He was once the world’s most expensive player when he joined Betis in Spain, he has won the World Cup with Brazil and he is heading to FC Dallas. One thing is for sure he will entertain.
The South American connection continues at FC Dallas under Steve Morrow whose squad includes Juan Toja (Colombian), Pablo Ricchetti (Argentine), Dario Sala (Argentine) and Ricardino (Brazilian).
Denilson’s last squad was Al-NASR in Saudia Arabia

David Beckham and Landon Donovan both return from international duty to help the LA Galaxy tonite on ESPN2 against Chivas USA in a critical match to try and squeeze into the playoffs. Beckham played for England in front of 86,000 fans at famed Wembley Stadium against Germany in a disappointing 2-1 loss against their Euro rivals. England have critical Euro qualifying matches coming up against Israel and Russia.
Donovan performed for the U.S. in a disappointing 1-0 loss to Sweden as the U.S. record in Europe continues to be poor.
Jaime Moreno hit the net for the first time for DC United in a few months but his memorable goal makes him the all time leading goal scorer in MLS with 109. Moreno has been fatigued of late after coming back from the Copa America having performed for Bolivia. He eclipsed the mark of Jason Kreis who is currently the coach of Real Salt Lake.
Glenn

Dutch international Arjen Robben of Chelsea and Gabriel Heinze are on the way to Real Madrid in Spain.
Heinze follows in the footsteps of former Manchester United players like Ruud van Nistlerooy and David Beckham.
On a FIFA international date today England were defeated at Wembley Stadium 2-1 by a young German squad in front of 86,000 + fans.
England was encouraging in the first twenty minutes and got a super goal from Frank Lampard after an excellent build-up.
A goalkeeping blunder by Paul Robinson in the 25th allowed the dangerous Kevin Kuranji a German tap in to tie it up at 1
Christian Pander in his debut hit a blistering shoot from outside the 18 for the ultimate game-winner in the 40th minute.on
The U.S. went down 1-0 to Sweden on a 55th minute goal from Kim Kallstrom.
On the night Clint Dempsey was dangerous on occasion while DaMarcus Beasley had the best U.S. chance 3 minutes in.
The first half the U.S. looked strong while you would have to give the edge to Sweden in the second.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic while not scoring was dangerous on the night where Sweden got it’s first friendly win in 12 games.
Dynamo striker Brian Ching did not play for the U.S. after suffering a groin problem occurred during the game with FC Dallas according to U.S. soccer’s Michael Kammarman.
Glenn

After Juventus manager Didier Deshchamps quit after winning the Serie “B” title, Juventus were in search of a leader to take them back to the top of the Italian Serie A.
Many remember Rainieri in his days coaching Chelsea before Jose Mourinho was brought in for the “blues”.
Fact is Rainier was not the first choice for Juventus, they desperately wanted Italian coach Marcello Lippi but Lippi was non-committal due to the investigation of his son Davide who is involved in a player/agent inquiry..
Luca Vialli was also in the running but in the end promoted Juventus will hang their hat on Rainieri.
“For Juventus this is the best possible choice to achieve the aims set out by the club’s tradition,” said a statement on their website. “Rainieri is a man of great experience and international vision.”
It won’t be easy for Juventus and Rainier is one of ten new coaches in Italy where job security is not associated with coaching.
Some stars of the past like Alessandro Del Piero and one of the world’s top goalkeeper Gigi Buffon will remain but it will be tough for the “Old Lady” to compete with the likes of Champions League winners AC Milan and Serie “A” title holders Inter Milan.
Nonetheless Juventus are back after suspension where they belong. You can catch Juventus this Saturday against Livorno (1:30 central FSC) as Italian Serie “A” play begins. “Game on” in Italy this weekend.
Glenn

