*American striker and World Cup hopeful JOZY ALTIDORE who was sold by MLS to VILLAREAL has been loaned by the “yellow submarine” to second division squad XEREZ through the end of the current season. Word of a loan has circled the 19 year old for months and the move could end up being a good one as ALTIDORE needs playing time. WHile at Villareal the teen-ager played in only 6 league games and twice in the Copa Del Rey scoring one goal.
Do you think ALTIDORE will play a significant part in the WORLD CUP in SOUTH AFRICA providing that the U.S. qualify?

So we can all say an official goodbye to our good friend CARLOS RUIZ formerly of Toronto F.C.
Ruiz’s best final moment in MLS in my opinion was his strike during the playoffs against the DYNAMO at ROBERTSON STADIUM in 2007.
Pretty surprised that OLIMPIA in PARAGUAY is the destination…………MARCELO GALLARDO is also on his way back to ARGENTINA from DC UNITED. Lets face it, injury hurt the true litmus test on his effort in MLS, he provided some great moments of skill but should DC UNITED have done another deal with CHRISTIAN GOMEZ who rotted on the bench in COLORADO as opposed to signing GALLARDO……Credit the SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES who got a jersey sponsor in AMWAY. The deal? Two and a half million dollars for 3 years………THE DYNAMO should be credited for being sensitive to the tough economic times. How about the best professional sports package in town.
The MLS package gives fans 15 games for $150, yes it averages out to a ten dollar ticket per game. Grab them while you can by going to HoustonDynamo.com

LANDON DONOVAN DEBUTS FOR BAYERN MUNICH

LD debuted today playing 13 minutes plus stoppage time off the bench in a scintillating BUNDESLIGA match for first place against HAMBURG.
HAMBURG pulled off the home win in front of 60,000 fans with Bayern hammering away at the end with contribution from DONOVAN.
DONOVAN set the table for TIM BOROWOSKi who pulled what could have been a tying goal back.
Donovan played in a wide area on the right…….Did you see it?

MONDAY ON THE RADIO

Join me for DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS on 790Thesportsanimal from 7-9pm.
The show streams live on MLSNET.com and also at 790thesportsanimal.com
Guests: DYNAMO manager DOMINIC KINNEAR
U.S. under 20 manager THOMAS RONGEN (Former Houston Dynamo’s in the 80’s)
BRANDI CHASTAIN former U.S. Womens national team player
Dynamo player to be announced
SALMAN MITHA from Germany
Reaction from the opening of DYNAMO training on Monday……

Call in number is 713-212-5790 SOCCER FANS IT IS GAME ON

Stay tuned for the United States/Mexico game watching party…………….

HDNET in negotiations with MLS
Well that is what the press release this past Wednesday from MLS says.
Now I have recieved many emails on this subject, I suggest you contact mcuban@hd.net
Yes, that is Mark Cuban’s email which is also advertised on the hd.net website

NEW SPONSORS on BOARD:

Thanks to the newest soccer sponsors on DYNAMO ALL ACCESS.

MARK WEST PINOT NOIR- excellent wine that has to be tasted!!! Ask for it at your local grocery or liquor store.
TURQOISE GRILL-located near Kirby and 59 please go and taste the best in Turkish cuisine, let my friend Jim the owner know you love soccer. Also pretty cool because he has Turkish league games live on his tv!!!
MEZZANINE LOUNGE- located near Sheperd and 59 and a great place to hit before heading downtown. Manager Tonya will take care of you . Let her know you are a soccr fan!!!

What does your soccer weekend entail?

Well kind of.
The European based players will join the squad in the near future.
Dynamo players BRIAN CHING, RICARDO CLARK and STUART HOLDEN all headed back to LA today to prepare of the February 11th match against Mexico.
Here is the squad:

Goalkeepers: Jon Busch, Will Hesmer, Matt Pickens
Defenders: Frankie Hejduk, Jonathan Bornstein, Chris Wingert, Marvel Wynne, Ugo Ihemulu
Midfielders: Brian Carroll, RICARDO CLARK, Eddie Gaven, STUART HOLDEN, Jack Jewsbury, Sasha Klejstan, Robbie Rodgers, John Thorrington
Forwards: BRIAN CHING, Ken Cooper, Charlie Davies, Chris Rolfe

This camp will keep MLS players sharp ahead of the arrival of European based players.

