tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60727914770579755272024-03-13T08:32:04.810-07:00Wondo's WorldWondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-78673293342312976682021-11-08T17:40:00.001-08:002021-11-08T17:40:29.994-08:00Amazing - But He Stole the Show (and that was my son)<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Late morning on February 4, 2005, my cell phone told me that
my son was calling me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those who
have had the pleasure of having a college-aged son – you may have learned, like
I have, that a college-aged son calling you late morning on a February 4<sup>th</sup>
is likely to disrupt part or most of your day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have three amazing sons – but they text me if they want to communicate
and call me if they have an emergency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Calls
mean trouble that they want you to help solve. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That morning, my college-aged son – Chris Wondolowski – was
calling to tell me that a friend of his just let him know that Chris was
drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes in their Supplemental Draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, to be fair, that phone call did disrupt
my day, but not in a bad way. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This past Sunday – 16 years, 8 months, 3 days later – my
(then) college-aged son is a little older and played in his final game for the
San Jose Earthquakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through 413 games
171 goals 37 yellow cards (none of them his fault he claims) and 2 red cards
(really unfair decisions he tells me) – I probably sat in the stands for 300+
of those games and watched on television virtually every other one of those
games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Virtually” because I had a few
weddings to attend when a game was going on and Chris’ brothers would hand me
their phones under the table to watch the games while the wedding festivities
ensued. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am such a bad dancer at
weddings that Mrs. Wondo did not mind me watching the games. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have had the unbelievable joy of watching dozens of games
with my granddaughters in my lap. This past Sunday, when Chris scored, his
oldest daughter Emersyn (on my lap) asked:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Grandude are you crying?”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(First
of all Chris decided when his daughters were born that they would call me
Grandude and second of all – yes I was crying).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Full disclosure – my two other sons (Stephen and Matthew)
were convinced that I would be a sobbing blubbering wet mess at Chris’ last
game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I did somewhat better than
that prediction. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I think about Chris’ career my mind tries to wrap
around the fact that 45 percent of his life up until now has been a
professional soccer player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He was not married when he started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His rookie year at Spartan Stadium we loved
tailgating in the grass parking lot and then going to the games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
the Earthquakes were relocated to Houston.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We spent soccer travel weekends going from the Bay Area to Houston – and
Los Angeles – and Denver and Salt Lake City and Columbus and Chicago and New
York and then Seattle – Portland<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and …
well … everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then he came home – my home and his home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all of a sudden he started putting balls
into the back of the net.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His feet, his
head, his shin, his thigh … they all just started going into the back of the
net.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Throughout it all – 16 years, 8 months, 3 days – I cannot
imagine a father who would have had a more enjoyable ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so proud of him (maybe not the 2 red
cards) – but if you have ever seen me at a game I am sure my pride is no
secret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unabashedly, I love the soccer
player he has been and the man he has become. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And – while in Houston he married the most wonderful wife in
the world (college girlfriend – you knew there was going to be a Chico State
part of this story) who moved back with him to San Jose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the last several years I have been able
to have my granddaughters on my lap in the front row watching my son and their
daddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine how wonderful that is! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except when they ask me to take them to the
food trucks during the games. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A regular dad like me does not deserve this 17 year amazing
rocket ride (but I would not give it back for anything).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had too many great moments as a sports
dad to even summarize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My youngest as a
De La Salle football player and then a San Jose State Rugby player – my middle
son as an All American Soccer Player in college and then a couple of years with
the Houston Dynamo --- they are all more than I ever imagined. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sunday evening at the end of the game – I asked Chris to
exchange jerseys with me and he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
jerseys Sunday were made for Sunday’s game with the “Wondo Forever” emblem on
their chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was soaking with sweat
(mine was pretty clean that I gave to him) but I loved it as a great end of
this chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him I would give it
back to him and Lindsey (Mrs. Wondo washed it thank God).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Earthquake fans – especially those sitting in our
section at the games – and the Ultras and Faultline – and everyone else are
uniquely wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Earthquakes
management has been great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The staff
that works at the games have been amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I still have my season tickets for next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a San Jose Earthquakes fan long before
Chris became one of their employees and I expect that I will be a San Jose
Earthquakes fan long after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-91845914236332268342019-05-21T22:43:00.001-07:002019-05-21T22:43:58.479-07:00148th Goal Makes a Father Reflect on the Journey<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One day you
are taking your son to Spartan Stadium to watch the San Jose Clash play soccer
and the next day that same son sets the career goals scoring record for the
league that the Clash inaugurated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Like most
memories of a father with a grown son, those two days are separated by many
years and a healthy amount of haze and blur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But regardless of the lack of precision in the memory-fabric between
those two days, those two days are as clear to me as if they were yesterday and
today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chris and
his brothers where already far too cool and far too interested in the game to
sit with me in the cheap seats at Spartan Stadium that evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like some of those summer nights at Spartan
it was warm, and we could make it through a game with shorts and no jackets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three boys traded positions between the
bench I was sitting on, the snack stand, and wherever they might see Crazy
George.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one thing that they wanted
on this (I think visor night) was to get those visors autographed at the end of
the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a Clash 1-goal loss as
I recall as my three sons lined up at the front row of Spartan Stadium to get
the prize they were hoping for … some Clash player to sign their new
visor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We drove
home over the Sunol Grade (the hill between the East Bay and the Silicon
Valley) back to Danville that night and the last thing I would have ever
thought was that 12 or so years later I would begin a virtual ritual of driving
back over that Sunol Grade on Saturday nights from March through October after
watching the next generations of the San Jose Clash play – with my son in one
of their uniforms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Yes generations …
first Earthquakes at Spartan Stadium then reincarnated Earthquakes at Buck Shaw
then Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Well …
writing that it was ‘the last thing I would have ever thought’ … is probably
amazingly inaccurate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be truthful,
the last thing I would have ever thought was that the boy asleep in the
passenger seat (with an autographed visor) as we drove up Interstate 680 through Pleasanton that night would
one day score more goals than any other player for the team that we had just
watched in the league we had just watched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I think
after these past 16 years I would have learned to stop being amazed by my son’s
successes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that is a lesson I have
never been able to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I make Mrs.
Wondo get to the games at Avaya early just so I can walk around and catch a
glimpse of the occasional “8” Jersey on a fan with a familiar surname on its
back, and simply enjoy the fact that my son is playing professional soccer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It has been
such a long and rewarding career for Chris, Lindsey, their girls, and all of
our family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But keeping with
my son’s traditional script, just when you think he can’t amaze you – he amazes
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Every
athlete dreams of breaking a record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every athlete also dreams of breaking a record in grand style – and a
four-goal game that includes the game winning goal can fit into that grand
style category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Every dad
dreams of his son breaking a record (in grand style).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This dad’s heart was filled with the sight of
something much more important than that however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Chris came out in the 90<sup>th</sup>
minute he gave his captain’s armband to Anibal before leaving the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the game Anibal came up to
Chris and took the captain’s armband and put it back on Chris’ arm and gave him
a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon thereafter the Quakes
players hoisted Chris up and threw him in the air in celebration --- a team
celebration for a team accomplishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That evening
25 or so years ago – taking my sons to the Clash game on a warm summer evening
and driving home with them all asleep in the car …. And this past Saturday
afternoon in the cool rain at Avaya when my son drove himself to the Quakes
game and then drove his oldest daughter home with him over the Sunol Grade …
those two points in time are so different yet so memorable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I could not
be prouder of Chris nor happier for the three people who rank up there with me
in terms of his fans:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lindsey, Emersyn,
and Brynlee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-36794196532965142012018-10-10T20:00:00.001-07:002018-10-10T20:00:51.599-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Disclosure – this is simply personal thoughts that I open to
my family and friends and anyone else who has interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some years ago my son, Chris Wondolowski, scored his 100<sup>th</sup>
goal in Major League Soccer regular season play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goal itself was unremarkable as it was a
penalty kick and the field was Levi Stadium in Santa Clara.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nonetheless, surprising to me, it moved me to
tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are now 44 goals later in Chris’ career and the next goal
(if it comes) would tie him with Landon Donovan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never believed that Chris would score 100
goals and I never believed that he would score 144 goals and I never believed
that he would be mentioned in comparisons to the best American Soccer Player of
this generation – probably all time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me qualify “I never believed” … I actually always believed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I always knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just put up my guards against what I
believed and knew and real life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris
took real life and bent it into a reality that matched his skills, passion,
desire, and attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a father, witnessing
this for the past dozen-plus years is something that I am thankful for every
day. Actually thankful may not be the right word – more accurately I am
amazingly impressed by him every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Real life meets my son and my son tells real life: "try to stay up with me".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The biggest thing against my nature is to write about an
accomplishment that has not yet occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I will try to not do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually
I don’t have to because there are 144 other goals, championships, and awards
that Chris has earned and countless friendships that individually Chris and I
have been able to build over those years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris’ accomplishments have allowed me to spend a couple of
amazing weeks in Brazil rooming with his brother Stephen and watching World Cup
Games in person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His accomplishments
have allowed me to travel to virtually every city that MLS plays in and watch
those games in person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thinking of
writing a MLS Travel Guide. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my favorite stories (that can probably be told now)
is when Chris (with Houston) was playing in Denver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to dinner on 16<sup>th</sup> Street
at a Sports Bar and the Hockey Playoffs were going on so the place was all
about the Avalanche.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a sports
trivia contest and Chris and I won a huge Coors-Avalanche Mirror (don’t mess
with us on sports trivia).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to
carry it back to his team’s hotel (the mirror was huge) and put it in the room
that Chris was sharing with Brad Davis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
statute of limitations have expired by now so this is the first time this news
has come out (I’m guessing Dominic never found out) … I miss that mirror. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris has been blessed to be able to spend most of his
career with San Jose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fans are
amazing, Avaya Stadium is great, while the results have been up and down – the ride
has been wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Selfishly I have
been blessed to be able to drive 45 minutes to watch my son play soccer (like
many of you I’ve driven a lot longer than that early Saturday mornings over the
years).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have also been blessed to fly
halfway around the world to watch him play soccer and all the way across the
country (and all points in between).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While his soccer career has been amazing – it may be hard for
outsiders to see that it has always been and is – a family thing first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wife and daughters watch (sometimes his
daughters take an ice cream break during the game) and cheer for him, his
extended family is in the stands, friends from his childhood come to home games,
high school teammates and college teammates are at every game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve been incredibly lucky to attach our
family to the San Jose Earthquakes family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ve been incredibly lucky to be able to witness Chris chasing this
milestone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If 145 happens – and you happen to be by me …. I hope you
can handle some tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> If 145 never happens ... the other 144 are pretty awesome. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-9723843603150974862018-04-20T19:01:00.002-07:002018-04-20T19:01:26.467-07:00Top Five Signs That Now You Are a Grand Dude <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think that one day, all of a sudden, I was a Grand
Dude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspect that (like everything else
in my life) that it was a deliberate and obvious process).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However I have no evidence to prove that it
was a deliberate and obvious process and only my seriously-faulty memory to claim
that “all of a sudden” I was a Grand Dude. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Top Five Signs that Now – Your Life is Being a Grand Dude<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one is easy
and obvious – one day your Grand Daughters introduce you to strangers,
teachers, stray dogs, zookeepers and Baristas as “this is my Grand Dude”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without trying (and
you would like to say despite not trying) you now know all the words to the
movies Frozen and Moana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though you know
better and see the transparency – when any one of those little girls says “Grand
Dude I love You” – you immediately reach for your wallet and start throwing out
money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know you are being played but
somehow you don’t resist. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite a life
time of playing “go fish” – you let your Grand Daughter adopt a brand new set
of rules (dynamic rules) that seem to favor her hand. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
though you know that being within 6 meters of any of them guarantees that you
will be sick for the next 7 days … you do it anyway. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-79082551395920552442018-01-27T17:53:00.001-08:002018-01-29T19:53:19.189-08:00Top Ten Signs that Your Life is Cool <div class="MsoNormal">
This past Friday night (January 26) was a bit humbling, but
it was also tremendously fun and rewarding.
