Zenit St. Petersburg of Russia will take on Rangers of Scotland in the UEFA Cup Final Wednesday at 1:30 Pm central time on the Fox Soccer Channel.
This is an interesting game because it pits Zenit coach Dick Advocaat against his former club Rangers .
Head over to Stags Head Pub at Sheperd and 59 to catch the game and some good grub.
Rumor has a few Dynamo players heading there for the game on their day off of training.

*My personal thanks to all the soccer fans including members of El Battalon and the Texian Army who came out and created a great environment at the Stags Head Pub this past Monday night. It really is a motivating synergy that is going on between fans and the great sport of soccer here in Houston.

*The Dynamo go on the road for three straight and the game in Chicago this Saturday at Toyota Park is one of the most interesting games of the weekend. Cuauhtemoc Blanco has definelty lived up to it.
Catch how Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear intends to defend him on the Dynamo Soccer Report this Friday at 9:30 pm.
The show will also include an interview with Dynamo striker Brian Ching as well.

* Great to see the excitment in Cory Ashe after being called up to the u23 team.
Speaking to Ashe today he is clearly grounded and realizes this is a great opportunity and a late shot at potentially making the Olympic squad yet his intention is to just go and try and play the best that he can in the Toulon Tournament in France which will air next week on the Fox Soccer Channel.
Don’t forget the Dynamo will need their full roster this season with Dwayne DeRosario, Pat Onstad, Brian Ching, Ricardo Clark, Brad Davis, Stuart Holden, Patrick Ianni and Ashe all potential call ups for the U.S. National team and the Olympic team.

*I am watching Def Leppard on VHI right now and remember while playing in the ASL with the Pennslyvania Stoners, yes Stoners, we played in a celebrity game with Def Leppard band members and other media types in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
One of my teammates was a former captain of Hungary Joe Horvath. Def Leppard was from Sheffield, England and all the guys in the band including Joe Elliott were big soccer fans…..Not sure if they were United or Wednesday fans. Ironically the Houston Dynamo’s (not plural) of the eighties played Sheffield United to a 0-0 draw in Houston in the mid eighties. Sheffield United had former Liverpool player Phil THompson playing…ok, enough of the past.

*Just a reminder a division 2 NCAA soccer festival is in town. Just think of the type of games from youth, college, professional and onward that a soccer specific stadium and training facility could draw to Houston.
It would be amazing to one day see Boca Jrs, River Plate, Sao Paulo and other historic teams hit Houston for games.

*Yes I support partnering with TSU if it will get the stadium deal done which is apparently the case.
TSU is expected to put money into the deal….it also is a good political maneuver for both the college and soccer.
Would I take that arrangement as opposed to seeing the team moved to the suburbs…..in a heartbeat.

*Dynamo fans are creating a website to support the stadium cause and will be selling bumper stickers …more on this in the next day or two but it is so invigorating to see fans stepping up to the plate and not laying in the background silent.
Now is the time to have confidence in your game and not be afraid to speak up about it…….after all , you are backed around the world.

* I did interviews today with Tony Caig and John Spencer that were very interesting as they addressed the English Premier League and their time spent at Newcastle and Chelsea. Their candidness is refreshing. You will be able to catch the interviews on upcoming Dynamo Soccer Report shows on Friday’s at 9:30 pm on channel 55.

*HDNET will carry the San Jose at NE game if you want to catch the Dynamo’s next opponent after the Chicago Fire game this Saturday. Air time is 8:30 Eastern time.

If you missed Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis then you missed a great night last night at the Stags Head Pub on Sheperd and 59. Dynamo fans came out in support of their team and the sport of soccer.
I personally want to thank all the fans that made it out including members of El Battalon and the Texian Army.
If you missed the show go to www.790thesportsanimal.com to hear from Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear, Dynamo midfielder Stuart Holden plus the Chicago Fire’s midfield duo of Justin Mapp and John Thorrington.

Ok here is my poll question…….Is it a good idea for the Dynamo to partner with TSU to get the downtown stadium done?

