9 OCTOBER - The PDL offseason gives fans the chance to explore other soccer leagues - the NCAA, the USL, leagues in Europe - but it is in Major League Soccer that a number of ex-San Fernando Valley Quakes players are making names for themselves.

Sean Franklin has been one of the few bright spots in Los Angeles Galaxy's dismal season. The quicksilver defender has found himself thrust into the limelight in his first season at the Home Depot Center, playing in several positions across the back four, not only playing alongside veteran internationals such as Abel Xavier, Greg Vanney and Ante Jazic, but generally out-performing them too. To date, Sean has played in 24 games for Galaxy, starting 23 of them, and his on-performances have made him a genuine contender for Rookie of the Year.

Also in Carson, 2006 Quakes striker Bryan Jordan has become something of a super-sub since joining the team from Portland Timbers earlier in the season. Bryan made his MLS debut back in May, coming on as a substitute for Joe Franchino in Galaxy's 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls, but really made his mark when he started the game - and scored his first goal - on 6 September, against Real Salt Lake. Jordan's speed and tenacity immediately endeared him to the Galaxy faithful, and he looks to be certain to figure in head coach Bruce Arena's plans for the team in 2009.

Mike Zaher (pictured) had not featured significantly in DC United's line-ups in the early part of the season, but recently has become a valued squad player for coach Tom Soehn; he made his professional debut for DC on 19 July, coming on as a second half substitute for Bryan Namoff in a SuperLiga game against Houston Dynamo, and made his first MLS appearance on August 20, starting against New England Revolution. Recently, however, Zaher has picked up a great deal of international experience, playing in the CONCACAF Champions League for DC in their games against Mexican powerhouse Cruz Azul and Costa Rican champions Deportivo Saprissa.

Back in LA, Daniel Paladini made history when he became the first former Quakes player to score a goal in MLS when he netted for Chivas USA against Toronto FC on 6 September. Paladini has also been a valuable squad player for the Goats, especially considering head coach Preki's injury crisis; Paladini featuring in 8 games this season, five of which were starts.

Congratulations to ALL our alumni - you do the Quakes proud!

9 AUGUST 2008 - Canadian side Thunder Bay Chill are the 2008 USL Premier Development League champions, having beaten defending champions Laredo Heat on penalties after a 1-1 tie in the PDL championship game in Laredo, Texas.

The Chill, which has been in the PDL since 2000 and which plays in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference, overcame Colorado Rapids U23s, Cleveland Internationals, Kalamazoo Outrage, and Vancouver Whitecaps Residency - who beat the Quakes in the Western Conference playoffs - on the way to the final.

The final itself was an evenly contested affair; Laredo took the lead just after half time through Juan Ibarra, and Thunder Bay were reduced to ten men after 56 minutes when Scott Milroth recieved a second yellow card, only for Gustavo Oliveira level the game ten minutes later. Thunder Bay, despite the numerical disadvantage, held on through 90 minutes, and through 30 minutes of extra time; in the penalty shootout, Chill goalkeeper Steven Patterson proved to be the hero, stopping PKs from Carlos Ordaz and Steve Su, leaving Chill's Italian midfielder Nolan Intermoia to convert the winning spot kick.

The Chill are the first Canadian team to take the PDL title, and the third team from the Central Conference to take it all in the last four years, after Des Moines in 2005 and Michigan in 2006.

27 JULY 2008 - Having secured the Southwest Division title with an exciting 2-1 win over Fresno Fuego last week, and on a hot streak of 12 unbeaten games in PDL competition, the San Fernando Quakes travelled to Chukchansi Park in Fresno confident of success in the Western conference playoffs. At the conclusion of their semi-final game against Vancouver Whitecaps Reserves, the team was left reeling, stunned by an appalling refereeing performance which, for the second year in succession, robbed them of their chance of victory.

Underneath baking Central California sun, coach Juan Florez’s players took to the field in front of an announced crowd of 1,291 to face off against the Northwest Division runners-up, Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, the official development team of the USL First Division side Vancouver Whitecaps. Vancouver, in their first PDL campaign, came into the game with an impressive 11-4-1 record - the sixth best in the league - and only missed out on their divisional title to Tacoma Tide on goal difference. Florez was forced to make a couple of changes to his starting eleven: Brad Rusin was still in Norway on trial with professional sides FK Bodø/Glimt and IK Start, while midfielder Mat Davis and striker Ryan Shaw were both missing for personal reasons. Nevertheless, Florez started with a strong, familiar first eleven: Kevin Guppy in goal; Chad Borak, Jose Esquivel Robert Pate and Matt Tracy in defense; Fergie Agwu, Diego Barrera, Taylor Canel and Sung Kim in midfield; and Devin Deldo and Jason Leopoldo up front. On the bench, Florez had substitute goalkeeper Rod Lafaurie, defender Garrett Maloney, striker Josh Ault, and newcomer Edson Ospina - who had joined the team the previous week - to call on if necessary...

25 JULY 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes' outstanding central midfielder Taylor Canel has been named to the PDL All-Western Conference Team for the 2008 Season.

A press release issued by USL HQ in Tampa, FL, names Taylor as the only member of the Quakes to the 2008 team, along with fellow Southwest Division standouts Junior Burgos (San Francisco) and Fabricio Codeceira (Fresno), as well as former Fresno striker Pablo Campos, who left the Fuego mid-season to join professional club GAIS Gothenberg in Sweden.

Taylor is in his second stint with the Quakes, having played during the inaugural season in 2006 before being drafted by Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.

For the full list, see here: http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/265162.html.

Congratulations Taylor!

23 JULY 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes standout attacker Jason Leopoldo has been named to the PDL Team of the Week for Week 14 of the 2008 Season.

A press release issued today by USL HQ in Tampa, FL, says "A third forward with an above average contribution to a division championship side was Jason Leopoldo of the San Fernando Valley Quakes. Leopoldo’s week began on Thursday, July 17 when he netted a goal and added an assist in a 3-2 win over the Ventura County Fusion. Two days later Leopoldo had a second strong showing by assisting both goals in a 2-1 decision that decided the first and second place teams in the Southwest Division. Leopoldo and the Quakes having secured the top spot by one point, will face the Vancouver Whitecaps in California on Saturday, July 26."

For the full list, see here: http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/264624.html.

Congratulations Jason!

21 JULY 2008 - PDL HQ in Tampa has today released the brackets for the 2008 USL Premier Development League playoffs. The Quakes will play Vancouver Whitecape Residency, the developmental team of the Vancouver Whitecaps USL-1 side, in the Conference Semi-Final. Details are as follows:

• San Fernando Valley Quakes vs Vancouver Whitecaps Residency
• Saturday, July 26, 2008; Chukchansi Park, Fresno
• Kickoff at 4:30pm

If the Quakes beat Vancouver, they will play either Fresno Fuego or Tacoma Tide in the Western Conference Final on Sunday 27th. The winner of that game progresses to the national Final Four.

The full bracket can be found here: http://www.uslsoccer.com/docs/postseason/PDL/PDL-Bracket.pdf.

In many ways, it was a perfect end to an almost perfect season. The San Fernando Valley Quakes entered the game against Fresno Fuego knowing that a win would give them their first ever divisional title. Ties and losses and games in San Francisco could all potentially have a bearing on the Quakes’ post-season fate, but the bottom line was simple: a win, and we’ve won.

The Quakes took to the field on their hottest streak in franchise history: 11 games undefeated, and with six wins in their last nine games. With Brad Rusin still on trial with professional teams in Norway, and with defender Kyle Dagan on the injured list after spraining knee ligaments against Ventura on Thursday, head coach Juan Florez must have been pleased to have defender Chad Borak back in the lineup after missing the previous two games, and equally pleased to have Devin Deldo fit enough to take a spot on the substitute’s bench. The starting lineup was a familiar one, which had serves the Quakes well throughout the season: Kevin Guppy in goal; Chad Borak, Robert Pate, Matt Tracy and Jose Esquivel the back four; Taylor Canel and Diego Barrera anchoring the midfield; Fergie Agwu and Sung Kim down the wings; and Ryan Shaw and Jason Leopoldo up front.