When you are just a guy (like me) -the spotlight is something that you
see shining on other people. Thanks to
my son, for a short period of time, I found myself on the other side of the
spotlight. And after 24 hours I decided
to reflect on some signs that maybe your life has turned out okay. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
TOP TEN SIGNS IN ONE NIGHT THAT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR
LIFE HAS BEEN PRETTY GOOD: <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10. You go to an
event where your sons are wearing suits and ties. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9. Your sons and
daughters-in-law share a pre-ceremony drink with you in the lobby bar at the Fairmont
Hotel (you pick up the tab – your sons have learned alligator arms). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8. You look at your
daughters-in-law and realize that they are two of the most beautiful women on
earth (right up there with your step-daughters).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. When you look at your
three sons – you see men. Men that you
would want to be friends with. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. You get to be part
of an amazing organization’s awards night like Coaching Corps. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. Coaching Corps and
NBC Sports Bay Area give you your own handler – I’ve never had a handler and
that was pretty cool …no – wait – that was way cool. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Your sons and daughters-in-law
spend part of the night with you at the Tonga Room in the Fairmont and
you watch your daughter-in-law dance with your wife to a cover of Earth Wind and
Fire. (#onlytwodancing) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. You remember the
last time you danced with your wife to Earth Wind and Fire and you realize it
was “Reasons” last Thursday. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. You have 3 sons, 2
step-daughters, 2 daughters-in-law, 2 sons-in-law, 5 granddaughters and 1 grandson.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. You’ve been able
to be a volunteer coach for 43 years and the last 22 years have been at a high
school in town where each and every year you fall in love with your players and
remember why this is important. <o:p></o:p></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-2664019387084468572016-07-18T18:00:00.002-07:002016-07-18T18:00:29.786-07:00Street Soccer USA - Wondo Celebrity Soccer Game Player Ratings<div class="MsoNormal">
The Street Soccer USA Cup Series completed its third and
final 2016 leg this past weekend with a wonderful weekend of soccer at San
Francisco’s Union Square. Street Soccer USA
(SSUSA) is an amazing national organization (with International affiliations)
that provides a real-world framework of solutions for Homeless and At Risk
Youth. The San Francisco SSUSA has been
performing fantastic work for the local community for many years. In 2010 Chris Wondolowski connected with
SSUSA and became their National Spokesman as an outreach based on sports and
soccer resonated with Chris. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year we worked with SSUSA and the San Jose Earthquakes
(among others) to put on a Celebrity Soccer Match in the middle of Sunday’s
Tournament Finals. The venue was on top
of Union Square – where two Street Soccer fields were set against grandstands
and the beautiful backdrop of the St. Francis Hotel and the rest of the great
landmarks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
SSUSA, through its key pillars known as the 8 Street Soccer
Skills (Show Up, Play with Heart, Look Up, Take the Space, Build Your Triangle,
Praise Great Play, Play the Plan, Adjust the Plan), has built an impressive
record of successes in helping Homeless and positively developing at risk
youth. The Celebrity Players demonstrated
each of those key pillars on Sunday afternoon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before we get into the actual Player Ratings for the Celebrity
Match, here are the wonderful people who donated their time and their passion
to play in the game: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Chris Wondolowski Celebrity Soccer Match –
Playing for Social Change<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Joe Cannon – Former Professional Goalkeeper <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Chris Dangerfield – Former Professional Forward<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Todd Dunivant – Former Professional Defender<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Phil Ginsburg – Current Professional General
Manager of S.F. Recreation and Parks<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Jeremy Gunn – Stanford University Head Soccer
Coach<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Owen Nolan – Former Professional Hockey Player –
Captain San Jose Sharks<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Ted Ramey – KNBR On Air Personality<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Kate Scott – KNBR, Pac-12 Networks, Comcast
Sports, On Air Personality<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Danielle Slaton – US Women’s National Team
Player – World Cup and Olympics<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Tommy Thompson – San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Tim Hanley – Professional Soccer Coach<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->David Bingham – San Jose Earthquakes and US
National Team Goalkeeper<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Billy Knutsen – Former Professional Goalkeeper<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Q – San Jose Earthquakes Mascot<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The game was tied at halftime but then Team Wondo pulled
ahead in the second half and Team SSUSA could not claw their way back
successfully as Team Wondo won 12-9.
Here are the objective Player Ratings for the game (players rated on 1
to 10 scale with 10 being best) {It’s
not the first time these people have been subjected to these journalistic evil
ratings so they are used to it}<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris Wondolowski:
[5.5] – he started out in goal and that was a positional mistake as he
didn’t use his hands in the first several minutes. He was good at getting David Bingham’s shots
out of the back of the net. His field
work in the second half elevated his player rating – he and Tim Hanley waged a
serious battle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe Cannon: [8.0] –
Joe displayed his field skills and stayed away from goalkeeper (a common theme
you will see here) and he was busy filling up the net with his shots from the beginning. His great first half was impressive. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris Dangerfield:
[9.0] – There are two reasons why Danger gets the high rating … (1) He
is the television commentator for the Earthquakes games and I’d love it if he just
said nice things about my son and (2) His absolute BOMB to begin the second
half – {a rocket from his own half of the field that Tim Hanley had no chance
on} started Team Wondo on their huge second half run. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Todd Dunivant: [8.5] –
Todd brought the colorful shoes and the left foot that just scores Street
Soccer Goals. He was a goal-scoring
machine on Sunday afternoon and quickly learned the ins and outs of Street
Soccer Strategy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Phil Ginsburg: [9.5] – He scored goals, he helped provide
support from The City to SSUSA and he was there in person to show the support of
The City. And, as mentioned, he scored. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jeremy Gunn: [8.0] – An effective game from the Stanford Coach,
brought the cerebral dimension to his team on the pitch. Unlike just about every other player on the
field – he passed the ball frequently which stood out as unique. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Owen Nolan: [9.5] – Man of the Match – Owen Nolan quickly
fell into a comfort zone of staying on the offensive half of the field and
cherry picking the outlet passes to build up an impressive collection of goals. Even though his profession included knocking
around large men on ice skates – it was clearly not the first time he ever
dribbled a soccer ball. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ted Ramey: [7.5] – Not just a good afternoon from the man
with the microphone but also a good week with his on-air support for the
event. During the game he contributed with
great insights and context, perhaps going a bit too light on his on-air
partner. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kate Scott: [8.5] – Kate put in a solid shift and covered
more ground than all of the former (and current) goalkeepers combined. She played on both sides of the ball (a novel
approach in the game) and passed unselfishly (an even more novel approach in
the game). She was a bit thrown off at
half-time when she didn’t have a microphone chasing one of the players for an
interview – but she adjusted well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Danielle Slaton: [9.0] – Danielle showcased a magic left
foot married to an attitude that realized that the score was being
tracked. Her competitive fire combined
with some of the best soccer skills on the pitch to put on a clinic for both
teams. She also was a bit lost at
halftime without a microphone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tommy Thompson [7.5] – Tommy mixed in tremendous ball skills
and dribbling displays with an impressive array of errant shots that would
qualify him to be one of the Empire’s Soldiers in Star Wars. For those watching from the 7<sup>th</sup>
Floor of the St. Francis (I think room 732) – would you mind returning the ball
that Tommy shot at the final buzzer? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tim Hanley [8.0] – Coach Hanley put in a full shift – he had
Joe Cannon and David Bingham on his team but the line of those who wanted to
play Goalkeeper did not exist. Tim got a
great view of some good shots as well as equally great views of some not very
good shots that went by him. But – he did
win first, second, and third place in “Saves of the Game”. Those who play Goalkeeper in Street Soccer
always live to regret it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David Bingham [8.5] – Once David realized that he could
shoot the ball at a goal that was being guarded by Chris Wondolowski … it was
like he was dropping water balloons from the roof of the school administration
building --- one after another after another.