Who out of these players will actually make the final roster? My guess BRIAN CHING, RICARDO CLARK, Frankie Hejduk, Sasha Klejstan are virtual locks.

I would assume barring injury the lineup will look something close to this?

Goalkeeper : Tim Howard
Defenders: Steve Cherundolo, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Heath Pearce or Jonathan Bornstein
Midfield: Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, DaMarcus Beasley
Withdrawn forward: Landon Donovan
Striker : Brian Ching

*Of course Dempsey and Donovan could be changed and who is to count FRANKIE HEJDUK getting some minutes. This will not be a game of experimentation for BOB BRADLEY as he will pick players that he is most confident with. Your thoughts?

SUPER BOWL WEEKEND

So I am just curious. Are you the SOCCER FAN interested in this weekend’s SUPER BOWL between ARIZONA and PITTSBURGH? Now I am sure that I will have one eye on the game somewhere but I am more stoked for the LIVERPOOL/CHELSEA game with two managers on the hot-seat in RAFA BENITEZ and FELIPE SCOLARI.
Lets not forget all the NFL influence that comes with MLS Commissioner DON GARBER who like OLIVER LUCK worked in NFL EUROPE.

This weekend in the ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE sets up to be a good one. Here are two matches to keep a particular eye on and both will be available on the FOX SOCCER CHANNEL.

MANCHESTER UNITED vs. EVERTON at Old Trafford
*United will be without Wayne Rooney facing a team that has not lost in 9 matches. Check out the form of EVERTON goalkeeper and U.S.National team keeper TIM HOWARD. HOWARD will be in goal against MEXICO on FEBRUARY 11th and has truly become a real leader for the U.S.

*LIVERPOOL VS CHELSEA
*Talk about two managers that are getting it from all sides. Former LIVERPOOL players are coming out against LIVERPOOL manager RAFA BENITEZ and his player rotation policy and the pressure is intensifying. CHELSEA manager FELIPE SCOLARI is questioned on a daily basis on everything from tactics to his adaptation to the EPL.
A win here keeps these two in the title chase……Compelling tv? Absolutely!!

Also on Sunday, one of the world’s great soccer rivalries coming from ARGENTINA. BOCA JRS. taking on RIVER PLATE in a class struggle of the greatest proportions.

FELIX GARCIA is now officially a member of the Houston Dynamo as an Adidas Generation player. Garcia was unveiled today at the DYNAMO offices during a press conference.

ON another note Monday it is expected that U.S. Soccer will formally announce that it intends to submit a bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups while WEMBLEY STADIUM will host the 2011 Champions League final with the ALLIANZ Arena in MUNICH, GERMANY gets it in 2012.

So what will your soccer weekend entail?

After SVENENGALI GORAN ERIKSSON fielded four foreign players in last night’s 1-0 loss to SWEDEN we now can officially call CHIVAS the national team of MEXICO. The game’s lone goal was scored by ALEXANDER FARNERUD after a loss of posession from right back JUAN CARLOS VALENZUELA.
Joking aside, Mexico did field four foreign players further heaping more criticism on national team coach ERIKKSSON who says he is only following the rules. When will Mexico and it’s fans get over the naturalised citizen thing?
Three naturalised citizens did start: Argentine born LUCAS AYALA and MATIAS VUOSO as well as Brazilian born LEANDRO AUGUSTO . ZINHA another Brazilian came on as a sub.
AUGUSTO of UNAM PUMAS was a player the Houston Dynamo did not see in Concacaf play due to injury.
So what did you think of this Mexican effort and what do you think of the choices that ERIKSSON has been making?
February 11th looms but I am not reading alot into these two friendly games except for the fact that MEXICO continues to draw amazing crowds while the U.S. National team continues to win games here.

* LAVOLPE RETURNS
Former MEXICO manager RICARDO LA VOLPE has returned to ATLAS as their manager after DARIO FRANCO has stepped down after opening the clausura with two straight losses. LA VOLPE was last at MONTERREY.

