On Wednesday Clint Dempsey announced his retirement from soccer effective immediately. He caps off an illustrious career that started with the New England Revolution, then to Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League, and back to MLS with the Seattle Sounders. He also has been a decorated player for the US National Team appearing in 3 World Cups, a Confederations Cup in 2009, the 2016 Copa America, and 5 Gold Cup tournaments.
As a tribute here are some photos from the vault – either from FootySF, QuakesFan, or in the stands courtesy of Nap.
Clint Dempsey – USA v China – Spartan Stadium San Jose CA – 2007
Clint Dempsey – USA v Mexico – Crew Stadium Columbus OH – 2013
Clint Dempsey – USA v China – Avaya Stadium San Jose CA – 2017 (for FootySF)
Clint Dempsey – MLS All Stars v Arsenal FC – 2016 (for FootySF)
Yes, he did play for Seattle in his later years and has been that thorn on the side of Quakes fans, but as one of the greats for the US National Team he has taken that club to greater heights. His achievements ought to be applauded so, thank you Clint and the best of luck in the next career path.
The latest in this series is a true Flashback Friday post.
This edition showcases Manchester City’s game against Club America at AT&T Park in July 2011. Only 11,250 attended the match that day but this was a foreshadowing of that upcoming Premiership season when they won the title. Since then City as been a contender in the English Premiership winning in 2012, 2014, and most recently in 2018.
Manchester City. Photos by Nap Badillo
Manchester City v Club America 2011
Manchester City v Club America 2011
Manchester City v Club America 2011
Manchester City v Club America 2011
Manchester City v Club America 2011
Manchester City v Club America 2011
Manchester City v Club America 2011
Manchester City v Club America 2011
Manchester City v Club America 2011
The next one will be up at a future date. Posting the retrospectives as a showcase and portfolio as to what I’ve done in the past, be in the stands in this case or on the pitch. Now to cue Wonderwall.
This edition takes us back to the 2017 season of the San Francisco Deltas, from the second incarnation of the North American Soccer League (NASL). In this segment I’m providing the select shots from their only year.
A bit of a disclaimer: The idea of covering the second tier professional team at that time was to provide coverage via FootySF, and to get the historical record of their season. Also, the main theme is to provide a portfolio and selection of shots that captured the play at that time. I did not anticipate it would turn out to be a one and done year.
The true approach was to see the team through a presser’s lens and setting aside every and any views otherwise in the true soccer outsider’s perspective. The biggest surprise was the Deltas played a very entertaining brand of soccer that cumulated in the Soccer Bowl championship with many of the players coming from the international ranks and from MLS and other leagues. The task was just to limit the coverage to at least one team’s visit with the exceptions being the New York Cosmos for historical reasons, Indy Eleven with former Quakes Jon Busch and Brad Ring, and Jacksonville Armada with the second match billed as “The Final Game”.
The selection from each game covered is presented here:
SF Deltas team pic – Inaugural Game vs Indy Eleven
SF Deltas v Indy Eleven
SF Deltas v New York Cosmos
SF Deltas v Jacksonville Armada
SF Deltas v Indy Eleven (2nd game)
SF Deltas on the road v San Jose Earthquakes (US Open Cup)
SF Deltas v Puerto Rico FC
SF Deltas v Miami FC
SF Deltas v FC Edmonton
SF Deltas v Jacksonville Armada FC (The Final Game)
If only they were allowed to continue there could have been some fierce rivalries with both the San Jose Earthquakes and Sacramento Republic. More matches would have allowed for some interesting storylines be in league or cup play but that’s for another article.
The story is best preserved for the history of soccer and are lessons learned be the negatives or the positives. I have my preferences but the Deltas were a pleasure and privilege to cover, especially from the vantage point of a media presser rather than a fan of the game, and the players and fans had unique character and heart. The club’s inspired effort made the players instant fan favorites.
The post-season was bonus coverage for the year:
SF Deltas v North Carolina FC (Semi-final)
SF Deltas v New York Cosmos (The Championship)
SF Deltas v New York Cosmos (The Championship)
SF Deltas v New York Cosmos (The Championship)
SF Deltas v New York Cosmos (The Championship) – Celebration
SF Deltas v New York Cosmos (The Championship) – Celebration
SF Deltas v New York Cosmos (The Championship) – Celebration with the Delta Force
SF Deltas v New York Cosmos (The Championship) – Delta Force
There are more pictures from their only season in 2017 but that can be saved for another day. Still, the story ought to be told, and until next time.
Sets from FootySF and 3pointsport. Photos by Nap Badillo.
In this throwback-flashback edition, I’m showcasing another team that needs no introduction, Arsenal of London.
