SOCCER UNITED MARKETING and ESPN have sold the international broadcast rights for all MLS games to MP & SILVA.
ESPN will now turn over the international rights to MP & SILVA in a deal that will deliver an eight figure payout it will share with SUM over the next four years.
“The economic benefits are substantial, but strategically they’re really going to expand our distribution,” said SUM’s Doug Quinn. “This is something they can be working on 24-7. The international broadcast landscape is a small group of people, and I think MP & SILVA is going to go after it very agressively.”
MP & SILVA holds the worldwide rights to the ITALIAN SERIE A and ATP QATAR OPEN. The agency has offices in Singapore, Milan, Dubai, and Miami.
The reason this company has acquired rights to MLS is because of the influx of foreign players that they feel makes the league more saleable.
“We saw a potential in Major League Soccer and see a really good potential internationally because of the involvment of new players from outside, good players,” Pozzali said.
“We will work together with MLS and SUM to bring top players to clubs to increase the quality of the league.”

*Robert Warzycha as expected is the new head coach of the Columbus Crew. Makes alot of sense from the stand-point of continuity. Warzycha reminds us that the quickest route to getting a shot at being a head coach is by doing your time as an assistant.

* ODDS and ENDS:
MIAMI is getting serious about being in MLS and are basically saying either 2010 or not at all. The MIAMI bid is being headed up by Bolivian businessman MARCELO CLAURE who is partnered with BARCELONA .
SEATTLE DP FREDDIE LJUNBERG has had surgery for a hip condition . The SOUNDERS will also have the first pick in the MLS SUPERDRAFT…

Meanwhile DYNAMO fans need to continue to be heard by contacting elected officials with your comments on a new stadium, send them a Christmas card with your desires:

judge.emmett@cjo.hctx.net

Janet_Duran@cp1.hctx.net

Sylvia_Garcia@pct2.co.harris.tx.us

mayor@cityofhouston.net

*If you caught the the ARSENAL/LIVERPOOL match Sunday one had to marvel of the quality of the goals in the 1-1 draw.
Both came off very direct play but brilliantly showed off the amazing cutting edge quality of the EPL forward.
First, ROBIN VAN PERSIE of ARSENAL with his back to goal takes down a long pass, turns amazingly under pressue and creates space for himself in the blink of an eye. The finish is hit like a bullet………Then ROBBIE KEANE gets put through off a long direct ball and takes his goal beautifully. Degree of difficulty clearly goes to VAN PERSIE.

*LDU QUITO stopped on their way to JAPAN in Houston. Now lets face it, MANCHESTER UNITED is the better team clearly and deserved the victory dominating the possession.
But what an amazing moment for this ECUADORIAN side to compete proudly against a “footballing giant”. Lets not even go into the differences in salaries spent on players, training facilities and conditions etc. Yes, this game had a “loose” feel to it and players were afforded all kinds of time on the ball yet what a win-win for LDU QUITO and exposure to the world. ECUADORIAN football has benefitted from their success.
Reminds us of the importance of the DYNAMO in international competition and specifically the CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. This league’s winner will represent next year in ABU DHABI for the WORLD CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP. The DYNAMO will play ATLANTE in the quarterfinals a Mexican team that they beat in the SUPERLIGA.
On another note one should enquire about some of the ECUADORIAN players as potential MLS’ers.

*DAVID BECKHAM and wife in the crowd at AC MILANS game against UDINESE this past weekend . He was officially announced as Milan player on Saturday. So will he really see the field? MARCO “EL DIABLO” ETCHEVERRY will apparently coach in ECUADOR for club AUCAS. Who knows if ETCHEVERRY could help move players to MLS. There was once an attempt to bring an influx of Bolivian players to the league. ETCHEVERRY and JAIME MORENO showed their obvious quality yet others including JOSELITO VACA struggled to cut it.

*This is a big week for the stadium issue and our city officials. Will this finally get put on the agenda? Fans are encourage to continue to email and write city officials and Mayor Bill White……..

