Just a few random thoughts. First let’s talk about the Houston Dynamo’s rookie Cory Ashe. It will be interesting to see how Dominic Kinnear uses him but he may just have to give him a run as a starter to prove himself out. Three for three off the bench in have a game changing effect for the rookie. We all know it is a difficult jump from playing collegiately, knowing your going to start every game in an amazingly short season thanks to those brain-childs at the NCAA who restrict everything when it comes to soccer while NCAA Football and basketball are run like professional leagues. Ok back to Ashe. Just bear in mind going from super-sub to a 90 minute player is a completely different role……The guys who are staring opportunity in the face are Ashe, Stuart Holden, Zach Wells and Chris Wondoloski. Where will Kelly Gray and Paul Dalglish fit and come into the picture? Interesting times lie ahead and expect some surprises………..Thursday against Colorado gives us the Thursday night ESPN2 time slot so it will be interesting to see where the crowd lies. The Dynamo have a quick turn-around and then head to Columbus on Sunday (channel 55). Six points lie on the table in the next six days. …Halftime on Thursday brings us the celebrity penalty kick challenge with Amon Green and Chester Pitts of the Texans, Sheryl Swoopes of the Comets, Mattress Mac, Adrian “we will be world champions” Garcia. How about Sylvia Garcia? Now that would be interesting. Seriously this should be alot of fun and is another great marketing move by the Dynamo. Oh and by the way it is seat cushion night but after seeing what happened in Toronto the Dynamo will hand them out to fans when they exit the stadium……Pat Onstad will start apparently for Canada in their Gold Cup open after getting called up. Dwayne DeRosario scored against Venezuela this past weekend……Chivas will play Alianza of Peru in a doubleheader with the Dynamo on July 5th, that is the rumor…….Ronaldinho, Deco, Rafa Marquez, Lionel Messi, Luis Figo (always a potential to MLS), Alvaro Recoba, Bernd Schneider, David Villa, and Jay-Jay Okocha (also interested in coming to MLS) are all committed to the “Free Kick Masters” competition at Reliant this coming December. The winner takes a million dollars from the competition while the top goalkeeper pockets a half a million. Goalkeepers committed include Kasey Keller, Francesco Toldo and Oliver Kahn as well as Santiago Canizares. Top goalkeeper bags a half a million. An international musical act will also take part. My call is for U2, Stones or the return of the Doors after Jim Morrison comes back out of hiding. Elvis Presley also may just come out for this one since Ronaldinho has committed. This should be an interesting evening and tickets are on sale now.
Gold Cup is just around the corner with the goal a US/Mexico final in Chicago. Mexico’s squad includes Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven) Pavel Pardo (Stuttgart) and Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart) who all won titles in Europe…..The Dynamo Soccer Report with Glenn Davis this Friday features a look at the Dynamo locker room, the most in-highlights of Houston Dynamo games plus local pieces of the Texas Shootout youth tournament and the Houston Football Association (mens amateur)…..Thanks to all at El Toro restaurant in Baytown for the hospitality last night as we did a live remote from their place. Check out the podcast at HoustonChronicle.com or 790thesportsanimal.com The show also streamed live on MLSNET.com.
Please remember that it is important to support sponsors who are supporting soccer! Thoughts on Colorado and Columbus?

The Dynamo Power Hour with Glenn Davis goes remote tonite from El Toro Restaurant in Baytown.
The show will include Dynamo players, Gold Cup updates plus talk about yesterday’s Dynamo 2-1 victory over rivals FC Dallas.
Fans are encouraged to call in at 713-212-5790. Ticket giveaways for both the Dynamo and Gold Cup matches will be a part of the show.
Join Dynamo fans at El Toro in Baytown 5810 Garth Road.

GUESTS: Craig Waibel and Dominic Kinnear, FC Dallas forward Arturo Alvarez

Podcast available at www.HoustonChronicle.com or www.790thesportsanimal.com