USA vs. Guatemala World Cup Qualifier

World Cup Qualifiers can be tight, ugly affairs and except for two moments of brilliance that was the case in the USA's game against Guatemala at Estadio Mateo Flores in Guatemala City.  Unfortunately each team had a moment, and it canceled out a great chance for the USA to take control of their qualifying group.

Before the game a hardcore group of USA fans (numbering roughly 20 or so) made their way to the stadium to enjoy the pre-game festivities.

And wearing their colors with pride.

The USA fans made their presence known before the game.

Grabbed a couple of beers available outside the stadium...

...and danced it up with the Guatemalan fans.

They were even able to get a Guate TV announcer to wear a USA head band.

Not all the Guatemalan fans were happy to greet the USA Fans...

but it was all in all a festive atmosphere outside the stadium.

The USA arrived a few hours before the game...

...and Chris Wondolowski signed a kids shirt.

Then game time!

The national anthem...

...the coin toss...

...and let the game begin!

The USA came out for 3 points in this game...

But Guatemala was determined to play a physical chippy game.

And try to get the ball away from the Americans any way they could.

The one moment of brilliance for the USA was started by Fabian Johnson who passed a quick ball to Clint Dempsey...

And made sure to finish when it counted.

The whole second half it looked more like the USA was trying to hang onto its 1-0 lead instead of add to it.

and as Klinsmann paced the sidelines, the Pescalito was able to get a foul...

Which set up Marco Pappa to hit an excellent free kick over the USA wall...

...for a goal.

The USA tried to press in the final minutes...

...but the result was a 1-1 tie.  They are still up in their group cause of goal differential but it could've been a much smoother road if they had sewn up this game.  Lets hope Pappa's goal is not one that American fans rue for a long time.

You can view more of my photographs on ISI Photos.

USA Men's Team Practice in Guatemala

I made it to Guatemala City to photograph the USA's upcoming World Cup Qualifier against Guatemala. Like the coach of the team Jurgan Klinsmann, I don't think I'm the only one who can't wait for the game to start.

Before the team's practice on Monday the USA team held a press conference for the media which included Klinsmann and Landon Donovan.

The the USA team arrived at Estadio Mateo Flores...

to start their warm ups....

...under the watchful eye of the coach...

Like I said can't wait for the game to begin. Have a feeling it will be quite a match!  You can see more of my practice photos here.

The 102nd Dipsea Race

I love photographing the Dipsea, a 7.5-mile cross county race in Marin County that starts in downtown Mill Valley, goes up and over Mount Tamalpais and ends up in Stinson Beach.  

I've covered this race before for the Marin IJ, and this year I covered the start line which I love to do...

There is so much happening, there are the friendly introductions of the racers who have finished in first before...

And there are the staggered start times which make it easier to photograph the start.

As part of the team coverage I covered the start of the race, through Old Mill Park...

And then up the legendary Dipsea Steps....

Which seem to never end.

You can see more of my photographs and the rest of the Marin IJ coverage of the Dipsea event at the newspaper's website.

San Rafael Pacifics Opening Game

I was fortunate to be able to photograph for the Marin IJ the opening of a professional baseball team last night as the independent San Rafael Pacifics held their opening game at Albert Park in San Rafael against the Sonoma County Grapes on Monday night.

It was a really festive atmosphere with celebratory pins being handed out for those in attendance.

As a small team looking to make money in any way they can, any place that can be used for advertising was considered...even the back of the umpires jackets.

The first pitch ever in Pacifics history...

...and a packed grandstands watching every pitch...

...bat boys scurrying after loose baseballs...

...and a local boy who hit two home runs during the opening game, there were story lines everywhere.

And with a small park you might even catch the mom of the local hero hi-fiving the other fans.

I really enjoyed photographing the opener for the Pacifcs and plan on coming back to catch a few more games as well this season as a photographer and a fan.  Can't wait!

You can see a slideshow of more of my photographs from opening day in the Marin IJ article online.

75th Anniversary of Golden Gate Bridge

I photographed the fireworks show for the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge last night for the Marin IJ.  It was an amazing display!

We chose to shoot the shot from Marin and I was lined up with around a hundred other photographers up there snapping away.

Just glad that the fog stayed away and allowed everyone to view the display. Happy 75th Golden Gate Bridge!

The Annular Solar Eclipse

After experiencing a partial solar eclipse in 2009 when visiting Hong Kong, I was determined this year to travel the three hours from San Francisco to see a total lunar eclipse outside of Redding, Calif., at the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

A huge viewing party of hundreds of people were hunkered down to view the first annular eclipse in the USA since 1994.

The eclipse started out quite amazing...

causing long lines at telescopes hoping to see the eclipse...

and wearing protective lenses staring at the sun.

And then...

...the most amazing sight...

a total lunar eclipse.

It only lasted 4 minutes...but it was an amazing 4 minutes...

And slowly and surely the sun re-emerged from behind the moon but I will never forget seeing one of the most remarkable things I have ever seen in my life.