Wait ‘Til We Get to the Hills

Official Blog of the 1906 Ultras

Reminder: Season Tickets only $204

January 21st, 2010 - by Erik

Season Tickets in the 1906 Ultras section are available for only $204.

For more information please call our ticket representative Montez Harrison. Make sure to let her know you want to be with the 1906 Ultras. If you have any questions please comment here or join our forums.

Montez Harrison
Fan Relations and Development
Earthquakes Soccer, LLC
P: 408.556.7725

1906 Ultras 2010 Membership

January 8th, 2010 - by Erik

1906 Ultra Membership for the 2010 season is open. There are a few different options for New and Returning members. In order to reward returning members and those with Season Tickets, we have provided discounted options for the 2010 season. If you do chose the returning member options we will need to confirm that you paid last season and/or if you have paid for a season ticket before you are given your patch and membership discount card.

New members will receive a scarf in addition to the patch and membership card; however, scarves will not be shipped and must be picked up in person before a game.

Please note: If you choose to pay through PayPal there is an additional $1 fee to cover the costs of the transaction. You can only pay for one membership at a time, so if you are paying for another member please leave a note in the checkout.

If you would like to pay in person please email membership@1906ultras.com to arrange the details of your payment.

New Membership - $25

Returning Member - $20

Returning Member (STH) - $15

An Offseason Interview with Joe Cannon

December 18th, 2009 - by Erik

During this offseason we had a chance to get Joe Cannon to answer a few questions for us. If were lucky this will be a regular update with different members for the team and staff. We thank Joe for taking his time to give us his insight on the state of the Earthquakes, supporters and the game in general.

Joe Cannon

Joe Cannon

1906 Ultras: Were you upset at the way we lost O’Brien and Lima last season when it seemed everything had come together?

Joe Cannon: I was not upset. I was very optimistic that the players we brought in could do the job for us. In hind sight, we missed both these players last year and I think our front office has learned the importance of keeping the squad together. You see this in their efforts to resign current players.

Ultras: Lew Wolff gave the approval to bring a Designated Player (DP) to San Jose for the next season. A DP can contribute with his skills, leadership and experience and attract more fans in the stands, but he can also divide the locker room because of his ego or salary disparity between him and the rest of the players.  As we saw in that polluted city down south. Do you think that bringing a DP to San Jose is the key to success, or should we focus on local talent and cheap international players and build a winning team that attracts more fans in the stands with its spectacular style of play? If this was your decision, what DP would you pick? 

Joe: I believe that great players, no matter how much they get paid would help our team. Our locker room is such that money would not separate us apart or be any kind of distraction. I would not see this as a “key” to success. I think consistently good teams are built on a foundation of a group which has a good tradition of playing together mixed with the right attitude. An intelligent DP can compliment this foundation. As far as a DP goes, I’d love to see Steven Gerrard. However if we are being realistic, a strong finisher who has played in a quality league and still in his prime would be ideal. If you know of any, please let Frank and John know.

Ultras: What’s your favorite part about San Jose and being a Quake? What keeps you here?

Joe: To be honest, my favorite part about San Jose is my family. I will not make any qualms about that. In saying that, I grew up here and believe that one of my passions is to help this sport (and ultimately, this franchise) succeed here in the south bay. I recognize that I want this to happen both on and off the field. I believe my vision and my passion and my love for this franchise would help me if I were to ever work in management. However, before that time comes, I am working hard to try to make our team successful on the field. I do this by improving my own game and to ultimately help our team try to accomplish its goals individually and as a group. How I will do this varies and is personal so I won’t go into that much. To get the most out of my teammates and myself is my current goal and I hope that it can manifest itself out on the field this upcoming year.

What keeps me here is the fact that I love my family, I love our fans, I love this sport, I love my teammates, and coaches. I also love the potential our organization has to help not only promote civic pride for the south bay, but to create memories for everyone involved with our team in every capacity. One day I want to generate this passion to help the Earthquakes become the brand that we have the potential for fulfilling. The Earthquakes should represent so much more than a soccer team in this area and hopefully one day i’ll be able to help make this happen.