I did have a bit of a paternal instinct to go out there and save my son
from further embarrassment … but that feeling went away pretty quickly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Billy Knutsen [9.0] – Put simply – Billy saved his team and
gave it the victory. He stepped into
goal in the second half to relieve Wondo (who had become exhausted retrieving
the ball out of his own net). Billy made
some big saves that helped Team Wondo get out to their second half lead and
preserve it – and he was great on distribution. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Q [6.5] – The South Bay Blue Mascot had some great moments –
but dealing some of the San Francisco canines (specifically one German Shepard)
got the better of him a couple of times. High points for showing up – next time bring a
couple of dog treats though. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stephen Wondolowski [DNP] – Stephen didn’t get into the game
but showed up as a ready-reserve in case some of celebrity players were not
able to make it. Thanks for the support
of SSUSA. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rob Cann and Lawrence Cann [10.0] – The two brothers who
started Street Soccer USA and have made it their passion and mission are two of
the most inspiring young men you could ever meet. Seeing Union Square
transformed into a Street Soccer USA Showcase and seeing the organization’s
results makes us all proud. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-42318987535722467612016-05-21T15:45:00.003-07:002016-05-21T15:45:42.581-07:00When Love and Loyalty Intersect<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When Love and
Loyalty Intersect<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">At
the risk of getting too dramatic, the announcement yesterday about Chris’ new
contract with the Earthquakes is a fantastic testament to love, loyalty, and
doing business the way it should be done (in my opinion). The arc(s) of Chris’ career are, in many
ways, amazingly symmetrically balanced and, in all ways, improbably contrived
story book plots. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">On
Love – Chris was an Earthquakes fan long before he became an Earthquakes
player. Playing for the Earthquakes
affords him the opportunity of playing in front of friends and family – and in
addition he has shown that his definition of “friends and family” extend to
everyone who steps into the beautiful Avaya Stadium (especially those who sing
for the entire game). Being with the
Earthquakes allows his little Emersyn to waddle-run out at the end of the game and
jump into his arms while his wonderful wife and youngest daughter watch (Lindsey
doesn’t waddle-run she sprints and Brynlee doesn’t waddle, run, sprint, walk,
crawl, or do much at games other than bundle up). But the first thought I had when I knew the
new contract was a done-deal was that in a couple of years Emersyn and Brynlee
will both be sprinting out on the field trying to beat each other to their dad’s
arms. That is cool for a Grand-dude and
cool for all family and friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">On
Loyalty – One of the things about Chris that I am most proud is that he has
approached professional soccer with the mindset that he will do as well as he
possibly can, put the team first, passionately support the team and the community
… and the loyalty will be reciprocal. I
realize that is more of an ideal than a realistic strategy in today’s world –
but with the Quakes Ownership and the Quakes Management … it has been the best
strategy. The Quakes Management and
Ownership has been as fair to Chris as any player could wish for or expect. And,
as dad, I have to mention how proud I was yesterday when the Quakes did the
announcement about the new contract and Chris found out that he had made the
USMNT roster for the Copa next month … after all that he simply got in his car
and drove up to San Francisco to make two appearances for Street Soccer USA in
San Francisco. (more about Street Soccer
USA in a bit). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">On
Business – I would like to believe that you get paid/rewarded for the value you
create for an organization. You don’t live
more than a half-century without realizing that this belief is not consistently
fulfilled in the real world. But I still
cling to the belief that good business is win-win and appreciation of the value
that each side is able to offer (and has offered). In my view Chris’ business dealings in his
professional soccer life have always reinforced my idealistic belief. Maybe an agent could have crafted “better
deals” … but I don’t think so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">On
Career Arcs – the unlikely chance that Chris ever got to break into the MLS was
given to him by John Doyle (then Assistant Coach for San Jose) and Dominic
Kinnear (then Head Coach for San Jose).
Somehow, improbably, they offered Chris a professional contract as a
rookie. Then – more than 10 years later –
after relocation for Dominic, Chris, Quakes to Houston – and after the return
of Dominic, Chris, Quakes, John Doyle to San Jose – Chris is fulfilling a
professional dream and his father is living a soccer-loving-father’s
fantasy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">(WARNING
– A LITTLE BIT OF ADVERTISING HERE) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Finally
– on Street Soccer USA. (<a href="http://www.streetsoccerusa.org/">www.streetsoccerusa.org</a>). About 8 years ago Mrs. Wondo read an article
in the San Francisco Chronicle (sorry Elliott but it was not in the Merc) about
this organization that was using soccer as an outreach to homeless. This group had a remarkable success rate and
an amazing force of two brothers driving the organization. I reached out to the reporter who wrote the
story who put me in touch with Rob Cann (brother of Lawrence Cann – the other
amazing brother). We connected Chris and
SSUSA and the partnership has been great.
There were years where Chris and Lindsey donated $100 for each goal he
scored and Soccer Silicon Valley matched the contributions (along with other
fans). And each year Chris will find his
way up to San Francisco a few evenings and meet with the soon-to-be-not-homeless-people
in the SSUSA program and play with them at their Street Soccer Training. SSUSA
believes “sports can be a primary tool in building safe, healthy communities,
where everyone has a place to call home”.
I think we can all agree that there is not one cure-all for homeless and
anything that works is a thing that should be treasured and nurtured. SSUSA works. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
can tell you from personal experience that three years ago at the SSUSA Cup in
San Francisco Mrs. Wondo put together a corporate team from her company and
yours truly put together a corporate team from his company. We both played in the SSUSA Corporate Cup and
had tremendous fun. But we also enjoyed
watching the SSUSA players who were just inspirational – the entire
organization is honestly – the most inspirational team that I have ever
seen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Please
consider visiting <a href="http://www.streetsoccerusa.org/">www.streetsoccerusa.org</a>
and put together your own team to compete at their Cup in Union Square on July
16<sup>th</sup> and July 17<sup>th</sup>.
If you can come by on Sunday July 17<sup>th</sup> – the Earthquakes are
teaming with Chris to put together a celebrity Street Soccer Game at 2pm in
Union Square. Even if you go to watch –
I promise you will leave with a smile on your face and happy you went. But go to play and watch – and maybe your team
will win the championship of their bracket (like my team did by beating Mrs.
Wondo’s team in the final). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-15121870842195169702016-04-25T20:07:00.000-07:002016-04-25T20:07:04.052-07:00Soccer Dad Weekend - and What do they feed them in St. Louis? <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>MLS Thoughts – St. Louis Products<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This past weekend was a great dad soccer weekend, not the first
one I have ever had and I hope it will not be the last one. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The San Jose Earthquakes played Sporting Kansas City at San
Jose’s wonderful fairly new stadium on a pretty nice Sunday afternoon. While the Golden State Warriors were playing
Houston in the NBA playoffs, this father sat in the stands and watched the
soccer game – only his Warriors hat showing that he was missing the basketball
game. From time to time … a couple of
granddaughters perched on his lap (which doesn’t make you feel young but sure
makes life fun). <o:p></o:p></div>
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A couple of things happened that afternoon that made me
reflect on how the real parts of life exist everywhere because that is why they
call it life. It could be professional
sports or recreational softball and the things that connect are really rooted
similarly. <o:p></o:p></div>
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At some point in the second half of the soccer game my phone
started buzzing. Many of my friends
who were watching the game on ESPN (and no doubt mostly watching the Warriors
and/or Giants … or possibly The History Channel but at least during commercials
switching to the soccer game) texted me telling me that the ESPN announcers
were telling the story about when Chris made it to MLS and I told him that I
thought he could ‘be like Taylor Twellman’.
The ESPN translation on air was close but a little off and probably
because they got the story from my son who has perfected the skill of barely
listening to me over the years. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Not that anyone really cares, but I have the keyboard so I’ll
go ahead and elaborate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Taylor Twellman was the most potent goal scorer in Major
League Soccer history. In professional
sports where players change teams as often as homeowners change their smoke
alarm batteries, Taylor Twellman never changed teams. The New England Revolution appreciated this
St. Louis product so much that he played his entire career with one team. In the process he scored 101 goals with a
goal production rate of 0.60 goals per 90 minutes. To put that in perspective, nobody with more
than 75 goals has produced goals at that rate.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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I used to watch Taylor drift off his defender when the ball
was across the field, circle around and then make a purposeful run (without the
ball and without the defender) into the penalty box in order to receive a pass
that he could shoot on goal. I saw him
do this better than anyone else who was playing. I also saw him create with the ball at his
feet and run by defenders with the ball.
So when Chris was signed by the San Jose Earthquakes … when he was
unknown and possibly just a body to fill a uniform at training … I told him
that I thought if he worked hard he could be like Taylor Twellman. I suspect that in February 2005 I was
probably the only one with this theory.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The thing about being a father is that you say a lot of
things that you don’t really believe but that you think you should say because everyone
tells you that you need to be positive.
Well, I was probably just being positive but WOW. I would have never imagined that Chris would have
10% of the goals that Taylor scored … much less more goals than Taylor
scored. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It might have been an amazing coincidence that in the very
first regular season game that the San Jose Earthquakes played after Chris made
the roster – they played New England at Spartan Stadium in San Jose. (Chris didn't score but Taylor did). <o:p></o:p></div>
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The other part of Sunday was catching up with another
amazing St. Louis soccer superstar. Brad
Davis has been Chris’ close friend ever since Chris entered the league. They have continued their very close
friendship – with wives and children – through a franchise relocation and a
couple of trades. One of the best
personal memories of the World Cup in Brazil for me was that Brad and Chris were both
on the team and we were able to spend a lot of time with the Davis family. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Last night we were able to catch up with Brad and there may
be no more underrated player in MLS history.
Chris is 4<sup>th</sup> in MLS in goals and I could not be prouder. But Brad is 3<sup>rd</sup> in MLS all time
for number of Assists. Brad has 122
assists – he is only 14 behind Landon Donovan for the most number of assists in
a career. Brad is very likely to be the
all-time MLS Assist Leader by the end of next year. On top of all that amazing passing – Brad has
56 goals. That offensive production puts
him among the all-time elites in Major League Soccer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Brad and Chris (and Heather and Lindsey) have been friends
for many years. They owned homes across
the street from each other in Houston and Heather used to chase down and
retrieve Gattuso whenever he escaped (which was often). Seeing Chris and Brad together last night
made me feel good – that friendships transcend things like trying to trip each
other when you are both at work. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Pretty cool soccer dad weekend. Back in the day my soccer dad weekends
involved driving 5 hour round trips to tournaments in Fresno. I appreciate my new soccer dad weekends. <o:p></o:p></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-73843478288167483072016-03-02T19:55:00.001-08:002016-03-02T19:55:51.350-08:00Just Being a Dad - Heading into another MLS Season --- nothing to see here, you can move along<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>FULL DISCLOSURE:</b> this is very much a personal blog that
reflects on many years enjoying my son play professional soccer. This will almost certainly offer no wonderful
insights into anything … and will likely be simply a cathartic essay that any
dad would do when his son grows up, has child(ren), and tries to settle into
his profession. So – no reason to read this or flame me … this is pretty much
just a personal thing that (by intent) ends up on the Internet. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The MLS 2016 season begins this weekend and, amazingly –
improbably – surprisingly – Chris Wondolowski is prepared to enter his 12<sup>th</sup>
season as an MLS player. He is very
fortunate to have played for only 3 head coaches (and by my estimation the 3
best head coaches). He is even more
fortunate to have started with Dominic Kinnear and now be back again with
Dominic Kinnear (more on that later). He
is tremendously fortunate to be with his home-town franchise that has built an
amazing stadium and management/ownership team that has put together what I
believe is a fantastic team heading into 2016.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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So – how does a dad who devoted significant portions of his
life playing, coaching, and watching soccer process the fact that his son is
entering his 12<sup>th</sup> year as an MLS player? Truth is – I can’t process it. This is so far beyond my wildest imagination
that I simply cannot get my head around it.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some nostalgia: in Chris’
first year, in training camp before he ever was offered a contract, he and I
would talk every day on the phone and every day I would tell him: “work your ass off and keep your mouth shut”. And then he got signed – he was told in an
airport gate coming back home that he was going to be signed to a Developmental
Contract and he called me and it still will be one of the top 20 days of my
life. That first year he worked his way
up to the 18 man roster and made a road trip to Columbus – I went to watch him
(think Southwest Airlines to Columbus ... that's not the most direct flight you'll ever take) – and he didn’t get into the game BUT the Quakes
won. I think either Ronald Cerritos or
Alejandro Moreno got the goal (they may both claim it now) – it made it a good trip. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I had to look at the sjearthquakes.com website to actually
count how many years Chris has played (isn’t that a great thing for a dad?) –
and I saw that he has 23 assists in his career … and 25 yellow cards. We all know that over 90% of those yellow
cards are because he can’t keep his mouth shut on the field with the referee. You can all blame me for that – that is what
we call “modeled behavior” (unfortunately - sorry). <o:p></o:p></div>
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To watch my son grow as a player and a man under the
management of Dominic Kinnear, Frank Yallop, and Mark Watson – is probably the
most rewarding thing I could ever imagine.
