Check out the recent podcast of the “Dynamo Power Hour ” and an interview with English Premier League goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann who was a part of the amazing story of Reading getting in to the Premiership after winning the first division. Against the odds and critics saying they would be relegated, Reading finished an amazing 8th in the Premiership only one point out of a European place.
Hahnemann reflects on : *Differences in the EPL and First Division
*Differences in the “big four” and the rest of the EPL
* Differences in speed of play
* What it’s like to play against Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford
* On coming back to MLS

Podcast available at : Houstonchronicle.com or 790thesportsanimal.com

I finally got to catch the tape today of the Dynamo game against NE prior to the Dynamo Power Hour tonite.
Here are some of my thoughts and I would love to hear yours as well.
1. The Dynamo were clearly the aggressors, had the better possession, yet still struggled in the last third of the field.
2. NE scored on their first significant attack in the 9th minute through Shalrie Joseoph with their only shot on goal. The Dynamo continue the disturbing trend of not getting the games first goal. With that goal tactical advantage NE.
3. Joseoph Ngwenya could have made a big splash by producing goals in his first two starts but he must be given time, it has only been two games. He is not a prolific goal scorer in MLS, had only five last year on a poor Columbus team but hopefully his pace will lead to more space for others and forcing opponents to defend somewhat deeper given the Dynamo midfield more space.
4. Did NE even play?
5. There is an over-dependence on Brian Ching and Dwayne DeRosario, can someone else provide the timely goal? Ricardo Clarke? Brad Davis? Brian Mullan?
6. With Davis coming central alot width is lost on the left and now the attacking play of Brian Mullan becomes magnified on the right providing delivery and penetration.
7. The Dynamo were hesistant, not sharp, not decisive and lacked the final pass or a quality first touch in attacking third and the penalty area. Did they have enough ideas ? They did not test Matt Reis on this day.
8. Long range shooting is not prevalent in MLS as much as it should be and with the Dynamo. This element needs to be added in order to pull defenses out.
9. The ball needs to moved forwards quicker off the backs in order to catch opponents positionally and to give midfielders the ball with more space.
10. Cory Ashe surprised NE off the bench with pace, could be a good late game attacking option.
11. MLS referee’s last year you were given the mandate from Joe Machnik and the head of referee’s for MLS to stop persistent fouling by issue cards efficiently to those guility of this game breaking tactic. Too many games are being dominated by persistent fouling. One wonders if they have forgotten?
12. As defending champions the target is on the Dynamo’s backs, they are not conceding goals which is positive, they are providing the ethic and clearly were the better team against NE.
13.
Clearly MLS is a better league with improved teams and now increased pressure.

Give me your thoughts….. ……….. Glenn Davis

Catch EPL Reading and US National team goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann on the Dynamo Power Hour with Glenn Davis tonite at 7pm on 790 The Sports Animal. Call in number is 713-212-5790

Houston area product Chris Gbandi (Cy Falls High School )scored an amazing goal against Real Salt Lake for the 2-1 win Sunday night at Pizza Hut Park.
Gbandi played his youth soccer with the Cy Fair Dynamos and the Hurricanes Soccer Club. Check out his blast at mlsnet.com.
An additional note the first FC Dallas goal also was spectacular with former Texas Premier youth soccer player Arturo Alvarez (Mayde Creek) scoring.
Two Houston area products provide all the scoring for FC Dallas.

The Dynamo Power Hour with Glenn Davis hits the airwaves Monday night at 7pm on 790 The Sports Animal.
Guests include Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann who helped lead his club to 8th place in the English Premier League.
Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear will be a guest also and will discuss the recent 1-0 loss against NE and preview the DC United game this Saturday which is exclusive on HDNET from RFK Stadium.
Call in number for the show is 713-212-5790 phone lines will be open and we want to hear from you.
*Thought on Dynamo loss and goalscoring struggles
*How will Dynamo fare at DC ?
*Champions League Final in Athens Wednesday…..who wins it ?
* MLS games review from the weekend.
*Salman Mitha in Munich with the Stuttgart triumph from Germany.

Call in at 713-212-5790 and get your opinion in !!!

One thing will strike you when you go to a game live at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.
The field is monstrous . It is so large it looks unnatural to the eye.
Now the width is 80 yards wide apparently to create a home field advantage along with the altitude. But is it really a home field advantage?
The Rapids have only won once at home and have been beaten twice in this beautiful brand new stadium.
The Houston Dynamo played the best game of their slow season so far at the home of the Rapids in a 3-1 victory where they dominated possession.
The field is a challenge to any team’s ability to stay compact. The field also makes players more conservative based on it’s size and the thought that running has to be economical on this monstrous field.
So what does all this mean? It means like the Colorado/KC game last night that the pace will be slower and the size and altitude is going to suck the entertainment value right out of games at the new home of the Rapids.
Things definetly occur slower in this stadium and coaches coming in will be far more calculated with the concerns over this large playing surface. KC showed us that last night and were unlucky not to have gotten the win.

