photo by Ron Sellers.

GAA Football Hurling

July 23, 2022

Tipperary (blue) edged St. Peter's Hurling of San Diego (red) 7–15 (36) to 6–17 (35) in a friendly match earlier this afternoon at the San Francisco GAA, Treasure Island on July 23, 2022 in San Francisco, California. © 2022 Alex Ho.

Culver City Cougars (white) over Eire Og (orange) 3–10 (19) to 0–12 (12) in a Gaelic football match earlier this afternoon at San Francisco GAA, Treasure Island on July 23, 2022 in San Francisco, California. © 2022 Alex Ho.

St. Peter's Hurling of San Diego vs. St. Joseph's Hurling in a friendly match earlier this afternoon at the San Francisco GAA, Treasure Island on July 23, 2022 in San Francisco, California. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.