The podcast for Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis is up at 790thesportsanimal.com, click podcasts, click Glenn Davis.
Guests on the show: Team president Oliver Luck
Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear
Reading and U.S. National goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann
San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon.

Best goal: Chris Pontius DC United, curling finish from long range against LA comes from a rookie.
Brian Ching- great interplay between Ching ,Chris Wondoloski, Richard Mulrooney includes five passes against
Crew
Ken Cooper Jr.- his goal from his own half a tremendous validation of his incredible awareness that leaves
a goalkeeper a tangled , embarrassed goalkeeper of the year mess.
Lots of other great goals on the weekend.

Worst goalkeeping blunders: Zach Thornton of Chivas USA spills rebound to Colorado striker Omar Cummings who score.
Jon Busch Chicago- see above

Worst tackle: Sacha Klejstan Chivas USA straight leg on Kosuke Kimura of Colorado
Frankie Hejduk two footed tackle vs. Dynamo

Comeback teams of the week: Chivas USA and Chicago who both recorded wins after poor goalkeeping mistakes
against Colorado and FC Dallas respectively.

Worst referee error: Jair Marrufo in DC game calls a phantom hand ball pk for LA. Donovan scores in LA 2-2 comeback.

PR Nightmare of week: Claudio Suarez who re-signs with Chivas USA an is apologetic about comments he made about the
organization. I am assuming the Emperor had to take a pay cut.

Worst surface: UH Robertson Stadium wins this out right. The field looked like the Mojave or Sahara desert and impacted
play. Not to mention looked terrible on national tv. Cheats fans and players alike , not to mention hurts
the professionalism of all involved.

National anthem: Now I love Jimi Hendrix version of the national anthem on the guitar. And the guy who played it at the
Dynamo game Saturday night was not bad but national anthem’s are meant to be sung proudly and engage
the crowd. The Hendrix feedback thing didn’t work.
On a postive note the Dynamo put on an awesome post game firework show that lit up Robertson Stadium!

WORLD UPDATE

*Zlatan Ibrahimovic has indicated he might leave Inter Milan in the summer. The 27 year old feels he is losing individual
awards. Barca bound? Or will Jose Mourinho keep the Swede in Italy.

* Anelka injured- Nicolas Anelka could miss three weeks with a toe injury and was dropped from the French squad.

* Rafa Benitez- Liverpool boss is in the market apparently for Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben.

*Champions League pairings: Villareal vs. Arsenal
Manchester United vs. FC Porto
Liverpool vs. Chelsea
Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich

Who advances?

Join me tonite for Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis on 790 The Sports Animal at 7-9pm central time.
Oliver Luck Dynamo team president will talk stadium and more, Dominic Kinnear on the Dynamo opener and San Jose Earthquakes.
Joe Cannon, San Jose goalkeeper on the upcoming match and more……Dynamo players to weigh in as well.
We will here from the U.S. National team camp as well.
Call in number is 713-212-5790 and those around the country can catch the stream at 790thesportsanimal.com or MLSNET.com

The Dynamo and Crew drew 1-1 in their 2009 MLS opener at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Texas in front of 16,053 orange fans.
Here are a few of my thoughts on this game.

First half: Columbus I feel had the better chances and may have had a legitimate goal in the 33rd minute called back on a header from Chad Marshall.
Then again referee Tim Weyland had a better look at this than anybody but nothing could be detected on the replay that stood out.
Edge to Columbus base on a few better chances but neither team able to get a rhythm through their central midfield players. Chances coming
via mainly break-downs.

Second half: Dynamo come out strong and produce a timely and confident goal that was a thing of beauty!!
A Richard Mulrooney long ball was perfectly accurate to Chris Wondoloski who chests it to Brian Ching who then returns it to Wondoloski who then weights
a perfect ball to a streaking Ching in limited space and Ching’s finish is perfect.
A definite goal of the week candidate showcasing the interplay between two forwards.
This goal brought great confidence to the Dynamo and they began to give you the feeling they would get a second with Columbus now chasing the game.
The Dynamo could not produce the game’s second goal which left the door open for Columbus 30 minutes later.

