Just got through watching Spurs knock off Chelsea in the Carling Cup Final so the boys of “White Hart Lane” pick up the first piece of hardware in England since 1999.
Spurs were the better team in my opinion despite the constant threat of Didier Drogba up front for Chelsea who never really seemed to break down Spurs through their possession game. In fact alot of their attack was direct-play to Didier Drogba who did produce the lone Chelsea goal.
Not having Joe Cole over the entire course of this game did make Chelsea a less dangerous team. Cole did come on in overtime to produce a few dangerous moments originated on the right side.
Spurs clearly deserved this win and got a game winner from Jonathan Woodgate off his head in the first overtime session. Woodgate had not scored in two years since he was at Real Madrid and his header proved the difference.
This was a big career moment for many of the players of Spurs and it will be interesting what type of spike this historic win will have in their EPL league play.
This was passion and drama at it’s finest in front of a packed Wembley Stadium!
The win is a hopeful one for other Premiership clubs who regularly battle giant clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.

When Richard Mulrooney whipped in a beautiful cross to Ricardo Clark to open the scoring spectacularly for the Dynamo against Gamba Osaka one might have thought the outcome would be different. The lead was short lived as Gamba behind a four goal performance from Brazilian Bare’ rolled over the Dynamo.
Of course you can’t read much into this as it is pre-season and Gamba has a few weeks head start on the Dynamo but you must factor that in.
Fact is the danger of promoting this as a serious tournament for MLS can backfire and some fairly or unfairly will use this tournament for grand judgement.
We all know that this was as much a bonding trip and continuation of pre-season training for MLS squads yet it can not be used as an excuse because doing that only leaves one without accountability. Yes this was alot about PR and preparing this tournament for the future.
How many knew that going into this tournament Gamba Osaka was the leading goal scoring team in Japan? You do now.
I might just keep a closer eye on the J League in the future. As for Bare’, the man was impressive. Five goals in two games and he scored them in a variety of ways. Not only that but his blend of skill and power was impressive as he wrecked the Dynamo defense. Somebody find a way to get him and a few more Brazilians like his teammate Lucas to MLS.
I might think their are a few players in the J League who would love to re-locate to the states.
Syndey FC may have hit Hawaii for the beer and the break but its clear that Gamba Osaka wanted and did make a statement for Japanese Football. This tournaments are tricky business but they end up only being what one wants to take away from them.
Surely the Dynamo won’t be phased by this yet every from ever game one can learn and I am sure Dominic Kinnear and his staff take thoughts and opinions away from this game. For Gamba winning the title is a major shot in the arm for the “J” league.
For this game I will stay away from breaking this game down except to say congratulations Gamba. You earned the title and the applause.

Here some interesting quotes from the last few days in the world of soccer:

“I have to apologize for that. They were terrible.”

—–Houston Dynamo striker Brian Ching to the Honolulu Star Bulletin on hula danced performed by teammates Dwayne DeRosario and Stuart Holden after goals against Sydney FC in Pan Pacific tournament.

“We haven’t found yet what system to play. We know the principles of the game. But how we want to play is still a puzzle.
——La Galaxy head coach Ruud Gullit to the AP

“Balls coming in from Beckham are alot different than a college team.”

——LA Galaxy rookie Ely Allen to ESPN.com

“We have some guys that we didn’t want to put on astroturf.”

——-LA defender Chris Klein to ESPN.com on the Galaxy who fielded a young team in the
Pan Pacific Cup

“I haven’t decided yet what I should do but I’m ready for anything. If at the end of the day I have recovered and can play again fine. If not it will be a very hard decision to make but it will have to be the decision.”
——-AC Milan’s Ronaldo after surgery in Paris on damaged knee.

Love this.
The I’s will be dotted and the T’s crossed and with that will come even more hope and interest in the year of the “three-peat”.
When the trade for Franco Caraccio is consumated (it may well be at this time) the Dynamo address their forward needs and more. Despite the fact that Caraccio has played limited first team games for Arsenal in Argentina something has struck head coach Dominic Kinnear about this player. Few have seen him play, I certainly haven’t remembered him if I have.
I do know he has played for Argentina at youth levels along with with Lionel Messi who these days is not bad company to keep.
This is all about good players first and foremost but it also doesn’t hurt that a player from South America is joining the Dynamo in a city that has people from all over the world. If he works out it is an added bonus. Who knows we may see a few more Argentina jerseys at Robertson this year.
We also must realize Dominic Kinnear has a great eye for talent and pulled off some great moves last year that panned out. The move to sign Bobby Boswell this year was a good one .
I love the fact that the Dynamo have an Argentine with an Italian name. That can only lead to good things but more importantly I like the fact he has flown under the radar and is only 21 years old because in this game “youth is king” and it is now great to have some youth in the forward section of the field for the Dynamo.
Exciting yes, somewhat of a gamble ? Sure.
Signing players is based on potential, a checklist of qualities that a coach is looking for from the individual both on and off the field. Sometimes it is just a gut feeling. The Dynamo most likely felt they needed to take a risk at this point with all the competition
facing them.
Caraccio will have to adjust to moving as a young player to a new country but something tells me the culture that Kinnear and Co. have created at the Dynamo will make the transition easier.
I can’t wait to see him play.