Fuego, meanwhile, had a great deal of Samba flair in their team, which included two Brazilians and one Argentinean – although their main Brazilian, Pablo Campos, was missing from the lineup, him having signed a professional contract with Swedish club GAIS Gothenberg just a few weeks previously...

Bakersfield Brigade beat the San Francisco Seals 1-0 tonight, giving the Quakes the opportunity to take their first Southwest Division title on Sunday. The scenarios are these:

• If the Quakes beat Fresno, they will win the Southwest Division and qualify for the playoffs.
• If the game ends in a tie, Fresno will win the Southwest Division and qualify for the playoffs, and the Quakes must rely on San Jose beating, or tying with San Francisco in their game. If San Jose win or tie, then the Quakes will qualify for the playoffs as runners-up, as the Quakes hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over San Francisco.
• If Fresno wins, they will win the Southwest Division and qualify for the playoffs, and San Jose MUST beat San Francisco in their game. A San Francisco victory or tie in this scenario will send them into the playoffs at the Quakes’ expense.
• If San Jose win, then the Quakes will qualify for the playoffs irrespective of the result.

Sunday’s game is possibly the biggest game in Quakes history, so come along and support your team!

PDL HQ have also announced the locations for the Western Conference playoffs. If Fresno qualify for the playoffs, they will take place at Chukchansi Park in Fresno. If Fresno do not qualify, the playoffs will take place at Curtis High School in University Place, Washington, the home of Tacoma Tide. If both Fresno and Tacoma fail to qualify, the playoffs will take place at Marquette Stadium in Yakima, Washington, the home of the Yakima Reds.

In the three years that the San Fernando Valley Quakes have been in the PDL, there has never been a game quite like the game they played against Ventura County Fusion tonight. With both teams locked on 24 points, and with both teams jockeying for position on the playoff places, there was plenty on the line in purely competitive terms. But the relationship between the Quakes and Fusion is more intertwined than that. The two teams are closer to each other in geographic terms than almost any other teams in the PDL – a short 40 mile jaunt down the 101 freeway is all that separates them – which means that games always have a healthy contingent of away support at both teams’ stadiums.

And then there are the player connections: Fergie Agwu and Brad Rusin are both former Fusion players, while Brian Byrne, Greg Folk and R.J. Wilson are all ex-Quakes. Then there is Jason Leopoldo, who played for the Quakes in 2006, transferred to the Fusion in 2007, scored the game-tying goal for Fusion against the Quakes earlier this year, before leaving that team in acrimonious circumstances and re-joining the Quakes. And if that was not enough, there are brothers Diego and Danny Barrera - Diego played for Fusion last year but now plays for the Quakes, while Danny is a current Fusion player.

There had been unprecedented media coverage for the game, especially from the Ventura end, fanning the flames of competition between the two teams, and intensifying the healthy rivalry the teams share...

14 JULY 2008 - With just two games left in the PDL regular season, the Quakes are one of the four teams in the Southwest division who are still capable of making the post season playoffs; the others are Fresno Fuego, San Francisco Seals and Ventura County Fusion. The math is simple: if the Quakes win their next two games, against Ventura on Thursday, and then against Fresno on Sunday, they are in the playoffs. It won’t matter what the other teams in the frame do in their final games: two wins, and we’re in. If we drop points in either of those games, then we will have to rely on other results going our way, and hope that the Seahorses or the Legends take points off our rivals in their other games.

The other issue to be decided will be whether the Quakes win the division or not. Assuming the Quakes win their two games, if San Francisco lose one of their two games (against Bakersfield on Friday, or against San Jose on Sunday), then the Quakes will win the division on the head-to-head tiebeaker. If the Seals take at least four points from their two games, then they will win the division, and the Quakes will finish second.

In addition to our own games, the other crucial matches are:

• Fresno vs Southern California, Thursday 17th
• San Francisco vs Bakersfield, Friday 18th
• Los Angeles vs Ventura, Sunday 20th
• San Francisco vs San Jose, Sunday 20th

If the Quakes make the playoffs, they will play one of three teams from the Northwest division, who are in an interesting battle of their own. Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, who are in their first year in the PDL, will win their division if they beat BYU on Friday. The second playoff spot will then be between Tacoma Tide and Yakima Reds, who play each other on Saturday. The winner of that game will join Vancouver in the playoffs, and will be one of the possible opponents for the Quakes in the post-season!

It’s all very exciting!

12 JULY 2008 - Hot from their impressive 3-1 win over Los Angeles Legends on Thursday, the Quakes traveled to Chukchansi Park in Fresno today, and came away with a sensational 4-1 win over the divisional-leading reigning conference champions, Fresno Fuego.

With two of their closest rivals dropping points (Bakersfield lost 3-1 to Blue Star tonight, while San Jose lost 3-1 to the Seahorses), the win keeps the Quakes right in the mix for the post-season playoffs, with two games left in the regular season.

Fergie Agwu scored the Quakes' first goal after just 2 minutes; Jesus Santiago levelled the scores a quarter of an hour later, but Brad Rusin restored the Quakes lead midway through the first half - his first ever goal in a Quakes jersey. The Quakes extended their lead 10 minutes into the second half when Diego Barrera pounced on a loose ball to make it 3-1, and Agwu capped off a memorable night with his second goal, and the Quakes fourth, 20 minutes from time.

10 JULY 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes out-fought, out-shot, and out-played 10-man Los Angeles Legends at Pierce College in Woodland Hills tonight, coming away with an impressive 3-1 victory that keeps them well in the hunt for the PDL playoffs.

Despite the late venue change, almost 150 fans turned out on a beautiful evening at John Shepard Stadium to see the Quakes take their revenge over the Los Angeles Legends side that beat them 5-0 down in Azusa in May. Head Coach Juan Florez, still reeling from the atrocious refereeing decision that robbed them of three points in Lancaster on July 4th, and without captain Mat Davis who was still suffering from a hamstring injury, nevertheless named a strong squad to start a vitally important game: Kevin Guppy in goal; Brad Rusin, Chad Borak, Jose Esquivel and Mat Tracy holding the defensive line; Taylor Canel and Diego Barrera in central midfield; Sung Kim and Fergie Agwu down the wings; and Devin Deldo and Ryan Shaw up front.

8 JULY 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes have announced today that the next two home games, against Los Angeles Legends on 10 July, and against Ventura County Fusion on 17 July, will be held at John Shepard Stadium at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, and not at Calabasas High School.

The Quakes played against Bakersfield Brigade on the natural grass field at Pierce earlier this year, with the game ending in a 1-1 tie.

The final home game of the season, against Fresno Fuego on Sunday, July 20, will be at Calabasas High School as normal.

The Quakes come into the game on an eight-game unbeaten streak, sitting sixth in the PDL Southwest Division standings, eight points behind league leaders Fresno, but only four points of the playoffs with four games to go.

4 JULY 2008 - On a hot evening in the Antelope valley, and with the boom of 4th of July fireworks ringing in the air, the San Fernando Valley Quakes and the Lancaster Rattlers played to a 1-1 tie in front of 102 fans at Pete Knight High School in Palmdale.

SFV striker Devin Deldo opened the scoring on 39 minutes, and the Quakes held their lead until the 90th minute - out-shooting the Rattlers 10 to 4 - until Lancaster substitute (and former Quakes player) Benjamin Corrodi popped up and shot an injury time equalizer for the Rattlers - except that he didn't actually score. Corrodi's strike actually came back off the crossbar, and both sets of players continued playing until the referee inexplicably awarded a goal to the Rattlers, stating that he thought the ball had gone in the net and cannoned off the stanchion at the back of goal. Despite justified protests by the Quakes players, the referee allowed the unbelievable non-goal to stand, costing the Quakes a valuable three points in the most bizarre circumstances.

It was the third tie in a row for the Quakes, and leaves them in sixth place in the PDL standings, one of five teams within four points of each other, challenging for those all-impoprtant post-season playoff spots.

The Quakes return to action next Thursday, July 10th, when the Los Angeles are the visitors.

The Quakes’ powerful right back Matt Tracy has been named to the PDL Team of the Week for Week 10 of the 2008 PDL Season by USL HQ in Tampa.

Matt, whose picture graced the front of the Los Angeles Daily News Sports section on Sunday, celebrated his 22nd birthday with style, scoring two second-half goals in the 2-2 draw with Orange County Blue Star, taking his tally for the season to three, and making him joint top scorer for the season, alongside Devin Deldo.

