The Dynamo and coach Dominic Kinnear take great pride in the competitive environment that they have built.
They also are firm believers that it can get the best out of players. Fact is that last year Joseoph Ngwenya and Nate Jacqua had the best years of their careers before bolting to Austria.
Like I have mentioned before the answer to the Dynamo issues up front might just be found in MLS.
Enter Roland Guy Kpene who came to the U.S. from the Ivory Coast because his mother took a job as a financial attache to the U.N.
He played at Westchester Community College before being snapped up by Division 2 Dowling College in New York whom he led to the NCAA Division 2 National Championship with a 22-0-2 record.
I called that NCAA Div. 2 national championship game two years or so ago and KPene stood out and I wondered if he would be drafted, lo and behold DC took him. He was dominant athletically at the college level.
Yes he is a good risk and would come cheap to the Dynamo and bring a threat to get behind defenses which the Dynamo don’t really have right now except for Dwayne DeRosario coming from deep midfield positions.
Last year Kpene failed to produce a goal for DC United in 16 appearances. But before you judge consider this.
Despite not scoring, Kpene did get chances and did get in good goal scoring positions. Could that change in an “Orange” uniform.
Just ask Ngwenya and Jacqua.

Still absorbing this letter from MLS commish Don Garber to Dynamo ownership group that was apparently shown to Mayor Bill White of Houston who has deemed the letter threatening.
I understand the goal is to push the stadium to the forefront but I am not for a second buying that the team would be re-located.
What do you think of the timing of this letter? It’s tone. Is it a bluff or a move to stir the negotiation pot?
Timely or not? I guess it all depends on where the negotiation sits at the moment.
The University of Houston AD Dave Maggard is surely trying to figure out how more money can be leveraged out of the Dynamo and MLS… Your thoughts?
To read the letter click here

The Dynamo will have to do it for the next three games without All Star defender Eddie Robinson.
Robinson was fined $1000 and suspended for three games and it will put the pressure on Dynamo defenders Bobby Boswell and Patrick Ianni in his abscence. That pressure will start this weekend with Landon Donovan playing upfront for the LA Galaxy.
Robinson struck KC defender Tyson Wahl as they jostled for position on a corner kick this past weekend in the 0-0 draw.
Wahl’s lip was cut.
Robinson may not have played anyway since his knee is swollen and filled with fluid yet the strength of Robinson as one of the best defenders in MLS was blotted with this incident.
Robinson was a surprise starter in Kansas City after passing a late fitness test and other than the incident with Wahl was one of the best players on the field.
For more on Robinson catch the Dynamo Soccer Report this Friday night at 9:30 on Channel 55 where he is interviewed.

So here are a few things on my mind after this weekend in the world of soccer:

*First I want to thank all the great soccer fans who made it out to the Stags Head Pub for last night’s Dynamo All Access show. It was great visiting and talking to so many passionate Dynamo and soccer fans!! Thanks again. We will do a Champions League game watching party at the Stags Head when the Champions League semifinals take to the air on April 22nd.
I will be there and I know Craig Waibel will be plus some other Dynamo players.
In the meantime see you next Monday at the Stags Head Pub, I will book Dynamo players this weekend.

*Toronto FC had a scary flight on the way home from LA after their 3-2 win over the Galaxy.
The plan had a hydraulic problem and had to land in Omaha, Nebraska according to the Toronto Sun.
“We panicked a bit, we had a lady sitting next to us and she actually started crying she was so petrified,” said coach John Carver.
Apparently the hyraulic problem didn’t turn out to be serious but the runway was full of police cars, fire trucks and ambulances.
Same thing happened to me in 1983 with the Pennsylvania Stoners after playing the Jacksonville Teamen, on a Delta flight but upon take-off and getting outside of Jacksonville, Florida the pilot turned the flight around and shut down one engine……..The airport was full of emergency vehicles when we landed……….hard not to remember that one. Glad everyone was safe.
On an unrelated note Carver said this about Toronto FC fans.
“Because of our fanatical fans we can make this a fortress” when talking about BMO Field.

*Speaking of center back problems, LA have got them. LA defender Greg Vanney had a tough night and was beaten on two goals individually in the 3-2 loss to the LA Galaxy. Abel Xavier could return against the Dynamo but the chances will come for the Dynamo this weekend in LA. You can catch the game on Channel 55 this Saturday at 9pm. As for me I will be in New York to do the Red Bulls vs. New England game on HDNET so maybe you can catch that before the Dynamo/LA game in high definition.

*Eddie Robinson looks to be out on Saturday for two reasons. His knee is extremely swollen and I know that for fact as he was gracious enough to do an interview with me today for the Dynamo Soccer Report that will air this Friday at 9:30 pm. Robinson addresses the incident with Kansas City Wizards defender Tyson Wahl which will see him suspended from MLS you would have to think if it hasn’t happened already.
So that means Bobby Boswell/Patrick Ianni and the thought here is which of these two defenders will step up to lead from this postion.

