Aren’t we all a bit too sensitive?
It is interesting to see everybody getting up in arms over Landon Donovan showing a bit of emotion in MLS recently.
He’s getting bashed on television by some that have made it their “mantra” and “schtick” to bash Donovan to unprofessional levels at any chance they get, not fair criticism but just going after the person.
He’s getting grabbed, clutched and then races into the near post and produces a diving header against the Dynamo and you expect him to walk to the halfway line quietly?

He scores against Chivas USA in a “Superclasico” and jumps up in front of the Chivas bench to celebrate towards his wife and family. And it turns into disrespect? Preki is mad? I think Preki got this one wrong.
Please, the last thing anybody should be worried about is Donovan’s goal celebration. In fact we should be excited about it and if in fact it is taunting which I don’t believe it is the players will take care of it .
If you want the truth then listen to what he said on the radio with me this past Monday……go to www.790thesportsanimal.com, click podcasts, click Glenn Davis and find out what he actually said about the incident.
Soccer happens to be an emotional game, I think we all know that .
These same people criticizing Donovan have skewered him in the past for being unemotional, not showing up and failing to live up to his talents, these same people now criticize him for being emotional.
Enough with the double standard.
The guy is bringing it in MLS, the guy is producing and putting people in the seats and providing excitement. Bob Bradley the U.S. National team coach must be ecstatic over the emotion that the man is showing and will hope it translates to the U.S National team.
These same people that have called MLS passionless are complaining that a bit of emotion is being brought now.
They are confused…..
Players show emotion in leagues around the world like the EPL, Italy and Spain and some of it is considered taunting. Enough with the slamming of Donovan, be thankful he is giving you something to talk about.
And on another note, he can retire today and he is probably the greatest player in MLS history. He can retire today at 26 years of age and he goes down in history as the greatest attacking player ever produced in the United States.
Don’t forget his contributions.
I for one am looking forward to more emotion from Donovan in MLS and with the U.S. National team.
As for those bashing Donovan, their has to be another reason. If you want to vent they bring that energy to a stadium near you when he comes to town………….

It didn’t live up to the billing of two of the best attacking teams in the world but in the end only one goal separated Barcelona and Manchester United.
That a 14 minute stunner from Paul Scholes after a poor Barcelona clear. You had to admire the way Scholes prepared the ball and then hit it leaving no chance for Victor Valdez.
No it wasn’t pretty and that is what happens sometimes as you get deep into the Champions League as teams become gripped by fear.
Stages of the match were open and Deco and 2nd half substitute Thierry Henry came close but in the end Manchester United were determined and Old Trafford was good for a goal.
Paul Scholes scoring was fitting as he missed the 1999 Champions League win over Bayern Munich as he was suspended.
United defeated Barcelona without Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic while Barcelona were without Rafael Marquez and Ronaldinho.
Frank Rijkaard’s managerial career at Barcelona is expected to be over . MAN OF THE MATCH- Lionel Messi who was one pass away from it.

MEANWHILE DOWN IN RIO DE JANIERO

This is jaw dropping. Ronaldo out for a night of fun with what he assumed were prostitutes of the female persuasion (prostitution apparently is not illegal in Brazil) found out their were transvestites who they tried to extort money from him threatening going to the media. Ronaldo went to the police and explained on Globo Tv that he was a victim of extortion.
Sad but true. Ronaldo is re-habbing his knee in Rio and decided if his career is over……I prefer to have my last image of Ronaldo playing for Inter Milan in the Serie A or Brazil…

DYNAMO PREPPING FOR CHIVAS USA

Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear put his team through a heavy work-out today ahead of the Chivas USA match this Saturday at Robertson Stadium. Fans are encouraged to come early as the Dynamo will be presented with their 2007 Championship rings.
At training today the Dynamo did extra finishing work and the Chivas USA game should bring out some fans of the opponent on Saturday.
After Chivas got hit for five goals on Saturday agains LA this game takes on a bit more pressure for both teams who are in need of a win…….The game is live on HDNET at 7:30 central time.

