*The LA Galaxy and David Beckham drew 15,000 people to their practice session in Wellington, New Zealand.
The training took place before the Galaxy will take on the Wellington Phoenix on Saturday in a country more known for rugby.
The Galaxy will return Sunday to the U.S.

* The New York Red Bulls want Juan Carlos Osorio as their next head coach but the Chicago Fire are having none of it.
Apparently they have interviewed Chivas USA coach Preki….Not sure about these Red Bulls and their leadership.
Something tells me John Harkes has to be lobbying for the Red Bulls job.

*Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho quickly dusted off his resume and let it be known he wants the England manager’s job.
Some had predicted that Harry Redknapp would have gotten it if it weren’t for his being arrested for alleged corruption .

*Division 2 Franklin Pierce has made it to the womens division 2 national championship match to take on the University of Tampa. Keep an eye on their Brazilian striker Gabriel Demoner, something special.

If you missed last night’s Dynamo Power Hours with Glenn Davis on 790 The Sports Animal you can access the podcast at 790TheSportsanimal.com or HoustonChronicle.com
Hear Brian Ching talk from Hawaii about his injury concerns, repeating as champions and the Pan Pacific Cup which the Dynamo will participate in during February.
MLS Cup MVP Dwayne DeRosario weighs in on Dominic Kinnears key move in the MLS Cup final to go to a five man midfield that released DeRosario from his defensive responsibility and calls Houston fans the best he has ever played for.
Commentator Shep Messing speaks out about the New York Red Bulls making a knee-jerk decision by firing Bruce Arena. Messing also believes staying in New York is the correct thing for 18 year old striker Jozy Altidore. All this plus great phone calls from you the fans!
Thanks for your support of soccer on the radio.
Glenn

Chivas clearly was the better team in this Mexican League semi-final getting a 1-0 result in the first leg at Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara. Twice Chivas hit the post in the second half and threw waves of pressure at Atlante who have to be pleased to head home only a goal down. Advancing to the final is achievable for Atlante.
The game’s lone goal ironically came on a blatant dive from Omar Bravo of Chivas that was almost comical.
He clearly could not get to the ball and flopped to the ground, sad really that players go to these lengths but it remains a difficult element to get out of the game. With a name like Bravo you should not be diving or then again maybe you should be ? Ramon Morales hit from the penalty spot for the game winner.
Santos and Matias Vuoso take on UNAM Pumas Thursday night in the other semi-final.
Make sure you check out this Mexican league playoff action.

Glasgow Rangers and U.S. international midfielder DaMarcus Beasley went off injured yesterday in a 3-2 Champions League loss to Stuttgart. Beasley collided with Stuttgart goalkeeper Rafael Schafer and Rangers are fearing the worst.
“Beasley’s injury looks like a serious one although we aren’t certain exactly what it is,” said Rangers manager Walter Smith. Beasley’s knee was put in a brace and the speculation is ligament damage according to reports from Europe.
Beasley will certainly miss the December 12th match against Lyon where with a point Rangers will advance to the final 16 in Champions League play.

Joseoph Ngwenya is off to Germany to train or go on trial with German Second Division club Alemannia Aachen.
While in LA with the Galaxy Ngwenya like Houstonian Josh Gardner work individually with Jurgen Klinsmann who was doing consulting work with the LA Galaxy. Klinsmann coveted Ngwenya then so it is no surprise that he is off to Germany.
Ngwenya comes off his best ever year in MLS and that comes down to the team and environment that Dominic Kinnear has created.
“I always do a little training in Europe after the season and if the opportunity comes up great but if not I will be back in Orange,” said Ngwenya.
If the price is right who would not want a shot at Europe? It also puts in question again the depth up front for the Dynamo who have to be concerned about the health of Brian Ching.
Former Galaxy member Josh Gardner who went to Mayde Creek High School and won the USL title with Seattle this past season is in contract negotiations with Swedish club IK Sirius after going on trial and impressing.

Recent news has Jozy Altidore the 17 year old New York Red Bulls striker potentially headed to Europe during the transfer period.
The Red Bulls have said “no way Jose” to his moving over-seas.
So what is the right thing for this young American talent who many are projecting stardom for?
With Brian McBride retiring, Brian Ching injury concern, and Eddie Johnson not proven at the international level this position is one of concern for the U.S. We certainly don’t have a player up front currently as dangerous and proven as Mexico’s Nery Castillo.
Altidore recently spoke to ESPN.com about the potential of going overseas.
“There was a time I said to myself I am not going to go there until I am 21,” said Altidore. “When I am more mature and able to take care of myself and live a life like that but then again I thought about the soccer aspect of it. If I wait until I am 21 there might be a big drop off there so the younger the better. The quicker you can get there the better.”
It might sound as though Jozy wants to get over for these next formative years, some might cite the concerns of going to a big club so early but there is always the option to loan him out to a smaller club. His transfer fee clearly would be the highest paid for a U.S. player ever if it were to come off.
Another year in New York could be good playing alongside Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel but the training conditions, new coach(whomever that might be) and other intangibles could make the move to Europe even more attractive.
Altidore is mature beyond his years and seems to have his eye on the prize. He is an exciting talent to watch develop. Could he be ready for a role at the next World Cup? Why not becomes hopefully because right now it is thin up front. Will U.S. coach Bob Bradley fast track him? I believe so.
Have your say on Jozy Altidore?

The United States and Mexico will begin 2010 World Cup qualifying in June after the draw was announced.
The U.S. will play the winner of Barbados and Dominica while Mexico will take on either Belize or St. Kitts and Nevis.
The United States could get a game against Cuba which the press would salivate over.
The fact is this could be a very exciting time for both the U.S. and Mexico at the international level with many veterans now moving on and coaches building their clubs for a new World Cup cycle.
Where will players like Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore fit in come 2010? Nery Castillo has clearly become in a short amount of time Mexico’s top attacking player. Andres Guardado will now come back to the “tricolore” with international experience.
How will U.S. coach Bob Bradley fare in the future? Mexican coach Hugo Sanchez has survived an early scare based on a solid Copa America win over Brazil.
How great is it that we have the opportunity to see Concacaf’s best compete against each other at Reliant Stadium come February.
It’s not bad being a soccer fan in Houston now is it?

The semi-finals are set in La Liga de Mexico:
Santos Laguna vs. UNAM Pumas
Chivas vs. Atlante

These teams all had successful seasons and finished at or near the top of their group .
So who is the favorite to take the Mexican league title and why?

If you want to hear my thoughts on a soccer specific stadium please go to www.houstonchronicle.com, click sports and you will find the article. Now I want to hear from you. Do you believe the Dynamo deserve a new stadium? Without it the future of professional soccer would be challenged.
What are your thoughts?

They have underachieved again.
The English national team needing a draw or a win could not deliver in front of 88,091 partisan fans against Croatia losing 3-2.
England had a nightmarish start with Nico Kranjar scoring in the 8th minute and Ivica Olic scoring 6 minutes later.
Down 2-0 at halftime Steve McClaren brought on the LA Galaxy’s David Beckham and Jermaine Defoe.
A Frank Lampard penalty kick brought England to within one and 11 minutes later Beckham played a pinpoint pass to Peter Crouch who chested down and finished tying the score.
But Croatia would find a game winner from Mladen Petric a substitute in the 77th minute for the 3-2 win.
Expect England manager Steve McClaren to be ousted after his nightmare run in charge.
MLS secretly will be happy that David Beckham now will not miss out on Galaxy league play which he would have missed had England qualified for the European Championships next summer.
So what is the problem with England, your thoughts?