So it is off to Nashville as the United States takes on Trinidad and Tobago.
Now what am I missing here? Nashville? With all due respect I would love to see a World Cup qualifier here in Houston.
This one would have been perfect or is it that all the “Soca Warriors” would turn out and U.S. fans would be overwhelmed as we lose our home field advantage.
So what changes would you like to see in the U.S. lineup against Trinidad and Tobago? Keep an eye on how many minutes Brian Ching gets in this game.

Mexico fans how will the “tricolore’ deal with Honduras?

Sleeper game: Spain goes on the road to Turkey unbeaten in 30 games. Turkey in an upset in this one.

The interview I did with Ade Akinbiyi of Burnley and now the Dynamo is up at 790thesportsanimal.com, click podcasts, click Glenn Davis to hear Akinbiyi near end of first hour.
Also interviews with Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear, Real Salt Lake striker Yura Movsisyan and Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad.
Lots of passionate callers on the U.S. National team and player development dominate the show.

Tomorrow is a huge day on the international soccer scene with World Cup qualifiers going on around the world. England takes on the Ukraine while the United States plays in Nashville against Trinidad and Tobago where they need a response.
You saw the game in El Salvador. Were you disappointed with the play and result of the United States. Yes, we know it is hostile, yes we know it is challenging but should the U.S. start winning these games more consistently like in Guatemala?
Who performed well? Who didn’t ? Were the U.S. surprised by the tactics of El Salvador coach Carlos de los Cobos to absorb and counter-attack?

Mexico takes on Honduras while here is one to keep an eye on; Spain at Turkey. This is interesting because Spain has not lost in 30 matches and it is always difficult to go in to Turkey and get a result.
Yes it is hard to believe that the World Cup is only 14 months away. It’s also hard to believe that Ronaldinho is once again out of favor with a major club in AC Milan. He is now saying he wishes he could go back to Barcelona. Doubt it will happen as that is now Lionel Messi’s team. Could the hinterlands of Manchester City be next for the man called Ronaldinho? Go get him MLS……

Tomorrow World Cup qualifiers and on Thursday it is Espn 2 (8pm cst) to get a look at Real Salt Lake and Rio Tinto Stadium where they host the defending champion Columbus Crew.
Are Real Salt Lake for real after their run last season in MLS and can they get consistent goal scoring from Yura Movsisyan their striker? Can Guillermo Barros Schelotto remain hungry along with the Crew to defend their cup?

Who would have thought that five goals would be scored in the span of fifteen minutes?
I certainly didn’t.
Yet in the end that time period was decisive.
Ryan Johnson and Arturo Alvarez put the Earthquakes up 2-0 but the Dynamo equalized things through Chris Wondoloski and a moment of brilliance from Brad Davis.
The game winning goal from Cam Weaver off a touch from Darren Huckerby could have been called offside as it seemed Weaver was behind the last line of the Dynamo defense.
The game was an up and down open affair for the majority with teams getting chances on both ends yet neither team ever truly seemed in “control”.
The Dynamo could as easily have won this game by three goals. A tough game to break down as at times it was on the brink of being out of control.
The second half included very direct play with midfield being by-passed and we saw little of playmakers Brad Davis, Arturo Alvarez and Bobby Convey.
In fact I wondered if that trio was even there as they fruitlessly chased back in forth without seeing much of the ball.
In the 75th minute San Jose began to defend deep to protect the one goal lead and in the end they got through it…..Next up for the Dynamo is DC United on the road and the word is that new striker Ade Akinbiyi will be back from England and could be available in DC. provided all his paperwork goes through.
I had a chance to sit and talk with him in Houston today at his hotel and his interview will air on Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis Monday night from 7-9 pm on 790 The Sports Animal.
Post your thoughts on the Dynamo game and the U.S. 2-2 draw at El Salvador and Mexico’s 2-0 win over Costa Rica with Omar Bravo scoring…….

Both the Dynamo and Earthquakes will be looking for their first MLS win of the 2009 season.
Buck Shaw Stadium on the campus of Santa Clara is a tight, intimate field that last weekend was the scene of the Earthquakes 1-0 loss to NE. The Quakes were the better team but have the same question going into tonites game. Can strikers produce goals?
Let me break this down a bit:

Goalkeeping: What a night for fans of goalkeepers. Two of the best in league history in Joe Cannon of SJ and Pat Onstad of the
Dynamo. Might there be a bit of a personal battle tonite between these two? Joe Cannon was in goal for SJ when
they won the 2001 MLS Cup on a Dwayne DeRosario game winner. Cannon went off to France and Frank Yallop
brought Onstad to MLS and the rest is history. Onstad has now won three MLS cups. Both goalkeepers dealing
with back fours that have changed because of personel. Both capable of making saves that win games.