Ultras: You say that you want to continue to be a part of this organization after your playing career is done. What interests you more: a coaching job or being part of the management? 

Joe: Maybe both. However, I feel my energy would be best utilized getting out in the community and using my passion to expose our team, and our brand to new and current soccer fans. I keep tabs of ideas that one day I may be in a position to utilize to fulfill these goals.

Ultras: Where do you see the League being at as far as competitiveness/quality in the next 10 years?

Joe: It will get better all the time. As a player in our union, I hope that we will create a platform which helps invite more talent into the league, and keeps existing talent staying abroad. The allure of Europe will always be there. However, the quality of life, this country, and especially our city provides is second to none. Players will play for less money to play in the United States. However we must make these players feel as if they are being treated as the professionals get treated over in Europe. This will take time, but will improve over the next decade.

Ultras: In a recent interview, Lew said that he wants the Quakes fans to be more involved. In your opinion, what can the Quakes fans, not just the Ultras, do in order to help this organization establish itself in the South Bay and get the new stadium built so we dont have to worry about relocation? 

Joe: I honestly believe this has more to do with how our organization can facilitate the fans support and provide the right avenues on feedback to help our fans feel more apart of this franchise. The first thing we should do to help get the fans involved is sit down with all of them and have a town hall meeting to generate feedback on all areas. It would consist of not answering questions, but listening to suggestions all night long. The answers would be in our reactions and actions after the meeting. At the very least, it would give fans some sense of having a say which I believe our true fans should all have. As an organization it would never hurt to listen.

As far as what fans can do…that’s a tricky question. I believe that by wearing Earthquake stuff out in public, talking to their friends and co workers and just sharing their positive experiences can help in the short term. The ultimate thing our fan base can do is to understand that they are the catalyst behind all change. To demand accountability in all areas and to give feedback and inform our franchise if things can be done better. If we do not listen, or do not make the appropriate changes, than I believe we have failed as an organization.

Ultras: How important is for the players to have a strong supporters group behind them?

Joe: I can honestly say that this is very important. There was one moment this last year when the fans really could of turned on us and they did not. We let in two early goals against DC United and rather than boo our team our fans decided to cheer us on and support us through the rest of the game. That energy not only helped us earn a draw but inspired improved form from our team the rest of the year. The proof is in the results and our fans can definitely take credit for helping this improvement. To me, the fans are my favorite reason to play. I used to be one and in a few years I’ll be forced to be one again. (not playing that is) It’s important to have this support on and off the field. 

Ultras: Do any of the players know any of our chants? What is your favorite?

Joe: Almost all of our players know your chants because you can’t ignore them during our games or warm-ups. They will sing them in the locker room to make light of a player or just to add bravado to the situation. My favorite chant is the “piss on galaxy” one. I believe this rivalry is very important for our fans and believe soccer is built on rivalries. They do have great players like David Beckham and Landon Donovan which makes them an easy target as well. I know their fans are very good and give me a hard time every time I go down there so it’s good to see us doing the same thing.

The Epicenter revealed+

September 20th, 2009 - by Jon

Well its been a while since I have voiced in an opinion through here, but with school in full swing, time is tight.  But with many announcements by the Quakes in the last few days, I felt a need to definately blog about these changes through my “just a fan” lense and my “supporter” lense.

Earthquakes Stadium Concept

Just a fan

A friend of mine summed it up best in THIS way.  Us San Jose fans have been worrying for a long time about our stadium being small, bare bones, “souped up Buck Shaw”, among other things.  But this design is just beautiful.  The intimacy, the huge double-sided HD screen, the location, the roof…need I go on?  Would I like a fourth stand?  Of course, but that will come in time with demand for watching this team hopefully growing in the future.  I would be proud to call this the home of the San Jose Earthquakes.

Supporter

Where are the Supporter’s Groups, like us,  going to stand?  There are 3 rows of “premium seats” in front of the rest of the sections that is sectioned off around all 3 sides.  Are the people, likely corporate or family types, who are paying $100+ a pop going to enjoy having a rowdy group of supporter’s throwing streamers, chanting (with swearing at times), flag waving, and screaming?  very likely not.  This could become a problem.  I say make those seats on around the stadium except for BEHIND the goal, where the SGs should be.

