Brad Davis hit for the hat trick at Robertson Stadium tonite in a 4-0 Dynamo win.
Davis seems to always get inspired against Chivas USA and once again provide great moments of skill on the ball in addition to his three goals. Brian Mullan in the role of striker had the other Dynamo goal.
Depth is being proved out as the Dynamo won their fourth in a row without stars like Brian Ching, Dwayne DeRosario, Ricardo Clark and Pat Onstad.
Depth was the big question coming into this MLS season with the knowledge of international tournaments and increased Dynamo participation in competitions like the Superliga at the end of July where they will take on Club America and Morelia.
So does Dominic Kinnear put his stars straight back into the lineup? Or do they continue with their winning ways.
Kinnear’s move to put Mullan up front and give Stuart Holden a start was a timely move and served different purposes for the psyche of both of these players.
Twelve points in four games has reversed the trend. So far the Gold Cup has been good for all involved.
Thoughts?

With the better of the play the United States national team defeated Canada 2-1 but were fortunate after a controversial call. Canada had tied it in stoppage time with a legitimate goal that was ruled offsides as Gold Cup officiating continues to digress.
The U.S. played the better soccer over the night and failed to capitalize in the early stages of the second half when they were up 2-0 after first half goals from Frankie Hejduk and a late penalty from Landon Donovan. Canada came to life after the insertion of second half sub Ian Hume who scored as the U.S. struggled to manage their lead for the second consecutive game.
A learning experience in a game that should have been won more easily.
U.S Player performances:
Kasey Keller: Shaky first half led to a better second half.
Frankie Hejduk: scored great goal and brought an energy that will be missed Sunday in the final.
Carlos Bocanegra: The next leader of the U.S. defense solid but not spectacular.
Oguchi Onyewu: Better job of staying central and not getting dragged out of the middle, still some poor decisions. A work in progress to get him and Boca playing as one.
Jonthan Bornstein: Good energy, ability to get forward and a player getting valuable experience. One v one defending must improve.
Landon Donovan: A reminder that he always needs to be out there for the U.S. Could have sealed it with a second half chance.
Michael Bradley: For those crying nepotism Bradley played with intelligence and complimented Maestroeni in central midfield. He will be missed in final after playing alot of minutes in this tournament.
DaMarcus Beasley: Like Donovan caused problems and a line-up without these two is like a steak without a good red.
Eddie Johnson: Flashes, lacked involvment and clearly is not moving in unison up front with Clint Dempsey. The two clearly need to work on creating space for each other. Pace never got him behind Canadien defense.
Clint Dempsey: skill getting him closer to goal seems a good idea and something to explore. Can’t see U.S. without Dempsey in the line-up. Just to good of a player who brings the unexpected.

Benny Feilhaber: brought on to secure win, limited minutes
Ricardo Clark-limited minutes
Taylor Twellman- limited minutes

Your thoughts?

He hit for four goals against Cuba in the Gold Cup and now is headed to the LA Galaxy.
Carlos Pavon provides a few things for the LA Galaxy.
He is a more experienced finisher and boy do they need one. Nate Jacqua and Alan Gordon are just not gonna cut it as prime strikers for David Beckham.
The signing is in addition to Edson Buddle whom they just got from Toronto FC and Abel Xavier who comes over from England puts a little better picture on the team pre-Becks. Xavier has played already for LA in their 3-2 win over RSL.
This team was short on talent lets face it and MLS knows this team has to be representable with all the attention Beckham will bring.
As for Pavon it is a pretty amazing opportunity for the 34 year old who only is signed till the end of the season and finds himself leaving Central American soccer to join “Team Beckham”. Things are looking better up front for LA.
Can Pavon produce with the service of Beckham and the influence of Donovan. I say yes.
And by the way, LA will ultimately need to find a second DP slot to keep LD which has prompted trade rumors.
How do they fit all this under the 2.1 million dollar salary cap?

The Chicago Fire have announced the firing of head coach Dave Sarachan. Sarachan will be replaced on an interim level by assistant coach Denis Hamlett.
The Fire were beaten by DC United this past weekend 3-1 in the nations capital but in fairness were without 5 starters.
The timing of this firing is interesting. It is obvious that Chicago Fire President John Guppy did not have the faith in Sarachan to deal with Fire signing Cuahutemoc Blanco whose arrival is getting closer based on Gold Cup participation with Mexico and a possible call up to the Copa America in Venezuela.
Sarachan in fact when I spoke to him was candid and honest when he said that Blanco would be his biggest coaching challenge because of his polarizing reputation as a person.
I find it hard to believe that the Fire and Guppy have made this decision without have a committed coach waiting in the wings.
Raise your hand for former Fire midfielder and current U.S. National team assistant coach Peter Nowak.

Despite players off to international duty Major League Soccer posted some pretty solid attendance numbers this past weekend.
Toronto 20,156
LA 19225
NE 22,142
DC 20,161
New York 15,546
Chivas 10,490

total attendance 107,720 for an average of 17,953