Congratulations Matt! Click here to see the complete team list.

22 JUNE 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes completed an exciting second half comeback at home to Orange County Blue Star tonight, extending their unbeaten run to 7 straight games, and adding a new level of permutations to the race for the playoffs in the PDL Southwest Division.

The temperature in Calabasas had thankfully dipped below triple digits as the teams took to the field in front of 200 or so fans; the Quakes fielded the same starting eleven which tied with Bakersfield Brigade at Pierce College on Thursday night - Kevin Guppy in goal; Matt Tracy, Brad Rusin, Robert Pate and Chad Borak across the back; Diego Barrera, Taylor Canel, Fergie Agwu and Sung Kim in midfield; and Devin Deldo and Ryan Shaw up front - but playmaker and club captain Mat Davis was missing from the substitute’s bench due to injury.

The Quakes had not lost to Orange County Blue Star since May 2005 - that infamous 4-3 game in which Blue Star scored four goals in eight minutes - but had not beaten them since 2005 either; the last three meetings between the two had ended 1-1, including the game down in Irvine at the beginning of the month. Blue Star were on a losing streak themselves, having lost their previous four games on the trot (including a 1-6 defeat to Los Angeles and a 2-4 defeat to Lancaster).

19 JUNE 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes played out a 1-1 tie with the visiting Bakersfield Brigade at Pierce College tonight; although the result extends the Quakes’ unbeaten run to six games, it also ends their 3-game winning streak, and throws the race for the playoffs wide open.

120 or so hardy fans braved 100-degree temperatures at John Shepard Stadium on the campus of Pierce College in Woodland Hills, in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. At least one celebrity braved the heat - current Los Angeles Galaxy star and former Quakes standout Sean Franklin turned up to cheer on his old teammates and college buddies. The natural grass stadium is usually the venue for the Pierce College Brahmas football team, and was named after John Shepard, the President of Pierce College in the 1950s. In the 1970s the stadium was the host to the San Fernando Valley’s first professional sports team, the Los Angeles Skyhawks of the old American Soccer League, who won the 1976 ASL championship here, beating New York Apollo 2-1 in front of over 9,000 fans!

18 JUNE 2008 - Robert Pate, the Quakes’ central defensive rock, has been named to this week’s PDL Team of the Week, it was announced today by USL HQ in Tampa, FL.

Robert scored only his second ever goal in a Quakes jersey in the 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Seals last weekend. Despite suffering a nasty injury to his hand in the win over San Jose in May, Robert has been a solid member of the Quakes’ back line all season, and will be looking to continue his form with the resurgent Quakes against Bakersfield Brigade at Pierce College tomorrow.

Congratulations Robert! Click here to see the complete team list.

 16 JUNE 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes take on the visiting Bakersfield Brigade this Thursday, June 19th, in a very important USL Premier Development League tie.

The Quakes come into the game on a hot streak, and are unbeaten in their last five games, having picked up three straight victories in their last three matches (4-2 over Lancaster, 2-1 over San Francisco, and 2-0 over San Jose). The Quakes are currently fourth in the PDL Southwest Division standings, five points behind league leaders Fresno.

Bakersfield are currently 6th in the league, have a 3-1-5 record on the season, and also enter the game having won their last two matches. Earlier in the season, the Quakes tied 1-1 with Bakersfield up in Kern County. Eric Wynalda, the former US Men’s National Team star and ESPN broadcaster, is a member of Bakersfield’s playing roster, and may feature in the game on Thursday.

Remember: this game is NOT being held at Calabasas High School. Instead, the game will be held at the 7,000-seat natural grass James Shepard Stadium on the campus of Pierce College in Woodland Hills. Kickoff is 7:05pm.

15 JUNE 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes continued their resurgent climb up the PDL Southwest Division standings with back-to-back victories over the San Francisco Seals and the San Jose Frogs this weekend on their annual road trip to the Bay area.

The Quakes took on the Seals for the first and only time on Saturday afternoon at Negoesco Stadium in San Francisco, and came away with a hard-fought 2-1 victory, with goals by Robert Pate and Devin Deldo. Then, on Sunday, the Quakes exacted revenge on the Frogs for their defeat earlier in the season, leaving James Lick Memorial Stadium in San Jose with a 2-0 victory in their pocket, courtesy of goals by Fergie Agwu and Ryan Shaw.

The Quakes’ six points - coupled with Ventura’s loss to Fresno on Saturday, and the Seals’ 0-0 tie with Southern California on Sunday - lifts the Quakes up to fourth place in the PDL Southwest Division standigs and firmly back into the playoff race, five points behind league leaders Fresno, but with a game in hand.

The Quakes return to home on Thursday night when they take on Bakersfield Brigade at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. Kickoff is 7:05pm.

14 JUNE 2008 - It has been announced that the Quakes home game against Bakersfield Brigade on Thursday, June 19 will be held at Shepard Stadium on the campus of Pierce College, due to an event clash at Calabasas High School. The kickoff time remains unaltered at 7:05pm.

Pierce College is located at 6201 Winnetka Avenue in Woodland Hills, CA - a map of the area can be found here.

This change of venue is a temporary one, and the Quakes will be back in Calabasas for the home game against Orange County Blue Star on June 22nd.

6 JUNE 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes returned home to Calabasas High School tonight after a 3-game road trip, beating the visiting Lancaster Rattlers in a topsy-turvy game which saw six goals, a penalty kick, and some excellent play by both teams.

Coming into the game the Quakes were enduring the worst run of results in franchise history, without a win in five games, and having picked up just two points since their opening day victory over Southern California. Head coach Juan Florez knew that the result of tonight’s game could make or break the season – a loss would have left the Quakes 8 points behind divisional leaders San Francisco, and virtually out of the playoff race. As such, Florez named a strong starting lineup - Kevin Guppy in goal; Brad Rusin, Robert Pate, Matt Tracy and Jose Esquivel across a powerful back four; Mat Davis, Fergie Agwu and Taylor Canel in the center of midfield; Sung Kim and Chad Borak down the wings, and Devin Deldo as the lone striker at the top of the now-familiar 4-5-1 formation.

Lancaster, by comparison, came into the game with a disappointing 0-5-1 record, having not won a competitive game since their 4-3 victory over Fresno last summer, and having been beaten 3-1 by Orange County Blue Star in their last outing.

5 JUNE 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes battled to their third tie in the last 5 games last night against Orange County Blue Star, in front of just 60 fans at Concordia University in Irvine.

Chad Borak’s 62nd minute goal – his first ever in a Quakes uniform – cancelled out the goal by UCLA-bound Orange County striker Fernando Monge nine minutes earlier.

Despite the presence of Quakes veterans Kevin Guppy, Robert Pate, Matt Tracy, Taylor Canel, Mat Davis and Ryan Shaw in the starting lineup, and despite talented attacking players Devin Deldo and Sung Kim coming off the bench, the Quakes could not break the deadlock.

The Quakes are now without a win since the opening day salvo against Southern California, and lie in 8th place in the PDL Southwest Division table, 8 points adrift of league-leading San Francisco.

Accordingly, Friday’s game against the Lancaster Rattlers takes on a whole new level of importance, as a victory against our neighbors from Antelope Valley would lift us into fifth place in standings, and right back into contention for the playoff places. The Quakes have never lost to Lancaster, having enjoyed 5-2 and 2-1 victories in the two matches last season.

Kickoff is at 7:05pm at Keith Ritchie Field, Calabasas High School in Calabasas.

1 JUNE 2008 - The San Fernando Quakes tied 1-1 with Bakersfield Brigade in front of 835 fans at Bakersfield Christian High School last night, extending their winless run to four games, and with one more road game to follow before their return home to Calabasas.

The Quakes reverted to the 4-5-1 formation which had served them so well in previous matches: Kevin Guppy in goal; Chad Borak, Jose Esquivel, Robert Pate and Matt Tracy across the back; Ferguson Agwa, Taylor Canel and Mat Davis in central midfield; Jonny Bravo and Sung Kim down the wings; and Ryan Shaw the target man up front.

After a goalless first half in which Bakersfield out-shot the Quakes 7 to 4, coach Flores brought on Diego Barrera, Devin Deldo and debutant Brad Rusin to start the second half, and the Quakes took the lead on 62 minutes when Barrera connected with a Deldo pass.

