San Jose Earthquakes defeat FC Dallas 4-2

After the Cal game, I transmitted my photos really quick, ran to the parking lot, and drove down to Buck Shaw Stadium, making it just in time for the second half Quakes vs FC Dallas. Big thanks to Junsan Chan of the Quakes who came out and met me with a pass even though it was after media will call was closed. So nice to be friends with those who issue credentials!

Quakes were up 4-1 at the half. Unfortunately they didn't score another goal, or get Chris Wondowloski that second goal he needed to be the Golden Boot Winner for the second year in a row. But he appreciated the players who were trying to feed him the ball. Thumbs up!

But fortunately they still won the game 4-2! Though just the fifth win at home, it was the sixth consecutive sell out crowd.

Being tuckered out from the day, I thought about just heading up to the press box to edit post game, figuring I had covered the players high fiving the fans so many games before, it would be unnecessary overkill. But then I figured, I'm already here, final game of the season, gotta give it my all. But instead of getting the same shot I always do, I got really low below a section of fans and shot up at the players. Ended up really liking this new perspective.

Rafael Baca came over, and fans asked for his shoe.

He obliged.

Then they asked for another shoe. He obliged.

Then, jokingly, he started taking off his shorts... but you don't get a picture of that ;-)

San Jose Earthquakes tie Sporting KC 1-1

After a fun start to my birthday month enjoying a free show in Golden Gate Park with Nicole and Dan courtesy of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival, headed down to Buck Shaw Stadium for what might be my final Quakes game of the year, pending the TBA of Cal Football vs Utah.

Though the first half I wasn't getting any great action. Quakes put one in the net in the second half.

This places Wondolowski with 33 goals as an Earthquake, beating out Landon Donovan's 32.

Unfortunately, literally within seconds, Sporting KC answered with a goal of their own. Leaving the score at a 1-1 draw.

Afterwards headed back into the city for Night Out with the Quakes at The Republic, where Earthquakes players were stand-in bartenders and I was able to hang out with some of the Quakes staff that I normally only see on the sideline or in the pressbox, and friends! Great night. Great KICK (get it?) off to my birthday month!! =)

Cal Alumni Club Water Polo vs Olympic Club in McCovey Cove

Before the Cal Football game vs Presbyterian, stopped by McCovey Cove for some water polo. That's right, water polo, in the bay.

My buddy Mike Sample, helped organize it and tipped me off on the event. Though I had to shoot some pre-game of football warms ups, I just HAD to stop by to catch a few shots of water polo.

The idea was based upon the tradition of seeing a water polo match at Spieker before heading up the hill to catch the football game. But with Memorial Stadium under construction, that tradition had to be modified. Though it wasn't an official NCAA game, there were a number of recent NCAA players, and national team members. As well as a few who haven't played collegiately in maybe a while ;-)

Last year when I kayaked to McCovey Cove for World Series Game 1 (still one of my favorite experiences) there were some water polo players, shooting around with one net, in wetsuits... I took some photos with my point and shoot, and the blog had a lot of hits, and the photo even popped up on Fun Cheap SF. sf.funcheap.com/1st-official-mccovey-cove-water-polo-att-park/ But this was different!

Though this game was on a nice sunny day, they were in speedos, not wetsuits! And they weren't just out there shooting around but playing a full four quarter game!

Though I've been photographing water polo for years, there's still people who have never seen a water polo game so here's one way to get noticed! And what a crowd they drew!

Very cool, fun and random event!

Portland Timbers defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0

Headed over to Buck Shaw Stadium for the game between the Portland Timbers and the San Jose Earthquakes.

Another exciting game for the Quakes!

But another undesirable result with a 1-1 tie.

But the Ultras still had a great time!

DC United defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0

Headed over to Buck Shaw Stadium for the Quakes vs DC United game.

This was particularly exciting because I am now shooting for goal.com! I have been shooting Quakes for ISIphotos on spec for the last few years, but the owner became uncomfortable with me maintaining an archive of my images on my photos.kelleylcox.com site, and recommended I find a way to shoot on my own credential.

As luck would have it, I received a tweet (yes, social media works!) from Shane Evans, one of the senior editors at Goal.com who had seen and used my work in the past and was interested in having me shoot for goal.com.

The conversation led to emails to firm up details so I could ensure a non-exclusive agreement, where I unquestionably maintained my copyright... and now I am shooting Quakes on my own credential! Hurray!

To be sure I am not burning any bridges with ISI, I also ensured my agreement with goal.com, to allow me to contribute images to ISIphotos so you will still find my photos there also=)

Win Win!!

Though it was a lose, lose for Quakes and Dwayne DeRosario scored twice for DC United without an answer from the Quakes =(

Thanks to Shane for reaching out to me!