PS: There is a very important meeting on the stadium issue with Mayor White Tuesday…..Listen to the podcast here

Catch Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis tonite on 790 The Sports Animal.
Fans can catch the show live at Stags Head Pub on Sheperd and 59 from 7-9pm. Dynamo players and coaches will be at the show live so head out and be part of the show.
Call in number is 713-212-5790…..the show streams live on the internet at MLSNET.com and 790thesportsanimal.com
See you tonite….

So Manchester United win the EPL title with a 2-0 win over Wigan. How ironic is it that Ryan Giggs scores…..amazing career.
Fulham avoid relegation with their fourth win in five games amazingly while Reading and Birmingham go down on goal difference…Rumor has it now that they could be handed a place in the qualifying round for next season’s UEFA Cup as reward for their success in the European Fair Play League…..who would have thought that would happen just a few month ago?

Give me your take on the weekend’s games in both Europe and MLS.

Ok I just landed in Houston from the LA/NY game and am interested in hearing your thoughts about the Dynamo 2-1 win over the Colorado. I have not seen the game yet but was excited to hear that the Dynamo got their first win of the 2008 season.
So apart from the result how did the Dynamo play?

Glenn

Fanaticos,
So the real question is …..will the Dynamo get their first win of the year?
The game can be caught on FSC at 7:30 but the real fans will be out at Robertson Stadium to take this one in live….Only if I could be in two places at one time……

We have spoken alot about the Dynamo lack of goal scoring………lets simplify it.
For me the wide play will need to improve tonite and that means Stuart Holden and Brian Mullan must get behind people out wide and turn the Rapids defense, get some good delivery and Brian Ching can attack a few crosses.

Many of the Dynamo chances are coming in front of opponents defenses, lets see if they can get behind people tonite.
Brian Mullan has found it hard to get past people out wide as of late, if he does this a bit tonite something tells me the Dynamo will get goals and a result. As for Holden it is tough for him to bring width to the team at times playing on the left side of midfield being predominately right footed. Chivas USA made it difficult for him last week and forced him to defend.
I truly believe Colorado will defend deep and play with a lone striker as per the past at Robertson Stadium from Fernando Clavijo even knowing they played well with two strikers last weekend against DC in a 2-0 at home.
So again the challenge could be breaking down a compact defense………As for me I am out in LA for the Galaxy vs. Red Bulls which is expecting a sold out crowd. Catch the game on HDNET at 9:30 pm central time if you happen to get home from the Dynamo game.

New York is hurting with Claudio Reyna, Seth Stammler both central midfielders out but expect Dane Richards formerly of San Jacinto College to potentially get a start. Lots of stars in this one Beckham, Donovan, Angel, Altidore etc……..New York much like Colorado will try to keep this tight which is their mode of operation on the road under Juan Carlos Osorio….So who actually opens up on the road these days in MLS?

What are your keys to the Dynamo against Colorado?

As well all know the EPL is down to the final weekend and the theory remains out there that Wigan will not produce their best against Manchester United who are tied on points with Chelsea. Man U must stumble against Wigan in order to open the door for Chelsea. Both United and Chelseas are on the same points with Manchester United holding the tiebreaker. Here is what Wigan manager Steve Bruce a former Manchester United player had to say on the so called conspiracy that they will be less than professional:

“WE HAVE THE BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD BECAUSE OF IT’S HONESTY AND INTEGRITY.”
Manchester United manager Steve Bruce.

‘WHEN PEOPLE ARE PASSIONATE, THINGS HAPPEN.”
LA Galaxy striker Landon Donovan whose team takes on the Red Bulls tonite at the HDC.
Donovan is the leagues leading goal scorer with 8.

‘I’D NEVER HEARD OF HIM.” Galaxy rookie Brandon McDonald on his coach Ruud Gullit who twice was the World player of the
the year!

“WE ARE TRYING TO EXCITE, TINTILLATE AND CAPTURE THE ATTENTION OF FOLKS IN LA, THAT’S WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT. IF YOUR BORING HERE YOU ARE DEAD.” LA Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas.

