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World Cup: Finals in San JoseCity of San Jose to broadcast World Cup finals on Jumbotron downtown July 11by Gary Singh on Jul 08, 2010DURING the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, San Jose Earthquakes star Landon Donovan, who was then 20, helped lead the country to its first-ever World Cup quarter-final match. Although they unarguably outplayed Germany in that game, Team USA lost with their heads held high. Amazingly, less than 48 hours after he walked off the pitch in South Korea, Donovan walked onto the pitch at Spartan Stadium with the Earthquakes for their next league match. During the pregame press conference, the media gave him a round of applause, and he was also met with a standing ovation when he entered the game during the second half. It was moving. During Donovan’s reign in San Jose (2001–04), the Quakes won two championships. He said many times afterward that San Jose is where he grew from a kid into a mature player. Even though he is a SoCal dude at heart, he made many friends here. After the 2004 season, he bailed for Germany and then quickly returned to America, only to play for the Quakes’ bitter rival, Los Angeles. Despite zero interest from the local political administration at that time, the San Jose Earthquakes grew into a respected team throughout Major League Soccer. When owners, the Anshutz Entertainment Group, moved the team to Houston after the 2005 season, the squad went on to win the next two championships, in 2006 and 2007. The Quakes eventually returned as an expansion franchise in 2008. Two weeks ago, Donovan scored one of the most important goals in U.S. history, when he easily slid one past Algeria during injury time to put the United States into the knock-out stage. That goal is said to have symbolized the entire U.S. effort during this year’s cup—the team kept coming from behind after lethargic starts. Even though the United States is now out of this year’s World Cup tournament, the city of San Jose, as well as Major League Soccer and the San Jose Earthquakes franchise, is staging an outdoor viewing party in the SoFA district for the World Cup Final on Sunday, July 11. Featuring a live broadcast on a Jumbotron, the viewing party will also include activities hosted by the Earthquakes, including a player meet-and-greet and a special kids’ recreation area. SoFA restaurants and businesses will offer exclusive deals just for the occasion. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs for viewing the match. It should be one heck of a party. World Cup Sunday, 9am–3pm SoFA District, San Jose by Gary Singh on Jul 08, 2010 |
 THE VIEW: Soccer fans throughout Silicon Valley have been crowding local bars to watch the World Cup. This Sunday, they’ll be able to see the finals in an improvised outdoor theater on San Jose’s South First Street. |
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