*Nice to see the Dynamo midfield getting back to normal, this will not solve problems but it will alleviate them in other areas of the team. I see a few Dynamo goals on Saturday night against LA . Concern is Landon Donovan in the hole and playing off our back-line with the passing ability of David Beckham.

*Interesting signing in Columbus who picked up Nigerian under 23 player Emmanuel Ekpo…Sad to see that this organization has lost steam in their community with their team becoming more interesting on the field. Has to be the leadership, this is a market that has a good youth community but has been mired in years of mediocrity which is not unlike a few other clubs in MLS.

*Attendance down this past weekend in MLS including less than 7000 in Columbus for the most interesting team they have had in years.

*Noticed that the Kansas City Wizards have a few more Hispanic fans involved with their supporters group behind the goal this past weekend which leads me to believe they are reaching out to their energy which is needed.

* If you didn’t hear the Ruud Gullit interview last night on Dynamo All Access check it out on the podcast at 790thesportsanimal.com Gullit was once the world player of the year and is challenged by the rules of MLS and defends David Beckham in this interview. He also weighs in on Johan Cruyff who remains a large figure as you know in Holland.
Claudio Lopez also interviewed on the show and is all about producing in MLS. Refreshing to hear from both the former Italian Serie A stars.

* Lots of change on the youth landscape with so much confusing competition from U.S. Soccer Development Academy, U.S. Youth Soccer, U.S. Club soccer.
Clubs in Houston and around the country are conflicted as to what direction to head into. U.S. youth soccer has allowed California clubs to change the criteria of the Academy a bit which is creating confusion.
Where will the Dynamo fit in this landscape down the road? One day when they get their own training facility they will take the true lead in player development…….I believe that will happen. Their is talent in South Texas if nurtured can make their way to the first team in MLS but the real benefits are down the road and the club will do the right thing and continue to tap into the Mexican soccer culture.

*Rumors about Omar Bravo , Bruno Marioni and Boffo Bautista continue to exist.
Lets face it Bravo first and formost wants to go to Europe, MLS can’t be on the top of his list despite people’s blind loyalty of him coming to MLS.
As for Marioni, who isn’t he shopping himself too? He may put himself up on EBAY for all I know.
Bautista was approached by MLS by Chivas USA who are looking for an impact DP but need to acquire a DP slot before it can happen. Remember they conceded it when acquiring Amado Guevara who is now at Toronto FC.
Everybody wants to find the next Blanco but it is not going to be easy.
Blanco has become a true revelation in MLS both on and off the field and is a draw no matter where he goes.

*Manchester United is valueing Cristiano Ronaldo at over 100 million dollars, now there is an MLS DP, just kidding.

Thoughts email me at gdavis98@swbell.net

Catch the podcast of “Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis” which aired Monday night at the Stags Head Pub.
Interviews include former World Player of the Year Ruud Gullit who played for AC Milan, Chelsea, Feyenoord and others. Gullit weighs in on MLS, playing with Johan Cruyff, and explains why David Beckham should be judged solely for his playing ability in MLS.
Dynamo defender Craig Waibel, coach Dominic Kinnear and FC Dallas striker Arturo Alvarez also weigh in on the show.
Hear former Lazio star Claudio Lopez now of the Kansas City Wizards explain why he will give his all in MLS.
Great callers and interviews on this version of “Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis”.

TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST GO TO WWW.790THESPORTSANIMAL.COM

Calling all soccer fans!
Catch “Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis” tonite at the Stags Head Pub near Sheperd Drive and Kirby.
Live guest will be Dynamo defender Craig Waibel who will sign autographs and mix with Dynamo fans. Also on tap: former Argentine World Cup star Claudio Lopez
Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear

Ticket giveaways and more at the Stags Head tonite. So if you are out and about stop in at the Stags Head Pub tonite……..To get on the air call 713-212-5790

Streaming live on the internet at MLSNET.com and 790thesportsanimal.com

SUPPORT YOUR GAME !!!!