*The HOUSTON DYNAMO of MLS have made no secret about their desire to acquire MORELIA striker LUIS LANDIN. The player first impressed manager DOMINIC KINNEAR when at PACHUCA. Now many feel that LANDIN is out of the salary capability of the HOUSTON DYNAMO but that may just not be the case.
And add to that the fact that a proposed move to CHIVAS for SEGIO SANTANA may just have been altered with a recent trade.
AMAURY PONCE of TOLUCA has been moved to CHIVAS for SANTANA who becomes a RED DEVIL….So how does this effect the potential deal with the DYNAMO? Does CHIVAS now have increased interest in LANDIN? Or have they cooled on him? Will CHIVAS manager JORGE VERGARA just whip out the check book?

PLUS and MINUS:
The DYNAMO are definetly looking for an attacking player that can make an impact up front, no FRANCO CARACCIO here with all due respect to the young man. They also have lost arguably the most popular player on the DYNAMO so a signing that provides the dual attraction of some “box office ” power surely can’t hurt. A Mexican player in the squad would provide a marketing boost for sure and the opportunity to prove out another level of promotion.
LANDIN is young at 23, strong, skilled and seems able to look after himself. The word in MLS and from my sources in Mexico is that he has a very “involved” father that apparently comes with the package and could be a deterrent when it comes to a move to MLS. Yet the lifestyle attraction in the states is always a plus.
LANDIN has not been lighting up exactly for MORELIA and that is why he has become a possibility but we know what a change of scenery can do for any player. His form in the last year has brought down his value.
Would a move to MLS by LANDIN seem a demotion in the minds of Mexican fans even though MLS clubs have been getting results against Mexican clubs?
This is intriguing and interesting news, the type that keeps fans hopeful especially after the loss of a be-loved player who wanted to return to Toronto.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW IS AMAZING FOR ROUND OF 16

Was this thing rigged or is this just an amazing set up of matches. When I first saw this I almost fell over.

*MANCHESTER UNITED VS INTER MILAN
This is Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho re-visited. It’s ZLATAN vs. RIO and NEMANJA among many other great match-ups.

*CHELSEA vs. JUVENTUS
CLAUDIO RANIERI will come back to STAMFORD BRIDGE to take on the “BLUES” with JUVE…mouth watering.

*LIVERPOOL vs. REAL MADRID
New manager JUANDE RAMOS going up against a former EPL foe in the “Pool”. Reds manager RAFA BENITEZ against the “GALACATICOS” who had interest in making him their manager. Hey, who isn’t REAL MADRID going after?

Other matches include ARSENAL vs. ROMA, BARCELONA vs LYON, BAYERN MUNICH vs SPORTING LISBON, ATLETICO MADRID against PORTO and VILLAREAL vs. PANATHINAIKOS.

* DID MY VOTE COUNT?
This was a no brainer. TIM HOWARD of EVERTON was selected as the soccer “male athlete of the year” while OLYMPIC hero CARLI LLOYD who scored the game winning goal against BRAZIL in the GOLD MEDAL match won the “female” athlete of the year.
HOWARD has clearly become a leader for the U.S. National team.

*FERGIE “RAILS” on REAL MADRID
No not that FERGIE, I’M talking about the manager of MANCHESTER UNITED.
FERGUSON called Real Madrid “A MOB” and said he does not want to do business with the Spanish Club. Ferguson was responding to reports in the Spanish press that the two club’s had a “gentleman’s” agreement to transfer CRISTIANO RONALDO this coming summer.
“Do you think I would want to enter into a contract with that mob?” said Ferguson after UNITED defeated GAMBA OSAKA 5-3. “No chance , I would not sell them a virus.”

What is a day without some sort of information out of the REAL MADRID camp. Fresh on the heels of the CRISTIANO RONALDO rumors of moving to SPAIN in the summer we now have the “GALACATICO’S” ready to swoop in for their crosstown rivals greatest asset. The newspaper EL CONFIDENCIAL is claiming the deal is done to move Atletico Madrid star SERGIO AGUERO. REAL MADRID is apparently ready to purchase the star ARGENTINE by paying off his buy-out clause of $85.5 million.
Funny thing is that AGUERO apparently has said in the past he would never join REAL MADRID and he would only leave ATHLETICO to return to ARGENTINA to finish out his career.
Want to take bets on this?

