The Houston Dynamo dominated every facet of the game last night at Robertson Stadium in crushing the New York Red Bulls.
Midfielder Stuart Holden had his best night as a professional in MLS filling in admirably for Brad Davis.
Holden had three assists off set pieces to go along with a fabulous goal from outside the eighteen to make it 4-0.
The overall team performance and work ethic of the Dynamo clearly was superior to the New York Red Bulls who took off their two designated players both Claudio Reyna and Juan Pablo Angel who were frustrated.
The Dynamo midfield was far to athletic for the Red Bulls who don’t have the correct mix of youth and experience in the engine room. Markus Schopp, Claudio Reyna and Dave Van den berg just don’t have the mobility to keep up with the energy of Brian Mullan , Stuart Holden, Dwayne DeRosario and Richard Mulrooney. As much as the ESPN broadcast was critical of the back four for New York their midfield in front of them did them absolutely no favors.
Dominance out wide from Holden and Mullan rendered van den Berg and Schopp useless and Reyna a ball of frustration. Juan Pablo Angel never was a part of this game without service. This was a bad New York team that
Joseoph Ngwenya also had two goals and Brian Ching got untracked with his third of the year.
The Dynamo turn it quickly Sunday when Christian Gomez and DC United come into Robertson Stadium.
Thoughts/

Dynamo midfielders Ricardo Clark and Dwayne DeRosario were named to the starting team for the MLS All Stars that will face Celtic of Scotland on Thursday July 19th.
Others selected included the following: Matt Reis GK NE
Jonathan Bornstein def Chivas USA
Jimmy Conrad def KC
Michael Parkhurst def NE
Christian Gomez-mid DC
Shalrie Joseoph-mid NE
Juan Toja-mid FC Dallas
Juan Pablo Angel-For-NY
Eddie Johnson-For-KC
The players are selected by online voting, media, player and coaches and general managers.
Notably absent are Freddy Adu and Landon Donovan who no doubt will be added to the roster at some point.
Lets face it , all are strong players in MLS and these events are sometimes popularity contests and have the potential of being shaped.
The one selection that really sticks out might be Dwayne DeRosario. We all know his talent is exceptional and he comes off an exceptional Gold Cup but was he really a top player in the first half of the season? Others could make a claim to what they have contributed to their teams out of midfield. Ben Olsen DC, Jesse Marsch Chivas, Pablo Ricchetti FC Dallas and Brad Davis of the Dynamo have all been very important for their teams but may not be as glamourous. Claudio Reyna? He hasn’t had an All Star season either and is not living up to his million dollar salary but I would expect him to end up on the All Star Roster as well.
Juan Pablo Angel was the leading vote getter, DeRosario was second while remarkably Christian Gomez was at the bottom.
Thoughts?
Glenn

Former San Jacinto College All American Dane Richards is in town with the New York Red Bulls.
Richards played under Dave Santesteban at San Jacinto before heading to Clemson University.
Look for him to start wide in a lineup that features former Colombian international striker Juan Pablo Angel who played at Aston Villa.
The Red Bulls have been struggling as of late and looked poor in their last match at Columbus a 1-0 loss.
Can manager Bruce Arena play with both Claudio Reyna and Clint Mathis in a five man midfield?
Meanwhile the Dynamo are being tested with the meniscus injury to Brad Davis that will take him out of action.
Davis quite possibly has been Houston’s best player this year.
Your thoughts ?