Outside backs: It should be veterans Wade Barrett and Richard Mulrooney for the Dynamo whom both played in SJ. With
San Jose wide play of Arturo Alvarez and Darren Huckerby these two will need good games to secure their
sides of the field. Think defending first. Can they add a bit to the attack on the road?
SJ played with Eric Denton and Chris Leitch last weekend. Leitch we remember as an unsung warrior on the
late NY Red Bull run last year that eliminated the Dynamo.

Center backs: You would think Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear doesn’t want to move to many players around so
he could go with Bobby Boswell partnered with Geoff Cameron again. It would make sense in that Cameron
would get a consistent positional run. Cameron played well against Columbus but is far from the finished
product as a center-back. His judgement at times was off and he was able to rectify situations with his
athletic ability. A work in progress with great potential. Where does this place Julius James? On the outside
looking in for the moment. Eddie Robinson injury has made this area tricky for the time being.
Boswell is the out and out leader and is more demonstrative and vocal this year.
Quakes got caught defending high against NE on the lone goal of their match and they are also without their top
pairing as Jason Hernandez who was solid last year is still out. Nick Garcia has played 250 MLS games and
partners former Dynamo good guy Kelly Gray.

Wide Midfield: Interesting wealth of riches here for both teams. Former EPL player Darren Huckerby didn’t quite get it going
vs. NE so watch out. He will go straight at the Dynamo left side. And Arturo Alvarez compliments him well
with sublime skill and breakdown capability. He can eliminate defenders.
The Dynamo will have to alter things here with response to players missing . Could Cory Ashe get a start on
in a wide area to compensate for Alvarez pace and skill in front of Wade Barrett? Stuart Holden could get
pushed out wide on the right to compensate for Brian Mullan moving up front with the Dynamo thin at striker.
This area could determine the game.

Central midfield: Ricardo Clark is automatic for the Dynamo and will have a mano y mano battle with Bobby Convey who
seemed to be easing into it against NE. If Holden doesn’t play in the middle like game one Brad Davis could
be moved into the so-called playmakng role to get Ashe matched up out wide with Alvarez.
Ramiro Corrales is steady but can he improve on the performance of former Roma player Francisco Lima
from last year?

Strikers: This is a big focal point around this game. The Dynamo are without Brian Ching and Kei Kamara. Ching with the U.S.
and Kamara suspended in a silly manner for saying something to a referee in a pre-season match against Quakes.
Kamara is a huge miss and Kinnear must alter his lineup to find the best 11 in relation to San Jose tonite.
Chris Wondoloski produced a beautiful assist to Ching last week against Columbus and will work his tail off can he
take the lead up front and what that means can he score some important league goals?
Brian Mullan has come on my radio show before and does not prefer to play up front as he is accustomed to hugging
the line wide in midfield. Yet he has made it clear he will do what the team needs and he seems the real option to
play alongside Wondoloski.
SJ brings Cam Weaver and either Ryan Johnson or Pablo Campos. Physical trio with size and strength are trying to
address the same problem as last year. A consistent goal scorer.

Tactics: Frank Yallop and Dominic Kinnear the head coaches are a great story having played together in Tampa. Both as head
coaches have won 2 MLS Cups and are in rare company with Bruce Arena (DC Utd) and Sigi Schmid). Tactics and
similar views on how there teams play are consistent here. Both prefer a starting point of a 4-4-2, both create good
containers of respect in their locker rooms and both have players who love to play for their coach.

ADE AKINBIYI PASSES PHYSICAL
The Nigerian striker has passed the physical and pending paperwork it seem the Burnley striker is set to join the Dynamo as early as next weekend at RFK Stadium against DC United. Akinbiyi is apparently checking out living accomodations this weekend and could be announced to the press next week.
Akinbiyi certainly is imposing physically but he will be a player that Dominic Kinnear will want to be mobile enough to move and unsettle defenders. Possibility? You bet.
As for John Pelu one wonders what this makes of his situation with the Dynamo. Gut instinct says you go with roll of the dice as oppposed to two. Dynamo still have room to maneuver for another player.
Andrew Hainault’s case has come before FIFA as paperwork from his former club in the Czech Republic is holding things up.