*PAVEL PARDO is headed back to CLUB AMERICA in MEXICO from STUTTGART in GERMANY.
PARDO has always been one of my favorites and a class act for MEXICO.

*AHN JUNG HWAN to the U.S. His agent claims their are talks with a number of MLS teams SUPPOSEDLY. How serious these talks are , well who knows?
As in any deal this could be to improve his negotiating position with his “K” League club BUSAN I’PARK….How about that, MLS being used as a bargaining chip against another club.
You will see more and more of this. SO what would his perfect destination be….SAN JOSE or SEATTLE?

* I watched all the semi-finals and finals of the mens NCAA championships at both the division 1 and 2 level. I did not see the NAIA or JUNIOR College Championships.
I called the division 2 national championships on the mens side. As any good broadcaster I came in early to watch the semi-finals at the UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA , which was the site of the finals.
Out of all the division 1 and 2 college finals the best game clearly as far as the quality of attacking soccer displayed. And I mean clearly. Was the division 2 semi-final between the UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA and CAL STATE DOMINGUEZ HILLS. Attacking soccer, teams taking risk and individuals that were exciting to watch. The match ended 3-2 on an overtime “golden goal” by SCOTT MARIANO of CAL STATE DOMINGUEZ HILLS after TAMPA missed a sitter that would have won it.
The game was played in front of 1200 fans at PEPIN ROOD STADIUM .
Personally the NCAA DIVISION 1 Mens College Cup was blase. Sadly, WAKE FOREST never was able to put together their free, flowing game and in the end the tournament won by MARYLAND was a typical , grind it out affair. What were your thoughts on the NCAA MENS COLLEGE CUP?

*DYNAMO are still trying to lock down BOBBY BOSWELL and WADE BARRETT. BOSWELL was the DYNAMO defender of the year and apparently has interest in EUROPE yet we still have not heard a club mentioned.

* WORLD CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP has PACHUCA and GAMBA OSAKA playing in the third place game and MANCHESTER UNITED and LIGA QUITO of ECUADOR in the final.
What a moment for this ECUADORIAN club. Imagine if this were the DYNAMO or any other MLS team? PACHUCA coaching and technical staff were at the MANCHESTER UNITED and GAMBA OSAKA semi-final scouting their next opponents.
A win for PACHUCA would be the best finish for a Mexican club since 2000 .

* Local youth club the TEXAS RUSH was listed in a recent competition as the TEXAS RUSH AS MONACO as the club now has a relationship with the French squad. Others like the Texans locally (Manchester United) and more have gained some sort of affiliation yet one wonders if this is more than just marketing/

This interview sent in from NIGEL BROOKS called “Fun with Glenn and Dom.” Fans are encouraged to send in your favorite videos and we will post.
This interview with DOMINIC KINNEAR actually from last night’s DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS.

*Spain ranked #1 in the world in the final FIFA rankings for 2008. The U.S. ends up #22 while Mexico sits at #25. This is for those that are intrigued with the FIFA rankings.

*ALEX FERGUSON is denying that a deal has been struck between MANCHESTER UNITED and REAL MADRID for the services of CRISTIANO RONALDO. FERGUSON has made it clear he is fed up with the situation while RONALDO concurs saying he is happy at OLD TRAFFORD. REAL MADRID director PEDRO TRAPOTE was quoted in EL MUNDO saying a deal was struck. So is this just a case of REAL MADRID yanking FERGUSON and MANCHESTER UNITED’s chain? Or is it that their is “REAL” truth to this?

*The DYNAMO are serious about trying to acquire LUIS LANDIN of MORELIA as an additional forward. This would be a great signing to add to the depth up front and also to bring in a known player from MEXICO. Problem here is that apparently CHIVAS is trying to make a deal with LANDIN and few turn down the “New York Yankees” of the Mexican League.
As mentioned on my radio show last night the selling of lifestyle in the UNITED STATES can sometimes earn you a deal with a player.