* MANCHESTER CITY STAR ROBINHO claims in a telephone call to Brazilian coach DUNGA that an 18 year old woman accusing him of sexual assault is an opportunist.
“I don’t have any reason to doubt ROBINHO’s word,” said DUNGA. “He’s a player I always count on when I needed him.”
The Brazilian Football Federation website has the following quote:
“Robinho told DUNGA that he’s a victim of an opportunist and that he has done everything necessary in the legal sense to clarify the matter, in which he had no participation.”

*In a press conference today at the offices of the HOUSTON DYNAMO the club will introduce 18 year old striker FELIX GARCIA who has played for the U.S. under 20 national team. GARCIA has signed Generation Adidas which means that he will not count against the salary cap.

In a recent article put out Wednesday by the Associated Press David Beckham was interviewed by Italian reporter Corriere della Sera and was quoted to say, “Playing here(AC Milan) is the dream of every footballer”. “But deciding isn’t easy. It’s a question that takes time.”

Beckham’s loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy expires March 8, after which he is due to return to Major League Soccer.

“I’m under contract and I have a lot of respect for the Galaxy. But the chance to play for Milan is something special,” Beckham said in the interview, which was published in Italian. “I knew I would enjoy it, but I didn’t expect to enjoy it this much. But in terms of character, I’m a very respectful person.” Beckham would go on to say “The Americans are doing everything they can to improve the level and reputation of their game. It’s a young league and I think it needs another 10 years to become successful,” said Beckham, whose contract with the Galaxy lasts through 2012.

“I have to admit that, having played in Europe, sometimes it was frustrating playing in certain games. But every now and then, moving from one state to another, I also enjoyed myself.”

MLS fans, do you want Beckham back in the MLS to finish his contract, or are you over “Beckham Mania”?

The HOUSTON DYNAMO have signed striker FELIX GARCIA from PDL team the LAREDO HEAT according to soccer by Ives although no word has come officially from the Houston Dynamo. The 18 year old is a GENERATION ADIDAS player and has spent time with the Under 20 national team and had been rumored to be a potential for the Dynamo.
The Dynamo have a press conference slated for Thursday where presumably this announcement will be made official.
This is another solid acquisition for the DYNAMO yet before he is annoited the next coming of MARADONA lets remember this young man is only 18 years of age and in MLS particularly with strikers we tend to get visions of grandeur. I have heard him described as “raw” which is a very general term. What 18 year old isn’t raw?
Still, this is an exciting signing of a young player with alot of potential and he clearly wanted to stay in Texas. If you are an FC Dallas fan you certainly could feel slighted and if you are a DYNAMO fan you are excited I would presume.
How do you feel about this signing ?

MEXICO resorts to VOODOO
The DAILY RECORD sports newspaper is encouraging it’s readers in Mexico to us voodoo to help Mexico finally beat the U.S. on U.S. soil.
Mexico has not won on the road against MEXICO in a decade and looks as though they may be without stars RAFA MARQUEZ of BARCELONA and ANDRES GUARDADO.
A Tuesday headline rad: “HELP END THE LOSING STREAK SO MEXICO ADVANCES”.
Readers then are asked to cut out a page and take it to an electronics store in exchange for a U.S. team voodoo doll.
SO what is your prediction? Does the law of averages catch up and Mexico finally gets a result? Or does U.S. result domination continue?

FORMER U.S. Manager BRUCE ARENA passes out

*Current LA GALAXY manager BRUCE ARENA passed out behind at press area at LOCKHART STADIUM in FT. LAUDERDALE this past Sunday while observing an exhibition match between CHILE and HONDURAS. ARENA lost consciousness briefly and paramedics checked him out after which ARENA stayed on to watch the match.
The episode was blamed on a late night flight, flu like symptons and not eating.