80th min: Crew manager Robert Warzycha pulls off defender Gino Padula, goes with three at the back and adds on a third striker in Jason Garey.
It would only take three minutes for Garey to make an impact.
The Dynamo get caught in the 83rd minute as Eddie Gaven lofts a cross to the back post and nobody goes up or challenges Garey in the air
who nods his header to the feet of Guillermo Barros Schelotto who sticks his finish past Pat Onstad of the Dynamo for a 1-1 scoreline.
The Dynamo lose concentration and react late to Schelotto.

Geoff Cameron did get the start at center-back alongside Bobby Boswell and performed well with his athletic ability despite mis-judging a few aerial balls.
Still a work of progress at this position but again he shows that valuable versatility and gets the start ahead of Julius James.

MIDFIELD RHYTHM: Really was a tough night for central midfielders for both teams. Stuart Holden and Ricardo Clark along with Brian Carroll and Emmanuel Ekpo
of the Crew really had it tough in the trenches of central midfield were both teams cancelled each other out and had a hard time winning this
area through possession and passing.

SWEET MOMENT: Brad Davis in the second half with a moment of great awareness in the 78th minute. Davis see’s Crew goalkeeper Will Hesmer off his line for Columbus and tries to chip him from about 45 yards out but a re-treating Hesmer parries it over the bar.

SWEET GOALKEEPING: Pat Onstad denying Eddie Gaven on the turn in the first half producing a great save off a great individual effort.

UGLY: The field was terrible, looked terrible on tv and I assume was problematic for the players. I am dumb-founded as to why UH just doesn’t care about what they project on national tv and to regular attendance at Dynamo games that is between 15 to 20 thousand? Wow was this bad…….

Verdict:
The Dynamo have to be disappointed with the draw after producing a glorious goal after the great interplay of Wondoloski and Ching and finding more confidence in their game. The flip side is that the Crew are the defending MLS Champions and a good early measuring stick and not a bad result with Kei Kamara and Eddie Robinson missing due to suspension and injury. Next up the San Jose Earthquakes in San Jose who feature former Houston area youth player Arturo Alvarez and were 1-0 losers at home to New England on a goal by Kheli Dube.
The Dynamo had good phases of play and like many of the openers for MLS teams had moments that weren’t as sharp. The Dynamo may have been 7 minutes away from the win but they did not come out losers like New York, FC Dallas, San Jose, Kansas City and Colorado in their openers.

Bonus: Loved the post game fireworks that went off after the match !

Interesting note: This will be a year that a number of Dynamo players will get their first minutes. The Dynamo bench included five players last night that have yet to play an MLS minute .

Dynamo All Access tomorrow with Glenn Davis on 790 The Sports Animal at 7pm.
Don’t forget after Dynamo games to catch the Dynamo call in show with me as we open the phone lines to let fans have their “take” on the game.

EPL MADNESS

Fulham knocks off Manchester United and Tottenham knocks off Chelsea and the race is on in the EPL.
Liverpool takes on Aston Villa today and with a win will close within one point of United.
What is your take on the EPL race now being wide open again?

COOPER SCORES FROM OWN HALF

Ok, I see it now. The PR machine is pumping .
FC Dallas striker Kenny Cooper scored from inside his own half against Chicago. One commentator called for this to be a goal of the year candidate?
This was a “goalkeeping error of the year” award potential from Jon Busch. Now lets not confuse the two.
I applaud Cooper for his awareness and desire to try and beat Busch from his own half. Not to mention the power he hit it with…. That is noteworthy, but you really have to wonder where Jon Busch’s mind was at this moment.
Freak play of the year…I can take that but goal of the year?
You imagine MLS projecting that play as goal of the year to the world?
Busch incidentally was the goalkeeper of the year in MLS last season . His teammates got him off the hook in a 3-1 win at Dallas.
Mistakes….they happen to the best of them.