I believe every dad has his limitations – but when Chris is able to fill
in my fatherly-limitations with mentors like Dominic Kinnear, Frank Yallop, and
Mark Watson???? How great is that? Throw in all the fantastic assistant coaches
(Spencer, Tim, Steve, Ian, etc) – and the USA coaches (Bob and Jurgen with
their amazing assistants) … and I sit in awe and appreciation at the full life
of learning that my son has enjoyed in his last 11+ years. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So we head into the 2016 season. Chris gets to play with some of the best
players he has ever played with – at every position. But I get to watch and enjoy. We all know that the sands are always
slipping through the hourglass … but as the lower part of the hourglass is
collecting the majority of the sand – it tends to make us appreciate the
current season more. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Go Quakes – we are blessed with a solid 2016 team and the
best stadium in the league. I am blessed
to go to the games with my beautiful wife – fantastic daughter in law,
crazy/gorgeous granddaughter, her soon-to-be sister, and my other sons and
daughters (and their less-crazy granddaughters) … HOW
FREAKING GREAT IS THAT???? What a dream come true. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Final thought – by the way --- the extended Wondo Family
totals about 10 season tickets for the Quakes.
I want to extend that to 20 next year. Mrs. Wondo and I will be in the front row at BC9 section at Avaya Stadium for as long as the Quakes are playing. <o:p></o:p></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-88436896193683659772015-09-25T20:18:00.002-07:002015-09-25T20:18:45.760-07:00Wondo Boys Fantasy Football ... and random sports stuff<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Wondo Family and Friends NFL Fantasy Football Update<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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We are two weeks
into the 2015 Wondo Family and Friends Fantasy Football League and there is
already a lot of action. First of all –
we added two new Wondo Friends as expansion teams (welcome Mike and Droid) –
second of all (just to catch everyone up) The Fighting Basset Hounds are the
reigning league champions. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So far … very
early into this season … it has been another opportunity for a father to be proud. Both Chris (Wear that Green Lacy Thing) and
Steve (L.A. Brown-Rice) have won their first two games. And Matt (Discount Double Check) was edged
out in his second game but is still 1-1.
The Fighting Basset Hounds have shown tremendous resiliency in dealing
with setback after setback (Dez Bryant injury, Deflategate… Jeremy Hill
forgetting how to hold a football) and while their record does not reflect
their character --- their character is in first place. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Quakes Playoffs<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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It is great to be
pressing for a playoff spot in the closing weeks of the season. I have long said that the way MLS is --- if
you can put 3 wins together then you change everything as far as your place in
the standings. This would be the point
in the season when putting 3 wins together would be a pretty good move. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Avaya Stadium is
so great – it would be absolutely wonderful to have a playoff game at Avaya in
its inaugural year. I also think it
might be so loud that the passengers on the jets landing at SJC would be
complaining when they get off the plane. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Random (mostly sports) Thoughts<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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MLS MVP: Kei Kamara …
no doubt in my mind – great kid, great attitude, and amazing ability. <o:p></o:p></div>
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MLS Rookie of the Year … most think it has to be Cyle Larin –
and it is hard to argue against that --- unless you have seen Fatai Alashe game
after game – and in person. If I could
pick any rookie to be on my team (and I love goals) – it would be Fatai.<o:p></o:p></div>
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FAVORITE DAD MOMENTS IN SEPTEMBER (so far) …<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Going to Raider Home opener with by three boys
and hooking up with the Moody major-tailgate.
Game was tough – but anytime a guy can be with his three boys???? And talking
about the same topic in the same way??? – pretty cool. And the Raiders have a 1 game winning streak which I like to call - RETURN TO EXCELLENCE. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Seeing my son on the coaching staff bench during
a Division I College Game. That made me
smile – what a great accomplishment. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Seeing all of my sons start out their fantasy
NFL Football year well. God knows I didn’t
have that experience to savor last year … it gives me hope for the next
generation. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-74822013941512335252015-07-04T17:20:00.001-07:002015-07-04T17:20:30.439-07:00Soccer Dad's Thoughts - as the Summer Begins<div class="MsoNormal">
I have spent the majority of my life as a
soccer dad. I try not to think of my age
too much – but the simple math is that for more than half of my life I have
been a soccer dad. We “Soccer Dads” don’t
get to be called a political voting group like “Soccer Moms” … but if you hang
with it long enough – you may get to go through what I have gone through
lately. <o:p></o:p></div>
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With three boys and coaching each since
they were 6 years old (fortunately for them abdicating that role once they
reached 14 years old) – I drove my share of minivans and SUV’s to tournaments
hundreds of miles away --- and then cleaned out the cars late on Sunday
evenings when we finally got home. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now compare that to now when I get to
travel with the US Team families in Brazil, I get to sit at Avaya Stadium – 40 minutes
from my house – and watch my oldest play.
I get to watch my son, Stephen coach the Earthquakes Academy teams, and
so much more. My soccer dad life today
is something I could have never imagined and something that I will be forever
eternally grateful. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But I don’t mind thinking back to Sunday
evenings when I was cleaning out the car and fishing French Fries out from
underneath the seats so that I could drive my commute down to work on Monday
morning in a car that was not a rolling junk yard after a weekend tournament
that included 400 miles and an overnight in a charming motel in Fresno. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Today – I was thinking about my life as a
soccer dad. A role that has lasted
longer than most roles I have ever played in my life. And last night I watched my oldest son score
his 10<sup>th</sup> goal for the United States Team in International
Competition. Most people would say it
was not the most brilliant of goals – but most people would not be talking
about their son scoring his 10<sup>th</sup> goal for the United States Team in
International Competition. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Chris’ first goal in soccer probably happened
about 3 minutes into an Under-8 game when I had him playing Under-8 at barely 6
years old. But for reasons that only I
will ever understand – this 10<sup>th</sup> goal for the United States Team in
International Competition is my favorite.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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But the point to this blog (if it had a
point at all) … is that last night as I went to sleep I started thinking about those Sunday nights
of pulling all of the stuff out of the car after a weekend tournament – and
realizing now what I should have realized then --- the wise soccer dads embrace
those times because they will be some of the best memories they will ever
have. More than the goals and more than the
wins … the crazy routine family moment matter – to everyone involved. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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And … because my son Matt always tells me
that (a) he does not read what I write and (b) he is never mentioned. He was our star goalkeeper for the Mustang
White Buffaloes when we won State Cup 14 years ago. Shutout 2-0.
Chris and I were the coaches and we rode Matt to the championship ---
well, like a Buffalo. <o:p></o:p></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-32251465741025653302015-06-15T20:48:00.003-07:002015-06-15T20:48:49.089-07:00Warriors or Quakes - and Why Being a Father Makes That an Easy Choice<div class="MsoNormal">
The Wondo household (at least the male contingent) has
always been (a) interested in all sports all the time and (b) ardent supporters
of the local teams. With that thought … I
offer the current dilemma of the Warriors playing tomorrow night in a game
where we hope they win their first NBA Championship in 40 years – versus the
Earthquakes Open Cup Game. For me, there
is no dilemma. I saw the Warriors beat
the Bullets in a clean sweep when I was in grade school. In fact, I saw their coach get in a fight on
the court during one of the games … so I’ve seen it all. But I have not seen the Earthquakes play
Sacramento in the Open Cup in my entire life – so I will be in my usual seat
watching my favorite team. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Of course,
finding someone around the Wondo household who will go with me to the
Earthquakes game has become about as difficult as winning a header against
Clarence Goodson. It looks like I am
flying solo but hopefully will hook up with The Best Thing to Ever Happen to Chris and The Little Diva and we can sit together. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It makes me think
about being a dad (it is Father’s Day coming up for anyone who hasn’t rushed
out and purchased a bbq utensil for their dad yet). Nobody ever really told you the truth about
being a dad … for some reason there is this perpetual cycle of dads who
spread this one-sided story that being a dad is just absolutely rainbows
and butterflies. I think it would be unfair
for me to say that I have not seen my share of rainbows and butterflies – from each
of my three sons and two step-daughters.
