Assessment of Breakers 2008 - 2009 Master League Season

Obviously, the Breakers entering League C, Division 2 would be challenging. The Santa Cruz Breakers are proud to be the first club team invited to join from North America.



The final standings show it all. The Breakers finish in 10th place with 25 points and a record of 6-7-9. Although this record is less than stellar, earlier this season, the Breakers found themselves 2-4-7.

The Breakers began to play more like a team and was able to achieve a 4-3-2 record for their final 9 matches, which was a significant improvement over their first 13 matches.



A problem the Breakers had this season was scoring. The Breakers only scored 15 goals and conceded 27. Although scoring is difficult in football, scoring only 15 goals in 21 matches will definitely lead to a losing season!

The Breakers only scored 5 goals their first 13 games and gave up 13. The second half of the season, the Breakers scored (10) goals and conceded (10). This was a vast improvement over the first half of the season.


Although it was a rough first season, the Breakers actually have to be proud of their performance, especially the final stretch which had the Breakers with a fairly strong winning record of 4-3-2. Not bad for a young team from a small surf town in California.

Breakers face LOSC in their final League Match

The Breakers face LOSC for their last Master League Match of the 2008-2009 season. The first match against LOSC had LOSC beating the Breakers with the only goal of the match being scored at the 11'.

The fans of the Breakers came our in full force to cheer the Breakers on in their final league match. While the Breakers don't have anything to lose in this battle, LOSC could possibly be in the top 3 with a win??? Could the Breakers spoil


The match began with the Breaker having a number of great opportunities on goal. The first shot came from Manning (16) who had a close range shot, but was unable to get it past the keeper!


The second half of the match had a brilliant shot by E. Chow (63) who unfortunately wasn't able to get it past the strong goal keeping skill of LOSC's goalie.

LOSC did everything they could have done in the match but score. They dominated the match with 55% to 45% possession and even had 6 shots on target out of 8. The Breakers defense



The match ended in a 0-0 draw. Ironically, the draw only gave LOSC 1pt which has knocked them out of the Top 3. Next season should be interesting with the Breakers definitely having a heated rivalry against LOSC next season!

Finishing Master League Season 1 and 2 before Updating to 1.20

The truth is out that I am behind on the blog and am actually closer to being half way through with my second Master League Season with the Santa Cruz Breakers! I have done a better job of maintaining data and highlights from my second season and will be finishing up with the first Master Season before hitting the second Master League on this blog!

I've decided to at least finish my second Master League season before updating fully to 1.20. We have no choice but to initially get the 1.20 file to start the game. However, once we have this done, we have to going to system setup to actually download and use the 1.20 file.

I'd love to hear what people think of the 1.20 file for the US PS3... I've heard from some folks at PESGaming who told me what the European 1.20 update has, but have not heard yet what is included in the US version.

I'm a bit disappointed that the update ruins the user created teams etc... I guess this means a lot of work to get my team situated again... I'll also need to be starting with Master League Season 1 again once I update... UGH!

My final thought on this matter is to possibly wait for 1.30 since I guess this one is the bigger change and addition... Also, by this time I'm sure or hope that we have option files that work for 1.20 or 1.30 on our US PS3.

How great would it be if PES 2009 Option Files were universal across all PES 2009 games and not have European files or NA files etc...

League Game 20: Santa Cruz Breakers vs CFR CLUJ

The Breakers are coming away from an impressive 2-0 victory over the league leading Werder Bremen team from Germany. With only a few games left, the Breakers are looking a lot stronger in their second half as their team is beginning to gel and play like a real team.



Their next match in front of the home crowd is CFR CLUJ. In their first match against each other, the Breakers came away with the 1-0 victory. They hope to pull off another win and give their home town fans more to cheer about!


The match began quickly as Chow (34) took a strong shot on goal, but couldn't get it past the keeper.


Both teams had a few shots on goal in the first half, but only CFR CLUJ was able to find the back of the net with a great goal at the 41'.

The second half of play had both teams playing fairly aggressive.


The Breakers were finally able to break away as Bock (33) nearly made a header, but the goalie was able to just tip the ball out of play.


E. Chow (63) took a beautiful pass from Chow (34) and barley missed a shot of his own attempting to tie the match up!


Finally, Sabatini (3) was able to score the equalizer at the 74' from a beautiful pass by Manning (16).