   
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It may only be a pre-season tournament. The opposition may have been less than stellar and surely it is too early to be judgemental but……the Dynamo in a 3-0 win over Sydney FC in the Pan Pacific Cup reminded us why they are looking for a third straight MLS Cup Championship. Familiarity, professionalism and confidence on the ball all reigned.
The Dynamo provided the entertainment with three first half goals. A long range bomb from Dwayne DeRosario, a beautifully steered in finish at the near post from Stuart Holden and a great left-footed finish from Chris Wondoloski (whom Dominic Kinnear on my radio show this past Tuesday called the best finisher on the team) who received a great pass from Brian Ching.
A great tune-up and from all indications no injuries on some seriously hard artificial surface. Brian Ching was replaced in the 63rd minute.

Dynamo will take on Gamba Osaka of Japan in the final this weekend while LA will play Sydney in the third place game.

Dynamo started like this in a 4-4-2 : Pat Onstad gk
Wade Barrett def
Bobby Boswell def
Patrick Ianni def
Richard Mulrooney def
Stuart Holden mid
Ricardo Clark mid
Dwayne DeRosario mid
Cory Ashe mid
Chris Wondoloski for
Brian Ching for

The Dynamo played without defenders Craig Waibel, Eddie Robinson and midfielder Brian Mullan who were ruled out before the game but did get on the following players in a reserve role: Jeff Cameron their draft choice out of Rhode Island, Brad Davis, Mike Chabala, Michael Ustruck.
If you saw this game on ESPN Classic what are your thoughts?

We are a couple hours away from the start of the Pan Pacific Cup in Hawaii.
Now I don’t want to rain on the parade and take a negative outlook on this but……….I think a major gamble is being taken here with LA’s David Beckham.
There is no question that Beckham has brought tremendous international awareness to MLS but this is judgement year for him on the field. I am interested to see how much playing time he will get at Aloha Stadium in this tournament based on the fact that it is being played on an outdated artificial surface. It just downright scares me. Not to mention other players on all the teams but if Beckham were to get injured you can just imagine the outcry around the country in the press.
What about Brian Ching of the Houston Dynamo who has had his troubles with his knee. Last year Dominic Kinnear kept him off the artificial stuff when he could ……now I imagine both will make appearances in this tournament but I will hold my breathe. A roll of the dice yes. And there is no such thing as taking it easy in any game when players are out to prove themselves.
Just remember the trouble that Beckham got in trying to play it cool in some of the games with LA like against Chelsea and in league and cup competition when he first came to the states.
Your thoughts?
And Dynamo fans, Nate Jacqua scored on his debut for Altech in Austria helping to get them out of the relegation zone. Yes I saw it on Goltv.
Edgar Castillo is another player that has the choice of playing for the US or Mexico and has been called up by Hugo Sanchez.
Castillo plays for Santos and recently scored against Chivas

As I settled in to watch the Champions league action today it’s hard not to be mesmerized by the quality of play in this league. Their is nothing better and that includes the World Cup when it comes to the quality of soccer.
Arsenal looking to avenge their 4-0 loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup could only pull off a draw at the Emirates Stadium against defending Champions league winners AC Milan.
Milan are now might consider themselves in the drivers seat to advance to the quarterfinals.
Arsenal created the better chances and dominated the ball possession with Emanuel Adebayor the main target. Adebayor hit the crossbar in the final moments of the game.

AMAZING MOMENT: In the first half when Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann makes save and throws the ball all the way over the halfway line to a streaking Adebayor who almost goes into goal. A rare moment.

LYON 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 1

Karim Benzema scored for Lyon and Carlos Tevez tied things up in the 86th minute for United who look to be favorites to get through at home.

AMAZING MOMENT: Benzemin goal is pulled off in an amazingly small window of space. Marvel at how quickly he gets turn and takes an amazing goal.

Celtic 2 Barcelona 3

Three road goals you can’t go wrong. Celtic pride and ambition helped put up a fight but it will be all over back in Barcelona for the second leg. Dominant possession reminds us just how good Barca quality is. Barcelona superior… lets face it.

MAGIC MOMENT: Lionel Messi responds to Celtics first goal off a give n go to put quickly to an end the celebration at Celtic Park to tie things up.

Fenerbache 3 Sevilla 2 in Istanbul, Turkey

Word has the Houston Dynamo close to signing a striker currently playing in Argentine.
My understanding is that the striker is young, tall and moves well off the ball. Apparently the players mobility is somthing that has also caught the eye of the Dynamo.
Now when signing players from overseas there is no guarantee as to how well they will adjust, this always remains the x factor and one only has to look at other signings around MLS over history that didn’t pan out or took time for the player to adjust.
World Cup winner Denilson was a bust in Dallas yet won World Cups. You get the point.
Last year DC United acquired Fred from Brazil and were smart enough to give him time to adjust to MLS and he became an integral part of their midfield.

*Arsenal/AC Milan in today’s Champions League ought to be an interesting one. Dynamo tonite on ESPN Classic taking on Sydney FC at 12:30 AM.

*Check podcast from last night’s Dynamo Power Hours with Glenn Davis on 790. The show includes interviews with Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear (listen to what he has to say about Chris Wondoloski, it might surprise you), former Galaxy and U.S. coach Steve Sampson, UH Womens coach Susan Bush plus Nat Borchers of RSL who played a few seasons in Norway.

*Still mind blowing that the Pan Pacific Cup is being played on such a poor artificial surface.
Now I don’t want to hex the situation but can you imagine if Beckham were to get injured on the fake stuff? What about Brian Ching or others for that matter. My hope is that all the players come out of this tournament injury free. Like the concept but I consider it very risky right now especially after what Beckham and MLS went through last year.
And by the way, who is really going to take these results seriously?

*Let me know who you would like the show in the future. We are getting close to getting the Dynamo Soccer Report on Channel 55 up and going again. That is the plan.