Other MLS scores:

Toronto FC 3 at KC 2 …………Two goals for Amado Guevara for Toronto FC and two from Davey Arnaud of the Wizards. Good road start for the Canadiens

Chivas USA 2 Colorado 1……..Paulo Nagamura hits for 2 in a come from behind win.

LA 2 DC 2- Late heroics from Donovan who gets two and reminds us why Bruce Arena bows to a statue of him every night .

Your thoughts on the opening weekend of MLS?
Click here to see the Kenny Cooper goal.

It should be an outstanding night tonite out at Robertson Stadium when the Dynamo and Crew open up their 2009 MLS seasons.
Three Olympians will be playing in Robbie Rodgers, Emannuel Ekpo and Stuart Holden . They all will battle it out in midfield.
Five players, Frankie Hejduk (USA), Alejandro Moreno (Venezuela) and Duncan Oughton (New Zealand) of Columbus and Brian Ching (USA)of the Dynamo have been called up to represent their countries in World Cup qualifying next week.
Last year’s defender of the year Chad Marshall leads in the Crew and they are now being run by long time assistant and former Everton player Robert Warzycha.
Clearly noted is that these two teams combined have won the last three MLS Cups.
They also are teams that have clearly defined systems and roles for individual players clearly defined. Don’t let that fool you though as tonite their are a few subtle things to look for.
Systems may not change but individuals within them for both of these teams have and you might just see some subtle differences tonite from players in certain areas of the field.

Goalkeepers: Two of MLS’s best . Dynamo Pat Onstad is 41 years old but an amazing example of experience and positional play. Onstad makes the goal look small to shooters and
will be expected to lead a back line that is still a work in progress for the Dynamo and may include Geoff Cameron partnering Bobby Boswell in the middle.
Will Hesmer of Columbus was solid and dependable last year in all the games that I watched him. He also a few years ago won the battle of three goalkeepers in
Columbus over Bill Gaudette and Jon Busch both now departed. Both of these goalkeepers on the small dimensions of Robertson Stadium will be tested and will
have to make plays with so much activity in the penalty areas. EVEN.

Central Defenders: It gets interesting here for the Dynamo as they were poor against Atlante in this area. Every good team has one defender that you can look to as being the
vocal leader and it looks to me Boswell is really relishing this role. Last year I was critical of him for not being a more take charge guy in the abscence of
Eddie Robinson. This year he has been more vocal then ever . A good thing as it is still a question as to who will be his partner with Eddie Robinson out.
Versatile Geoff Cameron may get the shot today so keep an eye on how these two work together against Alejandro Moreno. They will be tempted to be pulled
out of the middle by Guillermo Barros Schelotto who plays behind Moreno. They will need to be aware of Nigerian silver medalist Emmanuel Ekpo flying out of midfield
whose starting speed is explosive and his movement and speed could be lethal.
Columbus counters with Chad Marshall and Danny O’Rouke in the middle. Marshall really became a dominating , more territorial defender last year in MLS
and his prescence and domineering mentality was a real key in winning the title. In prior years I thought he lacked aggression. Not anymore.
O’Rourke is honest and will give you a competitive effort game in and game out.

Outside backs: Surprisingly this area for both teams includes older more experienced players. For the Dynamo it looks to be Richard Mulrooney and Wade Barrett who
are Dominic Kinnear’s first choices. Long time experienced veterans here who will have to deal with the youth and slashing penetrating play of Crew wide
man Robbie Rodgers who could get stifled by the small surface.
Veterans for the Crew include the tireless Frankie Hejduk who has been called up to the U.S. National team for their trip to El Salvador. Gino Padula is older
but solidified the position for the Crew last year. Experience and brains get these players out of situations with youthful exuberance.