*The Dynamo will take a month to prepare for their home CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE match against ATLANTE at the end of FEBRUARY and will look for exhibition games prior to prepare with a potential trip to California.

*MANCHESTER UNITED will take on LIGA DE QUITO of ECUADOR in the WORLD CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP in JAPAN on SUNDAY. MAN U beat GAMBA OSAKA 5-3 in the semis with WAYNE ROONEY scoring twice while CRISTIANO RONALDO scored once in and up and down entertaining match.

*AC MILAN struggles continue with a 2-2 draw at home in the UEFA CUP GROUP MATCH against WOLFSBURG of GERMANY. Milan will now take on a team from the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE in the knock-out round. MILAN also lost last weekend to JUVENTUS that has them now 9 points off the pace in the SERIE A which is lead by rivals INTER MILAN. Good news says that KAKA could play this weekend against UDINESE. KAKA has a groin problem that he said might keep him out for three months which raised eye-brows at the club.

*Go to www.790thesportsanimal.com, click podcasts, click Glenn Davis and go back in the archives through all the interviews that include Dynamo coaches and players, Ruud Gullit, Bruce Arena, Bob Bradley, Kasey Keller, Sylvia Garcia, and more and you will be amazed to listen to some of the interviews.
This weeks show is up with DOMINIC KINNEAR, STUART HOLDEN, JULIUS JAMES and KASEY KELLER…….

*Dynamo fans what would you think if Mexican player LUIS LANDIN of Morelia were signed by the DYNAMO?
Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear confirms his and the DYNAMO interest last night on the radio show in an interview with me on Dynamo All Access.
Just hard to imagine this talent who has been capped by Mexico will come cheap. Also, rumor has a potential trade with Landin going to Chivas for striker Sergio Santana.

The emotion remains from fans on the DWAYNE DEROSARIO trade. Are you ready to move on or is it just too fresh?
DeRosario sent me an email expressing his appreciation for the fans and also has a statement up at DwayneDeRosario.com
Still no news on Bobby Boswell or Wade Barrett being re-signed which is another reason why Julius James is important.

Catch the PODCAST of DYNAMO ALL ACCESS WITH GLENN DAVIS at 790thesportsanimal.com, click podcast, click GLENN DAVIS

Highlights: Dynamo midfielder STUART HOLDEN comments on the DWAYNE DEROSARIO role and embraces the future confidently.
The newest DYNAMO JULIUS JAMES on coming to Houston and the drink “SEA MOSS”.
KASEY KELLER of the SEATTLE SOUNDERS talks about his excitement for the upcoming MLS season.

CRISTIANO RONALDO is headed to REAL MADRID supposedly during the summer transfer window in a deal that has been agreed upon by the two Super-Clubs according to EL MUNDO.
This has got to be killing ALEX FERGUSON who is livid about REAL MADRID and their pursuit of the superstar. REAL MADRID had made it public that they were calling off pursuit of RONALDO yet it seems that potentially a clandestine deal has been done between the two clubs and Real Madrid officials have broken a supposed code of silence after being taped.
This is going to get interesting.

THANKS TO STAGS HEAD PUB, ZUKOWSKI, BRESENHAN AND SINEX, HOUSTON FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

College
Finished off his senior year at University of Connecticut with a number of accolades, was M.A.C. Herman Trophy semifinalist, and was selected to the First Team All-Northeast as well as First Team All-BIG EAST. Was named to BIG EAST All-Tournament Team, and received BIG EAST Defensive player of the Year nod for the third straight season. Started all 24 games and registered two goals, and one assist.

2006: Played and started in all 19 games at centre back logging 1,728 minutes and scoring two goals. He averaged 91 minutes per game, the second most of any field player. Became UCONN’s 10th NSCAA First Team All-American honoree and also named to First Team All-Northeast and BIG EAST teams. Named to M.A.C. Herman Trophy candidate list, finishing as a semifinalist.