Ok Chivas fans you can revel in the glory of your “Superclasico” win but a game that seemed to be out of distance at 3-0 became more difficult.
Club America may have thought they were going to survive the first half until Segio Santana scored off a header and then after a great set up from Omar Bravo within a span of two minutes. Bravo made a great play holding the ball after drawing out America goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa to the left of his goal enabling Santana to steam into the box and crash his finish home.
After an ejection it looked bleak for Club America playing with ten men at Jalisco Stadium.
Enter Paraguayan international Salvador Cabanas who converted a penalty for America to cut it to 3-1.
Then Cabanas came up with an amazing play fending off a defender and controlling a 60 yard ball from Diego Cervantes over his head inside the penalty area and then cool as ice finished. The lead now 3-2 made it a little less than comfortable for Chivas who ultimately got the result .
Under Efrain Flores they are currently the best team in the Mexican league.
A good week for Jorge Vergara, a Saprissa win in Concacaf Champions Cup over the Dynamo and now a Superclasico win.
The Dynamo take on Chivas in the summer in the Superliga…….Thoughts on the Superclasico…

With their starting midfield lining up for the first time the Dynamo earned a 0-0 draw at the Kansas City Wizards.
Brian Mullan and Brad Davis joined Ricardo Clark and Dwayne DeRosario on a cold, chilly night in Kansas City.
For me this one was real even and the draw fair.

The good:
Improved play from Tony Caig in goal.
A stronger night of defending.
A point earned.
Watching Claudio Lopez…

The bad:
Eddie Robinson throwing a forearm at Tyson Wahl which is sure to get him suspended unless that is no one watched the game on HDNET in the MLS office.

Despite being told by many that the field is larger than Arrowhead Stadium’s surface it was hard to believe that with the eye.
The field seemed tight, their was little wide play from either team and players did not have time on the ball.
Tough to really make a lot of judgements from this game tonite.

TREND: One thing is clear is that MLS teams are learning to defend the home turf, winning at home has become more prevalent and will make it more difficult this season to get wins on the road.

Who was your player of the game?

Head out tonite for the 7pm kickoff of the Dynamo at KC on HDNET at the Stags Head Pub at Sheperd and 59.
Injured Dynamo defender Craig Waibel and others will be in attendance to watch the Dynamo square off against the high scoring Kansas City Wizards . Head out to the Stags Head Pub and join Craig and others to support your Dynamo and the Stags Head Pub who are helping to keep your sport on the radio with their sponsorship of Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis.

It is cold out here in Kansas City…….Community America Ballpark is a minor league facility that has been configured for soccer and frankly it has made the atmosphere in KC much better. I can’t tell you how many times I have come to a souless and passionless Arrowhead Stadium.
Wizards organization are trying to get it right on and off the field.
They have a new training facility and in time a new stadium.
They also have gotten rid of the headache called Eddie Johnson who is at Fulham and took up much of the coaching staff’s time last year with his level of maintenance.
I know we don’t want to mention Costa Rica right now but Kerry Zavagnin may be out tonite for the Wizards and one would imagine Costa Rican Kurt Morsink who played at James Madison University for my friend Tom Martin could get the start in a holding role behind Carlos Marinelli. Don’t be surprised if MLS Superdraft number one pick Chance Myers gets a start after solid minutes against NE, kid looked pretty good on the ball.
Wizards can move fluidly and have alot of skilled players on the field like Morsink, Marinelli, Scott Sealey and former Lazio star Claudio Lopez who went from Valencia to Lazio for 44 million dollars. In KC he is pulling down over 800,000 as a designated player.
That can go a long way in the heartland. Lopez has embraced his new team and I believe his best times like with Franco Caraccio will be down the road when he gets even more adjusted to lifestyle and the team.
In the loss to NE I believe they played the better soccer but still struggle defending the set pieces.

So where are the Dynamo coming into this one? They are injured and smacked down from Concacaf not to mention road weary (I will not get into the issue of MLS not putting Houston and DC in positions to be successful).
Yet tonite is huge, a win can go a long way to re-gaining confidence and getting back on track.
RICARDO CLARK has finished suspension and will start tonite, again the question is how much and how long do you get minutes out of Brad Davis and Brian Mullan, do you start them both? Not sure. All depends on their fitness but they are needed severely.
Dominic Kinnear has rightly pointed out that the ball has been lost in bad areas of the field leading to counter-attacks and the team caught out…..My gut tells me the Dynamo respond tonite and produce a road win yet the jury is still out on Bobby Boswell who needs to lead out of the center back position or are we asking too much?
Still a problem has not been being healthy from the start of the year while trying to bring new players into the squad. Flip side is that youth have gotten playing experience in some unique environments. It will pay off down the road. Cory Ashe certainly has matured from last year, Geoff Cameron has adjusted well with a great attitude and Patrick Ianni has gotten minutes.

This should be good and I hope you enjoy watching this in HDNET tonite…..Don’t miss the Superclassico tomorrow night between Chivas and Club America whose teams are both on different paths…..Now I know why I don’t get phone calls from “Amercanistas” on the radio show as of late. On another un-related note the people of Costa Rica were wonderful during my 24 hour jaunt down there.
Let me know of topics that you want covered on both the radio and tv by emailing me at gdavis98@swbell.net, you may also know of some great stories that I have missed.