GREAT DAY OF SOCCER ON TV

I will map out your watching day. Catch a Rafa Marquezless Mexico vs. Costa Rica at 5pm on Telemundo, then on to the U.S. at El Salvador on Espn 2 and Telefutura and then top it off with the Dynamo at San Jose on KHOU 11.2 or FOX HOUSTON.
Sounds like a plan. Enjoy the games………

DID YOU KNOW
One million applications for World Cup tickets have been received by FIFA and the top three countries where these are coming from include South Africa, England and the United States.

Give me your thoughts on the Dynamo at San Jose or anything in the world of soccer?

Don’t forget Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis this Monday from 7-9pm on 790 the Sports Animal……..
Thanks to sponsors: Sterling Bank -Call season ticket holder Pat Robertson to figure out your financial future at 832-515-2092
Turquoise Grill- Kirby and 59 for great Turkish cuisine..ask for Jim!
Mezzanine Lounge- Sheperd and 59, get to the game watch party tonite!
Mark West Pinot Noir- best selling Pinot Noir in Texas, I can vouch for this great wine!
HFA- Houston Football Association- great amateur soccer!
Zukowski, Bresenhan and Sinex- the law firm loves the game!
San Jacinto College- Coyotes number 2 in the nation last year
Texas AM Womens Soccer- Aggie tradition under G. Guerreri

Like for many players around MLS this weekend proves to be a huge opportunity for Dynamo striker Chris Wondoloski when his club takes on the San Jose Earthquakes.
With the Dynamo missing top strikers Brian Ching (U.S. National team duty) and Kei Kamara (suspension) Wondoloski will be under the microscope.
Wondoloski at times was dis-connected from Brian Ching at Robertson Stadium in their 1-1 draw against Columbus but came up with a gem of a play with his partner ultimately weighting a beautiful ball into Chings path for the Dynamo goal.
Wondoloski also had a great chance to put the Dynamo up 2-0 but put his shot wide after evading a defender and I wondered what that would have done for his confidence if he had scored. Wondoloski was the “king of goals” in the reserve division but it has not translated to MLS in the goal scoring department being used mostly as a reserve. His roots are in California as he went to Chico State and was a San Jose Earthquake supplemental draft pick before coming with the club to Houston in 2006 after re-location.
The one possibility is to have him paired on Saturday night with Brian Mullan up front.
Lets not forget the challenges are similiar with many teams in MLS at this point who are still waiting for certain individuals to prove that they are first eleven capable and answer questions for the coach.
San Jose has a similar challenge up front with Cam Weaver and still have not replaced yet Francisco Lima in my opinion who was excellent in midfield for them last year.
With new signing (contingent upon passing a physical this Saturday) Ade Akinbiyi being added to the mix the increased competition could reap benefits.
I get the sense that Dynamo fans are rushing to judgement a bit on this player. Yes, there are red flags with age and the amount of clubs and playing time Akinbiyi has received lately but I am reserving judgement till I see him on the field for a few games. As long as there are no hidden health problems and he is at a level to contribute this looks to be a good move and one thinks his pay will be at the mid level range in MLS $150 K ?
Finding goal scorers is the toughest thing in soccer and sometimes it has to come from an unlikely source. Speculation is great, but don’t write the signing off yet as only time and games will tell.
Nobody went crazy when Joseph Ngwenya, Nate Jacqua and Kei Kamara were signed yet they have all been productive and important for the franchise and it’s success.
It would be nice to have a couple of million to splash around now wouldn’t it.

DANIEL GUZMAN is out as manager of Santos in Mexico after three seasons. Fourth place in their group play in the MFL I guess is just not cutting it.
Santos won the last league title and is in the semi-finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup with advantage over Atlante.
This comes on the heels of the firing of Efrain Flores at Chivas .

Ade Akinbiyi, a 34 year old striker last at Burnley is expected to join the Dynamo provided he passes a physical on Saturday.
The 6″1 Nigerian will not be a designated player and has been capped by Nigeria on one occasion while also playing for numerous clubs in England.
Akinbiyi was born in London and is a target player and comes under the radar a bit.
Akinbiyi according to Dynamo CEO Chris Cannetti provides the best option at this time for the Dynamo and does not break the bank.
Fans will be quick to judge Akinbiyi on his age and history of club hopping but that doesn’t prevent this from potentially being a good signing.
It may not have the bang of a higher profile player but then again if he starts scoring goals that will all be forgotten.
What do you think of the new Dynamo signing?