The Quakes looked to be heading to only their second win of the season until Bakersfield - playing without their famous face Eric Wynalda - equalized through Quincy Amarikwa with just 8 minutes remaining. The Quakes’ other new signing, Jason Leopoldo, came on for the last few minutes, but could not turn the tide on the Quakes’ favor.

The closing minutes of the game turned quite ugly, with referee Alan Brafman issuing a flurry of yellow cards to Chad Borak, Diego Barrera, and two Brigade players, before sending off Bakersfield’s Esteban Arias in stoppage time.

The result leaves the Quakes languishing in 8th place in the Southwest Division standings, a full nine points behind league-leaders San Francisco Seals, although the Quakes will have two games in hand on them after the Seals’ game against Ventura County Fusion tonight. The Quakes travel to Irvine on Wednesday to take on Orange County Blue Star in the last game of their 3-game road trip, and return home to Calabasas on Friday, June 6th where they will look to pick up a victory against the Lancaster Rattlers.

31 MAY 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes have added attacking midfielder Jason Leopoldo and giant defender Brad Rusin to their roster after the pair were both released by divisional rivals, the Ventura County Fusion.

Thousand Oaks-born UCLA star Leopoldo - a former member of the Under-18 National Team and the 2004 NSCAA/adidas High School Scholar Athlete of the Year - played 13 games and scored 3 goals for the Quakes in 2006 before moving to the Fusion last year. Earlier this week, Leopoldo was controversially cut from the Fusion roster by head coach Graham Smith, who “questioned the player’s commitment” after he spent Memorial Day weekend on a family vacation in Lake Havasu, instead of playing in Fusion’s 1-0 defeat to the San Francisco Seals. Ironically, Leopoldo scored the injury time equalizing goal for Fusion against the Quakes in their 2-2 draw earlier this month.

Leopoldo, unsurprisingly, questioned Smith’s decision, stating “"It’s summer. It’s the only time I can go on a trip with my family. I don’t think I’m better than any other guy - it’s just a time that I was able to go out and spend time with my family. I don’t know how he can hold that against me."

Florida-born 6’4” central defender Rusin, also of UCLA, played 10 games for Fusion in his debut season in the PDL last season, but made just 2 starts this year prior to being released.

The pair will join up with fellow Bruin Maxwell Griffin on the Quakes team sheet, and will be available to play in tonight’s game against Bakersfield Brigade, as the team looks to bounce back from its disappointing 0-5 defeat to the Los Angeles Legends last weekend.

25 MAY 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes slumped to their second defeat of the 2008 season on Friday night, losing 5-0 to Los Angeles Legends at a damp Cougar Stadium in Azusa. The defeat is the worst Quakes loss since the 5-0 loss to Fresno Fuego in July 2006, the first time in franchise history that the Quakes have lost back-to-back games, and the first ever loss to the Legends.

Coach Flores called two new faces into the starting lineup: Rod Lafaurie replaced Kevin Guppy in goal, and Colombian midfielder Diego Barrera made his first start of the season in midfield. Robert Pate recovered from the hand injury he suffered against San Jose to line up alongside Stephen Carlson, Danny Ortiz and Matt Tracy in defense; Taylor Canel returned from suspension to partner Mat Davis, Jose Esquivel and Barrera in midfield, while Devin Deldo and Ryan Shaw formed a 2-pronged attack.

Legends came into the game with a 2-0-1 record, having enjoyed a 5-0 demolition of Lancaster Rattlers in the previous game, and knew that a 2-goal victory would ensure their first ever qualification for the US Open Cup.

In tricky wet conditions, and in front of a brave announced crowd of 210, Legends took the lead on 24 minutes through Brian Fakkema, and doubled their lead three minutes later through Kevin Gallaugher. Coach Flores changed things around after half time, bringing on Jonny Bravo, Garrett Maloney and debutants Ferguson Agwa and Trini Gomez in place of Barrera, Esquivel, Pate and Deldo, but it was to no avail. Legends scored their third goal on 71 minutes through Andrew Villalobos, and Reid Baker completed the rout with 2 goals in the last five minutes.

The result leaves the Quakes languishing in 7th place in the Southwest Division standings, three points behind Bakersfield, Fresno and Orange County, and a full 11 points behind league leaders San Francisco. The Quakes will hope to bounce back in the second game of the 3-game road trip on May 31, when they travel to Bakersfield to take on Eric Wynalda’s Bakersfield Brigade.

MAY 21, 2008 - Three long years after first being drafted by Los Angeles Galaxy, former Quakes and CSUN star midfielder Daniel Paladini has finally made his MLS debut with Chivas USA.

Paladini, who played 14 games and scored 3 goals for the Quakes in 2007, had spent the bulk of 2008 on the reserve team but, on May 3, was selected as an active member for the away game against Houston Dynamo. Paladini was in the squad for the New England Revolution game on May 11, coming on as a 68th minute substitute for Jesse Marsch in a 2-1 defeat, before finally earning his a start the following weekend against DC United, playing 58 minutes in a dramatic 3-1 Chivas victory.

Paladini is one of the four members of an exclusive club of ex-Quakes in Major League Soccer: the others are Sean Franklin and Bryan Jordan at Los Angeles Galaxy, and Mike Zaher at DC United.

Congratulations Dan on all your success!

11 MAY 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes lost their first home game in over a year tonight, falling by 3 goals to 1 to the visiting San Jose Frogs, a result which virtually ends their US Open Cup qualification chances for another year. The Quakes had not previously lost a home game since the 1-0 defeat to the Southern California Seahorses on the final day of the 2006 season, and the 1-3 scoreline is also the largest margin of defeat suffered by the Quakes since they lost 5-0 to Fresno Fuego back in July of 2006.

Head Coach Juan Florez was forced to make a number of changes to his lineup after the tie with Ventura last night: Jeff Quijano, Jonny Bravo and Stephen Carlson came into the starting eleven to replace Chad Borak (ankle), Willie Sims (hamstring), and the suspended Taylor Canel, although Garrett Maloney made a welcome return to the substitute’s bench following his head injury in the season opener.

10 MAY 2008 - On a chilly night in Bulldog Stadium at Ventura’s Buena High School, the San Fernando Valley Quakes squandered a 2-goal lead against Ventura County Fusion and returned home from the first part of their Mother’s Day Weekend double-header with a single point, when three had been within their reach.

The Quakes lined up with the backbone of the team which comprehensively out-performed the Southern California Seahorses last weekend: Kevin Guppy in goal; Chad Borak, Robert Pate, Jose Esquivel and returning prodigal son Matt Tracy across the back; Taylor Canel, Matt Davis in the center of midfield, Devin Deldo and Sung-Hyun Kim down the wings, and Ryan Shaw up front. The lone new face was that of veteran Guatemalan striker Willie Sims, the older brother of Quakes stalwart Oscar Sims, who was making his SFV debut, and his first competitive start since being released by MLS giants New England Revolution at the beginning of the year.

7 MAY 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes will play two back-to-back games this weekend as they seek to continue their excellent start to the 2008 USL Premier Development season.

The Quakes beat the Southern California Seahorses 3-1 last weekend, with goals from Devin Deldo, Aaron Hunter and Jonny Bravo, in what was their inaugural game at their new home, Calabasas High School in Calabasas. The victory left them in second place behind the San Francisco Seals in the Southwest division standings after the first full round of games.

Mat Davis was named to the PDL Team of the Week by the United Soccer League for his performance in the game against the Seahorses. Mat achieved an assist in the game, setting up Aaron Hunter’s goal from a corner kick.

On Saturday, the Quakes will make the short trip up the Pacific coast to Ventura, where they will take on second-season franchise Ventura County Fusion. Fusion, coached by Englishman Graham Smith, finished fourth in the division last year. The Quakes’ two games against them last year were a 0-2 loss and a 0-0 tie.

Then, on Sunday, the Quakes will host the San Jose Frogs, in what will be that team’s first ever visit to the San Fernando Valley. The Frogs joined the PDL from the rival National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) last year, and ultimately finished third in the division. The Quakes and the Frogs have only played each other once in their history – a 2-1 Quakes victory last summer, off the back of two goals by Sung Kim.

