Wherever you go, we’ll be.

Though the Dynamo are enjoying a much-needed break during the off-season, most people I know are counting down the days until our next match.
A match we won’t have until February at the earliest, when the CCL quarterfinals are underway. We’ll have to wait until March to for our first regular-league game.

Time flies, but needless to say, I’m going through Dynamo withdrawal.

I’m part of a group that will do whatever it can to support the Men in Orange. You can expect a TEXIAN ARMY presence at every home game but we don’t stop there. Some of my most memorable moments as a TA member have been getting into a car, bus or plane to see this team play away from home. What makes it even sweeter is knowing that I’m sourrounded by my TA brothers and sisters in this madness.

In 2008 alone, TA members traveled to Honolulu, Toronto, DC, NE, New York, Chicago, San Jose, Denver, Columbus, San Antonio, Dallas and the list goes on.
We’ve even been south of the border for international matches. The new year brings more games, more opportunities to travel and I can’t wait.

Imagine what it’ll be like if we face ATLANTE in Cancun during spring break!

For more information on the TEXIAN ARMY and joining a supporters group, go to www.texianarmy.org

* NOTE : Katy Umana is a leader of the Texian Army one of the top supporters groups in MLS. (Seen here at the Dynamo/Red Bull game played at the Meadowlands)

You got the sense this was coming.
BERND SCHUSTER is out as manager at REAL MADRID and the German has been replaced by former TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR manager JUANDE RAMOS.
RAMOS will jump right in this WEDNESDAY when REAL MADRID takes on ZENIT ST. PETERSBURG in the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.
REAL MADRID currently in 5th place in LA LIGA are a full 9 points behind rivals BARCELONA.
SCHUSTER was successful last year with retains the league title that was won by his successor FABIO CAPELLO.
To be fair injury problems have been large this season with RUUD van NISTLEROOY, GABRIEL HEINZE, PEPE, WESLEY SNEIJDER, MIGUEL TORRES and now MAHAMADOU DIARRA all hit by the bug.
What do you think of the move to bring in RAMOS?

MICHAEL PARKHURST ON HIS WAY TO EUROPE will Boswell follow?

PARKHURST is head to FC NORDSJAELLAND in the DANISH FIRST DIVISION. His move also signals that the REVS are clearly being re-vamped and the rumor of TAYLOR TWELLMAN heading out of NE is also a hot one.
PARKHURST leaves on a free transfer.
BOBBY BOSWELL of the DYNAMO and CHAD MARSHALL (was all that home improvement getting his digs ready for sale?) are other MLS defenders that could follow?
WILMAN CONDE has also bolted out of CHICAGO back to COLOMBIA but is still apparently under contract to the FIRE.

Lots of Champions League matches this week:

CHELSEA vs. CFR CLUJ (Romania)- Blues can advance to knock-out stage for 6th straight year with a win but can also advance with a draw or even a loss.
Chelsea has a 14 match unbeaten streak at home in Champions league. CLUJ already eliminated.

ROMA vs. BORDEAUX- Roma guaranteed to advance to knockout stage with a draw or even a loss if Chelsea fails to beat CLUJ. Bordeaux must win.

LYON-BAYERN MUNICH- First place at stake in Group F. Both clubs have already advanced.

PORTO vs. ARSENAL- Porto at home could leapfrog the “Gunners” in Group G.

*BOB BRADLEY ON DYNAMO ALL ACCESS WITH GLENN DAVIS
Note the time, 7-9 p this Wednesday. Additional guests include Dominic Kinnear (adventures in Jamaica), Adrian Hanauer (Seattle Sounders GM) plus Marc Connelly of Espn.
CALL IN NUMBER- 713-212-5790, show streams live at MLSNET.com and 790TheSportsAnimal.com
Email in your questions for any of the guests and make sure you tune in!

* A subtle reminder comes in the form of LIGA DEPORTIVA UNIVERSITARIA of Quito, Ecuador who won the Copa Libertadores.
They will stop in Houston today at 11:45 and stay at the WESTIN GALLERIA. While in town they will train at RICE UNIVERSITY at 3pm. They are en-route to JAPAN to play in the WORLD CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP which includes MANCHESTER UNITED. Just a reminder that the DYNAMO are now down to the final 8 in Champions League competition and could one day be heading to Japan if they were to win it. Champions League play for the Dynamo begins at the end of February.

* Ok, I lighten it up with this question. What ex-premier league player now playing in Spain once came on as a sub for his father in an international game?
I reveal the answer tomorrow.