2005: Played and started all 21 games, contributed to a defensive core that allowed an average of just 0.56 goals per game, scored two goals. Earned NSCAA Second Team All- American honours, plus First Team New England. Named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year and was a candidate for the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy.

2004: In his Freshmen year, played and started all 23 games for the Huskies leading the team in minutes and scoring two goals. Earned Second Team All-BIG EAST honours as well as First Team All-New England and College Soccer News All-Freshmen All-American accolades.

Don’t forget to tune in tonite to “DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS” on 790 The Sports Animal from 7-9pm.
DWAYNE DEROSARIO and his trade to TORONTO FC takes front and center stage and we expect to here from the man himself.
The “new guy” in town JULIUS JAMES will also get introduced while we get the dynamics of the trade and how it came down from DYNAMO manager DOMINIC KINNEAR himself.
MARYLAND NCAA CHAMPION coach SASHA CIROVSKI also expected to join us .
Call in number 713-212-5790, streaming live at MLSNET.com and 790thesportsanimal.com
What is your desired Christmas gift from the world of soccer ?

*MEXICO is plotting how it will finally beat the U.S. on U.S. soil….National team director GUILLERMO CANTU met with representatives of the 18 clubs in the MEXICAN FIRST DIVISION this past Tuesday. The discussion centered around a MEXICAN NATIONAL TEAM TRAINING CAMP to prepare for the FEBRUARY 11th WORLD CUP QUALIFIER in COLUMBUS against the UNITED STATES. MEXICO will play SWEDEN on the 28th and they are trying to keep the team together up until the 11th in Ohio.
By the way, what a mistake it would have been not to hold this game in COLUMBUS, OHIO after the history of key wins against MEXICO there.
Glad this decision was made. So will MEXICO finally beat the U.S. here in the states?

*BRAZIL could be making an intervention to try and grap LUIS FELIPE SCOLARI from CHELSEA. The ENGLISH MEDIA claims that mutiny could occur as players like FRANK LAMPARD and JOHN TERRY are unhappy with his tactics and the type of training sessions he has run. Some players had aired their views earlier in the season that the sessions were not demanding enough…Could SCOLARI be back on the BRAZIL bench in 2009?

*Here is a reminder why the CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE is so important. LDU QUITO who came through town last week is in the semi-finals of the CLUB WORLD CUP in JAPAN.
They defeated CONCACAF reprsentative PACHUCA 2-0 and are now set to take on the winner of MANCHESTER UNITED and GAMBA OSAKA for the title.

What are your thoughts on these key issues in football!!!

There are a-lot of great and historic plays that DWAYNE DEROSARIO in MLS has been involved in and it is hard to choose just one….so what is yours?
It may have been a chance encounter with “DeRo”, it might have been at a live radio broadcast or it might be one of his sublime moments on the field.
I will get the ball rolling by going back to last year at RFK STADIUM where after being pushed forward DEROSARIO helped to stir the pot of the MLS CUP FINAL against NE.
The move brought confidence to the DYNAMO and his assist to JOSEOPH NGWENYA tied things up and then the moment that is indelibly etched in the mind of MLS history.
His snapped header from distance after glorious delivery from BRAD DAVIS proved to be the game-winner.
On this day, DEROSARIO it seemed was destined to not be stopped. MLS CUP number two to Houston and one of the best flare or smoke bomb ignitions ever.
I remember watching Dynamo fans around the smoke bomb covering their faces tangled in a web of physical pain and exctasy over the DeRosario goal with and ORANGE glow everywhere.

*Don’t forget the final edition of DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS before Christmas tonite on 790 The Sports Animal.
Guests: Dwayne DeRosario, the new guy Julius James, Dominic Kinnear and others.
Have your “shout” or “call” on the DEROSARIO trade as we will examine it up and down. How does the team change and what is in store for the future?
TOLUCA and MARYLAND win titles and more interesting news from around MLS and the world.
Call in 713-212-5790, streaming live at MLSNET.com and 790thesportsanimal.com