THE DYNAMO SOCCER REPORT WITH GLENN DAVIS this Friday night on Channel 55 includes interviews with Kinnear and Pat Onstad.
The youth profile is of the Texas Rush Soccer Club and the show includes rumors , rants and raves plus viewer emails and international highlights plus much more.
Tune in or set your vcr.

OSCAR TO WEAR “DYNAMO FOREVER” AND CLUB LOGO IN FIGHT

Dynamo owner Oscar De La Hoya will wear the Dynamo logo and “forever orange” on his boxing trunks this weekend as he takes on Steve Forbes at the Home Depot Center.

LIVERPOOL AND CHELSEA AT STAGS HEAD PUB

Catch the Champions League at Stags Head Pub at 1:30 pm Wednesday when Liverpool take on Chelsea for the right to face Manchester United in the Champions League Final in Moscow, Russia. Stags Head Pub is also the host site for Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis on 790 The Sports Animal.

MAN WHO COACHED PELE AND BECKENBAUER PASSES AWAY

Former New York Cosmos coach Gordon Bradley passed away yesterday at 74 years of age.
Bradley coached both Pele and Franz Beckenbauer and was a pioneer for the game of soccer in the United States at all levels.
Former Cosmos goalkeeper Shep Messing passed this on to me.
The game of soccer will miss Gordon Bradley and our condolences to his family. Bradley had suffered from Alzheimers disease.

Catch the Landon Donovan interview on the podcast of Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis by going to www.790thesportsanimal.com, click podcasts, click Glenn Davis.
Donovan talks about David Beckham’s LA influence, his goal scoring form plus the Preki incident from this weekend’s Superclasico against Chivas USA.
He also lets us in on the celebrity turn out that included NHL Wayne Gretzky , Tom Cruise and others.

Other interviews include Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear and Brian Ching who address the Dynamo struggles for a win in MLS and preview their game against Chivas USA.
Claudio Reyna of the New York Red Bulls on MLS, the press and how higher paid players sometimes receive undue criticism.

Your thoughts on these interviews.

Dynamo striker Brian Ching will be a live guest tomorrow night at the Stags Head Pub near Sheperd and 59 for Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis. The show will air on 790 The Sports Animal from 7-9pm. Come out to see Ching and catch the show live at the Stags Head Pub.
Other guests include Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear, LA Galaxy and MLS leading scorer with 8 goals Landon Donovan and Claudio Reyna from an interview.
Call in number is 713-212-5790 , the show can also be caught on the internet at MLSNET.com
Thanks to the following sponsors: AMIGO ENERGY, TEXAS STATE SOCCER ASSOCIATION SOUTH, DANISH INSPIRATIONS CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE, UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON WOMENS SOCCER, ZUKOWSKI, BRESENHAN AND SINEX

Finally caught the Dynamo/Crew tape from Saturday night. Here are a few initial thoughts on the game and the Dynamo:

* Scoring the games first goal in MLS has taken on a new importance. Select teams are defending better as a group and are more organized, compact and comfortable defending for longer periods of time.

*Dynamo lost an edge and a prescence in a large way without Eddie Robinson, not to mention his aerial strength.
Dynamo were poor defending set pieces and corners.

* The Dynamo truly are missing Joseoph Ngwenya( or a similiar type player) foremost as a threat with his speed behind defenses. That element effects a number of different areas of squad. Opponents realize that they can defend a little higher up the field which kills off a little more space in midfield making it more difficult to get possession game going ….On a different note Columbus was dangerous on their select counter attacks and set pieces, Pat Onstad with a few timely saves kept the Dynamo within striking distance in the second half. Sigi Schmid’s defend and counter tactics won out…..

*The Dynamo need a few breaks. We will discuss this and much more Monday night on the radio show so bring your best.

