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The Bay Area Welcomes Back the MLS
Published April 13, 2008
 
By: Paul Sheirich
 
The MLS is officially back in season in the Bay Area, as the San Jose Earthquakes met the Chicago Fire in the Earthquakes inaugrial home game marking their return.
 
A good crowd of about 20,000 was on hand at the Oakland Colusieum to participate in the event.  The barbeques were fired up, and a funzone was setup outside the stadium in the parking lot. 
 
Parachuteists floated into the stadium just before the game, and fireworks were setoff as the crowed roared for the National Anthem. 
 
Over on the north side of the stadium the Ultra's and Club Quake were in full force just above the goal, as they chanted and sang throughout the match.  Joe Cannon started out the second half by acknowledging their enthusiasm and tossed a ball into the crowd.  He repeated the gesture at the end of the match as well, pounding a ball up into the air that nearly cleared the second deck.
 
The only problem with the day was the final score: 1-0 in favor of the Fire. 
 
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