Central midfield: Stuart Holden and Ricardo Clark are two young, talented players and Clark could be smarting a bit after not getting called in for the U.S. National team
after coming off the bench against Mexico. Still a work in progress, expect this partnership to grow during the year. Clark covers more ground than any
central player and continues to improve his passing game. Last year he added more to the attack so look for him to continue those ways. Both will have to
take the edge off of Guillermo Barros Schelotto who will lull you to sleep and try to slip behind the Dynamo midfield into the space between the back line which
we call the “hole”. The system doesn’t change but the individual does in Holden who will add his creative ideas in place of DeRosario.
For the Crew the axis and unsung hero last year was Brian Carroll who was acquired from DC. Another guy United wished they had retained.
He will balance and help organized the shape of the team in midfield but what is interesting to see is how he and Ekpo play together as Ekpo’s
strength is not the defending side of the game and he has normally played wide. With Brad Evans off to Seattle and first option Moffat injured the Dynamo could
cause problems here if Ekpo struggles positionally. The flip side is that he is unpredictable, explosive and skilled if he gets going.
We might just see a few Nigerian flags and “Super Eagles” fans at the ROB tonite.

Wide midfield: What an area to watch today! Slashers and penetrators who will be expected to make chances for strikers and for themselves. For the Dynamo Brian Mullan
has had moments of great sharpness in pre-season and most around the league hate playing against him. Can he get behind the Crew and pull out their center
backs? The left side is a question mark as Brad Davis will be a game time decision based on hamstring problems. He seemed to be sprinting fine in training
yesterday but was off on his own with the trainer. If he doesn’t go, “speed merchant” Cory Ashe could get the start on the left side and his tactical game will be
tested as he has had his best Dynamo games off the bench.
Robbie Rodgers who can take people on will get the start on the left side and will have to get the better of Brian Mullan and Richard Mulrooney.
Mullan will hope to get the edge and force Rodgers to defend. Eddie Gaven on the left is capable of coming inside and providing danger as well.

Strikers: Essentially the Crew play with Moreno as the highest attacking option and he will look to lay against Dynamo defenders Boswell and Cameron.
He is as much a provider as he is a goal scorer and will combine with Schelotto who plays behind him . Moreno is good in the air, can hold it up
and gets in to a few good scoring positions per game.
Brian Ching won’t be around next weekend as he is off to national team duty so he will want to produce a strong send off game.
We know to get the best out of him the Dynamo wide game needs to be on! His partnership was a work in progress and tonite with Kei Kamara
suspended he needs to carry the load and lead by example as the front man. He will most likely be partnered with Chris Wondoloski who has been
a reserve league goal scorer but it has failed to translate in MLS games. Last year Kinnear gave him a shot to earn the starting role early but he
didn’t produce. Tireless and honest in his effort, Wondoloski could gain some serious confidence with a solid game today. Perhaps a goal?

Coaches: Dominic Kinnear remains as standard bearer having won two cups and has created a great culture of togetherness with his choices of players and environment
in training that he produces. He has the respect of his players.
Robert Warzycha deserves his shot leading the Crew with 14 years service to the club as a player and assistant. Not much changes nor should it.

Keep an eye on: Emannuel Ekpo in midfield for Columbus and Geoff Cameron at center back for the Dynamo as these are players in different roles .
Ashe for Davis is an interesting area if it happens out wide in midfield. How does Ashe handle the starters role.
A confidence building win to start the season is at stake today!

Set pieces: Always dangerous at Robertson Stadium for all teams. How you defend and attack them has many times proven to be the difference in games.
Both teams have great targets. The Dynamo can find Ching, Boswell (scored vs. Atlante via the air), Cameron. Crew counter with Marshall and Moreno.
Good play in penalty areas are vital.