Most of the pics were from the 2016 MLS All-Star Game. Last year’s edition was in Chicago against Real Madrid of Spain, and this year’s match will be in Atlanta against Juventus of Turin, Italy. This match was held 15 years to the day the first edition was in San Jose at Spartan Stadium. The festivities included a convention for Arsenal Supporters both in San Jose, and a meet at San Francisco plus various meets and events around town including a concert and show by the Men in Blazers plus a game played by the younger MLS talent.
Arsenal FC. Photos by Nap Badillo (taken for FootySF)
Arsenal MLS All-Star Game press conference – Peter Cech
Arsenal MLS All-Star Game press conference – Arsene Wenger
Arsenal FC – MLS All-Star Game
Arsenal FC – MLS All-Star Game
Arsenal FC – MLS All-Star Game
Arsenal FC – MLS All-Star Game
Arsenal FC – MLS All-Star Game
Arsenal FC – MLS All-Star Game
Arsenal FC – MLS All-Star Game
I need to say thank you to FootySF/Bay Area Gooners for getting a chance to cover the festivities for that week. This was one of the top events in the history of soccer in the Bay Area. Until next time.
In this edition of Throwback-Flashback, I’m posting material from Tottenham Hotspur FC, aka Spurs, of North London.
The highlights are from 2010 when they toured the US and one of their games was a Saturday matinee against San Jose. Most of the shots were from the combined supporters section at that time.
Some of the highlights included Gareth Bale and Robbie Keane making an appearance at Buck Shaw Stadium on that day. The match was merely a showcase highlighting the arrangement with the Quakes and Spurs. Not much is heard about that today, but in the past the idea would have been to shuffle players on loan to both sides. The Quakes did train at the Spurs grounds one year. Maybe the team could have landed a younger Harry Kane on loan here, but that was not feasible then with a college stadium. Despite my preference for another club I actually enjoyed this match as both a fan and a photographer.
Select shots of Spurs. By Nap Badillo.
Next time, I’ll be posting a blurb of another club from past experiences, be in the stands or on the pitch.
This team needs no introduction and one of the most recognized brands in the world. The photos range from 2015 and 2017. Their friendly (pre-season/exhibition) game against the San Jose Earthquakes will be their third visit to the Bay Area in four years.
Manchester United. Photos by Nap Badillo
2015 Tour
2015 Tour
2015 Tour
2015 Tour
2017 Tour
2017 Tour
2017 Tour
2017 Tour
2014 Trophy Tour
Also some sets, taken for FootySF–from their Facebook page:
Since the World Cup kicks off this week, I’d like to share a few shots from the US national team. Some from Candlestick, and others from Levi’s Stadium and even Columbus, Ohio. I’ll just share them with a few words.
Jozy Altidore
Graham Zusi
Darlington Nagbe
Omar Gonzalez
Tim Howard again
Chris Wondolowski playing for the hometown crowd
Jozy Altidore
Clarence Goodson of the USA trying to steer clear from Javier Hernandez of Mexico (aka Chicharito)
While is it a major disappointment the US team will not be in this tournament after a run from 1990 to 2014, there are other nations and some players that will be of major interest such as Cris Ronaldo of Portugal, Lionel Messi of Argentina, Neymar of Brazil, the defending champions Germany, contenders France, and hyped England. In the Hispanic markets Mexico has been promoted at the team to follow plus fellow regional qualifers Costa Rica, who hope to improve on their 2014 run, and newcomer Panama. Not to worry Americans, the Dutch and Italians are also not playing in the Final. For this edition the tournament will have their share of stories of glory and heartbreak. Most of all, it will be a celebration of the world’s game. The next round begins soon, with the hope to getting back to the 2022 edition.
For now the photo article/blog is about the men’s team. I’ll give the women’s team their own story later on this year. They have a very good chance of qualifying for France 2019 and defending their title. Until next time.
Earlier this week I started a new series called “Throwback-Flashback”. Here I’ll be posting a theme from past games, merely as a showcase. Anything of interest will be posted with a selection of shots and a story behind them.
The first series will be on Everton FC, from Liverpool, England and one of the most storied clubs from there. The shots are from July 2013 when they played a friendly against Juventus FC of Turin, Italy at AT&T Park.
The view was from the first base dugout at the baseball grounds, so I was literally behind the end zone. Before Levi’s Stadium was built, AT&T hosted a few select games from the US National Team in 2006 to the San Jose Earthquakes in 2012. Candlestick Park when it was still in existence also held soccer matches before closing in late 2014.
The result from this friendly was a 1-1 draw with Everton winning 6-5 on penalty kicks. Some of the marquee names from the English side included Tim Howard and Marouane Fellaini, which was worth the price of the ticket.
Select shots from the Everton side. By Nap Badillo.
The team has the recent history of having US players from the aforementioned Howard, Brian McBride, and Landon Donovan during his short loan from MLS so I have to tip my hat off to this team. I dedicate this series to Tommy and Brendan, who are the biggest Everton supporters on this side so it’s for them and the “Blue” crew. Next time I’ll be posting another club from the vault.
