The San Jose Earthquakes were announced as an official MLS team on July 18th, 2007. Owners Lew Wolff and John Fisher originally purchased the rights to the Earthquakes franchise in 2006 and choose to exercise their option early, ensuring that the team would be part of the 2008 MLS season. As part of the agreement with MLS, plans for a soccer-specific stadium in San Jose are currently being negotiated with the hopes that the Earthquakes will have a permanent home to call their own for the 2011 season.The Earthquakes' history is an impressive one, dating back to 1974 and the early days of the North American Soccer League. The Quakes' Paul Child led the league in scoring that year and was the first in a parade of future hall-of-famers like Johnny Moore. The legendary George Best even played with the NASL Quakes. Major League Soccer's San Jose side has eclipsed its forerunners, however. San Jose hosted the league's inaugural match, a sold-out victory over DC United which saw another future Hall of Fame member, Eric Wynalda, score the first goal in league history. The team has since gone on to win two MLS Cup titles, beating their rivals the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 in Columbus, Ohio in 2001 and crushing the Chicago Fire 4-2 in 2003 in the Galaxy's new stadium in Carson.The Earthquakes offer the highest level of professional soccer in Northern California and a team that fans from all over this region can call their own. The Bay Area provides a perfect backdrop for the world's number one sport, given the passion and affinity for soccer held by its' diverse population. The Earthquakes are considered an expansion franchise, however we return to San Jose with this rich history and winning legacy, which we hope to honor and continue. In keeping with this tradition, the Earthquakes logo and colors have only been slightly updated. Our loyal fans who have worked hard to bring professional soccer back to San Jose can once again sport their favorite Earthquakes flare with pride.San Jose will join the Western Conference, thus balancing the two conferences at seven teams apiece. The Earthquakes become the third team based in California, along with Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Earthquakes and Galaxy forged a memorable "Interstate 5" rivalry early this decade, and now that rivalry will soon resume. The San Jose Earthquakes seek not only to be the Bay Area's soccer team, but to represent the entire Northern California region. We are committed to the long term success of our team and of Major League Soccer.I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)MLS CUP CHAMPIONS 2001&2003 Click here to view a bigger version of my map!
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