Mexican striker Nery Castillo is talented and also controversial.
The controversy continues as Castillo broke under the pressure of the media ahead of this Saturday’s match against Costa Rica in Mexico.
Castillo called out the press and said Mexican journalists know nothing about soccer. Castillo was upset about the negative line of questioning coming from the press.
Now I agree that in all sports you have journalists who are in it for a variety of reasons and their judgement gets clouded between professional journalism and professional questioning.
But what Castillo did further might give you a glimpse into the man.
Apparently he then taunted the reporters claiming they were jealous because they are stuck in Mexico while he lives in Europe.
You decide what you think here. Castillo plays for Shaktar Donetsk in the Ukraine.

FABIO CAPELLO THE THERAPIST?
England manager Fabio Capello described Wayne Rooney as a “crazy man” for his reaction after getting sent off against Fulham.
Capello called out Rooney ahead of England’s friendly match against Slovakia. Apparently the manager told Rooney, “What were you doing punching the corner flag? Your’e a crazy man, a crazy man,”.

Rumors and notes……..Carlo Ancelotti manager of AC Milan on his way to Real Madrid? Not so says Milan VP Adriano Galliani……….Thierry Henry to Manchester City? Henry is having a great season at Barcelona. Manchester City also interested in Franck Ribery. Then again who hasn’t been linked to City……..Swedish star Freddy Ljunberg could get some minutes Saturday night against Real Salt Lake in Seattle. ……..Ronaldo scored twice for Corinthians in a 2-2 draw against Ponte Preta Wednesday night in Brazil…..U.S. vs El Salvador Saturday night from San Salvador and the Cuscatlan Stadium………Maradona will debut as manager in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela in Argentina. Maradona has two wins in “friendly” matches against Scotland and France……….The Dynamo head to San Jose after a morning practice preparing for their Saturday night match at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Quakes have a trio of attacking players in Bobby Convey (Reading), Arturo Alvarez a former Houston area product and Darren Huckerby (Norwhich). Frank Yallop’s Quakes are smarting after a 1-0 home loss to NE where they were the better team. The Dynamo come off a 1-1 draw but will have selection problems up front in the abscence of Brian Ching with the U.S. National team and a suspended Kei Kamara. The rivalry is a good one as the Dynamo were re-located to Houston from San Jose in 2006. The fans in San Jose have been vocal in past matches at this stadium.

MEZZANINE LOUNGE will have a game watching party for both the U.S./El Salvador match on ESPN followed by the Dynamo vs. Quakes on KHOU 1.2 and FOX HOUSTON.
TURQUOISE GRILL is a great spot for the best in Turkish food. Introduce yourself to owner Jim a big Turkish soccer fan.
MARK WEST Pinot Noir is the best selling Pinot Noir in Texas. Great wine! Great price!
ZUKOWSKI, BRESENHAN and SINEX the law firm have supported soccer in a huge way!
SAN JACINTO COLLEGE- Coyote soccer program number two in the nation!
TEXAS AM WOMENS SOCCER- One of the top womens programs in the nation!
STERLING BANK and Pat Robertson- in a time of uncertainty financially you need a trusted source. Call Dynamo season ticket holder Pat Robertson for expert financial advice 832-515-2092.

It seems crazy but it could be true.
Vaunted politicians are at it again it seems and their lack of movment and knowledge of the stadium issue is staggering. Slow moving politicians are hurting the Dynamo stadium ground breaking. So how is it that places like Brideview, Illinois or Sandy Utah or even Denver, Colorado can get stadiums done but our city and county in Houston can’t?
I guarantee you that other cities looking for an MLS team like Ottawa or St. Louis have called the Dynamo enquiring about the potential of the franchise moving.
This is no joke depending upon how long AEG wants to be frustrated by city and county officials in Houston
Last night the Stadium went from being a step closer to sticking shovels in the ground to now an air of uncertainy.
Actually it was Monday night on Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis when team president Oliver Luck that the Dynamo had secured financing of about 20 million dollars to cover the contributions of the city of Houston and Harris County.
It seemed this was the final hurdle to clear in a tough political climate.
BBVA/Compass bank owned by Spanish-based BBVA Group a supporter of Spain’s La Liga had agreed to the loan.
All of this seemed to fit the criteria for the Houston City Council and County Commissioners court to put the issue on the agenda for voting.
Both government entities according to Luck had agreed to commit Tax Increment Re-investment Zone revenue streams to the project.
Not so according to Commissioner El Franco Lee who is in precinct 1 where much of the stadium would be housed.
“There is nothing that I’m about to put on that agenda at all”, Lee said. “There’s nothing happening on that.”
WHAT ?
Sylvia Garcia spokesman Mark Seegers said a number of issues have not be resolved including the availability of affordable tickets for low-income families.
Amazing, and I do assume Ms. Garcia is going to the Texans, Rockets and Astros to make sure that affordable tickets are in place.
How much lower can the Dynamo go on tickets? They have to survive. And not knowing they have the lowest ticket pricing in town just gives you a glimpse into how much due diligence Ms. Garcia has done around the Dynamo.
Now is the time to send your thoughts to all in city and county politics. The mayor, Lee and Garcia are a great place to start but it is time to get active fanaticos.
So are these politicians really looking out for the people of Houston? Not just soccer but for the people of Houston . This re-development in the East End will create jobs etc. and it would be done mainly with AEG money.