But I have given up a piece of my sports heritage in the process. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One time, a few
years ago I was at a Quakes game where Chris ended up scoring a hat-trick
against Chivas USA. It was great –
except … the Giants were playing a playoff game that same night and I spent the
night shifting between the Quakes game and the Giants playoff game. Only to jump up and down when I checked and
the Giants won and those sitting next to me said: “Dude – that was on the scoreboard five
minutes ago”. I just said: “Oh, thanks, I guess I was too wrapped up in
this soccer game.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Last year, Chris looked
at me in pre-game warmups to give him a sign on how the Giants were doing ---
unfortunately I gave him a thumbs down (because we just popped up with two outs
and runners in scoring position in the 8<sup>th</sup> inning). He took that to mean that we lost – the G-men
ended up winning. I failed as the
messenger. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Fortunately –
with the Giants and A’s successes … and now the Dubs successes … there have
been many times that I have been at a Quakes game and been somewhat distracted
by post-season games for our other teams.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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My point to all
of this babble? … no point really –
except that I would love to watch the Dubs tomorrow night … but nowhere near as
much as I will love watching the Quakes tomorrow night. It’s great when it looks like fatherly-sacrifice
… but it is nothing even remotely like sacrifice. And last Father’s Day??? Oh … I was
sacrificing in Natal, Brazil with my two oldest sons ready to watch the USA
play Ghana the next night … so that perpetual cycle of dads who spread this
story about being a dad is absolutely rainbows and butterflies – I’m now one of
them. (And – I need to mention my youngest son Matt because he always tells me
that (a) he never reads what I write and (b) I never mention him). And being his dad has also been rainbows and butterflies. <o:p></o:p></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-18969981027482485642015-05-25T15:58:00.000-07:002015-05-25T15:58:21.149-07:00100 Goals ... Wow<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris Wondolowski
scored his 100<sup>th</sup> goal in Major League Soccer yesterday and it made
his father tremendously proud. The thing
about a Penalty Kick, when your son is taking the Penalty Kick, is that there
is a short process … but a long enough process to make a dad completely nervous
and crazy. When Jordan Stewart earned
the penalty, I promised myself that I would not jump out of my seat and thrust
both arms into the air if Chris scored (basically I promised myself that I
would not make a fool of myself). That
promise went into the category labeled unfulfilled unfortunately (sorry people
who have to sit next to me). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I wish we won the
game, but it ended up being about the most enjoyable evening after a home game
tie that I have ever had. Mrs. Wondo got
a cake and Chris brought A Pequena Chefona and the Best Thing to Ever Happen to
Him (his wife Lindsey) – along with his mother in law and David Bingham for a
low-key celebration. Even though it was
low-key it was pretty fun for this blog writer.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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In sports,
numbers of specific outcomes become milestones for careers. In baseball, 500 home runs or 3000 hits
become significant milestones. In
football, 100 touchdowns or 10,000 yards gained become milestones. In Major League Soccer, at least for goal
production, 100 goals is a significant milestone. As a father who also happens to be a lifelong
soccer fan, to see my son’s name in the record books next to Edson Buddle,
Taylor Twellman, and Dwayne DeRosario is honestly something that is hard for me
to comprehend. To see him do this for
the team that I used to drive him and his brothers to watch when they were
young – is beyond comprehension for me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So yesterday I
watched my oldest son reach a professional sports milestone that ended up being
much more emotional for me than I would have ever imagined. Maybe spending a few years traveling the
country to watch him sit on the bench, warm up, and usually not go into the
game ended up making his eventual success a sweeter accomplishment than it
otherwise should have been to me. After
all, I was the guy who told Chris when he made the Earthquakes roster his
rookie season that he could be Taylor Twellman (it is amazing how skewed a man’s
opinion can get when the subject is the capability of his offspring). To see him reach this milestone with Dominic Kinnear as his coach was really special ... to have Mark Watson in attendance on the opposite bench is bittersweet - but great. I imagine Frank Yallop might have been watching ... and I hope those three coaches took as much pride as I did in the moment ... they did the navigation, I only did the spectating. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 100 goal milestone
for me, and I suspect for Chris, really is a measurement of his longevity in
the league. That is relevant because
the most important thing to any professional athlete is to be respected by his
teammates and trusted by his coaches. When
you get to hang around a league for enough years to score 100 goals, I believe
that is an indicator of a player’s success in achieving that most important
thing. The fact that 96 of those goals
have been scored for the Earthquakes is hopefully an indicator that he has
earned the respect of his teammates, the trust of his coaches, the endorsement
of the team’s management, and the support of the fan base who sacrifice their
time and money to support the team. No
man could ask for more than that – as a player or as a father. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know what
is next, but I will be there watching the future unfold. There is the next goal that ties him with the
best pure forward ever to play in MLS (Taylor Twellman). Or, coincidentally his 100<sup>th</sup> goal
with the Earthquakes that would tie him with his former teammate, mentor, and
friend Dwayne DeRosario. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will finish with
some inside family information. Lindsey
keeps Chris down to earth and I think Chris is a pretty humble guy to begin
with … together they are a delightfully humble couple. But I believe that skips a generation. A Pequena Chefona has seemed to grow quite
comfortable with the spotlight (my wife and I simply call her Diva now). If you ever see The Diva on television or at
the stadium with Chris holding her … just know that 50% of that is because she
is madly in love with her daddy and 50% of that is because she is madly in love
with the spotlight. I am hoping that The Diva's enjoyment of the spotlight will be good positive motivation for continued success. <o:p></o:p></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-10836300609944061642015-05-17T17:27:00.000-07:002015-05-17T17:27:09.961-07:0099 Goals - Purely from a Father's Perspective<div class="MsoNormal">
From a father’s standpoint, 99 goals in a professional
soccer career creates three issues in your mind that are really hard to get
your head around. First, the fact that
your son has played soccer for a living long enough to score that many goals. That was my dream for me, and just about any
boy’s dream for himself, and now a dream come true for Chris. Truly a blessed career. Second is the fact that the 100 goal
milestone is now 1 minute, 1 game, 1000 minutes, 20 games, or even a season
away. In fact, it could never happen –
this same guy who is now a Top Ten MLS Goal Scorer of All Time – netted only 2
in his first four seasons that included 8 starts and more than 600 minutes of
playing time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, as the best
pure-forward that every played in Major League Soccer (Taylor Twellman) says
from time-to-time … ‘right place, right time’.
It would appear that there actually is something to ‘being in the right
place at the right time’ and doing it 99 times is probably more than a
collection of lucky moments. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I should point
out that 99 goals do not happen by one person being in the right place at the
right time … you need a coaching staff and 27 other guys on the team to make
that particular place and time a goal-scoring opportunity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Following my son
for 11 seasons has been a magical experience.
When I think about the fact that he started by signing a contract that
paid him less than $1000 per month, there is something to be said for following
your passion and pursuing your dream. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This has
surpassed the wildest father’s dream that could have ever been dreamt. I saw two of my sons playing together with the
Houston Dynamo (of course that was early Sunday mornings in Reserve Games … but
pretty cool nonetheless). I have been
able to see him play in person in just about every MLS City over the past 11
years. I went from (pre-soccer) not
liking Houston to absolutely loving the city and the people (that alone was something
that I would have never predicted). My
favorite moment is a night in Charleston when a goal in stoppage time tied the
game for the Houston Dynamo against the Charleston Battery in an Open Cup Game. That goal was scored by my son Stephen and his
brother Chris was the first to jump on top of him in celebration. That’s a pretty cool dad experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Chris was
drafted by the Earthquakes ... he found out when he was walking on campus at
college in between classes. He found out
from a long-time friend who had also been drafted by the Earthquakes. He drove home from college, began to try-out,
ended up getting a roster spot, and started his career. Only to have his world change significantly
when in December after his first season in San Jose he was told that he could
move to Houston if he wanted to – and try to gain a roster spot the next season
in Houston. So he did … but … without
the best thing that ever happened to him – his future wife Lindsey stayed in
California to get additional education and teaching credentials. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately for Chris,
Lindsey eventually followed him to Houston and they got married. They bought a nice home near Houston and were
establishing a life together. Chris’
brother Stephen was signed by the Houston Dynamo and the boys were able to have
what is probably a brothers’ dream of playing professionally together. And then … Chris was traded to San Jose. They had the house in Houston – Lindsey had
her career there – and now it was back to California. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
NOBODY on planet
earth would have ever written the next chapter in the young Wondo Family’s
lives. Chris thrived – Lindsey moved
back to California – and eventually they were able to settle into their own
home in the East Bay and create Emersyn.
(Add to that – Stephen now coaches for the San Jose Earthquakes Academy …
and things have worked out pretty well).
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So … this dad
that used to fly to Houston to watch Chris play in Sunday Morning Reserve Games
– now gets to sit at the most beautiful soccer stadium I have ever seen – with my
granddaughter on my lap – and watch Chris score his 99<sup>th</sup> goal right
in front of us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Obviously I hope
he gets to 100 soon … but what a fool I would be to not simply relish 99 goals
and what those have meant in the twists and turns in his life. And how great it has been to have a pretty
good seat to all of it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-59773884009312544412014-12-21T08:51:00.000-08:002014-12-21T08:51:10.233-08:00Urging North Korea to Use their Cyber-capabilities for Good-Not Evil<div class="MsoNormal">
With professional
soccer in the United States on a break – we can turn to pressing world events: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The United States
says that North Korea hacked Sony Pictures in order to prevent “The Interview”
from being released and viewed. North
Korea says that they are not responsible.
While at some levels this resembles most family discussions when trying
to pin blame on just which child might have had a hand in relocating the
goldfish from the aquarium to the bathtub – I choose to look at this wonderful
power that North Korea has developed and wonder what would happen if it was
used for good and not evil. I urge North Korea to look beyond the usual
International Hot Buttons like Hollywood Comedies. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I, therefore,
with tongue firmly in cheek – offer these five targets to the North Korean
Cyber-Attack-Apparatus. If the North
Koreans take my advice – they will actually be furthering the cause for world
harmony by hacking and then causing these targets to pull their performances
from the public. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OPRAH: - I don’t get Oprah and I confess that I never
will. However I suspect that at some
point in the future she may be planning to turn all of her O-Zombie followers
into a disastrous cult determined to give free cars away to every female on
planet earth. I live in Danville where
the downtown becomes as dangerous as a war zone after school pick up when all
of the moms in town drive their huge Escalades and talk on the phone at the
same time while picking off pedestrian after pedestrian without noticing. I don’t wish that on all of us and I would
like North Korea to hack Oprah’s production company in order to shield us from
a world of danger. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
JUSTIN BIEBER: - Enough
said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
THE OAKLAND
RAIDERS: - Please hack the Oakland Raiders and threaten them until the front
office pulls the team from production and we don’t have to sit through any more
dismal games. I know this is stretching
it – but if they could also get Reggie McKenzie to become the General Manager
for the Broncos, Chargers, and Chiefs … all at the same time … that would be
great as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
THE WATER PEOPLE:
- These are all the professionals whose job it is to be interviewed on the news
immediately after a rainstorm to tell us that the drought is not over and the
snow is too dry. I’m not saying the
drought is over – but I am saying that I have not seen the sun for 73 days and
I have never enjoyed hearing that the snow is too dry when it somehow is always
able to soak through to my socks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
THE GROCERY BAG
POLICE: - Now we have to take our own bags to the grocery store or risk being
summarily executed while standing in the Express Line. I don’t call that an advanced society – I get
that plastic bags at grocery stores are posing an existential risk to our very
being – but they sure are convenient.