Notes:

*For both Omar Bravo of Chivas and Sigi Schmid of the Columbus Crew the number 100 has meaning. Bravo scored his 100th Mexican league goal this weekend while Schmid got his 100th regular season win as a head coach in MLS

*Landon Donovan put on clinic playing a part in all 5 LA goals in a 5-2 SuperClassico win over Chivas USA. He scored twice with his left foot and once with his right hooking his finish into the far corner.
Apparently Chivas USA coach Preki took exception to Donovan celebrating in front of their bench after scoring which led to an exchange between Donovan and the Chivas USA coach. Sort it out on the field guys…….By the way Brad Guzan had a difficult night in goal for Chivas USA, watch the Alan Gordon header, Guzan was trying to catch the ball around his waist instead of meeting the ball at it’s highest point with his fist to punch away from Gordon. Goalkeeping 101….even last years MLS goalkeeper of the year can struggle and he has a bit so far in 2008.
Wayne Gretzky took in the game at the HDC.

* John who? John Thorrington hit for two goals in a Fire 2-1 win over Colorado at Toyota Park. Thorrington got the start for the injured Chris Rolfe and produced two wonderful finishes.

*Amado Guevara might have been a roll of the dice but maybe he has learned his lesson after playing back in the hinterlands of Honduras. His two goals this past weekend helped to give Toronto FC their third straight win, just want to see how he handles the difficult times……….

* Chelsea beat Man U 2-1 but United still in the drivers seat to win the title with two games remaining.

*Gordon Bradley who coached Pele and Franz Beckenbauer with the New York Cosmos has alzheimers disease at 74 years of age. He is a gentleman and did so much for the sport in this country at a variety of levels do a search on him and learn about his influence.

* HDNET will be in town to broadcast the Dynamo and Chivas game this weekend which will include a Dynamo ring ceremony before the game. Both the Dynamo and Chivas under pressure to get a win….

*Sorry to see you go….Veracruz will be relegated to the second division in Mexico……See you at the Stags Head…….

Dynamo striker Brian Ching will be at the Stags Head Pub this Monday night to appear on live radio during Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis. The U.S. National team and Dynamo striker will discuss the Dynamo season so far as well as sign autographs with fans.
The show will also feature LA Galaxy striker Landon Donovan plus New York Red Bulls Claudio Reyna.
Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear will also be live at Stags Head to appear on the show.
Call in number is 713-212-5790 and the show streams live on the internet at 790thesportsanimal.com and MLSNET.com

Stags Head Pub is located at Sheperd and 59 on Portsmouth and will also be the scene of this Tuesdays Manchester United /Barcelona game watching party with Dynamo players at 1:30 pm

Questions for Brian Ching and Dominic Kinnnear can be submitted to Glenn Davis at gdavis908@swbell.net

I am still en route from Chicago and have not yet seen the tape of the Dynamo at Columbus.
All I know is that Alejandro Moreno scored the lone goal and I am told that the Dynamo had the better of the play and the chances. What were your impressions of the game?

Does the drama get any better? I think not.
Two goals from German Michael Ballack was enough to get Chelsea a home win over Manchester United and pull even in the race for the Premier League title. Ballack scored in the 45th minute and an 86th minute penalty after a hand ball from Michael Carrick.
Wayne Rooney scored the lone United goal in the 57th minute who elected not to start Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez whom presumably were being saved for Tuesday’s Champions League second leg against Barcelona at Old Trafford.
Ballack also picked up a yellow card after revealing a t shirt that said “Pat Lampard RIP” which was a tribute to Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard’s mother who passed away on Thursday after pneumonia.
United also lost Nemanja Vidic with a facial injury after a clash with Didier Drogba……..Your thoughts on this exciting classic.

The Dynamo are looking to get their first win of the season tonite in Columbus,Ohio against the Crew.
It is always interesting to try to look at teams and where they may be vulnerable. If I look at Columbus I find the match ups in wide midfield interesting……For the Dynamo Brad Davis and Brian Mullan against Robbie Rodgers and Eddie Gaven.
This is experience vs. youth which could favor the Dynamo.