PODCAST OF DYNAMO ALL ACCESS WITH GLENN DAVIS is up at 790thesportsanimal.com
Click on podcasts, click on Glenn Davis. Last night show featured an interesting interview with MARCELO CLAURE who along with BARCELONA are hoping to land an MLS franchise.
Also enlighting interviews with BRIAN CHING who talks U.S. national team against MEXICO. DWAYNE DEROSARIO on TORONTO FC his new team and DOMINIC KINNEAR faces a barrage of questions……..Plus you the fan “bring it” on DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS

Back in the saddle tonite as DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS hits the airwaves from 7-9pm on 790 The Sports Animal…..Great guests in store for you the fan including:

BRIAN CHING: U.S. NATIONAL TEAM and HOUSTON DYNAMO
DWAYNE DEROSARIO- TORONTO FC
DOMINIC KINNEAR- manager HOUSTON DYNAMO
BRANDI CHASTAIN- former U.S. Womens National team player

Lots of wild cards on this show tonite and we will discuss not only MLS issues but issues from around the world. Call in number is 713-212-5790, streaming live on the internet at 790thesportsanimal and MLSNET.com. Can also be accessed at HoustonDynamo.com

DYNAMO still searching for a striker and they will need one as it is expected to be a busy year for BRIAN CHING. The DYNAMO roster now sits at 20 out of a total of 24 players.
Remember, the reserve division is gone and the Dynamo still have two open slots for two senior players and two developmental players…..Two reserve players last year MIKE CHABALA and JOHN MICHAEL HAYDEN have survived the loss of the reserve league and are currently on the Dynamo roster heading into pre-season on Monday.

No one is really surprised about PATRICK IANNI being let go based on his salary are they?

*FIRST MIXED SOCCER GAME LEADS TO PUNISHMENT IN IRAN

Pretty common that female youth teams in the U.S. play against male teams.
I wouldn’t reccommend it in Iran. The first mixed soccer game in Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution led to swift punishment on Monday to a number of individuals involved.
Islamic rules ban any physical contact between unrelated men and women. Women are also banned from attending male soccer games.
Esteghlal, a top club side in Iran suspended and fined four officials.
The male youth team beat the female youth team 7-0.

Consider the LA GALAXY situation and BRUCE ARENA their manager.
In all fairness to his “BRUCENESS” it has to be pretty difficult to be building your squad not knowing the future of your two designated players in LANDON DONOVAN and DAVID BECKHAM. Form of the two players will be the key over the next few weeks. If they play well you can bet your bottom dollar you will not see them in MLS next year.
Personally why would DONOVAN want to come back to MLS? He has already done it all and needs the spike of a new challenge, coach, pressure and culture.
BECKHAM is incessant with his desire to win as many honors as possible with ENGLAND etc. and I have reversed my position on his desire in the U.S.
Of course who is to blame him after what they put around him in LA?

U.S. SOCCER gently reminded me that the Dynamo are not officially in their ACADEMY league though it is expected they will be accepted.

Questions for tonite’s show can be sent to gdavis98@swbell.net or bring it on the phone tonite ……..

DYNAMO defender of the year BOBBY BOSWELL has re-signed. BOSWELL’s deal is the standard four year MLS package which one would assume comes with a hefty pay raise based on last years contract.
BOSWELL it had been reported was close to signing in TURKEY but one had to think coming back to the DYNAMO was never totally out of the question based on the economical positions of teams at the bottom half of the Turkish Superliga.
BOSWELL now will join new signing JULIUS JAMES and EDDIE ROBINSON in central defense and the DYNAMO could still sign Canadien ADRIAN HAINAULT who is also capable of playing there. If there was an overabundance of center-backs clearly JAMES or HAINAULT could be tried as outside backs. If Hainault now signs there would be tons of competition at the back.
The search for another striker continues.
What is your take on the re-signing of BOBBY BOSWELL?

PATRICK IANNI is on his way to SEATTLE for a conditional draft pick. Now it never seemed IANNI was coming back and most think he was already gone quite frankly. A super young man that based on performance and minutes was too costly. It will now be up to Ianni to prove his worth in Seattle……Can he develop an edge at center-back? At first I felt he had a very controlled demeanor as a central defender yet as the years went on in Houston he seemed comfortable, lacking some “fire in the belly” that puts a bit of healthy fear into opposing strikers. There is no doubt that at this stage of his career he needs games!

MICHAEL OWNEN TO GALAXY

Not buying this rumor and that doesn’t mean they may not have approached him but if he has thoughts of making the ENGLAND WORLD CUP squad I can’t see this happening.

BECKHAM to stay at MILAN?
David Beckham now has reversed his position saying he may stay at AC MILAN in the future. Seems this SERIE A venture has turned into more than just a marketing deal.