Stuttgart winning their final eight games of the season capped a remarkable run to the title in Germany. Mexicans Pavel Pardo and Ricardo Osorio have been an integral part of this team and their move to Europe has been rewarded…..Boring just the way they like it….well in the case of Chelsea anyway. They win the FA Cup Final over Manchester United 1-0 on a stoppage time goal by Didier Drogba. The Ivorian has had an amazing year that can’t be disuputed . At least one thing is clear we won’t have to hear Jose Mourinho moan about something in tomorrow’s papers hopefully…….Admittedly Curt Onalfo the head coach of the KC Wizards says his biggest coaching challenge individually is with high maintenance striker Eddie Johnson. Onalfo says it is worth it. He admits “Johnson is better technically than I thought.” The Wizards are a far less conservative team since Onalfo took over for Brian Bliss and Bob Gansler. He also is benefitting from new ownership and a new mindset that he is instilling. “I like to take risk,” says Onalfo. “I get angry when they (Strikers) are not dangerous.” The league this year is better overall and so are the KC Wizards with a coaches attitude like Onalfo’s…………..Don’t forget the Dynamo against NE tonite how are coming in off a monster road win in LA. How do the Dynamo respond after a road loss in Toronto?………………….KC may just take advantage of the large space in Colorado tonite which is supposed to be a home field advantage for the Rapids. Houston used it to their advantage recently…………………..The Dynamo suppporters groups the Texian Army and El Battallon will stay silent for the first fifteen minutes of their game tonite to protest poor treatment from stadium security and will be dressed in black according to Texian Army member Sam Whitehill.
CLUB AMERICA VS CHIVAS TOMORROW- NEED I SAY MORE

As a sports fan, you can’t ask for more: One day, one match, one last shot at a title. That’s what we have in store for you on the final match day of the Bundesliga season. Stuttgart have positioned themselves in the drivers seat with seven consecutive victories. Their current form has catapulted them forward as both Schalke and Bremen have stumbled in the past few weeks.
A win and they take the title the first since the 91-92 season.
Despite poor play as of late, Schalke can reach the finish line first with a win if Stuttgart draw or lose. Bremen played themselves into the championship picture by losing last week vs. Frankfurt, but can earn an automatic Champions League birth if they win and Schalke lose-something that Bremen did last year on the last day by beating Hamburg. Nuremberg don’t have to win to clinch a UEFA Cyo spot, they are in already due to their spot in the German Cup Final. They will be joined by Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen. A spot in the Intertoto Cup is wide open, Seven clubs have a chance to enter this tournament which gives clubs a chance to win a spot in the UEFA Cup.
Ligaradio will follow all the action this Saturday starting at 8:15 CST, catch match, highlights and all the goals as they happen.
Log on to bundesliga.de/en and click the blinking button for all the action. Email me at ligaradio@bundesliga.de with your comments . Bis daan (until next time) Salman Mitha in Germany

*Editors note: Salman will re-cap the Bundesliga finish this Monday night on the Dynamo Power Hour with Glenn Davis on 790 AM Radio, Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann will also be a part of the show.

Don’t miss the Dynamo Soccer Report with Glenn Davis tonite on Channel 55 at 6pm with the re-air Saturday at 5pm.
Here is the show rundown: *Dynamo highlights from Toronto
* Interviews with Richard Mulrooney and Joseoph Ngwenya
*Interview with “Free Kick Masters” event promoter Michael Premazon
He comments on Dynamo participation in this event with Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi
*NE Revolution review and preview
*Red Card and Gold Ball segment plus international highlights

Don’t forget the Dynamo at home Saturday night in a re-match of last year’s MLS Cup.
What a weekend of soccer on television starting SATURDAY MORNING WITH THE FA CUP FINAL AT THE NEW WEMBLEY BETWEEN MANCHESTER UNITED AND CHELSEA
*Sunday Mexican League Playoffs CLUB AMERICA VS CHIVAS, PACHUCA VS CRUZ AZUL
Wednesday AC MILAN VS LIVERPOOL IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
ENJOY!!!

Club America got a vital goal from Salvador Cabanas to secure a 1-0 win over Chivas in the first leg of their Mexican League semi-finals. The goal gives us a little glimpse into what we might see from Cuahutemoc Blanco when he comes to the Chicago Fire, after a foul in midfield Blanco quickly took a long free kick that found Cabanas for the game’s lone goal. This quick, imaginative thinking led to a difference making goal going back to Jalisco, Stadium in Guadalajara.
Meanwhile Pachuca thumped Cruz Azul 3-1. Now does anybody really give Cruz Azul a chance against the Mexican League’s best team especially without Cesar “Chelito” Delgado. Of course not.
Sunday’s Club America vs. Chivas match will be intense and is must see tv. Many may think this is the final between the two most loved club’s in Mexico but mark my words. Pachuca will ultimately be the Champions.
Thoughts anyone?