By Jose Trujillo (@jAy_Ay_T):
The weather was superb, the taps were flowing, food was being devoured, Krazy George brought his signature drum to keep the crowd energized. It was almost a perfect at San Pedro Market Square on Wednesday night.
For the first time since 2012, the Earthquakes reached the MLS postseason, and San Jose fans were ready.
Restaurants located in San Pedro Square, like On a Roll, Pasta Fresca and Blush offered 10 percent off any food purchase throughout the night.
The bar offered drinks specials like the “wet and stormy night for Vancouver” for $7 dollars, or the “ Whitecaps Sucks” by Lagunitas for $6.
“It’s awesome… it’s a great atmosphere,” said Earthquakes fan Eduardo Higareda. “It’s exciting to see so many devoted fans for the Quakes here in downtown and Krazy George, it’s not a San Jose event without Krazy George.”
For some, the event showed promise that the Earthquakes can become the city’s team.
“It would be really great to extend this spirit to Avaya Stadium, and get our fans to come to the games,” said long time Earthquakes fan Terra Woods Taylor. “The nice thing about a Quakes game is that it’s still affordable, it’s still family friendly, you can afford it. [But] I can’t afford to go to a Sharks game, I love our Sharks, but I can’t afford it. I can’t afford to go to a Warriors game? I just can’t.”
It will cost you a minimum of $43 to catch a San Jose Earthquakes game at Avaya Stadium.
Other fans enjoyed the community spirit, but were more concerned with finding a seat and whether the Earthquakes had enough on defense to advance from the knockout stage.
“We just need to cinch more on the defense,” said Earthquakes fan Albert Gaxiola. “Offensively they’re really good, but on the defense, were giving up to many goals, so we need to be stingy with giving up goals.”
By the end of the night, Gaxiola had his concerns cemented. What he figured would doom the team, did.
When the final whistle blew, the score read 5-0 in favor of the Vancouver Whitecaps – one of the biggest blowouts in MLS playoff history.
Although several fans complained about the lack of TV’s and TV size – especially fans in the far back – the viewing party saw Quakes fans come together and support local business and their team.
Had the Earthquakes taken care of business, it could’ve been the “perfect” San Jose night.