With plenty of time left in the match, CFR CLUJ created a solid scoring opportunity, but it ended well past Desi (5) the keeper and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.


The fans of the Breakers were a bit disappointed since Santa Cruz had 8 shots on goal and 5 on target, but only was able to get the one goal that at least tied the match up and let them walk away with the draw!

Breakers Finishing Strong!

A typical photo of Santa Cruz Breakers fans has been the similar to the following photo. Fans did not have much to cheer about with their Breakers for much of the first half as the Breakers struggled with their offense.


However, the Breakers have begun to turn their season around with a few wins and draws to help them improve their confidence. The Breakers have outscored their opponents with 8 goals scored and only conceding 5.

Although a top 3 finish in their first Master League is impossible, the Breakers are feeling better about their teamwork and are looking to finish strong with only a couple of matches to go.

The Breakers are now 6-5-9 which is a huge improvement over their 3-4-8 record they had only a few weeks back!

League Game 19: Santa Cruz Breakers vs Werder Bremen

The Breakers are coming off a horribly played match against Stade Rennais F.C. who won 3-0. Unfortunately, the Breakers next match against Werder Bremen isn't expected to be any easier.

The first time the Breakers met Werder Bremen, they lost 4-0. Although the score 4-0 sounds horrible, the match was a bit closer since 2 of 4 goals came within the final few minutes of play.



The Breakers fans were hoping for an upset as they cheered on their team!



The Breakers shocked Werder Bremen with a very early goal by Manning (16) at the 8'. The first and early goal of a match usually goes against the Breakers who have been notorious in allowing their opponent the first strike of a match.


The early goal was setup perfectly by a wonderful pass from Bock (33) to Manning (16) which left the goalie utterly confused.


Werder Bremen continued to play hard, but the Breakers caught their second break of the match at the 35' when Chow (34) scored the second and final goal of the match.



The play again was set up from another brilliant pass from Bock (33) to Chow (34) who initially shot the ball through a defenders leg into the back of the net. Amazing shot and the crown literally went wild!

The rest of the match was actually heavily dominated by a number of solid offensive attacks by Werder Bremen. The Breakers defense must be credited for their wonderful defensive strength especially to Desi (5) the keeper who took 9 shots on goal and 4 being on target.

The match ended with a 2-0 win by the Breakers, who ironically only had 4 shots on goal and 2 being on target for goals.


The Breakers need to be satisfied with their strong victory and showing against one of the leagues strongest teams who has guaranteed themselves a finish in the Top 3 of League C, Division 2 which will allow them to move up to Division 1 of League C.

League Game 18: Stade Rennais F.C. vs Santa Cruz Breakers

The Breakers have faced Stade Rennais F.C. quite a bit this season with 2 D2 match games and one in league play. The first match against Stade Rennais F.C. in the D2 cup was the best the Breakers played with the game ending in a 3-3 draw. The second D2 cup match ended with the Stade Rennais F.C. dominating the entire match and won 2-0 knocking the Breakers out of the first round of the D2 Cup.

Their first league match against Stade Rennais F.C. was another killing with Stade Rennais F.C. dominating the entire match and ended with an easy 2-0 win.

This match against Stade Rennais F.C. was expected to be a great match with the Breakers coming with a two game win streak and revenge on their mind.


Unfortunately for Breaker fans, the match began with the first goal by Stade Rennais F.C. at the 3'. This definitely provided the Stade Rennais F.C. and their fans with the early boost!



The Breakers came back with a solid shot of their own, but was denied with the goal keeper solidly stopping the shot.



Midway through the first half, Stade Rennais F.C. scored their second goal of the match at the 32'. The shot went past the Desi (5) the Keeper who did the splits, but couldn't stop the goal.

Although the Breakers were trailing 2-0, they didn't give up and even had two solid shots of their own in the second half.


One shot appeared to be right on target past the keeper, but was kicked wide of the goal!



The Stade Rennais F.C. scored their final goal of the match at the 90+. The shot went just past Desi (5) the keeper who stretched hard, but couldn't reach the ball.


Although the match ended with the Breakers being killed 3-0, the match was fairly well played by the Breakers who had 50% possession of the ball and even had 8 shots on goal with 4 being on target.

