I would not call it one of the great night’s for the Houston Dynamo yet there is a lesson to be learned.
After dodging a few bullets in the first half, some which were self inflicted the Dynamo reminded us of why the game of soccer is played.
The margin of difference sometimes is very slim and comes down to one play or two.
That usual up-tempo circulation of the ball was missing, outside backs were hesitant to join in the attack and the Dynamo without more conviction out wide could not find any room in the middle third of the field. Chivas USA also deserves some credit here as they seemed organized, willing to work (even Amado Guevara) and were unlucky not to be leading at half-time.
Then comes the 64th minute classic aerial play from Brian Ching and we have a game that changes.
Now the Dynamo are finding a little more space, Claudio Suarez is held out to dry as Chivas USA commits more in the attack and it looks a little closer to what is expected from the Dynamo.
Three points in the bag, a much needed goal after three halves without producing one and you have your goal scorer on track plus your central midfield figure back and to boot not playing your best you still have been fortunate not to have conceded a goal in two games. Credit to Pat Onstad for producing the saves he needed to make plus Paul Dalglish gave all he could and his mobility is a necessity.
Chivas USA is a different team with a threat in behind defenses in Maykel Galindo from Cuba…a solid win and another solid performance from the fans.
FC Dallas flew across country and never even wanted to play in a 3-0 loss to the Red Bulls in New York in rainy, cold weather.
Sometimes on these days you really find out what people are made of. Josey ALtidore, Clint Mathis scored for New York who neglected to play Claudio Reyna on this day wisely.
Dynamo Power Hour tomorrow night and I look forward to your phone calls as we break down the weekend’s game’s and preview New York. Also I want your feedback on the first edition of the Dynamo Soccer Report. We aim to please and are glad to be bringing this program to you.
GlennDavis@thesoccerhour.com

MLS is scrambling to get paperwork and protocol finished before the transfer window closes tomorrow according to close sources of mine. The Colombian striker would join the New York Red Bulls after playing for Aston Villa and River Plate.
Angel has been one of numerous strikers linked with the New York Red Bulls over the last few months .
Rumors and speculation came in the form of Brazilian Ronaldo who is now at AC Milan, Ecuadorian Augustin Delgado and most recently Brazilian Edmundo.
Angel would be a good fit in New York and would add to the international contingent Bruce Arena is building for the Red Bulls.
They already have Dutchman Ronald Watereus in goal, Dutchman Dave Van Den Berg, and Austrian Markus Schopp .
The move would also take the pressure off of 17 year old striker Josey Altidore who is a work in progress with great potential and whom started on opening day for the Red Bulls.

In a league of parity you can’t make judgements on teams too quickly but after watching LA last night they clearly look like a team that is lacking creativity other than from Landon Donovan. Chris Albright wide in midfield did not do it and was ultimately returned to right back, Cobi Jones was not effective and with Nate Jacqua in the penalty area someone is going to need to provide wide play. Where has Santino Quaranta faded to?
Kevin Harmes was subbed in by Frank Yallop, keep an eye on him because he is going to be David Beckham’s “protector” on the field. He won’t have that responsibility off it. Oh and by the way Harmes kicked a few people.
As for the Dynamo they should be fresh and look for them to take the attack to Chivas USA who should have some support of their own at Robertson. Ante Razov goes for goal 100 while Brian Ching if given the proper support out wide should be able to score goals against Chivas USA’s defense with Mexican legend Claudio Suarez in the middle.
Chivas USA beat FC Toronto and has strength in Sacha Klejstan in midfield along with Amado Guevara. This will be fun to watch these guys battle Rico Clark and Dwayne DeRosario of the Dynamo for the middle third. Francisco Mendoza can be dangerous but I am still not convinced about Chivas USA without Paco Palencia and Juan Pablo Garcia.
Preki is in an interesting role as head coach after only one season as an assistant. When things go South and they do for all MLS teams how will he and Guevara get on? Time will tell.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho in remarks made to Spanish newspaper Marca that 13 other managers have been mentioned as potential new managers at Chelsea. The comment points to a strained relationship between him and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
Speculation had Mourinho heading to Real Madrid this summer who is under contract to Chelsea through 2010.”
“I don’t want my named linked with Madrid or with any other club because I want to stay with Chelsea,” says Mourinho.
“Iv’e got a contract until 2010 and I want to carry on. If I have to leave for some reason or because someone wants me to…that’s life in soccer.”
Hmmm I wonder who that someone is? And why Mourinho has been counting his potential replacements?
With Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals after eliminating Valencia you would think his plate is full without having to keep a running countr.
Someone’s ego has been bruised here. Is it Mourinho or Abramovich?

Fulham fired Chris Coleman as manager yesterday and Lawrie Sanchez has taken over as “caretaker” until the end of the season.
In the U.S. we would call it “interim” coach which is what Bob Bradley is with the U.S. National team.
Sanchez is currently the manager of Northern Ireland but it is Coleman I want to talk about.
It is Coleman that showed faith in the U.S. player like no other coach ever has in England. From Brian McBride to Carlos Bocanegra and now on to Clint Dempsey whom he signed.
Significant that he signed that many U.S. players, absolutely. Ok so with Chris’s fondness for the American player who knows his next gig might be in MLS? Ok just kidding, we’ll you never know.
For McBride, Bocanegra and Dempsey it will be interesting to see how the new manager and these players hit off.