Eddie Gaven and Robbie Rodgers are not noted for their defending and I believe Mullan and Davis can get a great edge against them out wide. Both sets of midfielders will try to force the others into defending more . Having to defend alot is against the nature of Gaven and Rodgers.

As always teams that play the Dynamo are challenged with Davis because he likes to slide inside which creates space wide and provides additional problems for opponents.
Watch the wide play today and lets see if Davis and Mullan get the better of Gaven and Rodgers.

As for me I am in Chicago for the HDNET broadcast of the Fire and Colorado Rapids. I am just glad to be calling a game that is not at Giants Stadium on astroturf. Toyota Park is one of the best !!!
Landon Donovan got the goal of the week in MLS play but I believe if Jozy Altidore’s goal was on a grass field without all the lines and diversion in a smaller stadium with fans it would have won. Sometimes poor fields take away from the beauty of a great goal.
Oh and by the way did you see Jozy use his right arm to create space by pushing away Jeff Larentowicz on his goal to create space to launch his finish…..great use of the upper body.

Catch the Dynamo tonite on Channel 55 against the Crew and the Fire and Rapids on HDNET

Lineup this week: Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis Monday night 7-9 pm at Stags Head Pub
Champions League watch party with Dynamo players Tuesday 1:30 at Stags Head (Man U/Barca)
Dynamo Soccer Report on Channel 55 Friday at 9:30 PM

For features, ideas or comments about the shows contact gdavis98swbell.net, what do you want to see on these shows?

Set your VCR’s for 9:30 tonite on Channel 55 for the Dynamo Soccer Report with Glenn Davis.

Guests: Dominic Kinnear
Feature: Dwayne DeRosario
Youth profile: Cy Fair Dynamos
Additional segments: Rumors, rants and raves sponsored by Gilman Honda
Viewer Email
Coaching points with Glenn Davis

*Bonus- catch nine member of the Houston Dynamo watching the Champions League this past week at Stags Head Pub

What do you want to see on the Dynamo Soccer Report with Glenn Davis? email Glenn at gdavis98@swbell.net

NE midfielder Khano Smith provided the lone goal in a 1-0 win over FC Dallas at the Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX.
Despite missing 6 starters NE again proved resiliant and difficult to play against which is a trademark of Steve Nicol coached squads.
Entrusting key roles to young players in this one did not phase NE although some poor decisions from Khano Smith and Amaechi Igwe late provided FC Dallas dangerous free kicks as they upped the pressure in the later stages…….here are a few thoughts.

*Field looked absolutely gorgeous yet the crowd was sparse.

*Arturo Alvarez and Ken Cooper are going to score goals but the good news for them is that they have not realized their potential as a pair. These two are still figuring out how to play as ONE. In fact Alvarez will need to figure out the movement side of the game as a forward and on occasion needs to come central and check back to the ball in the whole to compliment slashing in from wide areas.

* Did Alvarez get clipped in the penalty area by Jay Heaps, didn’t look like it but why go down when you beaten him?

* FC Dallas needed a strong personality to step up in midfield, apart from their final sense of urgency they really could not figure out how to break down the deeper defending Revolution. The could not get behind them.

* Ken Cooper Jr. also was not as evident holding the ball around the penalty area and it is an area of his game that he needs to be succesful at with his frame. Being that big and strong means he should create time for his squad by holding things up.

*The Revs still remain one of the best coached teams in the league and will be in it at the end again. They have offset losses in the off-season the past few years including Clint Dempsey and Pat Noonan and have created I believe more depth and youthful potential.

* We all must remember that in a league that relies on a playoff system it sort of de-values the regular season to a degree.
If it was a single table system then their would be more concern for those teams losing points in the early part of the season like the Houston Dynamo.

Your thoughts on the MLS Prime Time Thursday