Going to Safeway is tough enough with the fact that by the time you get
back to your car you’ve signed 27 voter’s petitions and given money away to at
least 3 charities (while avoiding eye contact with 11 other solicitors)… now we
have to do all of that while saving the planet with our own reusable bags. Grocery shopping has become difficult. <o:p></o:p></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-47036384054271835342014-11-18T18:39:00.003-08:002014-11-18T18:39:26.048-08:00What I Have Learned ... Being a Father of a Professional Athlete<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>What I Have Learned From: <o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><u>Being a Father of a
Professional Athlete<o:p></o:p></u></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing about
getting old that you only learn by getting old … is that the advice you have to
offer from years of experience as a man, husband, father, divorced husband,
step-father, and all other roles along that long journey … has no interested
audience. Trust me – I am not
complaining … it’s not like I have any wisdom at all … but it is a dynamic of
our current lifestyle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being blessed
with three sons and two step-daughters I have come to realize quite a bit. Chalk it up to the incredible amount of
teaching and advice that is only a click away … or maybe this generation is not
any different from previous generations.
I adore our five children and am so incredibly proud of them, but, I was
surprised to learn that they knew everything about being an adult before
actually becoming an adult --- everything about being married before actually
being married --- everything about being a parent before actually being a
parent ---- and fortunately for Joanne and me --- they have always been
incredibly unselfish in their willingness to share their wisdom with us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that in
mind, I am going to seize on the opportunity to possibly write about something
that even my children are not yet experts in:
Lessons from being a parent of a professional athlete. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Television broadcasters are amazingly bi-polar …
they are either far too effusive in their praise or far too critical in their
judgment. But you learn that is what
they get paid to do and you appreciate the fact that you can watch your son
play soccer on television instead of freezing your ass off in the stands at
some rainy and muddy stadium/field/patch of weeds. I also have a ‘system’ – I listen and agree to
the effusive-praise broadcasters and mumble that the critical broadcasters are
clearly idiots. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Being a sports fan --- I criticize players from
time to time (for crying out loud I am a die-hard Oakland Raiders fan …
criticism in now in my DNA). When I sit
at a stadium and fans start ripping on my son – I have learned to just smile
and be glad that he is a topic of conversation.
My wife however … has not quite learned that skill … I don’t think she
ever will. (Wait until he starts
coaching – she will not be able to go to the games with me at that point). If you ever sat at Earthquake games and a lady
in front of you shot you a look that made you quiver --- that was my wife and
you were talking sh@t about Chris … sorry … that was me sitting next to her and
I was cool with it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Watching your son play – either in person or on
television is so intense that I cannot even imagine how it could be done before
big screen HD. Trust me – in soccer on
television – picking each player out from a wide-angle shot of the field
becomes a learned skill. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Watching your son play – either in person or on
television is so intense that you end up with only a very small circle of
friends who are even allowed to sit in the room and watch with you. And those friends do not include people who
ask a lot of questions. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Your son/daughter will have good games and not
so good games … no athlete has ever had only good games. The age old advice is to not get too high on
the good and not get too low on the bad … but my advice is == celebrate the good
like freaking crazy and don’t get too low on the bad. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->I stopped offering critical advice to my son
many, many years ago. I now tell him how
proud I am of him after every single game no matter what happened in the game. Frequently he will tell me to shut up because
they lost or he didn’t do well … but come on people – how could you not be
proud of your son going out there and playing his heart and soul out???? Now … if he ever was mean to a spectator or didn’t
respect the game --- he and I would have a different conversation. – (I do look
the other way when his on-field intensity gets extremely strong … but his wife doesn’t
look the other way so I know that gets criticized at home). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->For a couple of years I had two sons playing
professionally together … watching them on the field together was the best part
of my professional-fatherly life. My
younger son, Stephen, once scored a tying goal in the last minute of an US Open
Cup Game in Charleston … to watch Chris go over and jump on top of him was my
favorite professional fatherly moment of all time … and I dare say will always
be. I wish that feeling of that one
moment in time for every father --- and it does not have to come from
professional sports – I am so fortunate to have traveled to Charleston that
week in July to be able to take that in.
Well worth all of the 5am departures from home on Saturday morning to
drive to Buzzards Breath, California or some other crazy place to get to an 8am
tournament game … and ….freeze your ass off on the sideline of some weed patch
drinking lukewarm coffee. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-39623782981017864792014-10-20T21:07:00.003-07:002014-10-20T21:07:25.409-07:00Goodbye to Buck Shaw ... Raiders Football ... and Wondo Fantasy Football Update (Spoiler Alert - I'm winning)<div class="MsoNormal">
I really enjoyed
watching Chris play with the National Team the past two weeks … their results
could have been a little bit better but I have such fondness for those guys and
that team and it was great seeing Chris getting the privilege to wear the US
Badge again. But we have even more
relevant items to blog about on this Award-Winning – yet recently neglected –
Blog. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>BUCK SHAW IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR:</u><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last Saturday
night I walked out of Buck Shaw Stadium with a small twinge of fond
memories. It is a miserable place to go
to a professional soccer game but it is a wonderful place to watch a
professional soccer game. Beyond all of
that- my fatherly-soccer-memories will always be Buck Shaw Centric. I was fortunate enough to have so many
personal memories there that will stay with me forever. I have enormous appreciation for all the fans
that stuck it out at Buck Shaw and we all look forward to the new John A. Wondolowski
Stadium @ SJC (people are starting to call it JDUB@SJC). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Best memory ever
at Buck Shaw???? – I have too many fatherly memories and I don’t want to bore
anyone with that … I have a tie for first place that is not totally
Wondo-Centric. The night we clinched the
Supporter’s Shield – after the game the Players really showed a close love with
the fans … and Lenny Wig Night – because I wish I was the one who invented that
night –the concept and the finish. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>RAIDERS … WAIT Till NEXT YEAR<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Wondo Family
have been Raiders fans forever … even including a couple of years when they
decided to play in Los Angeles. The family
has season tickets thanks to Aunt Wondo – and the Wondo Boys go to virtually
every game. So it was great this past
Sunday when Chris was able to be a guest of the Raiders and kick field goals on
the field at half time. He did OK
kicking field goals in his running shoes (Quakes fans would have been proud) –
but he essentially was the warm up act for the frisbee dogs. Nevertheless we had a blast and A Pequena
Chefona enjoyed sitting in the suite and providing crumbs in the carpet for the
janitorial crew. Chris drilled 45 yard
field goals and Grand-Dude fed Chefona in the Suite. Great seeing Sam Cronin
and Jason Hernandez there as well – they didn’t boo Chris’ 55 Yard Field Goal
attempt that missed short by a yard or two as loudly as Chris’ brother did. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>FANTASY FOOTBALL<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just a quick
update on the Wondo Boys Fantasy Football League … that includes my three sons,
myself, my two sons in law, and two close FoW (Friends of Wondo). Long story a little shorter – one guy is in
first place at 6-1 (Oh – that would be me) and everyone else is so far behind
that it hurts my feelings to think that they are my offspring, sons in law, and
close friends. I suspect they are trying
– but I cannot prove that based upon demonstrated performance. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is the
result of our Fantasy Football League … nobody in the family is talking to me
(the sons in law have Joanne in their camp) … and yet – no matter what I do I
just keep winning. In some ways it is a
curse to be this good at Fantasy Football but – I am learning to live with that
curse. <o:p></o:p></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-26719269200145887952014-10-06T21:15:00.001-07:002014-10-06T21:15:18.945-07:00Cal Football Defense - Saying Goodbye to Buck Shaw Stadium - and Fantasy Football Update<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Cal Defense – Saying Goodbye to Buck Shaw Stadium – and Fantasy
Football Update<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>University of California Golden Bears – and What They do
When the Other Team Has the Ball<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As an Old Blue
(UC Berkeley Alumni) – there have been precious few times in a football season
when my alma mater is 4-1 and their one loss came on a Hail Mary pass as the
last play of the game. However I can say
that, while I am happy about our record, I cannot believe that there is a FBS
team at 4-1 that has chosen to rest all of their players when their defense
would normally be on the field. You have
to go way back to --- well … I guess only last year actually … -- to see a
defense that looks similar in that their mission is to get off the field quickly
after yielding a touchdown as quickly as possible. It is disheartening – but (cynically) it may
show what you have to do if you want to increase graduation rates. I love my Bears --- but I think we should
on-side kick after every score and just go for fourth down every single time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Goodbye Santa Clara University – Buck Shaw Stadium – Home
of the San Jose Earthquakes<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not a fan of
Buck Shaw Stadium – although to be fair I have said many times that it is a great
place to actually watch a game because it is kind of like it is being played in
your back yard. If you have ever been to Stubbs BBQ for a concert in Austin, Texas ... You'll agree that Buck Shaw is to soccer what Stubbs BBQ is to concerts. But it is not a
professional stadium and when they stop fans from entering or exiting because
the guy carrying the cones from the visiting team is walking by … that is
beyond rinky-dink. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In just a couple
of weeks the Earthquakes will play their final game at Buck Shaw Stadium as
they prepare to move to their own new stadium by the San Jose Airport. And … despite the fact that I have never been
a fan of Buck Shaw Stadium … looking back I am a fan of Buck Shaw Stadium. Because it has given me special Dad moments
there. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->First MLS goal that I saw Chris score in person<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Goal that Chris scored to set an Earthquakes all-time
scoring record<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Goal that Chris scored and then came over and
kissed A Pequena Chefona<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Being able to be so close and enjoy the Ultras (Chefona dances to their songs) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Having an intimate soccer experience that most
dads will never have <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->(I still don’t like the place … but wow has it
given me great memories) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Fantasy Football Update<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Fighting Basset
Hounds are now 4 wins 1 loss in the Wondo Family Fantasy Football League. Of the 8 teams in the league … the Fighting
Basset Hounds find themselves at the “top of the table” as soccer people like
to say. In addition – through the first
5 weeks – no team has ever scored more points in one week than the FBH did in
Week One. We have had to deal with
adversity – injuries, suspensions, bad attitudes, poor performers and egos …
but our management philosophy has helped guide us to the lofty place that we
sit today - JUST WIN BABY.<br /><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our position in
the standings? Far above my sons Chris and Stephen – in fact, you would
probably need a telescopic rear view mirror to even see Chris or Stephen from
our place in the standings. I have even
started rooting for both of them … because (1) they are my sons and I care for
them and (2) they are embarrassing the crap out of me right now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-89021146713803314582014-09-30T16:59:00.000-07:002014-09-30T16:59:58.984-07:00End of Month Special - Random Thoughts on MLS Salaries, Fantasy Football, and Babysitting<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> We are heading into October … and your
Award Winning Blog has had a far too insignificant September. Here are some observations and thoughts to
take us all into October better informed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">MLS SALARIES
– <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The updated Salaries of all Major League Soccer
Players were released this week. For the
first several years of my son’s career it was an opportunity for me to realize
I needed to take the poor boy out to a good dinner. For the past few years of his career it makes
me realize that I should stop picking up the check at those dinners. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> You know your Award Winning Blog always
digs deep into the details to find news.