When David Beckham signed with MLS we had everyone weighing in on his celebrity, tattoo’s, financial package and his wife Victoria. Everyone wanted to mention that name Beckham.
We had financial analysts asking him about his stock choices, ill-informed journalists saying he would bring the league down, and even some who were calling him a wimp for not taping up his ankle and getting on with it as if your ankles are not important in soccer? Mind boggling stuff.
So where are these so-called journalists and reporters now with the follow-up?
As they continue to glorify Michael Vick they have missed the story that is Beckham the player. The answer is simple, they can’t talk about his playing ability out of fear or lack of knowledge so why would they even dare lead with it on a radio show or tv show.
God forbid that anyone would want to take phone calls on soccer.
Now I don’t want to be a whiner here but the follow up to the initial story is solid journalism.
I will give you a few topics:
1. Is there anyone that is the single draw in sports that is David Beckham right now? Sixty six thousand people at Giants Stadium this past Saturday based on Beckham. Some of those fans will be coming back after seeing a nine goal thriller and a 17 year old score two goals.
The Red Bull had previously averaged 11,000 and change and that is a major stretch. How about 7 thousand at best.
2. Professionalism: playing hurt Beckham delivered his first amazing free kick, his passing talents have been amazing.
3. Beckham and economics: As I drove home from Houston Intercontinental airport on Sunday morning I listened to two guys on “Moneyball” I think it was. They talked about soccer not having a buzz, no one cares, and never mentioned the financial coup that MLS and AEG has pulled off signing Beckham.
Nor did they mention 66,000 fans the night before at Giants Stadium.
So for these two who have a BUSINESS AND SPORTS SHOW I give you this. An extra 56,000 fans means buco bucks for the sport of soccer. Dig deeper and you will realize this was a couple million dollar night for soccer when you throw in concessions. Beckham’s salary is quickly being paid back.

4. For the final time he is being paid between 30 to 35 million over five years. Not $250 million. Much of that comes from sponsorship. Again proof that Beckham will not kill off the league like some morons are saying. His salary mainly comes from sponsorship.

So vaunted sports media where is the follow up? Where is the appreciation of sport? Where is the appreciation of the professionalism of the man? Where is the appreciation of the growth of a sport? Where is the fair reporting of Beckham and soccer? Or do you just remain in fear?
Soccer fans need to be more accountable here. Get more active in voicing your opinion The window to push those in the general sports media is here. Be heard , call them, demand more and better coverage or forever hold your peace.
Complaining about it over a beer won’t help change.
The opportunity for awareness for the sport is here. Time to capitalize.

Glenn Davis

The show tonite is on location at Mezzanine Lounge (Sheperd and 59).
Dynamo Craig Waibel will be on hand and fans are encouraged to come out.
Waibel will sign autographs and weigh in on the show.
Call in number is 713-212-5790 and now is an important time for soccer fans to support the Beckham awareness with quality conversation on the radio. Bring your sport up to sports talk radio on all channels. It is a time of opportunity in sports media.

Here are some match-ups to keep an eye on tonite when they Dynamo and FC Dallas battle for the Western Conference lead:

1. Dynamo defender Eddie Robinson vs. FC Dallas striker Carlos Ruiz: Two emotional players who have a history. Robinson comes off a solid game against Pachuca where he displayed great composure and was able to keep himself positioned central. FC Dallas may just play with Ruiz as a lone striker and employ a five man midfield in the abscence of Juan Toja and Marcelo Saragosa.

2. Dynamo midfielder Nate Jacqua vs. Arturo Alvarez of FC Dallas: Alvarez is on fire and the Dynamo must defend him by committee, Barrett and Jacqua will need to be careful as Alvarez can cut in on his left as proven as of late.

3. Dynamo midfielders Ricardo Clarke and Dwayne DeRosario against 3 central midfielders of FC Dallas.
Can these two get the better of three. It could go a long way in determining the game.

4. Dynamo wide midfielder Brian Mullan vs. Ricardinho: Mullan pushing forward could make the Brazilian defend. Who wants to play against Mullan? Answer…..no one.