So what is your take on tonite match? Also, don’t forget to join me for a post game Dynamo analysis and phone in show on 790 The Sports Animal tonite after the game.
Call in number is 713-212-5790……

Lots of riches including three olympians in midfield tomorrow when the Dynamo and Columbus Crew meet up at Robertson Stadium in their 2009 opener.
Robbie Rodgers, Emmanuel Ekpo of the Crew and Dynamo Stuart Holden all performed at the Olympics. Ekpo picked up a silver medal with the “Super Eagles” of Nigeria.
Now Ekpo is expected to play a central role which will be a little different challenge and will go head to head with Ricardo Clark.
Rogers out wide will have to be dealt with on the left side by Brad Davis and Wade Barrett .
Dynamo wide man Brian Mullan will look to get at Crew left back Gino Padula.

Robertson Stadium surface looks dry and blotchy and not in the pristine condition it should be. Now I don’t like being the guy who is constantly critical of Robertson’s surface and how poorly kept it is. I have heard that the grounds crew left and quite frankly I don’t really care what the reason is but UH will continually have fans of professional soccer coming into their stadium and will have an opportunity to wow them with their surface . Unfortunatly it seems they don’t care.
Not to mention that national tv will be at Robertson tomorrow night via the Fox Soccer Channel.
It will not be green and pristine as we have seen this stadium in the past. It will be brownish green and sandy an quite frankly not up to an opening day match.
Take the money and run UH because that is apparently and sadly what you are doing.
Such missed opportunity is hard to stomach and does make the general public endeared to UH even though they would like to be.

ADDITIONAL NOTE ON SEATTLE
Despite the fact that the Seattle/New York game was on artificial surface, it never really dawned on me till this morning watching the Dynamo practice. Another words it wasn’t noticeable like at other stadiums.
The surface was soft and nuturing to last nights game and I never felt it influenced the bounce of the ball and the quality of the game .

U.S. SQUAD PICKED:

FREDDY ADU-Monaco
JOZY ALTIDORE-Xerez
DaMARCUS BEASLEY- Glasgow Rangers
MICHAEL BRADLEY- Borussia Monchengladbach
DANNY CALIFF- FC Midtjylland
BRIAN CHING-Houston Dynamo
JAY DEMERIT-Watford
CLINT DEMPSEY- Fulham
LANDON DONOVAN-LA GALAXY
MAURICE EDU-Glasgow Rangers
BRAD GUZAN-Aston Villa
MARCUS HAHNEMANN-Reading FC
FRANKIE HEJDUK-Columbus Crew
TIM HOWARD-Everton FC
EDDIE JOHNSON-Cardiff
SACHA KLJESTAN-Chivas USA
PABLO MAESTROENI-Colorado Rapids
OGUCHI ONYEWU-Liege
HEATH PEARCE-Hansas Rostock
JONATHAN SPECTOR-West Ham United
JOSE FRANCISCO TORRES-Pachuca

This roster includes six MLS players under manager Bob Bradley for the upcoming matches at El Salvador March 28 in the Cuscatlan Stadium and in Nashville, TN against Trinidad and Tobago. Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark did not get selected while Colorado Rapids midfielder Pablo Maestroeni comes back in the fold.
Columbus Crew defender Frankie Hejduk also is a part of the squad and will be at Robertson Stadium tomorrow night to take on the Dynamo.
Freddy Adu and Jozy Altidore both playing in Europe are included.

They are defining moments for a franchise and opportunity to make an impression.
Seattle Sounders F.C. had one and took full advantage of it Thursday night as MLS opened up their 2009 season.
Seattle buoyed by 21 year old Fredy Montero took apart the New York Red Bulls 3-0 in what was an amazing atmosphere.
A star is born?

First STAR: The fans, lets face we have heard about the buzz in Seattle and now we saw it. Awesome effort from the fans
and Seattle gets a big thumbs up for raising the bar. So now MLS teams, no more excuses in certain market get
out and make it happen and be held accountable. This was cause for celebration!! With all the hype, Sigi Schmid
and his squad responded.

2nd STAR: Fredy Montero- the 21 year old Colombian was outstanding producing the first ever goal in franchise history for
the Sounders. His vast array of talents from finishing, passing to getting out of tight areas was impressive. Not
to mention that the kid has an edge and won’t fade away if kicked. What a bargain at $150,000 .

