Instant Replay, Welcome Back Ray Edition

Okay, don't know if this will become a regular feature or not, but basically it's a blow-by-blow of the last match broadcast. San Jose Earthquakes vs. Chicago Fire from Soldier Field, brought to you by Fox Sports Net in San Jose. The inimitable Ray Hudson making his triumphant return to the booth.

Grand entrance. Good coverage of the Section 8 protest and eighth minute procession. Almost like they knew what was happening!

It's about time. I don't want to alarm you, but it looks like we've got an actual corner kick strategy, for what seems like the first time, well, ever. Jaqua at the back post, sending it back in front. Good things may come from this.

Getting warmer. At first it looked like yet another Nate Jaqua header right at the keeper, but upon further reflection, Sir Nate the Tall, did, in fact, try to put it down to his left while Pat Onstad was moving the other way. Onstad just got a trailing hand to it.

I'm blind, I'm deaf, I...what do you mean he's right? Two San Jose takedowns of Fire players in the box around the thirtieth minute. Both looked awfully dubious live, but actually very clean on the replay. However, if I did manage to invoke some sort of curse on referee Alex Prus, I probably can't undo it at this point.

Ray being Ray, part one. At some point, Hudson wondered if calling the supporters group "Section 8" had anything to do with cross-dressing. How did this guy not find his way back into the broadcast booth the moment he left DC United's coaching staff?

Right triangles. The combinations between Caballero, Guerrero and Thiago seemed much, much faster -- as well as much more fun to say -- on the left than those of Gray, Mapp and Thiago on the right.

The first of many "I told you so's," I hope. Mapp crosses to Jaqua, and Nate heads the ball into the back of the net. I've been preaching this combination since last preseason.

Your donations can help! I'm thinking maybe we start some kind of "keep Kelly Gray in the midfield" fund. I know I'm in for at least $20. Or maybe he's energized by that whole "50 sexiest Chicago singles" thing from earlier in the week.

High tide raising all boats. Looks like Thiago's penetrating runs and Guerrero's quick touches are rubbing off a little on Chris Armas and Justin Mapp, with mixed results.

Ray being Ray, part two. Hudson just called out back three something, but two or three rewinds and it's still totally incomprehensible, and totally Ray.

Curious interpretation. Okay, so Ching got bulldozed in the box by Jimmy Curtin. Prus lets play continue, at which point Ching handles the ball as he sets up the shot for Alejandro Moreno. At this point, he can either stop the advantage and go back to the penalty kick, or look the other way on the handball and let the goal stand. Either way, it's probably still tied up. I'm not going to say it was a bad call.

Barrett versus Barrett. And the winner is...Barrett!

Trojan horse, er, goat. Thank you, Troy Dayak, for being so slow to close down that cross. Seriously, I think he had a six or seven yard headstart on Thiago when Barrett send the cross in, and Thiago still beat him to the near post.

Good win for the Fire. This team is suddenly looking very deep at nearly every position. The offseason makeover may have been just what the doctor ordered to restock the squad for long-term dominance.