7 MAY 2008 - Mat Davis, the Quakes’ erstwhile captain, inspirational central midfielder, and director of football, has been named to the PDL Team of the Week for the third week of the PDL season, it was announced today.

Quakes defender Aaron Hunter scored the second goal of a 3-1 win over the Southern California Seahorses off a corner taken by Mat, giving him his first assist of the season.

Congratulations Mat! Click here to see the complete team list.

4 MAY 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes got their 2008 PDL season off to the best possible start with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over the visiting Southern California Seahorses. The game was the first match at the Quakes’ new home, Keith Ritchie Field at Calabasas High School in Calabasas.

In front of a 300 strong crowd, and with the picturesque foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains as a backdrop, the Quakes took to the field with a new-look lineup, with four new players making their debut: defenders Garrett Maloney, Danny Ortiz and Stephen Carlson, and striker Devin Deldo. Also returning was former Quakes player Taylor Canel, back in the fold after spending last year with Los Angeles Galaxy’s reserves. However, the core of the squad which made the 2007 playoffs remained, including goalkeeper Kevin Guppy, towering defender Robert Pate, midfield playmaker Mat Davis, creative wide men Chad Borak and Sung-Hyun Kim, and striker Ryan Shaw.

2 MAY 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes welcome the visiting Southern California Seahorses from La Mirada to Keith Ritchie Field at Calabasas High School Sunday for the opening game of their 2008 USL Premier Development League campaign.

The Quakes are seeking to improve on their highly satisfying 2007 season, when they qualified for the post-season playoffs for the first time off the back of a 10-game unbeaten streak at the end of the season, and a year-long undefeated home record. Despite the recent injury worries, head coach Juan Florez has an exciting, talented roster of players from which to draw, and will be looking to the likes of all-time leading scorer Ryan Shaw, who has netted 18 goals in 29 starts for the Quakes since making his debut in 2006, and goalkeeper Kevin Guppy, the 2007 PDL All-Western Conference Goalkeeper of the Year, to continue their excellent form from last year’s campaign.

The Quakes have a checkered history against the Seahorses, but have had the upper hand in recent matchups, winning both their games last year: the Quakes won 4-3 away in La Mirada with goals from Ryan Shaw, Oscar Sims and Mat Davis, and won 3-1 at home with goals from Sung Kim, Ryan Shaw and Daniel Paladini.

So come along and support your 2008 San Fernando Valley Quakes! Kickoff is 5:00pm. Adult tickets are $8; kids tickets $6, or free with a Real SoCal/WVSL jersey.

St. Mary’s midfielder Dylan Leslie and UCLA defender Sean Alvarado will miss the entire 2008 Quakes season - and the majority of the 2008 college soccer season - after both players suffered devastating knee injuries during the past week.

In separate training ground incidents, Alvarado injured his anterior cruciate ligament, while Leslie injured both his anterior cruciate ligament and his medial collateral ligament. Both players will require reconstructive surgery on their knees, and will be on the sidelines for some time.

Everyone at the Quakes wish both Dylan and Sean all the best with their recoveries, and hope to see them back in the blue and black next season.

There is some good news to report, with the signings of both Taylor Canel (CSUN) and Maxwell Griffin (UCLA) to the Quakes roster for 2008. Canel and Griffin both played for the Quakes in our 2006 debut season, with Griffin registering 2 goals; Canel was drafted by Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft and spent last season playing with the Galaxy’s reserves. Welcome back Taylor and Max!

Former San Fernando Valley Quakes and CSUN star and current Los Angeles Galaxy defender Sean Franklin is ruffling some feathers down at the Home Depot Center.

Franklin has been in the starting eleven for the Galaxy’s last three games, and has been showing his versatility by playing right-back, center-back, left-back and left-wing, getting a starting nod ahead of Portuguese World Cup veteran Abel Xavier, and terrorizing the Houston Dynamo defence with a hugely impressive performance against the reigning MLS Cup champions a few weeks ago. In fact, Sean has been so consistent that current Galaxy head coach and former FIFA World Player of the Year Ruud Gullit has named him as the team’s current best player.

In an article posted on Galaxy’s official website, Gullit said "I think our best player the last couple of weeks is Sean Franklin. I think again he played an excellent game. If you see how he goes into midfield, gives long balls to Beckham all the time, I think he’s made huge progress. That makes me happy."

It’s a wonderful achievement for Sean, and continues to underline the way PDL teams like the Quakes are the backbone of the American soccer system, in preparing oustanding college athletes like Sean, Dan Paladini and Mike Zaher for careers in the professional ranks.

To read the full article, click here.

Friday, April 25 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes, who are preparing to enter their third season of competition, have announced the roster for their upcoming 2008 USL Premier Development League season.

Despite losing midfielder Sean Franklin to Los Angeles Galaxy, midfielder Daniel Paladini to CD Chivas USA and defender Mike Zaher to DC United (via Toronto FC) in the 2008 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, head coach Juan Florez has retained the majority of the successful 2007 Quakes squad which qualified for the post-season playoffs for the first time last year.

All-time leading scorer Ryan Shaw (ex-UC Davis) returns for his third campaign, having netted 18 goals in 29 starts for the Quakes since making his debut in 2006. Also returning for a third year is goalkeeper Kevin Guppy (Cal State Northridge), the 2007 All-Western Conference Goalkeeper of the Year. Completing the triumvirate of ever-present Quakes players is former indoor pro, midfielder, captain and director of football Mat Davis, who will celebrate his 34th birthday on May 16, and will seek to continue to lead the team with his performances on the field, and his experience off it.

Other returnees from the 2007 roster include UCLA defender Sean Alvarado, CSUN defender Chad Borak, former South Korean U-15 international and CSUN left winger Sung-Hyun Kim, skilful St Mary’s midfielder Dylan Leslie, U.S. U-20 and UCLA midfielder Kyle Nakazawa, experienced goalkeeper Sean O’Connor, and towering CSUN central defender Robert Pate, all of whom contributed significantly to the ’07 Quakes playoff run.

As if one pro signing in a week wasn't enough, we are also delighted to announce that Daniel Paladini has been signed by Major League Soccer's CD Chivas USA.

Paladini played in 14 games for the Quakes last season, scoring three goals, and helping guide the team to their first ever PDL playoff campaign. Paladini was previously signed to Los Angeles Galaxy’s developmental roster in May 2006, having been the club’s last selection of the second round (24th overall) of the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft. He played for both Galaxy and CD Chivas USA’s reserves during the 2006 season, but never appeared for either first team, and was waived by the Galaxy at the end of the season.

Paladini was twice named an all-state selection as a high schooler at St. Francis High School in 2000 and 2001, and played club soccer for Real SoCal for many years. At Cal State Northridge he was a first team All-Big West selection in 2004 and 2005, and scored seven goals and added four assists in 2005 en route to Big West Conference midfielder of the year honors.

Paladini signed his contract with Chivas on March 12, and joins fellow new signings Keith Savage, Justin Braun and Lance Parker on the roster for the upcoming MLS season.

Congratulations Dan - everyone at the Quakes wishes you well in your new career!

Former San Fernando Valley Quakes striker Bryan Jordan has signed formally with Los Angeles Galaxy after impressing head coach Ruud Gullit during his pre-season trial period.

A product of the University of Oregon, Jordan played 7 games for the Quakes during their inaugural PDL season in 2006 before being picked up by Portland Timbers of the USL First Division prior to their 2007 campaign. Jordan scored five goals in 26 appearances for the Timbers last year, helping them to the semi-finals of the USL1 playoffs.

Jordan had been on trial with the Galaxy for several months prior to being offered a contract; he played in the Pan-Pacific Championship in Hawaii, featured on the Asian tour in China and Hong Kong, and turned out in the exhibition match against the Quakes in last weekend’s Galaxy FanFest 2008.

Jordan joins former team-mate Sean Franklin as a member of the 2008 Galaxy squad, and becomes the latest Quakes product to join the professional ranks in Major League Soccer.

22 MARCH 2008 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes, in final preparations for the upcoming 2008 USL Premier Development League season, were beaten 3-1 by a full-strength Los Angeles Galaxy in an "exhibition open practice" game in front of 4,000 Galaxy fans at the Home Depot Center. The game was the centerpiece of Galaxy’s FanFest 2008, the traditional season-opening club celebration prior to the upcoming Major League Soccer season.