Cheaper Season Tickets (pic from 2009)

Cheaper Season Tickets (pic from 2009)

Just a fan

Thank you!!! With the economy still not back on it’s feet, most people cannot continue to afford to pay the same rates for tickets as 2009.  The reduction (said to be 40% in some sections) makes it easier for not only me to go to games, but family and friends.

Supporter

Thank you!!! With the economy still not back on it’s feet, it is hard for some members and participating non-members to make it out to all the games.  The reduced ticket prices allow the Ultras to definately have a heavier wallet after purchasing their season tickets, but to also get those family and friends who love the games to get their season tickets as well.  The lowered price can only mean good things for this group in the future.  It also shows the importance the group is to the Earthquakes with the Quakes giving their most faithful fans a discount like no other section.

TAILGATE

TAILGATE

Starting next season, season ticket holders will be able to tailgate at Lot 4 by the Earthquakes’ offices.  FINALLY!  Some of my best memories of the Quakes was the pre-game tailgate parties.  Every one was a blast and every one united the fans and got them ready for the game.  This brings back a staple in gameday atmosphere that has long been missed the last two years.

All of these changes show that the team and organization are moving forward.  And there are apparently more changes (for the good, I hope) coming between now and the beginning of next season.  This helps cope with hurting over this past dismal season, and makes all us fans look forward to next season and FAR FAR beyond that.

—————————————————————————————-

I would also like to take this time to say THANK YOU to the legend that is Darren Huckerby.  Although he has only played 28 games with San Jose, his exciting style of play and his love for the game CHANGED how this team played last season.  It made for some good looking soccer and brought hope into last season.  It is sad to see him go in this manner, but all good things come to an end.  Good luck in the rest of your life Hucks, especially with achieving your coaching badges.  You are always welcome in San Jose and inside the Ultras section.

Huck Smash

Huck Smash

This blog post is the opinion of the writer and NOT that of the 1906 Ultras group as a whole.

Landon!! We Know!! Bianca Is A Ho!

July 18th, 2009 - by Sean

Hate to say we told you so.  Granted, it involved my first (and hopefully only) visit to People.com, but what great news to say the least.  I call dibs on Kajlich.  Here’s a different link. And besides, with shit like this, who didn’t see this coming?

Seattle Trip + Scum Game Details

June 16th, 2009 - by Jon

Well so much for updating my last post throughout the day.

The 1906 Ultras took the trek up to the Northwest to watch the Boys in Blue take on the Orcas of Seattle. The trip was an overall success, with the result on the field being very disappointing. The team and the new players are going to need a little bit of time to gel together again. I dont know why some fans are already against Ribeiro. The guy has been with the club for only a matter of days before starting in the most intense environment in the MLS. Give him time to train and understand the rest of his teammates.

The atmosphere at Qwest Field is exactly what San Jose needs. We are obviously not going to get 28k+ people anytime soon, but for those who were at the game know what I’m talking about when I say that crowd noise is ESSENTIAL. It would be great for the entire crowd to know the chants of both us and the Casbah, especially the very simple chants where we simply say “San Jose” and/or “Earthquakes”. Talking with some of the players, many said that it was hard just to hear eachother on the field. Imagine if Buck Shaw had every person screaming for the team, making it hard for the opposing team to even communicate. Creating an atmosphere is ESSENTIAL for a club to have success. The boys need to know that every person in the stadium is behind them, and what better way to do this then to sing, chant, and scream your heart out?

———————————————————————————————

The Quakes will be taking on the Scum from down south this Saturday at 1:30pm at the Oakland-Alameda County Colisseum. The 1906 Ultras will start tailgating at 10:00am in Lot D. If all is the same as last game, this will be right next to the Casbah/Club Quake tailgate. Please stop by and grab some food and drink.

