We’re holding little to nothing back on this article. We’ve always had an issue or two with the security at the stadium. To be very fair, they are doing their job, and as a presser there have been little to no problems but they patrol the place like a fortress and rightfully so. Plus, we appreciate seeing the games in a safe and fun environment where everyone can enjoy their favourite team or player. However, for this match we couldn’t get in as media. Only a few from the major outlets were able to get on the field, but the smaller and popular outlets and independents were shut out of the process. As a supporter and fan for the game, we just want to create our own experiences but in a fun way and to report on the San Francisco Bay Area soccer scene be the top flight, lower leagues, or major events like we had for the venerable FootySF. However, it did cost us $130 including ticket fees and having a bottle opener confiscated at the door. (We are in the process of starting a Patreon account to keep us afloat especially since it is a labour of love of the game, but we want to keep doing this and for that an announcement is forthcoming–a little goes a long way. More coming later in the year).
To add, our camera almost didn’t get in, but we have a lens that hovers either at the 3 inch match or a bit over so it is a major judgement call–it is enough to be a tourist lens. As a former events and street photographer we prefer to carry light equipment in order to move, and we do not bring tripods unless we are accredited to be on the field. On that note, we won’t be deterred in telling the stories and making this site a soccer destination.
Enough of the soapbox and here’s the usual blurb. We’re doing something different by posting the notebook of photos on this site instead of Facebook. And we love to share the stories from the pitch–the good, the bad, and the ugly. And the beautiful.
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Andre Silva of AC Milan scored a second half stoppage time goal to give the Italian club a 1-0 victory over Spanish/Catalonian team FC Barcelona. The game was noted for the absence of well-known names Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi of Barca. 51,391 was the attendance for this match with a spattering of empty seats and the 4th deck closed off.
Photos by 3pointsport. More of a personal photo album being in the stands.
The game was the last stop on the North American tour for AC Milan having faced Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur previously. The Rossignori now head back to Italy to kick off their Serie A schedule at their home of San Siro against Genoa on August 19 but have one more preseason game against Real Madrid in Spain for the Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu on August 11. Barca continues their preseason schedule across the Atlantic Ocean with the Supercopa de España against Sevilla (Seville) at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier, Morocco on August 12 before returning home for one final preseason match against Boca Juniors of Argentina on August 14 for the Joan Gamper Trophy. They open up the La Liga schedule at home against Alaves on August 18.
Our next game when the dust gets cleared will be the Quakes v Toronto game on August 18. In the meantime we will be continuing the Rugby World Cup essays and so forth. Let us know what you like, don’t like, enjoy. We want to make this a sports destination.