Back in 1998 while calling Italian Serie “A” games for then Fox Sports World (Now Fox Soccer Channel) I was totally enthralled with the talent and teams of Italy. Alessandro Del Piero was amazing for Juventus, Roberto Mancini for Lazio along with Marcelo Salas while Paolo Maldini was already a legend, meanwhile Inter Milan included players like Youri Djorkaeff and Ronaldo.
Back in those days I even remember when Thierry Henry was a young wide midfielder trying to make it at Juventus.
Great coaches abounded like Giovanni Trappattoni at Fiorentina who were led by Gabriel Batistuta whose supply line came from Rui Costa…those were the days.
Italian soccer is in huge trouble which was only accentuated by today’s Manchester United thrashing of Roma 7-1, this game was over after 18 minutes and it was shocking how Roma gave up and represented themselves.
The real story is in a corrupt league, criminals who masquerade as supporters and a league that somehow can not be taken as seriously. A policeman’s death after a match, supporters who use soccer as a political and criminal mask have hurt the proud Italian game. Winning the World Cup was great but this is a league in huge trouble.
Once I would flip the game quickly to the Italian game over any league in the world on the television, now sadly it is just an afterthought.

The Dynamo definetly left alot on the field in Pachuca after a very brave performance in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Bottom line is as I watched the warming up you could see in their sharpness that fatigue would be an issue.
A tentative start is what occurs sometimes when you are fatigued and that is what happended to the Dynamo.
They were fortunate that Landon Donovan did not take advantage of some early chances, as for LD he was stoned by Pat Onstad who was solid in the opening outing . The Dynamo were fortunate not to concede a goal in the first half.
First half edge went to LA and I would give the Dynamo the edge in the second, they had better possession but lacked that normal good wide play and had a hard time penetrating on anything that they created. Brian Ching drifted deeper and deeper into midfield and played alot of the game in and around the halfway line due to the lack of wide play.
It was a frustrating night for the striker who was shadowed by Tyrone Marshall.
Just a reminder to how dangerous he is he nearly scored on a rare cross from a wide area from Wade Barrett.
LA was tenative in the second half and defended with 5-6 looking for a draw or the hope of magic from Landon Donovan …Dynamo possession limited Donovan in the second half and the red-card may have taken the edge away.
When Ryan Cochrane got red-carded it prompted the change of Stuart Holden on for Paul Dalglish who had been chomping at the bit to get a run.
One fact remains , Kelly Gray did everything he could in a holding role and credit to him but this team misses Ricardo Clark in a big way who should be available this weekend.
Clark trained today and looks ready to go again and resume his midfield holding mantle.
Saturday’s match will be broadcasted nationally on HDNET and locally on channel 55.
Please check out the debut of “The Dynamo Soccer Report with Glenn Davis” this Friday at 6pm on Channel 55.
Our first show includes interviews with Dominic Kinnear, Stuart Holden on heading , Susan Bush the new UH womens coach plus my red card and gold ball segments.
I would like your feedback, story ideas etc. I look forward to putting together an important soccer show for this city and will always be looking for your input and feedback. Dynamo Power Hour is Monday nights at 7pm on 790 The Sports Animal.
Glenn