Also, if you have any tickets to donate for our efforts with the YMCA to bring kids to the game, please contact us at admin@1906ultras.com and ask for Morgan.

The Day Has Come Trebek

June 13th, 2009 - by Jon

No pictures or hyperlinks today. There’s only so much you can do from a Palm Centro.

Just touched down in cloudy Seattle, Washington. I love the dirty looks from all the Seattlites as I walk through Seattle/Tacoma with my Quakes jersey. (big props to the female Quakes fan on my flight by the way).

I’m going to be updating this post throughout the day as the first roadtrip of the season, longest roadtrip for the Ultras ever, and my first roadtrip as an Ultra starts getting closer to its goal.

Supporter-friendly expansion, Seattle, and more

June 9th, 2009 - by Jon
Any Club Except Seattle and LA of course

"Any Club Except Seattle" and LA of course

It is only Tuesday the 9th, but the first game of the Heritage Cup this Saturday is fast approaching.  As some of you may know, we have organized a fairly large trip (relative to the distance to Seattle) to watch our beloved Earthquakes take on the Orcas of Seattle.  In a stadium that fills up at 28,000 constantly, there will definately be a noticable and rabid section filled with black and blue.  This is what we are about.  Showing support for our boys on the pitch wherever they may be.  With the coming additions of Vancouver and Portland into the MLS, that brings the total of Pacific  Coast teams to 6.  This will most definately mean that the 1906 Ultras will make every trek possible to Hell-A (twice a year), Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver.  There are many questions surrounding expansion in this league, but this “Going West” trend is great for supporter’s to be able to travel and show their support…something this league has had too little of for too long.

————————————————————————————————————————————————

My game preview:

Now I am never one to predict a certain score for a game.  That is just too damn hard and you just NEVER know.  Who thought we were going to lose to the Pink Cows 4-1?  Seattle will be missing Nate Jagua and Jhon Hurtardo with red and yellow card accumulation suspensions, respectively.  This means many things.  Seattle loses their two most played players, their leading assist and second-leading goal scorer in Jagua, and their arguably most solid defender in Hurtardo.  They lose all this while on a six game winless streak.  This could be a recipe that can lead to a big win for the Quakes in a hostile environment.

The Quakes have some troubles of their own.  They have obviously not been in their best form as of late, but have been staying in games and playing better in the past couple of weeks.  With the return of Huckerby (likely as a sub for this game) and all other injured, suspended, and national call up players (minus Simon Elliot and Bobby Convey), we will be fielding an almost-full strengthed side.

It is definately going to be a tough game in front of 28,000 fans.  But with better performances, Seattle’s slip in the league lately, their suspensions, and with friendly support, I am optimistic that we will come out of Seattle with at least a point.

———————————————————————————————————————————————-

According to the Houston Chronicle and confirmed by Center Line Soccer, the Quakes have traded Cam Weaver to Houston for Chris Wondolowski and a conditional pick for next year.  I share the same view as Center Line Soccer’s Jeff Carlisle, in that I don’t see how this trade is truely helpful.

“At first blush, I’m not sure how this really helps the team, other than to give them around $38,000 more in cap space. Wondolowski is versatile in that he can play in a wide midfield role as well as forward, but I don’t see him as being better than the group of attackers the team already has. It’s not that he’s a bad player, far from it, but I certainly don’t see him supplanting Ryan Johnson or Cornell Glen up top, nor do I see him taking minutes away from Shea Salinas, Arturo Alvarez, or the soon-to-return Darren Huckerby.”

I do see that this will be more of a depth kind of thing.  If i remember correctly (I was a noob to the Earthquakes back in 2004 so I don’t have the same sort of knowledge that many of you may have), Wondo can play attacking mid, wide mid, and of course striker.  If the first position is true, then I think that is where he will play.  I still think that we should have traded for a defender (not from Houston necesarily, from anywhere).  Defense has been our destruction so far this season.  We’ll see come the summer transfer window

————————————————————————————————————————————————

This will be included from here until the last week of the season:

The 1906 Ultras are planning two trips to Hell-A for the last two weeks of the season to see the Boys in Blue take on the Goats and the much much much much much hated Fallacy.  Please go to our Events section to view more details about the trip and to book your ticket and bus ride.