Check out the DSR with Glenn Davis tonite on Channel 55 at 9:30 pm.
Interviews with Dominic Kinnear and Richard Mulrooney, viewer mail, Youth Club Profile and highlights are all a part of the show.

*So it looks like the Dynamo will roll out the same line-up against Colorado that they started with against Chivas USA.
So what are your thoughts on shaking up the lineup ? Or should Dominic Kinnear just sit pat as the goals could come this Saturday night against the Rapids whom we should expect to defend deep in a 4-5-1 with a lone striker. The Dynamo would hope otherwise:

Options:

*Start Stuart Holden on the right in midfield where he is more comfortable and push Brian Mullan as a forward next to Brian Ching. Problem with this is that you lose the wide play of Mullan who has had it difficult running past people as of late and penetrating. His pace up front could create more space for Brian Ching…..

* Start Chris Wondoloski next to Brian Ching with his work ethic though Wondoloski like all of you point out to me , scores goals in reserve matches the impact has not translated to MLS . Still could be a valuable sub with his tireless attitude.

*Stick with Brian Ching and Franco Caraccio and let the pairing blossom. Clearly these two are still trying to get on the same page as evidenced by the fact that they don’t play as a “tandem”. A work in progress.

*Some have suggested giving Brian Ching a break and starting Wondoloski and Caraccio. Neither Caraccio or Wondoloski can hold the ball up like Ching and play as a target , holding type of striker so I don’t think you will see this unless Ching gets a rest and that won’t be while a team is losing.

*What about a tactical switch and going with three strikers just to put more pressure on opponents at Robertson. Start the trio, play with three center backs . Sometimes when strikers are struggling and no one is shining you can compensate by playing with three. Problem at the tight Robertson is that is could kill off space for the trio.

There are many more ideas that could be thrown out here but this is to jog discussion.

Check out the DSR with Glenn Davis tonite on Channel 55 at 9:30 pm.
Interviews with Dominic Kinnear and Richard Mulrooney, viewer mail, Youth Club Profile and highlights are all a part of the show.

*So it looks like the Dynamo will roll out the same line-up against Colorado that they started with against Chivas USA.
So what are your thoughts on shaking up the lineup ? Or should Dominic Kinnear just sit pat as the goals could come this Saturday night against the Rapids whom we should expect to defend deep in a 4-5-1 with a lone striker. The Dynamo would hope otherwise:

Options:

*Start Stuart Holden on the right in midfield where he is more comfortable and push Brian Mullan as a forward next to Brian Ching. Problem with this is that you lose the wide play of Mullan who has had it difficult running past people as of late and penetrating. His pace up front could create more space for Brian Ching…..

* Start Chris Wondoloski next to Brian Ching with his work ethic though Wondoloski like all of you point out to me , scores goals in reserve matches the impact has not translated to MLS . Still could be a valuable sub with his tireless attitude.

*Stick with Brian Ching and Franco Caraccio and let the pairing blossom. Clearly these two are still trying to get on the same page as evidenced by the fact that they don’t play as a “tandem”. A work in progress.

*Some have suggested giving Brian Ching a break and starting Wondoloski and Caraccio. Neither Caraccio or Wondoloski can hold the ball up like Ching and play as a target , holding type of striker so I don’t think you will see this unless Ching gets a rest and that won’t be while a team is losing.

*What about a tactical switch and going with three strikers just to put more pressure on opponents at Robertson. Start the trio, play with three center backs . Sometimes when strikers are struggling and no one is shining you can compensate by playing with three. Problem at the tight Robertson is that is could kill off space for the trio.

There are many more ideas that could be thrown out here but this is to jog discussion.

