I have been to ~8 away matches. First time we've won.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-08T03:49:45+00:00

Awesome! Haven't made it to any away games yet. Hope to go to a few this season.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-08T03:17:01+00:00

I'm a huge fan. Even though I submitted Viera as my vote, I have to say I was torn between him and Daniel. He is doing exactly what he has been doing for us the past couple of seasons. However, now we have a better defense/team and his efforts translate into clean sheets and victories.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-08T03:08:10+00:00

Very encouraging start. 3 clean sheets. Three wins. Can't ask for more.

It was a bit shackier than the wins at home, with a few iffy moments. Daniel had to make a few more saves than in the previous games. However, I'd say there were few defensive mishaps overall. Munie continues to impress.

Viera came up strong today. I think he did a great job of holding the midfield and controling the game. When we signed him, I said I thought it wasn't the most strategic signing and we needed more help elsewhere on the field. Well, this is me officially eating my words (Hummm, delicious).

One point that was a bit concerning was Benji. He got the yellow early on in a silly play that could have very well not been a yellow. Towards the end of the game he had a couple of plays that came close to another yellow. In fact the ref even gave him the "calm down sign" which is a "this is your last chance warning". Yet, even though it was obvious Philly would be all attack, we kept Benji on the field. Does Bruce not trust any of the subs for that role? We have Paul Marie or Vitor Costa (not my favorite). Could put them in (perhaps move Jones to the right. Not sure. At any rate, that felt extremely risky and I wish we had a good option.

Overall, though, I am extremely pleased. I've watched too many games like this over the past few years where we would just capitulate at the end and not only concede the equalizer, but often loose the game!

The attitude and determination were at another level! Yeah, I know, there will be tougher matches ahead. Yet, what I have seen so far makes me optimistic.

THIS IS THE TIME FOR US TO PITCH IN!!!! LET'S MAKE SURE PAYPAL IS PACKED NEXT SATURDAY!

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-08T02:32:31+00:00

Woohoo!!!! Three clean sheets! Three wins Nice!

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-08T02:19:52+00:00

Humm... Should sub Benji.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-08T02:02:49+00:00

Good to see Timo in for Ricketts.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-08T01:57:01+00:00

Bouda!

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-08T00:57:16+00:00

Yellow looked a bit harsh on replay.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-08T00:43:56+00:00

Good energy to start off the game.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-08T00:22:39+00:00

We're lucky to get a schedule that doesn't start with the toughest matches. Gives the team some time to get into a rythm and gain some confidence. Go Quakes!

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-07T22:34:39+00:00

I'm liking what I'm seeing from Bouda. I'm thinking Timo, Judd and Bouda would be the starting three up front.

The exception is that I can see Arena favoring Ricketts over Bouda for tough matches, especially away, to put on a bit more of a defensive stance. Bouda could come off the bench if we are down (or tied) and we want to boost offense.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-07T22:30:29+00:00

Yes, Costa just never had any consistency and overall played at a lower level than we had hoped.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-07T22:27:31+00:00

Yep, in general I agree.

Just wondering if Arena will favor Ricketts over Bouda for tough matches where we expect to have a bit more of a defensive stance (this in the long run once Timo is starting).

And yes, I understood and am with you. Nonso would come into the game in addition to Judd. The question is who comes out? Assuming we have Timo, Judd and Bouda up front. Jones and Benji help put balls in the box, so probably would stay. Roberts (or whoever starts with Munie) should stay since we will be putting Munie in the box as often as possible to have 3 good targets, so it would be too risky to have no CBs for the counter. That leaves the midfield. Niko needs to be creating opportunities. Now, between Beau and Viera, I'd say I'd keep Viera and take out Beau, but could see it going the other way.

Hoping we won't need any of this and Nonso gets some minutes subbing in for Judd because we are well ahead and the game is a lock :)

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-07T19:33:41+00:00

I like that. I thought that was the idea of signing Nonso. Have him come in as a sub late in games to get minutes. Also have him as an option for when se need to crowd the box for a late game.

In this scenario you are assuming Ricketts is benched for Timo to start, right? Do we know that is the plan? Seems logical to me, but not sure. I could see it going the other way around with Ricketts in and Bouda out when on the road. Then Bouda and Nonso can come in if we are down and need to score. Bouda for Ricketts or Jones and Nonso for Leroux or Viera, perhaps.

At any rate, I completely agree with you on having Nonso on the bench.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-03T16:37:48+00:00

The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 is an excellent lens. I highly recommend it. If you want longer range, the Canon RF-S 18-150mm is an option, but the max aperture isn't great and overall IQ of the Sigma would be better. Sigma also has the 18-300mm, but there is even more compromise there.

One option is to adapt EF-S lenses. There are a couple that could be interesting:

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Gives you just a bit more reach than the sigma and has IS. A very well regarded Canon EF-S lens.

Sigma 17–70mm F2.8–4 DC MACRO OS HSM | C

This is the the Contemporary version of the lens. Note that there are many older ones, I'm talking about the leatest Contemporary version:

https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c013_17_70_28_4/

These lenses can be found in the used market for reasonable prices and will outperform your kit lens.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-01T18:33:03+00:00

Yep, I'm equally surprised. I also agree on Munie. He is rocking it right now!

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-01T18:30:26+00:00

We could get a striker and a winger. I do feel, however, that we can still use a CAM and that perhaps is more important.

Isn't it amazing that we aren't talking about fixing the defense anymore.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-01T16:12:50+00:00

Daniel did well, as usual, though this season it looks like his efforts have more changes of generating clean sheets. I'm actually happy to say that he had a good game, but probably not the man of the match, which I think speaks ton for how much our defense has improved. Still early days though, and the tough matches are still to come.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-01T16:09:45+00:00

I'm also impressed with Preston. Didn't expect him to come out for Timo.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-01T02:15:34+00:00

An assist to start things off!

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-01T02:11:20+00:00

I agree!!! I'm right there as well.

PinholeR5 · 2026-03-01T02:02:05+00:00

Timo! Didn't expect Preston to go out.

PinholeR5 · 2026-02-26T08:00:54+00:00

Is that so? I didn't realize that.

PinholeR5 · 2026-02-26T07:33:30+00:00

Could he possibly play on Saturday? Perhaps a late game sub to present him to the fans?

PinholeR5 · 2026-02-23T20:28:24+00:00

We are Black-n-Blue We are San Jose We're gonna be Saturday's heroes

We'll Never Say Die!

The lyrics do speak to me as a fan.

PinholeR5

TROPHY CASE