Once it hits your lips…

June 4th, 2009 - by Jon
...its so good!

...it's so good!

More true words, this time coming from Frank the Tank from Old School. As Quakes fans, we all know that this classic quote to be true after this past Saturday’s big 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake.  To steal a line from John Shrader’s weekly blog over at sjearthquakes.com, it is bad to drink too much precious water at once.  The celebrations after the game, in Section 101, were as if we just made the playoffs.  That was the feeling.  But The Boys need to use Saturday’s win just as a stepping point.  It means nothing in a macro-view of things.  We are still the worst team in the league in the standings.  We still have the worse goal differential.  “Second Worst Goalie” (a stat that is pretty BS).  Most goals allowed.  We have a long way to go before getting out of this grave we’ve been digging the entire season.  But we still have a pulse.

A win in Dallas this Sunday can be a major turning point in the season.  A win puts us into a 2 game winning streak (longest of the season…….wow) going into the hostile environment of Seattle [We have organized a trip of 50+ people for the game.  Check the events pages for any information].  This confidence will, i think, ultimately be the difference in Seattle, who is currently riding a5 game drawing streak and is playing a very very tough Chivas USA team this weekend.  A simple win in Dallas is all its going to take, in my opinion.

We’ll Win Again
Don’t Know Where
Don’t Know When”
But I Know We’ll Win Again
Some Sunny Day

————————————————————————————————————————————————

Non-Quakes notes:

-US losing to Costa Rica 3-1? REALLY!?  I wasn’t expecting a win IN Costa Rica.  But the way the United States played was horrible.  I have too many things to say about the game, but my main point is this:

The USMNT need to start playing well away from home.  CONCACAF has some very hostile environments to play in, especially when you’re the US.  If the United States expect to have any success in South Africa 2010 (they’re qualifying…I’m calling it) then they need to start learning to buckle down and play a hard fought, well played game away from their comfort zone

Keep Talkin Sven! + RSL pre game details

May 29th, 2009 - by Jon

Before continuing on, I have to explain the blog title.  If you haven’t already, all footy fans NEED, I repeat NEED, to start watching Special1 TV.  The weekly puppet show featuring Jose Mourinho, Sven Erikson, Wayne Rooney, and company is one of the funniest shows I can recall.  It is a classic quote generator.  One of these is the classic “Shut Up Sven!”

a few of the Special1 TV cast

a few of the Special1 TV cast

After reading this next quote, I say KEEP TALKING SVEN! The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.”  As an Earthquakes fan, how perfect is this?  This squad has absolutely none, zip, nada, Nada III confidence.  I personally feel that we have the squad to get into the playoffs.  The problem is that the early downslide and bad performances in games have not worn off, and the boys are fearful that they dont have the ability to win because its so rare.

This is not to say that I think we shouldnt be making moves come the Summer Transfer Window.  Just like last year, all its going to take is 2 - 3 players to change this season around.  We desperately need to find someone to play in the middle of the park with creativity, a defender that is rock solid, and a forward that is hungrier for goals, among other areas of need.

Coach said about a month ago, and I have already stated this, that all the boys need to do is grind out a 1-nil game to find their confidence.  It will be then and only then, when this “barrier” of fear can be collapsed and success can begin.  The 1906 Ultras will be in section 101 rocking the house through this Clash-like period.

————————————————————————————————————————————————-

The Earthquakes take on Real Salt Lake tomorrow at Buck Shaw Stadium at 7:30pm (psh! like anyone needs to be reminded of this?).  The 1906 Ultras are switching up their pre-game activities just a bit for this game.  We will be meeting at Mondo Burrito for food and drinks starting at 4:30pm until our march into The Shaw at 6:45pm.  Please be there and have everything ready and done with by 6:45pm so that we can roll into the Shaw in full force.

Go Quakes.  May we collapse the wall holding us back from success.

Wait ‘Til We Get to the Hills is proudly powered by WordPress - Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).