League Game 17: Havre Athletic Club vs Santa Cruz Breakers

The Breakers head out of Santa Cruz for a road match against Havre Athletic Club. The last time these two clubs met, Havre Athletic Club dominated the match. However, it ended in a 1-1 draw.


The match began quickly for the Breakers who got their first goal when Chow (34) shot one past the keeper at the 6'. This quick goal is not something the Breakers are used to since they are usually the one's trailing early in a match!


Both teams had a few shots on goal, but were unable to score before the half and the Breakers entered halftime with a 1-0 lead.


The second half began with Havre Athletic Club taking a great shot on goal, but the Desi (5) the Keeper stopped the attempt cold.


Chow (34) scored his second goal of the match at the 53' after the keeper initially misjudged a shot and Chow (34) was wide open to chip the shot into the back of the net.


Although Havre Athletic Club had a number of great attempts on goal, the match ended with the Breakers getting their second win in a row!

Although the match was a 2-0 victory for the Breakers, the match was close with The Breakers having 5/5 shot on goal and target and Havre Athletic Club having 6 shots on goal and 5 on target. The Breakers defense and especially their keeper Desi(5) must be credited with a solid defensive match!

League Game 16: Santa Cruz Breakers vs OGC Nice Cote D'Azur

The Breakers played a solid match against Willem II which ended in a 2-2 draw. Although the Breakers badly need more wins, the draw against Willem II was a wonderful match that the Breakers came back to tie at the 68'.



OGC Nice Cote D'Azur comes to town to face the Breakers! The Breakers have a fond memory of OGC Nice Cote D'Azur since the Breakers got their first win of the season! The 1-0 win was a well played match by both clubs, but the Breakers controlled the ball most of the match with 56% to 44% possession.


Although both clubs got 9 shots on goal, Rowe (10) from the Breakers was able to score the only goal of the match!


The home crowd in Santa Cruz were in full force with Dakine sponsoring a their first "Soccer Zone" event for both adults and children. This "Soccer Zone" included areas for fans to try their shot at dribbling around pylons, shooting on goal, and playing PES 2009 on both the X-box 360 and PS3.


The match began with the Breakers taking a strong offensive presence with a quick shot on goal by Chow (34). The shot went wide of the keeper and the net!

Throughout the first half, both clubs managed to take a number of shots on goal, but not powerful enough or on target to get past either keeper.

The second half began relatively slow, with both clubs playing a bit more conservatively.


Late in the match, Bock (33) was able to get an amazing through pass to Manning (16) who was able to take strong shot on goal at the 78' that went past the both the defender and keeper!


OGC Nice Cote D'Azur stayed focused and had a strong attack that almost led to a penalty kick with a hard sliding tackle by DelBene in the box. Fortunate for the Breakers, the referee didn't call the sliding tackle a penalty... OGC Nice Cote D'Azur's Captain and Manager protested to no avail.


Play continued and the Breakers continued attacking and got their second goal in the final minutes of the match with Nam (7) scoring a brilliant one that easily went past the keeper!




The Breakers won 2-0 in front of an ecstatic home crowd!

League Game 15: Willem II vs Santa Cruz Breakers

The Breakers continue to struggle and were absolutely destroyed in their last match losing 4-0 to FC Zenit St. Petersburg.



The Breakers face another tough team against Willem II who won their first match 2-0.



The match began with Willem II taking strong possession of the ball. Willem II scored first at the 21'.

The Breakers did not give up as they continued to pound away to score an equalizing goal.



Chow (34) took a solid shot on goal, but was knocked out by the goal keeper.



However, Manning (16) was able to take a solid strike on goal at the 37' and tied the match 1-1.



Willem II came back with a solid offensive attack that ended with a goal before the half at the 41' and regained the lead 2-1.

The second half started with the Breakers moving quick with a couple of solid shots on goals. However these shots could not get past the keeper.


Sabatini (3) took a beautiful through ball pass, but couldn't slip it past the awaiting goal keeper.


Finally, at the 68, Sabatini was able to barely get past the defender who was holding him up by pulling on his jersey and was able to get the equalizing goal past the keeper!


The Beakers tied the match 2-2!!!


The remaning 20+ minutes of the match ended with both teams having a couple of shots on goal, but neither team was able to move ahead and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.