BRIAN CHING once again proved why he is the prime target up front for the UNITED STATES at this moment in time. Take a look back at goal number three with his amazing piece of skill to bring down a long, direct ball. He then has the prescence of mind and awareness to find SACHA KLEJSTAN running off him for goal number three.
The best moment of the match and again a reminder that this is a striker that contributes in many ways other than scoring goals. Whether creating “time” for his teammates by holding the ball up or earning free kicks. Ching is a clear “axis” up front for the U.S. national team.
Go back and listen to the interview I did a few weeks ago on “DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS” where I asked manager BOB BRADLEY about the want and desire to have more of an attacking threat from the center of midfield. It was a question that brought out a bit of fire but it was nice to see the experiment of playing KLEJSTAN in that postion and although this was a friendly ( I despise the word in the context of a soccer match) Klejstan was effective with creative ideas on another level than more balancing players like RICO CLARK, MICHAEL BRADLEY and PABLO MAESTROENI have provided in the past.
CLARK covered tremendous ground and had a solid game balancing off the midfield.
Other did not take as much advantage of their opportunity. ROBBIE RODGERS had flashes, striker CHARLIE DAVIES missed his opportunity to shine…..
What moments or players made an impression on you?

The UNITED STATES will take on Sweden today(5:30 Eastern on FSC and Galavision) from the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
The lineup will clearly look alot different than what the U.S. will trot out on February 11th against Mexico in the open match of the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying.
Despite that this game is another opportunity for players to impress coach BOB BRADLEY.
Eighteen will be picked to play tonite after the long January camp and BRADLEY has seen 70 players at least once during his tenure. Seven players are looking for their first cap at this level tonite.
The MLS based squad is led by BRIAN CHING who has 32 caps. Of course with SACHA KLEIJSTAN flying back after a trial with Celtic one must assume he will start or get signifcant playing time. Who do you want to see in the mix tonite getting a good run for the United States?

LANDON DONOVAN continues to score in friendly matches for BAYERN MUNICH. DONOVAN hit for a late pair against MAINZ .

USL 1 looks to be going to a home and home set-up to determine their champion next season. I like it.

What does your soccer day look like today?

So by now you may have heard that the DYNAMO have signed a back-up goalkeeper.
TALLY HALL a 6″4 205 lb goalkeeper has been signed from ESBERG FB in DENMARK.
This signing could be more important than one can think as insurance for PAT ONSTAD .
Could HALL become the goalkeeper of the future in Houston?
One thing to note is that this is a YOUNG goalkeeper who played sparingly in DENMARK.
In fact he only played in two games. He spent time also at the BOULDER RAPIDS RESERVES in COLORADO prior to his DANISH adventure.
ONSTAD has become a model of consistency and who is to think he will not produce again?
Then on the other hand a young goalkeeper with good qualities that can be groomed seems a move looking towards the future.

*DERO gets 4 year deal……….
So now you know the reason DD was a bit silent. Because he was working on his deal in Toronto. His four year deal replaces the two year one that was negotiated while he was with the DYNAMO. His 51 goals and 42 assists now in Toronto who will be hard pressed to sourround him with the right players…….DERO will join me on DYNAMO ALL ACCESS this coming TUESDAY from 7-9pm so mark your calendar. The Dynamo have expressed interest in getting ADRIAN HAINAULT a central defender signed…

*Just a reminder, I have no idea what is going on with HDNET but at this point not optimistic. If you want to contact hdnet go to HD.NET and express your opinion.
DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS is this Tuesday from 7-9pm on 790 The Sports Animal. Confirmed guests include DWAYNE DEROSARIO of FC TORONTO and former womens national team player BRANDI CHASTAIN, DOMINIC KINNEAR manager of the HOUSTON DYNAMO as always.

*SHEVA back to DINAMO KIEV
Andri SHEVCHENKO according to reports out of ITALY could be on his way back to the club that developed him. It has been confirmed that DINAMO KIEV what him back in the UKRAINE. Any MLS takers? Could he adapt to the league?

*CARIBBEAN update …
In ST. THOMAS U.S.V.I., the club team NEW VIBE on the league title recently…IRIE

What does your soccer weekend entail?

In the IPOD: JIMI HENDRIX- BAND OF GYPSYS
BLACK SABBATH -VOLUME 4
KINGS OF LEON
ZOE