These seems to be my day! I stopped in to the Quakes office at lunch and got to meet Alexi Lalas. He asked where I was watching the game this weekend and I told him Kezar, per the guidance of another fan...thanks Alexi (the Big Soccer Member Alexi, not the GM Alexi). Anyway...I offered to post the info about him coming up, so here ya go. That's all I got.
Two Alexis! One Kezar! Don't miss this! However, WTF? Isn't GM supposed to be with the team wherever the team goes?
Good question. I didn't think to ask him that. He seemed keen on being in SF to watch the game, so maybe he's got a reason to be up there. So GM's always go with the teams? Seems odd to me, since it's not like they can do anything when they are there. Did the Fire GM come out for our last game?
I would think that he or she should be at home minding the store. Too much important business to be done here. Only on the major games--like a final--should they accompany the team.
This is a good point, indeed. Maybe Alexi will have a meeting with a potential local investor in SF, or something like this ...
A word for Alexi if he does come up to Kezar for the match. BRING SOME QUAKES STUFF FOR THEM TO HANG ON THE WALL! Pennant, signed jersey, poster, something. I am getting tried of bitching about this in post after post. If you are gonna be there, you have no excuse not to bring some cool gifts, for what is becoming the Quakes home in SF.
Not to stir the pot too much, but maybe he should spread the wealth - 1st half at Kezar, 2d half at Mad Dog in the Fog, or vice versa...?
There are not too many of us, so let's all concentrate on making Kezar the permanent Quakes home in SF.
Kezar is located on Stanyan street, a block South from Haight, just East of Golden Gate park. There's a relatively cheap parking across the street, and finding street parking is relatively easy (comparing to some other SF districts as well). Taking BART is a good option: you can exit on Civic Center station, and then take Muni line N, or you can take bus 71.
I know for at least one game last year, JM was at the downtown Brit for a Quakes away game, so they don't always travel with the team.
I don't think the GMs travel with the team. I believe that's the job of the "team administrator." Of all the team's I've seen come and go at Spartan, I don't remember them bringing their GMs. Of course to the final and maybe even the playoff games, but I can't see why they would need to travel with the team every time they have an away game.
Just wanted to bump this thread. I got a call yesterday from someone who should know, and she confirmed that Alexi WILL be at the Kezar. So come, bring your friends, and let's make him pay the tab.
WHY wouldn't the SJ marketing folks not have an "official" away game viewing place? this seems to be basic basic marketing stuff.
Because SJ marketing folks are stuck with "our backyard team" philosophy and they don't consider San Francisco residents to be potential fans of the Quakes.
It was announced at the last game that the Brit in Cupertino is the official away game viewing place. However, because of the size of the area they need to set up "official" away game viewing places in all surrounding area's. I can't see how that would cost the Org anything. Besides, the bars would love the publicity.
There should be a number of bars strategically placed around the Bay Area. With the high cost of gas, the one-hour drive down to San Jose every week (I'm not talking about the drive to Spartan for home games) is a bit prohibitive (as is driving over to SF) for me. As you say, the sports bars would love the publicity.
I figure....you give them a little they'll give you a little. That's how it works sometimes. Can't believe we've been here all these years and nothing like that has happened. Kind of a no-brainer really!
in LA we have about 5 difeent bars to watch to the game at. One close to the Stadium where the teams goes after games and does an "appearance" to meet the fans and knock one back. I can't imagine how it can be bad for the Fans,team or bar
I just got back from Kezar and they had a woman there from the front office and they were giving away Quakes stuff and said they'd be there every home game. Sounds good to me .... P.S. Got to spend the entire game sitting next to Alexi. Talked soccer, Ultras, Chris Brown, Joe-Max, Club America and other stuff. Great guy ... bought everybody drinks ... I definitely came away a big Alexi Lalas fan. Seemed like he really cared about doing right by the Quakes and Quakes fans. Very cool guy.
After the games, there is no problem. The Almaden Brit or downtown SJ Brit are usually designated as the official bars for that time. There are plenty of bars around where you can watch the games, but most of them get no publicity from the organization. I think the idea would be to have a number of bars designated for away-game watching over a much wider area than just San Jose. I believe this is still part of the mindset that doesn't recognize the Quakes as being the Bay Area team and still thinks of it just as the "San Jose" team.