The Joys of Meeting Almost-Stars

9:00AM Wednesday, July 15, 2010
San Jose, CA

European soccer players damp with sweat were signing autographs within grabbing distance from me on this warm summer morning. Adults and teens of Croatian, Latino, Brit, and white-Californian decent lined the barricades patiently awaiting their turns.

Niko Kranjcar signs an autograph

And then there were the two East Asian and South Asian girls, Ravenna and me, sandwiched between modern-day Beavis and Butthead, and a middle-aged man. We had taken off on this weekday morning to see Tottenham Hotspur, an English soccer team who is in town to play the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. Having just finished their practice, they were now right in front of us, so close that my photos have captured stubble and pores.

Though Tottenham Hotspur had at least four players at the World Cup this year, most of the guys are not famous, and largely unknown in the US. As none of the World Cup players showed up at practice today, I did not know any of them. Still, in just having seen them today in this friendly setting, they easily won my support.

Carlo Cudicini, Goalkeeper

Nevermind that our backs were burning and we were sweating, and it was unusually humid. We indulged with huge grins on our faces as we admired the grunt work behind those chiseled six packs, nimble footwork and gorgeous passes.

For an hour and forty minutes or so, the Spurs did various drills with medicine balls, hurdles, and elastic bands to warm up. Then they engaged in a passing and shooting practice.

It was so cool...

Have a look at the video!

When practice was over, the players guzzled water bottles, shed their “male sports bras,” playfully tossed a football with a couple of 49ers players, and then came around to the spectators.

Tom Huddlestone and Sebastien Bassong sign autographs

After routinely seeing footballers argue with refs and foul each other aggressively on TV, and having read about offensive off-pitch behaviors, I was shocked to hear these Tottenham players saying said “Cheers” and “Thank you” as they returned autographed posters and T-shirts to fans. It was impossible to not find this charming.

Had these players been Kaká or Messi, or--gads--Ronaldo, I could not imagine there would have been an open practice that was free of charge. The scene would have been totally different. People would have been fighting to get a good view, and such an open and loose autograph session simply would have been inconceivable. But Tottenham guys are far less known, and we were seeing them in the US, where soccer is not popular.

That is what made it all the better still.

To see these guys in a casual, relaxed setting, without the veil of prescribed camera angles and network commentary made the experience more intimate, familiar. To be able to be so close to them, with minimal security made me feel like I was part of the practice, even though I knew I was anonymous to them.

You can’t get this kind of experience from TV. I watched most of the World Cup games which were thrilling and left me feeling a bit drunk with awe. But I did not feel any personal connection to the players the way I did today.

Robbie Keane reacting to Ravenna's comment that her Irish colleague would be jealous.

I have a feeling that I will be rooting for Tottenham Hotspur the next time I see them, no matter who they are playing.

Naglee Park Garage

505 E San Carlos St

San Jose, CA 95112

(408) 286-1100

Reviewed 7/18/2007

I went last Sunday evening with a girl friend to an Elite Yelper event. The sun was descending, and a lovely beach-like breeze was lifting the heat off our skin. It seemed a shame to be indoors, even in SJ, especially since it is usually a lot warmer. The weather made Naglee seem an "It" place to be with its casual picnic tables, cozy bar and live music. I liked the neighborhood feel of the place--it is plunked right in the middle of a residential area--and I could imagine cozying up to someone special and enjoying a movie there on a summer night. In fact, the Sound of Music will be projected on one of its walls some time soon.

As guests of Naglee, we were offered yummy samplings--buffet style-- from its menu. I confined myself to the flavorful and gorgeous veggies: red and yellow beets marinated in vinegar, asparagus spears sliced and steamed to this (how did they do this) tender-but-crunchy consistency, bruschetta (very tasty), baby brussels sprouts coated with some kind of addictive cream sauce (who knew brussel sprouts could be so good). My favorite (and it was a close fight with the brussels sprouts) was the butternut squash. It's called gratin, I was told, because of the dish it is baked in. The squash looks like it has been sliced thin and layered. It's soft, but not mushy, and is topped sparingly with some kind of cheese. Not sure what the flavors were, but it was mild (which is appropriate for the subtle flavor of squash) and amazingly good. Apparently, others thought so too.

There was also chicken, and a whole salmon, but I didn't try them. (Though I love cows, and don't eat them, I am not a vegetarian. Anyways, I wouldn't be surprised if they were very good.) As the designated driver, I also did not try the interesting-looking booze in attractive bottles that people around me were enjoying. Next time.

I want to underscore how beautiful the veggies looked. So vibrant in color. Yeah, so beets are naturally a lovely wine color, but those beets looked absolutely radiant. Nice presentation contrasting the colors!

A band was playing upbeat tunes the whole time. Noise level was just right--loud, but not too loud that you had to shout. They were also right there, in front of you--adding to the cozy, neighborhoody-feel of the place. Problem is, I do not like country. At all. That said, the quality of their playing sounded good and they weren't unbearable, even though they did country covers of songs like "Centerfold."

Except for one young guy who ignored me though I passed by him several times, the staff at Naglee was very hospitable. They replenished the food before it ran out, offered drinks and laid-back kindness. They also didn't kick us out though we lingered hours past our reserved time.