Fresh off a disappointing loss to the U.S. National team in the Gold Cup, it doesn’t get easier tonite as Mexico takes on Brazil in the Copa America in Venezuela.
Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez is under the gun after a second half that saw the U.S. as the better team reverse a 1-0 scoreline and go on to win 2-1.
Additionally there is rumors of dissension amongst the squad . European stars Pavel Pardo, Carlos Salcido and Ricardo Osorio have all left the squad apparently due to fatigue. Really ?
Sanchez has failed to put an imprint on this team, has lost to arch-rivals the United States twice, failed to secure the Gold Cup and has looked shaky with his tactics and team selection.
Blow out tonite or with a good game against Brazil does Mexico and Sanchez wipe away the begining of a frustrating relationship.
I for one do not believe the Mexican Federation made the right choice as head coach yet I guess it had to happen ultimately with Sanchez such a large sporting figure in the country and his constant lobbying for the postion. I never liked when Sanchez kept looking for the limelight while Mexico was preparing for a World Cup.
Grand ego’s are dangerous when it comes to managing and leading a team.
Should be interesting tonite.

Former Dynamo defender Kevin Goldthwaite has been traded by Toronto FC to the New York Red Bulls for Todd Dunivant.
Goldthwaite was a member of the Dynamo MLS Cup champions last year and was dealt to Toronto early in the season.
This is clearly a cap-clearing move by the New York Red Bulls who have been decimated by injury at the back and are looking for additional space to add defenders.
Goldthwaite is in the $30,000 range in salary while Dunivant commands in the neighborhood of 90,000.
Former U.S. National team and Chicago Fire defender Tony Sanneh has been in training with the Red Bulls but one really wonders if that is the answer in New York where they have been leaking goals as of late.

Things are not getting better for Mexico and head coach Hugo Sanchez.
After a disappointing Gold Cup Sanchez and Mexico have limped into Venezuela with potential bigger problems.
Their first match in Group play is against Brazil tomorrow and if that is not bad enough three players have been left off the squad due to fatigue. The three Pavel Pardo, Ricardo Osorio and Carlos Salcido all played in Europe this past year.
Some are claiming that the three still remain in the camp of former national team coach Ricardo LaVolpe and are not convinced with Hugo’s ways.
LaVolpe has supposedly even been talking to the former national team members. Let’s not forget that LaVolpe played at pivotal part in Pardo’s career where he came up through the youth system of Atlas in Guadaljara. At the time LaVolpe was the head coach.
There is no way that this was not in the cards with the ego of Sanchez when it comes to heading up the Mexican national team.
He has put undue pressure on his team with his bold predictions and doesn’t seem settled with his decisions. I am a firm believer he was not the right man for the job. What are your thoughts?

Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear and his squad take on FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas looking for their sixth consecutive win. Now the month of June has been an amazing one for the Dynamo and with a win over FC Dallas they will conclude it with a record of 6-0. Ironic that the reversal of fortune began with a 2-1 win over their rivals back on June 3rd at Robertson Stadium.
Head coach Dominic Kinnear is faced with choices with the return of Brian Ching, Dwayne DeRosario and Pat Onstad. Now Onstad got the start in the shutout against K.C. this past Sunday with DeRosario coming off the bench. With Brian Ching back in the fold do you start the two superstars or stick with the same starting lineup? Now rest assured these guys want to be in the starting line-up but maybe it is a good time to give both DeRosario and Ching a breather as youth continues to be served.
The change of using Brian Mullan up front seems to have been a good change for him. Young players like Stuart Holden, Patrick Ianni, Corey Ashe have all answered the call and answered the question of this squad’s depth during this month.
With Superliga coming up against Club America and Morelia the timing has been perfect.
Bringing Ching and DeRosario back into the team slowly I think is a must and honors the efforts put in by the squad that has produced results of late. What do you think?

Catch the Dynamo Power Hour with Glenn Davis tonite on 790 The Sports Animal.
The U.S. win over Mexico takes center stage and calls are welcome tonite at 713-212-5790.
Dynamo defender Patrick Ianni also stops by and we get reaction from a U.S. National team member on the win over Mexico.
All this and more on the Dynamo Power Hour with Glenn Davis tonite at 7pm.

This was one of the most entertaining and excited matches ever played between the United States and Mexico but once again in the end the U.S. reign. Now I know that there will be tons of discusion about this and I am looking forward to it on the Dynamo Power Hour radio show tomorrow night at 7pm. But just to start things off here are a few of my thoughts. I look forward to hearing yours:
*Mexico clearly took a step up in their level of composure. They produced the better soccer in the first half and clearly have found their attacking leader for the future in Nery Castillo who was impressive. It is time for Sanchez to move out the old war-horses like Jared Borgetti and Cuahutemoc Blanco they are done at the international level and won’t be significant three years from now in South Africa. I realize they were included to win this tournament.
*When Borgetti got hurt I was saying please don’t take him out because I felt it would help define Mexico’s play more. It did. Less hopeful balls in the air and more through Andres Guardado and Castillo. The U.S. have no problem dealing with Borgetti.
*Both goalkeepers Oswaldo Sanchez and Tim Howard made outstanding saves and I might say remarkable reaction saves.
Sanchez on Dempsey and Howard on Bautista I believe to secure the win.
*Brian Ching after earning the penalty played outstanding. For those who don’t think he can pass a ball or do more than head a ball I wonder what you watch. He has added the ability to turn provider to his game. Just ask Landon Donovan.
Ricardo Clark also provided a valuable addition to midfield in the second half.
*Beckham may be great at hitting dead balls but Pavel Pardo is exceptional as well. Watch the tape!
*Castillo and Guardado clearly are the two players now leading the Mexican attack.
*The U.S. at the end of the day played better attacking soccer, not only winning the scoreline but also style points as well.
This game was won with a combination of heart, determination, soccer intellect and skill.
*Gamesmanship or sportsmanship? Sanchez saying things to Donovan before the penalty as well as Guardado and others milling around him. It happens and is a part of the game, some players go there and other don’t. It is up to the individual.
*I like many am tired of teams and coaches that sourrounds referees after the game as well as players motioning to referees to give yellow cards. Carlos Batres did a solid job as a referee under extremely difficult conditions, I didn’t agree with all the decisions but who does? In the end he did not alter the game like prior referees in the Gold Cup.
* The U.S. played from behind on U.S. soil against Mexico for the first time since 1999 . Mexico finally scored their first goal in 8 years. The response out of the locker room was excellent .
*Lots of youth earned valuable experience for the U.S. like Frank Simek, Jonathan Bornstein, Ricardo Clark, Benny Feilhaber all players that are getting their feet wet in the US/Mexico rivalry thing.
*Feilhaber’s goal was spectacular.
*In the end as a pure soccer fan what more could you ask for.

Give me your thoughts here or tomorrow on the DYNAMO POWER HOUR WITH GLENN DAVIS ON 790 THE SPORTS ANIMAL AT 7PM CALL IN NUMBER IS 713-212-5790, I WANT YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE UNITED STATES GOLD CUP TITLE WIN OVER MEXICO.