Signed,

Frustrated and stunned in Houston (AKA Glenn Davis)

Funding from a Spanish Bank BBVA Compass Bank is helping to get the stadium deal done for the Houston Dynamo. Hey why not as they are involved in Spain’s La Liga.
Team President Oliver Luck spoke about it last night on Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis among other topics on the radio show.
Luck mentioned that the deal is close and they want to lock in prices at a time when it is cheaper to build a stadium.
I can see the first goal being scored in the new stadium already coming from ……..
The Dynamo apparently will pay 60 million of the cost of an 80 million dollar stadium which makes this sound as though it will be a stadium with suites but not too many bells and whistles.
“We need to build a functional building that serves the need of our fans first,” said Luck.
The stadium will have 32 suites according to Luck and will be positioned with the other great stadiums of Houston, Texas.
Construction is expected to begin in the fall and will take 18 months to complete. The stadium will also be the home Texas Southern University football games.
“We’re delighted the BBVA Compass Bank has stepped up to the plate an given us and the city and the county a term sheet that we think makes sense,” said Luck.
“Its a big step for us. We’re very happy we’re one step closer to getting the stadium deal finalized.”
This is wonderful news for soccer fans especially coming after the vivid example of the poor conditions of the field at UH this past weekend when 16,000 plus fans entered a Robertson Stadium to see what looked to be dying grass and sand. I have extended an invitation to UH Athletic Director Dave Maggard to come on the radio show this Monday to explain UH’s position on the their facilities.
Still with politics involved I am a man in wait on the stadium and I have not yet popped my bottle of Veuve Cliquot.
To hear Oliver Luck on the stadium issue go to 790thesportsanimal.com, click on podcasts, click on Glenn Davis and go to the first hour of the podcast. Remember you heard it first on Dynamo All Access.

They say you hired to get fired. You are only keeping the seat warm for the next person.
Chivas owner Jorge Vergara has fired manager Efrain Flores after three straight losses. Flores had been in charge for 18 months.
A Chivas loss this weekend to Tigres apparently was the last straw but one must think Vergara was smarting after Chivas lost 1-0 to rivals Atlas in the Guadalajara “derby”.
Vergara has fired the following coaches since his ownership of the team: Daniel Guzman, Hans Westerhof (two times), Xavier Azkargorta, Jose Manuel de la Torre, Benjamin Galindo and Eduardo de la Torre.
Chivas have only won one title under the reign of Vergara .
Now back to Flores who I count as a friend. I believe he would have turned this squad around . In a recent trip to Houston, Flores expressed to me the amazing amount of travel that his squad was undergoing.
This year Chivas played 11 games in 36 days in South America and Mexico and it is fair to say the squad looks tired.
You win at Chivas they love you, you lose and fans want you removed. Not to mention the most egotistical owner in Mexico in Vergara……..

GIANT CLUBS HIT U.S. SHORES

The World Football Challenge will see AC Milan, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Club America (How did they get in there? Oh yeah, popularity because it is sure not because of great form) compete in a six city round robin tournament July 19- July 26.
Global superstars like Ronaldinho, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Kaka, Julio Cesar and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be performing. Having called the Italian Supercup final between AC Milan and Juventus one summer the energy that these games bring is amazing.
Games will be played at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, Calif., Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA., M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., and Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Houston will be hosting the Gold Cup in July so that probably precluded our city from getting a game. What do you think of these games and do they help grow the game in the United States?