Glenn Davis

MLS continues to spread it’s wings in the consciousness of soccer worldwide with the help of David Beckham .
Fans of Nationwide league club Blackpool have voted on the website Tangerine Orange to adopt the Houston Dynamo as their team of choice in MLS because they play in orange.
“As Blackpool fans a majority vote has seen us adopt the Houston Dynamo. Now we will be running regular updates on their progress through the season in our MLS round-up and wish the Houston Dynamo all the best in the future including the remainder of their season,” says Liam Wood who runs the website.
“We are hoping this can also start relations between fans of both teams and want to thank Tim Lovejoy for bringing the joys of MLS to us Blackpool fans.”
It won’t be long before Dynamo fans are headed to Blackpool and vice versa.
For the full article go to www.BlackpoolGazette.co.uk

Glenn Davis

I have had repeated calls to try and acquire tickets for friends in my home state of New Jersey to see David Beckham tonite.
The Red Bulls under Bruce Arena are one of the poorest drawing teams in MLS despite having Claudio Reyna and Juan Pablo Angel on their team.
Now when Arena was on my radio show months back he stated that all it would take is winning in New York to draw fans.
Wrong. Just winning is not what it takes to draw fans in MLS. Savvy marketing and PR, the creating of relationships and reaching out to the community is essential under the umbrella of leadership. The best teams at forging relationships are the ones that are drawing fans but one thing remains clear. Teams in MLS must be positive and come out in games to score goals. Agressive, attacking soccer going forward will sell.
The Red Bulls average attendance will grow after this match because of one David Beckham but rest assured they will need more than just a new stadium.
*I love the differences in MLS coaches. Some are so paranoid about revealing their line-up you would think they had the secret to “Wealth and Success in life” under wraps while others have so much confidence they will tell you straight out.
*Ruud VanNistlerooy could partner Robin Van Persie for Holland this Wednesday against Switzerland. I have always enjoyed Van Nistlerooy’s commitment to the game and it is good to see that he has patched things up hopefully with Marco Van Basten.
*I loved the response from Beckham playing on Wednesday. Cracks DC star Jaime Moreno and earns a yellow (hey David didn’t you know Jaime is going to break the All time goal scoring record in MLS) and could have earned a red, gets cracked by Ben Olsen , hits a surreal free kick (Troy Perkins have trust in your wall, playing the guessing game with Beckham is insanity) and plays the perfectly weighted pass to Landon Donovan tying Josh Gros in knots in the process. LA 2 DC 0
So where were all those critics who called Beckham a wimp? Guess they had a hard to realizing the brilliance of the man’s performance. His effort was all business against DC in the Superliga semi-finals.
Too bad for the Dynamo because this would have led to the Dynamo hosting against Beckhamania if they had gotten past Pachuca.
*The Columbus Crew tonite against DC United on HDNET are expected to draw close to 20,000 fans according to the Columbus Dispatch newspaper.
*Catch the re-airing of the Dynamo Soccer Report that I host tonite on channel 55 at 5pm
*Dynamo/FC Dallas tomorrow on Channel 55 but better yet get out to the stadium. Two Houston area youth products return to play against the defending champions. Arturo Alvarez is in the best phase of his professional career and has scored 5 goals in 6 games while Chris Gbandi will play left back. FC Dallas could employ a five man midfield to deal with Houston’s midfield.
They will be missing Juan Toja from injury and Marcelo Saragosa from a red-card.
*SMU takes on Army tonite at Meyer Park in an exhibition in Houston. Houston area players on both rosters and it is a great reminder that Texas state colleges and universities have let down mens soccer with SMU and now HBU the only institutions who have mens ncaa div.1 soccer. All are hiding behind gender equity and all want to claim they are international. Without mens soccer that is.
Glenn Davis

Comprehensive highlights of Dynamo vs Pachuca, FC Dallas preview, Manchester United in trouble plus David Beckhams influence on the LA Galaxy. Watch his amazing free kick against LA plus his assist to Landon Donovan and more.
The show re-airs Saturday at 5pm.