The Dynamo Soccer Report with Glenn Davis Friday at 6pm, Saturday at 5pm on Channel 55
The Dynamo Power Hour hosted by Glenn Davis Mondays at 7pm 790 The Sports Animal Radio
Podcasts available at www.houstonchronicle.com and 790thesportsanimal.com

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“The Dynamo Soccer Report with Glenn Davis” debuts this week on both Friday at 6pm and Saturday at 5pm on Channel 55.
The show will feature interviews with Dynamo coaches, players and fans plus segments on the international game and local soccer including the youth, adult and collegiate game.
The opening show features an interview with head coach Dominic Kinnear, a heading session with Dynamo midifielder Stuart Holden plus an interview with new UH womens coach Susan Bush.
Davis will also provide opinion and a weekly red card segment and award the “golden ball’ to those making positive impressions in the soccer community. Game reviews and previews will also be a part of the half hour show.
Fans are also encouraged to send in their videos from weekend play around soccer for airing on the show.
The Dynamo Soccer Report with Glenn Davis will run twice weekly every Friday at 6pm and Saturday at 5pm.

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

Well I am out here in snowy Columbus, Ohio after arriving yesterday and yes it is cold.
There is the beauty of MLS, you get to catch all the change of seasons. Apparently it was 70 degrees last week so it is a bit strange.
I am excited to see how the first weekend of MLS pans out. Fans expectations are so high that sometimes the first game becomes more than it should because the season is so long yet on the other hand it can be a statement game.
Lets not forget what the Houston Dynamo did in it’s opener last year.
Columbus coach Sigi Schmid has all his players in from the beginning of the season so that should bode well for chemistry and preparing for the season. This team could not score goals last year and will hope that Andy Herron acquired from Chicago can produce regularly. I would not have wanted to be a defender on this team last year constantly under pressure and never having the relief playing much with a lead or cushion of a goal or two. Frankie Hejduk will return today after missing most of last season.
Claudio Reyna will debut and the Red Bull expected to play with a five man midfield that will include Dema Kovalenko, Dave Van Den Bergh and potentially Dane Richards a Jamaican that played at San Jacinto College and Clemson.
The key with individuals like Reyna and C Blanco in Chicago is to sourround them with the right players and put them in a position to excel. The five man midfield is part and parcel most likely to protect Reyna and because the Red Bulls have not acquired that international striker they have been looking for.
This ought to be interesting in Columbus tonite. You can catch the game on HDNET and if you haven’t seen high def and it’s technology you have to check it out. Perfect for soccer.
Also looking forward to tomorrow night’s Houston Dynamo/LA game . Do the Dynamo have enough in the tank for opening day against Landon and company? We will see.
Catch that game on Channel 55 in Houston, the Direct Kick package or better yet get to the game live !!
Glenn Davis on the road for HDNET in snowy Ohio.

Let’s face it. Many MLS fans and fans of soccer in the United States may be disappointed in getting so close to tasting more international competition to just fall short.
The Houston Dynamo were ousted by Pachuca 5-4 on aggregate while DC United fell 3-2 on aggregate to Chivas.
The signs are nothing but positive and the reality is the gap is closing between the MLS and the Mexican League and the MLS is doing it with far fewer resources and finances.
Looking to the future when the purse strings slowly get opened more and youth development programs begin to reap benefits you will see more success against Mexican clubs.
The Dynamo and United have to be lauded for their outstanding effort in this tournament. In all my years of watching MLS never have I felt as confident as with these two teams in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The last two MLS entries didn’t even get past the quarterfinals and here we are now almost expecting that the Dynamo and DC get past top Mexican clubs.
This was a positive Concacaf run for the teams and the league and serves as a pre-cursor to this summer’s Superliga.
We must always remind ourselves of the financial differences and historical differences in these clubs.
Did you see the relief on the faces of the players and staff of Chivas and Pachuca? Did you see fans nearly in tears when the Dynamo looked as though they were only a few minutes away from advancing before Andres Chitiva scored the tying goal?
Respect has been earned and MLS did us proud.
Now on to the Dynamo game last night and here are a few random thoughts.
Poor start from the Dynamo but credit them for recovering and taking this to overtime. Pachuca is the number one team in Mexico with tons of depth and the obvious difference was their comfort and explosivness on the ball individually in all areas of the field. Some Dynamo players were exposed in this game that you might not see as obvious in MLS league play.
That being said that is just the growth of the league and you have got to be proud of the Houston effort under difficult conditions in an amazing environment. What a spirit and esprit de corps this team has. I honestly believe if they got past Pachuca they would knock off Chivas.
Chaco Gimenez was outstanding, yes some very suspect calls from referee Mauricio Navarro. First goal looked offside from Caballero, suspect second penalty called on Brad Davis that was converted by Gimenez .
Gimenez after the game was full of praise for Houston and their players and he was almost astonished that the Dynamo had not folded in Pachuca. In MLS when you lose a player of importance like Ricardo Clark it is difficult to hide his abscence . Last year it would have been Adrian Serioux this night it was Kelly Gray and give credit to him. He gave all he had.
No MLS team has the number of individuals like Pachuca that can change a game on their own. Andres Chitiva, Christian Gimenez, Damian Alvarez plus their own locally developed players to boot.
The Dynamo effort was a great one and they were only four minutes and stoppage time away from going to a major tournament.
Some special mention to defender Wade Barrett who was solid and made many a saving play to keep the Dynamo in it in the first half. Brian Ching again provided timely plays and continues to be a big game player, Dwayne DeRosario had his moments (header saved by Calero in OT and then Gimenez scored the other way in the final moments of the first overtime) but one wonders if his contract situation is bothering him.
Great to see a small band of Dynamo fans in Mexico and also credit the team for the way they handled the dissapointment of losing . Class act and Houston and MLS fans should be proud of both DC and the Dynamo.
And yes that gap is narrowing.

Give me your thoughts on the Dynamo Pachuca game.