Manchester City defeat Club America 2-0

Headed over to AT&T Park for Manchester City vs Club America for the Herbalife World Football Challenge. Yup, not baseball but soccer. AT&T is a great facility regardless of the sport!

And what a treat for me to have two games in one week featuring Mexican teams!

With a bonus of a Premier League team too!

Manchester City came up with the 2-0 win.

After the game Club America goalkeeper Armando Navarette hung around and autographed tshirt, hats, balls, gloves, photos, anything they threw out at him!

So nice of him to stick around for everyone. Even if it meant I couldn't get to my laptop placed right next to where he was standing haha... see my cord making a cameo in this photo.

When I exit the park, I leave through the same gate the player's load the bus and exit from. Normally it's no big deal, but tonight, there were tons of fans crowding around the exit trying to catch a glimpse of the players. Security guard had to clear a path for me and escort me through the crowd as they whistled. Haha...  (sarcastically) celebrity status! Not going to lie, was kind of exciting ;-)

San Jose Earthquakes tie New York Red Bulls 2-2

Headed over to Stanford Stadium for the San Earthquakes vs New York Red Bulls games. To get the game started, members of the Red Bull skydive team came diving into the stadium carrying a giant American flag.

Quakes came up with a great goal by Khari Stephenson.

And superman Steven Lenhart battled out for a goal.

But despite the great effort, it wasn't enough, and Quakes tied the Red Bulls 2-2.

Afterwards, we were treated to a firework show for an early 4th of July celebration. Always fun for photographers =)

San Jose Earthquakes defeat Houston Dynamo 2-0

Took Friday off and convinced KC Fox to drive up to Guerneville with me to celebrate a friend's birthday. After a great/hilarious night with old friends, drove back this afternoon to make it home in time to shower and get back on the road and head for San Jose for the game between the San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo.

Though it was slated as Hawaiian night and Q was prepared in his (her?) hula skirt, the threat of rain was ever present. Though the night stayed dry, I'm still not totally convinced it's already June.

But what a great game for the Quakes!

First half was scoreless, but not for lack of effort as Steven Lenhart went soaring through the air for a header. Funny thing is, last Thursday, Center Line Soccer had posted this graphic of Lenhart as "The Greatest American Hero" and then next game, he comes out flying... only thing he's missing is the cape.

Second half, as only fiction would write, Lenhart scored.

After a battled out game...

We were at 90 minutes, then Simon Dawkins, who came on as a sub, scored in stoppage time for the Quakes to get the three points at home with a 2-0 win over the Houston Dynamo.

Fun tidbit on tonight, I was shooting for both ISIphotos and Center Line Soccer as regular CLS shooter, Joe Nuxoll, was in Seattle. This meant, though I have my regular season credential with ISI, I had to also pick up a CLS credential. Gotta make sure all the I's are dotted and T's are crossed so nobody gets in trouble.

Happy to work with Jay Hipps and Robert Jonas of Center Line who provide not only great match reports and previews, but also great Twitter commentary throughout the game, host Quakes cast pod cast, and are always fun to bump into in the press box. Be sure to check out my gallery on CenterLineSoccer.com

It was great to have a weekend where I could both spend time with friends and also have a fun assignment to shoot. I'm really happy to be getting closer to that elusive balance of play time and work time. The trouble is, my work is so fun for me, I often forget I need to take days off to be a normal 23-yr old... or as close as I can get to normal ;-)

Chicago Fire defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 5-4 in Penalty Kicks

Headed over to Buck Shaw Stadium for the US Open Cup game between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Chicago Fire.

Quakes came out with a quick score from Ellis McCloughin... he's now 2-2 in the MLS. Not a bad record! Unfortunately the small weekday, not regular season crowd, didn't make this celebration as dramatic as I'd hope.

But the Ultras and the Casbah fans were definitely in full support. Going hyphy during the game. They are crazy, but you can't question their loyalty and support of the Quakes!

Justin Morrow netted another one and I thought Quakes were smooth sailing.

Chicago Fire came back and tied it in the second half, 2-2.

Quite a tumultuous second half which ALMOST got out of hand.

Regulation whistle blew and being a cup game, couldn't end with a tie, so two 15minute overtimes, still tied, then penalty kicks.

Penalty kicks are always such an intense way to end a game. It puts so much pressure on the goalkeeper to try and block the shot, and a lot of pressure on the players to not misfire or hit the crossbar.

Unfortunately for the Quakes, Fire won 5-4 on penalty kicks.

My heart goes out to Andrew Weber, as Quakes regular starter Jon Busch consoled him. 

Everybody has rough nights man, keep your chin up!

It was great to see all the Quakes players come together as a team, including another Cal Alum rookie David Bingham! 

Haven't got any game action of him yet, but fun to get him in his Quakes gear after following him as a college player... Feeling old, twice in one week!

My highlight of the night, was undoubtedly youngster hecklers in training. Shouting things like "quit being a sissy" when a Fire player went down. 

"I take back what I said about getting your eyes checked" when the referee issued a red card to Gonzalo Segares of the Chicago Fire. And my favorite, as the Quakes players ran drills along the sideline preparing to sub in he screamed "you're awesome! you're awesome! you're awesome!" every time the player ran by them.