By FRANCO PANIZO
San Jose Earthquakes fans have had lots to cheer about this season. From watching Chris Wondolowski threaten to break the all-time MLS record for goals in a campaign to all the late-game heroics the team has mustered, it has been a dream year thus far for Earthquakes faithful.
Sunday will give them perhaps the biggest reason to celebrate yet.
The Earthquakes are set to break ground on their soccer-specific stadium on Sunday morning, effectively ending what has been a long pursuit for a permanent home that caters to the soccer experience. The 18,000-seat stadium is expected to be completed in 2014 and there is a good buzz about it in the northern California city, one that could grow even further if San Jose clinches the Supporters Shield this weekend.
In fact, there is such a buzz about Sunday’s event that the Earthquakes are hopeful of breaking the Guinness World Record for most people to participate in a groundbreaking ceremony. The current record is 4,532 and the club is still encouraging fans to bring their own shovels and come out to the event (an online registration which included a digging spot and commemorative shovel has already been closed).
While breaking the world record would be another accomplishment for the Earthquakes in what has so far proven to be a successful 2012, the real focus on Sunday should and likely will be the stadium groundbreaking itself. After years of playing in tiny Buck Shaw Stadium, the Earthquakes will finally be on the verge of joining most of the other MLS teams in having their own soccer-specific home, one that will further enhance the fan experience and draw added revenue from concessions, parking, etc.
Yes, the Earthquakes and their fans may already be in full party mode by the time of the ceremony if the club claims the Supporters Shield on Saturday. But there still should be plenty to celebrate when he first shovel hits the ground.
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What do you think of San Jose’s upcoming groundbreaking ceremony? Do you see them breaking the Guinness World Record? Planning on attending?
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