The Quakes, under head coach Juan Flores, lined up with the majority of the sqaud which reached the 2007 PDL Playoffs, including goalkeeper Kevin Guppy, defenders Robert Pate, Sean Alvarado and Josh Leon, midfielders, Sung Kim, Dylan Leslie and Oscar Sims, inspirational captain Mat Davis, striker Ryan Shaw, and debutant Rafa Garcia, a freshman at Cal State Northridge who will likely be making his league debut for the Quakes in the next few weeks.

By contrast, Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit started with a full complement stars from their first team roster, including David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Carlos Ruiz, Abel Xavier, Chris Klein, ’keeper Steve Cronin and Greg Vanney, plus trialists and new draftees Michael Gavin, Brandon McDonald, Ely Allen and Alvaro Pires.

Continue for exclusive photos from the game!

The San Fernando Valley Quakes will face off against Major League Soccer superstars Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center in Carson at 10:30am on Saturday, March 22nd 2008 as part of the annual Los Angeles Galaxy FanFest 2008 celebrations.

The Quakes will line up against a star-studded Galaxy squad expected to feature international stars such as David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Carlos Ruiz and Abel Xavier, as well as former Quakes star and recent draftee Sean Franklin, in an "open" exhibiton game which will form the main event of the day.

Click here for further details on FanFest 2008: http://web.mlsnet.com/t106/fans/fan_fest/.

8 FEBRUARY 2008 - After two excellent years in Granada Hills, the San Fernando Valley Quakes will be playing all their 2008 games in Calabasas.

Keith Ritchie Stadium, on the grounds of Calabasas High School in Calabasas, CA, will be the new home for the Quakes, beginning with the first home match of the season against the Southern California Seahorses on Sunday, May 4th.

Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, and just minutes from the 101 freeway, the city of Calabasas straddles the border between the San Fernando Valley and the Conejo Valley, 30 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.

Keith Ritchie Stadium boasts a brand new FieldTurf playing surface, installed following a $500,000 stadium upgrade in September 2007, as well as space for over 1,000 spectators.

Everyone at the San Fernando Valley Quakes would like to thank the administrators and staff of Granada Hills Charter High School, and especially those responsible for John Elway Stadium, for their support to the Quakes organization over the last two seasons!

See the link for photos of our new home!

24 JANUARY 2008 - USL headquarters in Tampa have released the final schedule for the 2008 PDL season. The Quakes will begin their campain for the title on Sunday May 4th with a home game against the Southern California Seahorses, followed by a short trip to Ventura to take on the Fusion on Saturday May 10th.

Take a look at the full schedule here - http://www.uslsoccer.com/docs/home/PDL2008Schedule.pdf

18 JANUARY 2008 - San Fernando Valley Quakes and CSUN star Sean Franklin has been drafted by Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2008 MLS Superdraft, which was held in Baltimore today.

Franklin, who helped lead the Quakes to the 2007 PDL playoffs, was the 4th overall pick. As a wide right-sided midfielder, Sean will have the opportunity to link up with both David Beckham and Landon Donovan at the heart of Galaxy’s formation.

In the picture on the right Franklin is shown shaking hands with Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber.

UCLA defender and Quakes veteran Mike Zaher was drafted by Toronto FC 30th overall, and will be heading to Canada to team up with Les Rouges as they embark on their second MLS season. Also, UCSB striker Eric Avila, a Generation Adidas Program participant who turned out for the Quakes in 2006 and played for Ventura County Fusion in the PDL last season, was drafted 19th overall by FC Dallas.

The surprise Number 1 draft pick was UCLA defender Chance Myers, who also played for Ventura last season, and will be heading to the Kansas City Wizards for the 2008 MLS Season.

The PDL Southwest Conference is actually proving to be a hotbed of young soccer talent; in addition to Franklin, Zaher, Avila and Myers, UCLA and Los Angeles Storm defender Tony Beltran was drafted third overall by Real Salt Lake, and UCSB defender and one-time Quakes prospect Andy Iro was drafted sixth overall by Columbus Crew.

Congratulations Sean and Mike!

Click here for more details on the 2008 MLS Superdraft

31 DECEMBER 2007 - San Fernando Valley Quakes’ star wing-back Sean Franklin has been called up to the US Men’s National U-23 squad by head coach Peter Nowak, and will take part in the 2-week training camp in Bradenton, FL, in March as part of the preparations for CONCACAF qualifying for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

The camp is also part of the team’s preparations for the final round of the 2008 CONCACAF Men’s Under-23 Championship, to be held from March 11-23, 2008, in which Franklin is also likely to take part. The United States will play their three games of the group stage against Cuba on March 11, Panama on March 13 and Honduras on March 15. All of these games will take place in in Tampa, FL.

Also part of the squad are former Quakes players Kamani Hill, now with VfL Wolfsburg in Germany, and Eric Avila of UC Santa Barbara, who made three appearences for the Quakes in 2006 and now plays for PDL rivals Ventura County Fusion.

For further details, see this link.

The final details and divisional alignments for the 2008 USL Premier Development League season have been announced by USL HQ in Tampa.

The PDL will consist of 67 teams in 2008, playing in four conferences, split into 10 divisions. There will be new divisions in the Central and Eastern Conferences, and new expansion franchises in Kalamazoo MI (Kalamazoo Outrage), Houston TX (Houston Leones), Panama City FL (Panama City Pirates), northern New Jersey (New Jersey Rangers), Austin TX (Austin Stampede) and Vancouver, British Columbia (Vancouver Whitecaps Residency). Also, the New Hampshire Phantoms and Cincinnati Kings professional franchises have taken voluntary relegation from the USL Second Division and will play in the PDL in 2008. An additional expansion team in Newark, NJ, is still to be officially announced.

In the Southwest Division, the Quakes will face the same nine teams as last year: Bakersfield Brigade, Fresno Fuego, Lancaster Rattlers, Los Angeles Storm, Orange County Blue Star, San Francisco Seals, San Jose Frogs, Southern California Seahorses, and Ventura County Fusion; stay tuned for more details on the 16-game schedule in upcoming weeks.

The top two teams in each division will advance to the conference championship tournament. The divisional champions will face the second place team from the opposite division in the conference semi final; the winner of the conference championship advances to the PDL national semi finals. If the Quakes advance to the playoffs, they will again face one of the teams from the Northwest Division, which this year comprises Abbotsford Mariners (from Abbotsford, British Columbia), BYU Cougars (from Provo, Utah), Cascade Surge (from Salem, Oregon), Ogden Outlaws (from Ogden, Utah), Spokane Spiders (from Spokane, Washington), Tacoma Tide (from Tacoma, Washington), Vancouver Whitecaps Residency (from Vancouver, British Columbia), and Yakima Reds (from Yakima, Washington).

http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/216806.html

12 DECEMBER 2007 - Major League Soccer has announced the initial list of 54 college seniors from 33 Division I schools who have been invited to participate in the 2008 Adidas MLS Player Combine. The list includes Quakes defenders Sean Franklin from CSUN and Mike Zaher from UCLA.

The annual player combine will be held at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on January 11-15, 2008. The coaching and management staffs of all 14 MLS teams will be in attendance to scout talent prior to the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, which takes place in Baltimore three days after the concusion of the combine on January 18th. The initial list of players for the combine was determined by a select panel of Division I college coaches representing all conferences who nominated and voted for players in conjunction with MLS coaches.

Congratulations and good luck to Sean and Mike!

click here for further details.

9 DECEMBER 2007 - Former San Fernando Valley Quakes head coach Ali Khosroshahin has taken the USC Trojans women’s soccer team to their first ever NCAA Division I title, beating Florida State University 2-0 in the championship game in College Station, Texas on December 9th.

Khosroshahin was the Quakes head coach during their first season in the PDL in 2006, narrowly missing out on reaching the playoffs in the inaugural season; he left to become USC’s first ever soccer coach in January of this year.

http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/120907aaa.html

24 NOVEMBER 2007 - San Fernando Valley Quakes veterans Sean Franklin, Kevin Guppy, Sunghyun Kim, Mike Zaher, Kyle Nakazawa, Alex Christensen and Dylan Leslie have each claimed honors in their respective NCAA soccer conferences, it was announced Tuesday.

