We are only a few hours from kick-off down here in Costa Rica and we are all pretty excited. Practice yesterday was about an hour and quite successful give the bumpy field conditions. The stadium is tight and definetly favors the home team as the fans will be within a few feet of us. We found out today that the club has been fined in their past five home matches for fan behavior so we are hoping against hope that above all else a safe environment is provided for the match.
It will not be easy playing our first truly competitive match of the year against a team that already is in the middle of their domestic season. The weather, stadium, and field conditions will definetly play a role in tomorrow’s game. That said, I do believe we are a team capable of winning all of the competitions we enter. I believe that our experience and our tactics will benefit us more this year than any other that we have played in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Expect a great effort…sloppy field…..a good result. I truly hpe to play DC for the Cup, I wish them the best of luck and GO MLS !
Craig Waibel Houston Dynamo defender

Two goals from Raul (10,28) and a goal from Ruud VanNistlerooy (34) powered Real Madrid to a 3-2 Champions league victory over Bayern Munich of Germany in Spain.
The star studded affair featured David Beckham producing some scintillating passes plus delivering the free kick that led to Van Nistelrooy’s goale (camera angles on tv made me think he may have been offside).
Lucio and Mark Van Bommel scored the goals for Bayern Munich in the 23rd and 88th minutes .
One amazing sequence featured an unreal save from Oliver Kahn denying Beckham off a free kick in the 52nd minute from about 35 yards out. Beckham for me is still the best in the world standing over a free kick.
For those who don’t think Beckham will produce in MLS you are kidding yourselves. With the importance of free kicks and dead ball situations in world soccer for that alone Beckham is influential on the field. As for the run of play, Beckham will have one mobile Landon Donovan in front of him to be the recipient of his glorious passes.
*Paolo Maldini appeared in his 100th champions league match for AC Milan against Celtic.
What more can you say about this servant to one club? Pure class.

Former U.S. National team coach and current New York Red Bulls head coach Bruce Arena along with Dynamo striker Brian Ching will be guests of Glenn Davis on the Soccer Hour Tuesday at 7pm. Fans can call in to the show at 713-212-5790 .
email Glenn at GlennDavis@thesoccerhour.com

The Adrian Serioux trade may look like it was a good one for the Dynamo. Serioux had injury problems last year for the Dynamo despite fufilling an important role of versatility between holding midfield and central defense.
It was a good thing he was fit for the MLS Cup final without Ricardo Clark lets face it.
Serioux will have knee surgery next week for a bruise to the inside of the femur bone which apparently healed or was caused by reptitive smaller injuries.
The whole thought of knee injuries brings me to Brian Ching whose health this year is essential for the Dynamo over the course of the upcoming season which includes 4 competitions this season. Ching will likely be available but not start this Wednesday in Costa Rica as he is not fully fit but his health this season will be a huge point of contention.
As for Puntarenas and the Dynamo , the Costa Rican squad has been less than complimentary of the Dynamo in their local press. Not showing alot of respect it seems just like some other team that I know.
A small bumpy field with fans right on top of the Dynamo will be part of the challenge in their first ever international game. Only three weeks of training will provide fitness issues against a team that is into their season but……………………for all of MLS both on and off the field this is the year of NO EXCUSES.
Glenn

Inter Milan can break the record of Bayern Munich of Germany and Real Madrid of Spain if they can produce a 16th straight victory. Cagliari will visit the San Siro Stadium in Milan and try to prove spoilers.
There have been so many problems with the Italian Serie A with match fixing and the recent riots that the league’s reputation has suffered immeasurably. Still that does not take away from the season that has been put together under head coach Roberto Mancini.
Mancini is a great story and one of my all time favorite players, I used to marvel at this players skill and soccer “brain” while I called Italian League games in Los Angeles back in the late 90’s when the Serie “A” for me was the best league in the world. Mancini was an amazing part of Lazio and routinely would provide moments of individual brilliance to go along with a unique view as a player. If it weren’t for Roberto Baggio his career with Italy may have been more dramatic.
Many of these players struggle in coaching roles yet Mancini has thrived.
Inter may be missing top players like Hernan Crespo, Douglas Maicon and injured Patrick Viera who has been a big part of Inter’s success.
No more than 35,000 will witness the game as only season ticket holders will be allowed to attend.

*On an unrelated note how about W Connection of Trinidad and Tobago knocking off Chivas in their first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup 2-1 with 10 men!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines Day.
We are one week into pre-season and things are looking ok as far as the team goes. As for me and my situation, talks with the club from Norway and the league broke down and I will be playing for the ‘Hoops” again this season I’m looking forward to the season and trying to make up for what happened at the end of last season. As many of you know the playoff game against Colorado last year was a very difficult time for me because I felt like I let a lot of people down when I was red-carded.
I worked very hard this off-season to make sure that I am one of the top left backs in our league and will continue to work hard throughout the season. While I was going through that difficult time, I realized that things don’t always work out as we plan but if you are able to withstand the hard times you come out that much stronger. I’ve learned a lot from last year and I know that this year will end differently. Until next time, this is Chris hoping you enjoy your family and football.
- Chris Gbandi

Rene, I am a huge fan of the Mr. Clean chants at the games. It fires me up because we all want our own cheer…one that is done just for us……thousands of fans cheering for me! I can take that all day long. You keep bringing the noise up there and I’ll keep bringing it down on the field! And the answer to why I came into the crowd after winning the MLS Cup…..just read my answer above. The Houston crowd gave me more than I ever imagined last year. I couldn’t wait to get up there and share all the smiles.
Oh yeah, I only shave my head on game days.
El Naranja I want more money. I like getting ‘popular players’ over here, but we still have a developmental team players making $800 per month. Personally, I think it is disappointing to see them paying so much when the average salary in the league hovers around $75,000. Remember that is the average which means there are quite a few guys making less than that when you take into account how much the DP’s are making. And finally Evan-I like that Beckham is coming. I hope he brings his “A” game to the states. I am a fan like the rest except when playing against him. I applaud him for getting the money. It is not his fault for earning his check. About the tackle on him……….I’ve never stepped out of a challenge prior to now regardless of the opponent so that one is up to him. Thanks for the questions and keep them coming.
- Craig Waibel

Landon Donovan spent 20 minutes with Glenn Davis on the Soccer Hour last night on 790 AM radio weighing in on numerous decsions including the mental edge the U.S. has over Mexico, new coach Bob Bradley, describes his 2nd half goal past Oswaldo Sanchez, plus weighs in on David Beckham.
Catch the podcast of the show at www.houstonchronicle.com or 790thesportsanimal.com