Arriving at the back post

PayPal Park’s 10-year anniversary is fast approaching. The 22 nd  March 2025 marks a century of San Jose Earthquake stagnation then regression married with a constant ability to underachieve even when expectations were seemingly rock bottom.  Last season they achieved a record-breaking fifth wooden spoon. It is hardly the way to enter the decennial year. There is little to cheer about and few reasons to show support. However, there is one pocket of the PayPal Park, located in Section 117-118, that adds vibrancy to the stadium, which has often been missing on the pitch. They are the Earthquakes’ ultras group, San Jose Ultras. Dan Margarit was Romanian born and an ardent Steaua Bucharest ultra who moved to California and wanted to spread the European fan experience to his new side, San Jose. Margarit, who is one of the founders of SJU, said: “After I moved to the States, I wanted to support my local team, which was San Jose Earthquakes. I started attending their games, and was p...

Sir Alex Ferguson has rarely been proved wrong when it comes to football, but Burnley currently seem to be debunking his claim that “attack wins you games, defence wins you titles”. It has been 1,100 minutes since a Championship side has breached James Trafford in goal in a spell that dates back to December 21 st  when Kwadwo Baah struck for Watford in a 2-1 win for Scott Parker’s side. This barren run for opposition attacks has resulted in a Championship record of 11 consecutive clean sheets and throughout the season, Burnley have only conceded in nine games, with a sole goal being the most they have let in on any occasion in the league. They are, by a considerable distance, the best defensive side English football has ever seen. The Clarets concede 0.27 goals per game, while the next sternest defence in EFL history was Gillingham in 1995/96, who registered 0.47 goals per 90. The closest figure to Burnley’s currently tally is Liverpool’s 1978/79 season with 0.38 across 42 games an...

Moments. That’s what makes a football match. A near-perfect game can be forgotten in a flash if one defining moment results in a loss. 70 rushing yards racked up through 15 carries, 27 passes amounted to 304 yards, three rushing touchdowns and an arrowed pass to A.J Brown who put the Philadelphia Eagles ahead in the second quarter. Those were Jalen Hurts Super Bowl stats two years ago. But among all that, there was a fumble and that was Hurts’ moment. One that, no matter the level, will play on your mind. His drop into the path of Nick Bolton allowed the Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton to race away and level the Super Bowl, with the Eagles on top in the second quarter. On Sunday, the rematch. Patrick Mahomes vs Jalen Hurts. Mahomes and Co. are looking for an unprecedented three-peat, which started with that win against the Eagles in 2023, Hurts is looking for a validating maiden Super Bowl ring. Only this year, it isn’t just Hurts. There is more to the Pennsylvanians' arm...