Franklin, despite playing just seven games in his senior campaign, made it three-straight first-team honors. Guppy and Kim have also been honored before. Franklin missed most of the year after breaking his arm in the PDL playoffs against BYU, but came back strong for his final seven contests. He scored the second goal of his career in a 3-2 loss to UC Santa Barbara and wore the captain’s armband all season. Guppy bombarded the Northridge record books in 2007 en route to second-team honors. He moved into first place all-time in career shutouts and career wins and moved into second with 60 matches in goal and 207 career saves, reached a career-high with 76 saves, good for CSUN’s tenth-best total all-time. Sunghyun Kim also earned his second all-conference honor, picking up honorable mention accolades. Kim co-led Northridge with four goals, three assists, and 11 points.

Meanwhile, Mike Zaher of UCLA received his second consecutive first-team All-Pac-10 honor. The Bruins’ co-captain has recorded three goals and three assists and has played and started in every game this season. His UCLA teammate Kyle Nakazawa, who is the Pac-10 leader in assists with seven, is second on the team with 11 points, and was an honorable mention selection as a freshman a year ago, was named to the second team. Oregon State’s Alex Christensen, who started in all but one game for the Beavers this season, earned his third career honorable mention selection after playing a key role on defense while recording two goals on the season.

Meanwhile, St. Mary’s College sophomore midfielder Dylan Leslie garnered First Team All-WCC honors after playing in all 18 games this season with 17 as a starter. Leslie finished his second season with the Gaels with four points on two goals and two assists. Following his freshman season, Leslie was a Second Team All-WCC and a WCC All-Freshmen Team selection in 2006.

Quakes’ and UCLA veteran defender Mike Zaher has been nominated for the 2007 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in Soccer, presented each year to the outstanding senior NCAA Division I Student Athlete of the Year. The acronym "CLASS" stands for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School.

The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award celebrates the loyalty of seniors that honor their four-year commitment to their university. The Senior CLASS Award recognizes these student athletes for great achievement during competition and in the classroom while staying in school. Award winners are determined by a selection process that includes, NCAA Division I college coaches in each respective sport, national media, sponsors and fans. The voting process determines the winner in addition to a Senior CLASS All-America Team.

Congratulations to Mike for this superb honor. Click here for further details.

23 AUGUST 2007 - Former San Fernando Valley Quakes and UCLA striker Kamani Hill, currently in his second season with VfL Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga, earned his second cap for the senior United Stated Men’s National Team in yesterday’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Sweden.

Hill, who played 10 games and scored 1 goal for the Quakes in 2006, came on as a 64th minute substitute for Landon Donovan to partner fellow prospect Charlie Davies in attack, in front of 20,648 fans at the Ullevi Stadium, home of Swedish Allsvenskan team IFK Gothenburg. Although Hill was mentioned by many commentators for being one of the best players in the game, he was unable to force an equalizing goal. Sweden’s winner was scored by Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Kim Källström in the 56th minute.

11 AUGUST 2007 - PDL Southern Conference Mid-South Division side Laredo Heat won their first ever PDL National Championship tonight, beating defending champions Michigan Bucks 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 tie in regulation time.

17-year-old striker Felix Garcia struck the winning penalty past Bucks keeper Steven Clark to give the Texans victory in a penalty shootout which was marred by an injury to Michigan striker Kenny Uziogwe who, after taking a PK which was saved by Laredo keeper Ryan Cooper, immediately collapsed in agony with cramp; however, when the referee called the penalty back due to Cooper being off his line, Uziogwe was unable to continue, despite recieving treatment for 10 minutes on the field, resulting in the unprecedented sight of a player being substituted due to injury during a penalty shoot-out!

Laredo, who beat Western Conference champions Fresno Fuego in the national semi final, drew over 6,000 fans to their home stadium, the Student Activity Center in downtown Laredo, Texas.

6 AUGUST 2007 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes’s coach, Juan Florez, is one of the three nominees in line for the 2007 PDL Coach of the Year award, the USL announced today.

Colombian-born Florez, in his first year at Granada Hills, led the Quakes to the playoffs for the first time in the team’s short history, off the back of a 10-game undefeated streak in the last weeks of the regular season.

Prior to joining the Quakes, Juan was the assistant trainer for CSUN’s men’s varsity team in 1992, assistant coach for CSUN’s men’s varsity team from 2000-06, assistant coach for CSUN’s women’s varsity team in 2005, and coached with a number of notable youth soccer organizations in the Los Angeles area, including California Stars (1989-90), West Valley Pride (1990-91), VUSC (1992-93), Los Angeles Force (1992-94), Fury SC (1995-96), North Valley SC (1998-2000) and the Rovers Soccer Club (2006-07). Juan has also been involved with AYSO Youth Soccer for many years, and has acted as the Director of Coaches for the West Valley Soccer League since 2000. Juan also has prior USL experience, having been in charge of the now-defunct San Fernando Valley Golden Eagles from 1996-98.

The other nominees are Tony Glavin, head coach of the St Louis Lions, and Jon Hall, head coach of the Hampton Roads Piranhas. The recipient of the Coach of the Year award will be announced by the United Soccer Leagues on Thursday, August 9.

http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/196912.html

30 JULY 2007 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes’ standout right winger Sean Franklin has been named to the PDL All-League Team, announced by the officers of the United Soccer Leagues today. Sean, a former US youth international, led the club to the postseason, playing in all 16 games and registering two goals and seven assists, which was tied for fourth in the league. Congratulations Sean - hopefully this honor will soften the blow of the broken arm he suffered in the PDL Western Conference Semi-Final against BYU Cougars at the weekend!

http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/195824.html

In addition, both Franklin and Quakes’ keeper Kevin Guppy were named in the All-Western Conference Teams, with Guppy being named as All-Western Conference Goalkeeper of the Year by the USL. Kevin’s 2007 record stands at 13 games, 1165 minutes played, 15 goals conceded, and a 1.158 GAA average for the year.

http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/recentnews/195445.html

The recipients of the Defender of the Year and U19 Player of the Year awards will be announced Wednesday, August 8 and the Coach of the Year and Most Valuable Player will be unveiled Friday, August 10. The Finalists for the four honors will be announced Friday, August 3.

28 JULY 2007 - The San Fernando Quakes found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline at the hands of Northwest Division champions BYU Cougars from Provo, Utah, ending their hopes of winning the PDL Western Conference title.

Chukchansi Park in downtown Fresno, the home of Southwest Division champions Fresno Fuego, was the venue for the Quakes first playoff campaign. A baseball stadium with a soccer pitch in the outfield, Chukchansi was unconventional as far as locations are concerned, but despite having to cope an Astroturf semi-circle covering the infield and corner flags in the dirt, the Quakes approached their first ever playoff campaign brimming with confidence, coming off the back of a 10-game unbeaten streak and with a 100% undefeated home record at Granada Hills.

Unfortunately, the bad luck bug bit before the game even started. Promising striker Ben Corrodi, who was poised to finally make his Quakes debut after a season-long layoff through injury, suffered a back spasm in the warm-up and was unable to take his place in the squad. Similarly, midfielder Daniel Paladini looked likely to be forced out of the starting eleven due to a knee injury, but fortunately was able to make the bench, having been given the all-clear from doctors the day before.

It has now been confirmed the San Fernando Valley Quakes’ Western Conference playoff semi-final against BYU Cougars will take place as follows:

- Friday, 27th July 2007
- Chukchansi Park, 1800 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA 93721
- kickoff at 4:30pm

If the Quakes beat BYU, they will face either Fresno Fuego or Tacoma Tide in the Conference Final the following day - Saturday, 28th July 2007 - again at Chukchansi Park. The kickoff time for that game is 7:30pm.

The San Fernando Valley Quakes will take on Northwest Division champions BYU Cougars, from Provo in Utah, in the semi-final of the Western Conference playoffs this coming weekend. It was confirmed that the game will take place at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, following Fresno's 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Seals this afternoon. Fresno's victory ensured they captured the Southwest divisional title for the second time (they first win it in their debut year in 2003), and also confirmed that they would be the playoff hosts for 2007.