To that end we analyzed the pay by Last Name (and specifically which
letter was at the beginning of your last name).
Spending my entire life at the end of the alphabet … I pay more
attention there. I uncovered a shocking
discovery in pay equity in Major League Soccer.
While there are only 8 players whose last names begin with “Z” … their
total pay is $1.44 million. Compare that
to the poor players whose last name begins with “V” – there are 9 of them! But
in total those 9 only add up to less than $1.4 million. I will proclaim right now that this is a
compensation scandal that Major League Soccer needs to address immediately before
the press owns the story … the Commissioner
needs to get out in front of the story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">FANTASY
FOOTBALL – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I can tell you that one thing MLS Salaries
clearly do not take into account is your ability in Fantasy Football. My eldest son, Christopher, is a dismal 1-3
with his team. He lost to me (his stupid
father) this past weekend and I am told that he found the spider hole that
Saddam Hussein was hiding in and has taken up residence there due to his shame. My team, The Fighting Basset Hounds, have
staked a claim to first place in the league.
My other two sons have made me a prouder Fantasy Football dad so far …
my sons-in-law … well I’m sure they are trying (on second thought I hope to God
they are not trying because that would be embarrassing). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BABYSITTING
AS A GRANDFATHER –</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> A Pequena Chefona for 8 Hours Straight</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> A Pequena Chefona (Little Bossy Pants) is
now 9 months old. She is regularly cared
for by her uncles (Stephen and Matthew) – and she is a lot of fun. A few days ago the desperation set in at the
Chris Wondolowski household and they had to turn from Plan A to Plan B then to
Plan C until they finally got to Plan Q – and I got the call from the bullpen
for an 8 hour stint as the babysitter.
While Lindsey was somewhat surprisingly calm and confident in her
staffing choice … the three boys who I had raised, changed their diapers, fed
them, and somehow they survived Planet Earth under my care to arrive at the
present points in their lives …. Those three boys were very concerned and would
have called Child Protection but that would have made them stop watching the
third re-run of Sports Center to make that call. To be fair – Chris had no problem with me babysitting
… but clearly not because of his confidence in me rather mostly because he was
happy to have someone plug in for 8 hours that he did not have to pay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Stephen and Matthew on the other hand …
could not even comprehend how I could possibly watch a baby (the same baby that
they have watched for similar stretches of time). Fortunately for me … Stephen and Matthew gave
me untold amounts of advice and tips on how to babysit. It is only a bit ironic that neither of them
have children and both of them are among the three children that I
semi-successfully helped evolve into young men. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> A long story a little shorter … A Pequena
Chefona and I had a great time. I found
that she loves music so much that she even likes my awful singing voice. She is of course standing every chance she
gets which means that she is nanoseconds away from falling continually --- but
there was not going to be a bruise or stitches on my watch so I was intensely protective. She also fell asleep in my arms late in the
afternoon from me reading the Wall Street Journal out loud to her (going to be
a Republican I guess). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I was able to take her to Gymboree … which
was the highlight of our day. We walked
down to Gymboree (I walked she rode) and she had a great time. Perhaps on purpose … I cannot say for sure …
1 minute into the session --- there I was the old guy with the 9 month old
sitting around and definitely NOT singing --- and Chefona decides to drop a
deuce. The singing of the others drowned
out the grunting and we both decided to just play through it … but my sensory
memories of that Gymboree session will forever be more of smell than any other
sense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> In short – we had a great time … and I
taught her the words to Camptown Races because she had been getting a couple of
them wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I think I made the approved Babysitter
list at Casa de Juando … much to the surprise of my offspring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-90613034333037369452014-09-15T21:00:00.002-07:002014-09-15T21:00:28.162-07:00Earthquakes - and Somebody is Undefeated in NFL Fantasy Football (and being a grandpa is pretty cool) <div class="MsoNormal">
I have never been
a big fan of the San Jose Earthquakes home ‘stadium’ (Santa Clara University –
Buck Shaw Stadium) and I have never been very shy about that fact. It is a great place to ‘watch’ a soccer game –
but a less than great place to go to a professional sporting event. Over the past few years the construction that
Santa Clara University has done has taken away the little ambience that the place
has and rendered it a tough place to enjoy a professional sporting event. Again – except for the game itself where
there may be no better place to watch a game and no seat in the house is bad. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday – I think
my opinion changed somewhat dramatically.
I think my opinion on a lot of things has changed dramatically since I
became a grandfather. We are fortunate
enough to have been able to purchase seats right down on the field (which
honestly you cannot really do at other professional venues). And for the last two games – my daughter-in-law
has allowed me to take my Pequena Chefona (Little bossy pants) – Emersyn Wondolowski
– into the stadium for pre-game warm-ups by myself. It was surely against all protests by other family
members but Emersyn and I have spent 45 minutes before each game within feet of
her daddy warming up. So --- long story
a bit shorter --- I have never been a big fan of Buck Shaw Stadium for a
professional sporting event --- but I will always treasure the moments it gave
me with my granddaughter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the way – we have
good season tickets at the new stadium as well. Mrs. Wondo and Mr. Wondo pony up their own
money for their seats (Buck Shaw Stadium and the new John Wondolowski Stadium) –
we go to untold number of sporting events and there is no better value. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those who
wonder about my Fantasy Football League – I have good news and bad news. My youngest son, Matt, got a win this
week. My two older sons, Chris and
Stephen, looked again like they were nuns trying to play with the big dogs and
got drilled. Me? Oh – I am undefeated – but that’s not
important … I just want everyone to have fun.
In case you missed it – my winning was the good news and Chris and
Stephen being completely humiliated (again) is the bad news. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally – for the
Earthquakes soccer fans – nobody on planet earth could have been happier to see
Lennie on the field yesterday. His
presence is incredible … Mrs. Wondo understands as much soccer as Emersyn does
Quantum Physics (right now) – but Mrs. Wondo LOVES when Lenny hits the field. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have said it
before and I will say it again – 3 wins in a row changes everything … it can
still happen as long as we get the 3 points in Montreal. <o:p></o:p></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-5697711992909466372014-09-11T22:45:00.001-07:002014-09-11T22:45:52.751-07:00Let's Not Talk Earthquakes - Let's Talk Fatherly Advice (and fantasy football)<div class="MsoNormal">
I have found a fool-proof way of getting your three sons to
not talk to you at all. It is more
brilliant than just cutting off the money (because that tactic just makes them
come at you more) – it is joining their Fantasy Football League and
winning. I have to admit this is not the
way I drew it up – but the outcome has been great. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I decided this year to join my three sons (Chris, Stephen,
Matt) and my two sons-in-law (Brendan and Chris) and two close Wondo Family
Friends (Dom an Zak) – in fantasy football.
As I have said before the week between our draft and Week One of the season
was a time for every guy in the league to ridicule me as the worst Fantasy
Football Player ever. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But then – when Week One was over … I had 131 points –
beating Stephen’s team (my opponent) by 53 points – scoring more points than
anyone else in the league by a huge margin.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The result? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
None of my sons, sons-in-law, close friends of Wondo Family,
or even the love of my life – my Basset Hound Mildred Penelope, will talk to me
or respond to my emails or texts. (OK –
Millie P doesn’t know how to text). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
AND … I have discovered the thing that nearly every dad of
teenage kids ever wanted to discover --- how do you get your sons to stop
talking to you. (When you have teenage
sons they have only two ways of talking to you --- (1) they need money --- and
(2) they want to tell you what an idiot you are). I don’t really enjoy hearing what an idiot I
am and I really, really don’t enjoy shoveling out money to my kids. So --- having my offspring ignore me is a
wonderful thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In summary – I have some sage fatherly advice for young
fathers out there who have boys who are driving them crazy. All you need to do is get a Fantasy Football League
with them and then get incredibly lucky one week – not just win but win by 53
points – and nobody will bother you for a week.
Imagine that – one week of watching Sports Center (or PBS News Hour)
without a son next to you telling you how old and stupid you are … all you need
to do is (1) join fantasy football with them and (2) get lucky in week
one. It is a recipe for peace and
solitude. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-54497314574238714822014-09-02T20:06:00.000-07:002014-09-02T20:06:17.269-07:00Frustrating Soccer Officials --- and NFL Fantasy Football Outlook<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Earthquakes-RSL and then NFL Fantasy
Draft<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This past
weekend’s San Jose Earthquakes – Real Salt Lake game was a bit maddening … but
most MLS games are to one degree or another.
It was not the first game where a penalty kick was awarded where no foul
occurred … but it was the most recent really important game for the Quakes and
that result --- particularly due to that call --- was upsetting. Fortunately – I don’t think MLS can fine me
for complaining about a really bad call … that is one of the best things about
writing an Award-Winning – yet obscure – blog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">NFL Fantasy Draft<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our 8 team
league is in full swing (your blog editor’s first foray into the world of
fantasies that pertain to parts of Sports Illustrated that are not directly
related to the Winter Swimsuit Edition).
We have the full Wondo Boys contingent (Chris, Stephen, Matt, and me) –
along with my two sons-in-law and two very close family friends. The Wondo Boys Division is made up of “Fighting
Basset Hounds”, “East Bay Brown-Rice”, “Run DMC Feat. MJD”, and “Foles Finds
Holes”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The draft
was great – 6 owners were there in person … 1 used the excuse that he was in Europe
and 1 used the excuse that he is a Fire-Fighter and was out saving lives. Being Commissioner, I levied fines on both of
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But I know
everyone wants to know about my team – here is a sneak peek: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It
is Fantasy Football so Character Does Not Matter: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I drafted a couple of guys who were stupid
enough to both get busted for weed possession at the same time … and another
guy who (after I drafted him) got a 4 game suspension for amphetamine usage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My points on that: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1)<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I didn’t draft lawyers … my poor Steelers
Running Backs were basically duped by the man.