Ok I just got through watching the DC/CHICAGO game . Boy is United in shambles.
Their soccer struggled so much in this one that their fans deservedly got most of the on camera time.
Ok jokes aside what we must remember is the amount of change that has ocurred at United.
Couple that with JAIME MORENO who clearly can’t carry a game anymore but can still provide a moment.
LUCAS NEILL works hard but achieves little and SANTINO QUARANTA is a starter?
Now I am a great fan and an admirer of Moreno but he is in the downward spiral (nature calling) while Quaranta looks completely different then the talented teen that entered the league a few years ago.
Where did it all go wrong for him?
Marcello Gallardo is still a large question mark in making the adjustment to MLS worthy of his salary. And Luciano Emilio and others are not motivated, this team currently has no leader. And the one that could lead BEN OLSEN is injured.
Teams in MLS are built for three year time periods basically based on salary cap and incremental pay raises and ultimately have to be dismantled to a degree.

Chicago is solid and Denis Hamlett is carrying the momentum of last year into this season adding his own touches.
Cuahutemoc Blanco may have had some off field romance problems in the last few months but he is delivering as a leader of the Fire and is making game changing plays every single game. Soccer wise and commercially he has been a “Saint” in MLS.
Bet he never heard that before.
JOHN THORRINGTON is coming to life and JUSTIN MAPP produces the game winning goal to bite his former club.
Two games in a row former United players have torched their former team.

DYNAMO SOCCER REPORT WITH GLENN DAVIS FRIDAY NIGHT AT 9:30 PM

Catch interviews with Dominic Kinnear and Richard Mulrooney, goals from around the world, viewer mail , rumors , rants and raves plus our youth profile on TEXAS PREMIER YOUTH SOCCER CLUB. We also preview the Colorado Rapids .
Will Colorado come in to defend deep and play for the counter like Chivas USA? I say yes, what do you think?

Manchester United and Chelsea with one game left in the Premier League are tied on points. Manchester United go to Wigan while Chelsea entertain Bolton.

So are you buying in to all the rumors about Wigan laying down for Manchester United this weekend in the EPL because a former United player Steve Bruce is the manager of Wigan?

Does the Manchester United mafia conspire on this one? Who knows but one thing I know is that if Wigan were to pull of a draw or a win and it costs United the Premier League title he WOULD go down in Manchester United history for being the manager that helped deny them the EPL title. Just a thought.

* Ok, before you get up in arms about the proposed partnering of the Dynamo and TSU remember that the ultimate gain is to get the stadium built.
This is a winner for TSU in the eyes of local perception and can help a damaged reputation, they have to be chomping at the bit to get involved.
If this gets the stadium built and over the top I will now become a TSU Football fan……..

*DC United is a team in transition.
Lets face it. Luciano Emilio is un-motivated, Gallardo is still learning the league, Ben Olsen is out injured and his career in jeopardy and it is interesting to see if this team can pull all the pieces together. Former Dynamo Zach Wells has been average in goal and role players like Brian Carroll have moved on.
Good news financially, a shirt deal with Volkswagen that is worth 3 million a year.

* Ok Dynamo fans, what can YOU offer Joseoph Ngwenya to come back to Houston. Some fans have offered room and board while others have emailed with other incentives for Joseph. Can you imagine the buzz and excitement his return could bring this franchise. One thing we know is that a technical threat and speed is needed next to Brian Ching.

*Would you like to see Diego Simeone go to Spain and be manager of Athletico Madrid? I like seeing him as manager of River Plate. Just brings more to the Boca/River rivalry.

*Of course you need to get out locally in Houston for the Dynamo and Rapids this Saturday at Robertson Stadium.
So will Fernando Clavijo the Colorado coach play with two forwards at Robertson Stadium like he did in a two goal win over DC United this past weekend?
Based on the history of opponents coming in expect the 4-5-1. Lets just hope they play a bit more than Chivas USA this past weekend.

* LA vs. New York on HDNET this weekend is a juicy encounter also with some star quality.

*My apologies to the fans that made it out to the STAGS HEAD PUB near Sheperd and 59, we had to divert the live broadcast of “Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis” back to the studio after problems with phone lines and weather.
Many remained and listened to the show at the pub and apparently had a good time.
Thanks for the support.