Fresno themselves will take on Northwest Division runners-up Tacoma Tide in the other semi-final; if the Quakes overcome BYU, they will play the winner of that game for the Conference title on Sunday.

More information regarding the exact details of the playoff dates and times will be posted as soon as they are available.

20 JULY 2007 - On a chilly evening in Ventura County tonight, a little bit of history was made. Ventura County Fusion and Los Angeles Storm played to a goalless 0-0 draw, and when the final whistle blew Ventura's inability to put the ball past the Storm meant that the San Fernando Valley Quakes had qualified for the PDL playoffs for the first time in the franchise's two-year history, after missing out by just a single point last year.

To be fair, Fusion threw absolutely everything at the Storm: for virtually the entire 90 minutes they pummelled the visitors defense with cross after cross, pass after pass, shot after shot. The Quakes certainly owe something to Storm goalkeeper Patrick Lane, who pulled off a string of magnificent second-half saves to keep the game goalless, including one where he fingertipped a wicked 35-yard shot over the bar. Fusion hit the post, hit the crossbar, saw a free kick sail over by inches, and even had a goal disallowed in the last minute of play after the referee called a foul for a push on the goalkeeper. But, in the end, the Gods were smiling on Granada Hills.

The result means that the Quakes will travel to the playoffs for the first time, where they will face Northwest qualifiers Tacoma Tide and BYU Cougars. The fourth and final playoff spot will be decided next week, and will go to either Fresno, Ventura or San Jose, depending on the results of the Fresno-San Francisco game tomorrow, and the San Jose-San Francisco game on Sunday.

Depending on who qualifies, the playoffs will take place next weekend in either Fresno or Ventura; details of game times and opponents will be posted here as soon as they are available.

15 JULY 2007 - Fresno Fuego beat Bakersfield Brigade 4-2 on Saturday, and Ventura County Fusion tied 3-3 with Southern California Seahorses today, meaning that the race for the two spots in the Southwest Division playoffs will come down to the final games of the regular season.

Fresno moved onto 29 points, three behind the Quakes, with a comfortable win over Bakersfield, with goals from Brazilians Pablo Campos and Fabricio Codeceira; likewise, Ventura join Fresno on 29 points after a pulsating six-goal thriller which saw the Seahorses lead 2-1, Ventura turn it around to lead 3-2, only for them to concede an injury-time equalizer. So what does this mean for the Quakes playoff race? Here's the breakdown:

- Ventura play at home against Los Angeles on Friday. If Ventura tie, or lose, the Quakes will make the playoffs
- Fresno play away in San Francisco on Saturday. If Fresno tie, or lose, the Quakes will make the playoffs
- if both teams win, then all three of us will end the season on 32 points; however, because the USL designates the first tie-breaker to be the head-to-head record based on total points in League games, Fresno and Ventura would qualify for the playoffs, and the Quakes would finish third for the second season in a row.

It's tense, nail-biting stuff. Let's hope the Storm and/or the Seals can do us a favor!

13 JULY 2007 - On a day which is supposed to be unlucky, and on possibly the most important day for American soccer in over 20 years - the day David Beckham officially joined Los Angeles Galaxy - the San Fernando Quakes came within touching distance of a little piece of history of their own: qualification for the post-season for the first time in the franchise’s short history. The Quakes overcame the visiting Southern California Seahorses with a 3-1 final scoreline, and in doing so find themselves within a whisker of the playoffs.

Quakes head coach Juan Florez, sensing the importance of the game, started the match with his strongest possible eleven: Kevin Guppy in goal; Derek Hanks, Robert Pate, Chad Borak and Mike Zaher across the back; playmakers Mat Davis, Daniel Paladini and Dylan Leslie in the center of midfield; Sean Franklin and Sung Kim rampaging down the flanks; and Ryan Shaw as the target man up front. The attacking 4-5-1 formation, which had served the team so well all season, was employed once more. Nothing else than a victory would suffice. The Quakes simply had to win. HAD to win.

The Seahorses, divisional champions and conference semi finalists in 2006, came into the game suffering one of the worst campaigns in the team’s six year history, and were determined to act as spoilers. The Seahorses had already beaten fellow playoff candidates Ventura in their last game. As the game kicked off, in front of almost 450 expectant spectators - the largest home crowd of the year - the Quakes looked to dominate the game early...

10 JULY 2007 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes take on the Southern California Seahorses at Granada Hills Charter High School on Friday evening in what is by far the most important game of the 2007 PDL season.

The Quakes must pick up a victory over the visitors from La Mirada to ensure that their playoff chances stay alive - anything less than three points, and the Quakes must rely on San Jose, Fresno and Ventura suffering losses in their final games in order for them to progress into the post-season for the first time.

Fan support will be vital - so come on down to Granada Hills this Friday, July 13th, and cheer on your San Fernando Valley Quakes! Kickoff is at 7:00pm!

7 JULY 2007 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes and the visiting San Francisco Seals fought their way to a frustrating 0-0 draw here at Granada Hills Charter High School tonight, in a match which had plenty of chances, and lots of excitement, but no goals.

After last week’s excellent 3-0 victory away against Los Angeles Storm, the Quakes knew that two victories would see them qualify for the playoffs for the first time in the franchise’s history. To that end, head coach Florez started with a strong, attacking formation; Kevin Guppy returned to his familiar position in between the goalposts, Daniel Paladini returned to the lineup after missing the last two games, and 9-goal striker Ryan Shaw continued to lead the forward line. In pleasant evening weather, and in front of a decent 300-stong crowd, the Quakes started the game knowing that a win would see them with one foot in the post-season.

The first half was tight, but exciting, with the Quakes continually seeking to unlock the solid Seals defense. Ryan Callahan raked down the right wing with excellent speed and precision passing, and continually threatened to break the Seals defense apart. The interplay between Callahan and Paladini was at times quite breathtaking, and showcased their effortless one-touch passing to wonderful effect. Paladini was full of tricks and flicks, Mat Davis imparted his usual calming influence on the center of midfield, and Shaw up front had several chances to run at the Seals back line, and was only stopped by some solid Seals defending, and a few sloppy final balls.

Quakes' UCLA defender Mike Zaher has been named to the PDL's "Team of the Week" for his performance in the 3-0 victory over Los Angeles Storm, during which he scored his first ever goal as a Quakes player.

Mike joins Oscar Sims, Sean Franklin, Sung Kim and Ryan Shaw in being recognised for their on-field efforts this season.

Great going guys!

The San Fernando Valley Quakes take on the visiting San Francisco Seals at Granada Hills Charter High School on Saturday in a must-win game, which with a victory could see the Quakes with one foot in the playoffs.

The Quakes enjoyed a marvelous 3-0 away victory against Los Angeles Storm last weekend, and now stand in pole position for post-season qualification. If we win our final two games against the Seals, and then against the Seahorses next Friday, we will be in the playoffs: barring San Jose overturning an 11-goal goal difference, it will be mathematically impossible for anyone except Ventura to overtake us.

So come on down to Granada Hills and cheer on your 2007 San Fernando Valley Quakes. Kickoff is 7pm.

29 JULY 2007 - The San Fernando Valley Quakes enjoyed a hugely important 3-0 victory over Los Angeles Storm tonight, in front of 200 fans at Citrus College Stadium in Glendora.

Three first-half goals from Mike Zaher, Ryan Shaw and Mat Davis secured the win for the Quakes, who maintain their lead at the top of the Southwest Division standings on 28 points, six points ahead of second placed Ventura County Fusion, who beat third-placed San Jose Frogs 2-0 tonight. Both teams have games in hand over the Quakes, who must complete victories over San Francisco and Southern California in their last two games of the season in order to keep their playoff ambitions on course.

The Quakes return home to Granada Hills for their next match, against the San Francisco Seals, next Saturday, July 7th, kickoff at 7:00pm.

23 JUNE 2007 - For the third time in four games, the San Fernando Valley Quakes emerged from their game with a single point. For the third time in four games, the San Fernando Valley Quakes could not find a breakthrough to beat their opponents. Six points from four games is not that bad a haul – but when you consider that, with a little more clinical finishing, and with a little more luck, that six could have been twelve, the picture changes slightly. And, with their rivals picking up points in their games-in-hand, it’s not difficult to see why head coach Florez is glancing over his shoulder at the advancing pack.

In 100-degree heat, the Quak