My guys (Cheech and Chong) “Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blout” did not
realize they could get busted for DUI when they did not actually drink anything
(just smoked marijuana and had bags of it in the car when busted). Fortunately – I do not need locker room unity
– I need yards and touchdowns from my backs and the NFL Players Association
Bargaining Agreement will keep them on my team and active until the Pittsburgh
judicial system winds its expeditious course.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2)<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Wes Welker from Denver was a nervy late round
pick up by me … only to find out today that he has been suspended for
Amphetamine Use. I do not condone
Amphetamine Use and I am particularly against Amphetamine Use when it results
in a suspension of one of my players (I have a code after all). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wondo
Boys Summary -- <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> My sons had trouble keeping up with my bold
and innovative draft strategy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Stephen has a similar calling to help and
counsel players in trouble so he drafted Ray Rice. Somehow though he ended up with Dez Bryant
and Brandon Marshall … but he has Matty Ice and I think that is a reach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Matt is solid with Peyton Manning and
Julio Jones but he also has a sentimental side where he may have drafted past
prime like Larry Fitzgerald, Tom Brady, and MJD. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Chris got the receiver in Demaryius Thomas
and the back in Matt Forte – he is putting his trust in Chip Kelly’s offense
and Nick Foles however … some see that as a risk. His darkhorse? Sammy Watkins of Buffalo – his TE is probable
(Cameron) with no other cover currently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sons in Law – Brendan somehow got
Drew Brees when we were not looking – Chris (Big Country) picked up Adrian
Peterson through Auto Draft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends – Zack has Seattle Def/ST
(let’s hope for him that they don’t get penalized every single defensive snap) –
Dominic has RG3 and Jimmy Graham. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All in all –
a good holiday weekend. Matt is holding
the money paid in on the dues so I expect to be getting my winnings in January. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-5039206207954760922014-08-27T20:38:00.000-07:002014-08-27T20:38:35.606-07:00It is Football Season ... and What that means in Wondo's World. <div class="MsoNormal">
I know that I am supposed to be a soccer fan … and I am …
but football season is starting (yes that football not that other football that
we pretend is football while we know it is really soccer) – with college games
this weekend and the National Football League (let’s call it the NFL) starting
the following week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I love football
season … for full disclosure I love long walks on the beach, a good romantic
novel, hot cocoa in front of the fire with my Basset Hound, and little kittens. But football season people !!! The start of football season is better than
the first robin in spring, better than the first hot day at the beach in June,
better than going to a high school reunion and seeing the girl you had a crush
on is married to an unemployed guy who could stand to lose 300 pounds … I mean
it is really good. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I always loved
football (again the real football not the football that is really soccer that ‘cool
soccer fans’ have to call football) … when we started to combine grilling with
football – we really invented something that is even better than drinking beer
and fishing on a warm fall day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My point is
simply that even though we are saying goodbye to summer – we are saying hello
to football season. That is like having
Halle Berry move away from next door but at the same time Beyonce moves in
instead – it is all good. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This year I am
going to try my first structured and formal Fantasy Football League. We have my three boys, my two sons-in-law,
and two close Wondo Friends all in the league.
I’ve never done a structured “real” one before so I am pretty clueless
which will explain why I am the League Commissioner. Our draft is on Labor Day and at dinner tonight
my youngest son talked to me like I was in kindergarten because of my stupid
questions.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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All in all – this
may be more than I had bargained for … but I am going to see it through. It seems a little too intense and there is
studying and research and other things that none of my sons did when I was
actually paying for their schools. I may
be longing for grilling and watching football without seeing how many yards
Matt Ryan has thrown for so far in the game … but I’ll keep you posted on how a
soccer (other football) guy fits in with a football (real football) Fantasy
League. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And … if the
Raiders suck again – and my starting quarterback is actually Matt Flynn because
I wasn’t paying attention … I can always put a few beers in the cooler and go
out to the lake where at least the fish will not bother me. <o:p></o:p></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-8439312992666360362014-08-25T17:52:00.001-07:002014-08-25T17:52:07.036-07:00What I Learned this Summer (that you can use too)<div class="MsoNormal">
With Labor Day coming up this weekend – and many people
calling it the ‘unofficial end of summer’ – your Award Winning Blog will join
the me-too group and reflect on this past summer. Now, the editor of Your Award Winning Blog
will only recognize the end of summer when the Autumnal Equinox brings the
season to a close at 7:39pm on September 22<sup>nd</sup>. But I always do like to jump on a bandwagon
--- so --- here are the three things that I know now but did not know when the
summer of 2014 began. <o:p></o:p></div>
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======</div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--> If the
San Jose Earthquakes give up 4 or 5 goals per game … their chances of winning
that game go down dramatically (you don’t get your C Coaching License by not
paying attention people). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> ======</o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--> Having a
grandchild has given my wife something to shop for. She loves to shop and so prior to having
Emersyn - when she ran out of things to shop for – I ended up with a lot of
socks. Now she spends 15 hours per day
at Buy Buy Baby … and I have run out of socks. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> ======</o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--> The
Oakland Raiders are just never, ever, ever going to have a competitive NFL team
ever again – never. Except the year
after they move to Los Angeles or San Antonio.
My new coping device is Fantasy Football. <o:p></o:p></div>
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No season is
without trials and tribulations – things you just have to fight through. Until this summer I was never going to use a
gas grill … I had my Traditional Weber and my Big Green Egg and my life was
brilliant. I was not a zealot for my way
of grilling and smoking ... I did not evangelize… I just let gas grill guys be lazy and wrong without
criticizing. UNTIL – the summer of 2014 –
I found myself during one family getaway at a vacation cabin with a gas grill
and a traditional Weber. I opted for the
gas grill that ONE TIME – and it became my gateway drug. I am now hopelessly conflicted – when under
the influence of the gas grill (Weber – 4 burner – Searing Station … Stainless
finish … easy ignite … a temptress powered by propane) I think that this is
what grilling should be like – but two days without the gas grill and I am back
to being my old self. I guess the good
news is that I don’t need to go to Grilling Rehab Camp – because my wife is
simply not an enabler – no way she will let me get a gas grill in addition to
my traditional Weber and Big Green Egg … of course if I said it was for the baby
– I might be able to squeeze it through the bank account filter. I’ll keep you posted. <o:p></o:p></div>
Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072791477057975527.post-19523191967167418772014-08-13T20:46:00.000-07:002014-08-13T20:46:08.745-07:00Sports Predictions ... <div class="MsoNormal">
One of the constants in the childhood of my three boys was
sports --- I could probably rationalize the reasons into building strong young
men but the reality of it was that I really like sports and I am pretty lazy so
I watched sports and went to sporting events and played sports so the boys
watched sports with me, went to sporting events with me, and played sports –
with me and then with each other and friends.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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My wife and I are kind of like the Flintstones on our court –
we are the ones who have three newspapers delivered on our driveway every
morning. (caveat – I do read them on my
iPad when I am on the road so that is kind of like a cross between Flintstones
and Jetsons). The first thing I do in the morning is to grab the sports page
from the Contra Costa Times and the sports page from the San Francisco
Chronicle and read them cover to cover (I read the Wall Street Journal at night
and their one-page sports page gets devoured each evening). <o:p></o:p></div>
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With that as background into my pitiful little life … I
offer this set of observations. Tonight
I read an article on-line that had the odds for which college team would win
this year’s NCAA Football Championship – and they had odds for 53 teams with
the 53<sup>rd</sup> team coming in at about 1000-1 or so (Spoiler alert – Cal was
not in the list of 53 teams). I am
amazed that people can feel confident predicting how teams of 19, 20, 21 year
old (and sometimes 26 year old) men will perform over the course of a four to
five month season … and it made me consider the fact that there are much easier
sports predictions that can be made year in and year out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For Instance: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Right before the NFL pre-season starts, then again
after the first pre-season game, and then again after the third pre-season
game, and then again after the regular season week two, week six, and week nine
… there will be a headline in the Contra Costa Times that reads: <o:p></o:p></div>
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*”RAIDERS COACHING STAFF TO PLACE
MORE IMPORTANCE AND FOCUS ON REDUCING PENALTIES” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--> At some
point during the Major League Baseball Season the Giants will be in a losing
streak (of some length) and during that streak the following headline will
appear in the San Francisco Chronicle:<o:p></o:p></div>
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*”GIANTS PLAYERS HOLD CLOSED-DOOR
PLAYERS ONLY MEETING” <o:p></o:p></div>
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-
Note – I have always wondered the value of closing the doors and some veteran
telling his teammates that they need to get the critical two-out hit … but I’m
not a professional baseball player so I guess this is a good thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->At some point during the summer, the home of the
best team in baseball will become the subject of a headline: <o:p></o:p></div>
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*”Oakland Coliseum (aka McAfee, O.co,
Oracle, Grocery Outlet) – toilets back up and flood locker rooms … all 3300
fans made it out safely … Oakland City Officials confirm their commitment to
keeping the A’s in the Coliseum.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Note- That last part of the headline
gives me the visual of the Oakland City Officials with a picture of Lew Wolff
holding today’s newspaper while standing in the prehistoric A’s Clubhouse (for
those who don’t get my humor --- think hostage tape). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Other sports stories mystify me as far as their
importance. For example neither Tiger
Woods nor I have won a Major in the past six years – and last weekend the
sports networks were flashing alerts that Tiger Woods was going to take a
practice round – coincidentally that same day I went to the golf range to hit a
bucket of balls --- not one network ran the story about me … they all picked up
the Tiger Woods (non-story) instead. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally – although this was a story from a couple of years
ago … the press became obsessed with Notre Dame Football Player (now San Diego
Charger) Manti Te’o when he happened to invent a fake girlfriend. I don’t know Mr. Te’o but I can guarantee you
that if he is an NFL Linebacker – I have had far more imaginary girlfriends
than him … and yet … not one article published with the scoop that I have had
imaginary girlfriends. You can call it a
West Coast Bias or a vast conspiracy against Polish-Americans – I cannot
explain the popular press I can just offer observations. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Wondo's Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834997809911337371noreply@blogger.com0