3rd STAR: Kasey Keller- the U.S. veteran goalkeeper deserves kudos as the home town boy coming home making good.
He made the saves he needed to make while leading the squad to a shutout.

4th STAR: Brad Evans- Somehow while Sigi Schmid was manager of Columbus, the
Sounders recognized that Evans was a player to draft. He produced the 2nd goal but was a pillar
in the middle. Remember he only got the start last year for Columbus after Adam Moffat was injured.

Former MO’s- Former Dynamo Nate Jacqua played for Seattle while Kevin Goldthwaite played for New York. San Jacinto
star Dane Richards played for New York.

Noteworthy: Lets face it . The Red Bulls will regret the loss of their main Juan Pablo Angel provider Dave van den Berg who
went to FC Dallas. The Red Bull issue is now how to get better wide play for Juan Pablo Angel in the future and
their backs who were shaky at best. Seattle rode the energy of their crowd and New York could not respond.
New York look poorly organized in their first game and did not handle the Seattle pressure well.

Feet on the ground: Like the Dynamo home opener where all went right, it was about the same for Seattle. We all must
remember that this is only game one but what a game one it was!!!!! Congratulations Seattle.

Friday Portland will be announced as the 18th franchise in MLS . What are your thoughts on this opener?

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW:
The Champions League draw looks like this : Villareal (Spain) vs. Arsenal (England)
Manchester United (England) vs. Porto (Portugal)
Liverpool (England) vs. Chelsea (England)
Barcelona (Spain) vs. Bayern Munich (Germany)

With this draw I can see three out of the four teams in the semifinals coming from England . Do you like the fact that English CLUBS are dominating?
And lets remember the amount of foreigners in the Premiership .

I know where you will be tonite.
If you don’t live in Seattle and you are an MLS fan I assume you are as curious and excited as I am for the arrival of Seattle Sounders F.C.
Now don’t expect to see that dangerous striker Drew Carey on the field but expect a few shots of him or some time of involvement during tonite’s broadcast on Espn2 that begins at 8pm cst.
Over 30,000 fans are expected in Seattle where the Sounders take on the New York Red Bulls (yes, you remember them, maybe more specifically Dane Richards if you are a Dynamo fan). Nonethless it has been 26 years since the old Seattle Sounders of the NASL. You might not remember names like Tony Chursky and Jim McAllister but I do and that just might date me. The point is, is that this is an excellent soccer town with history and some pillars of support of the pro game already in place. In between much like in Vancouver, Seattle has played in the USL and A league and has kept the pro game thriving. There is a true buzz around this team and I love the owner Joe Roth setting the bar high in the Seattle Times.
“If we don’t make the playoffs the first year. I don’t know what is wrong.”
As for Calvin Klein, I mean Freddy Ljunberg, lets hope his health allows him to provide some good moments in MLS. Ljunberg is the biggest name acquired in the off-season until that new guy Beckham arrives in July. Anybody know anything about him? If you do let me know…….

FIFA SLAP ON THE WRIST
Now you know that I have always been a big fan of the Mexican soccer culture. What I am not a big fan of is that Mexico has failed to realize it’s major shortcoming.
That major shortcoming in matches with the U.S. is generally emotional control. They have had years to work on it and have failed miserably at improving this element of their squad.
Take the unexplicable “Bruce Lee like challenge” from Rafa Marquez on Tim Howard on a ball that he had no chance of even getting close to in the U.S./ Mexico World Cup qualifier a few weeks ago which the U.S. deservedly won 2-0. So the CAPTAIN of the squad leads by example and gets sent off. Would this behavior be accepted at Barcelona under manager Pep Guardiola? Would the fans accept it? I don’t think so. But then why is Mexico so accepting of this consistent behavior of their captain? Can someone enlighten me about Marquez? Why is he still captain? Why isn’t Mexico trying to change this culture of emotional crisis against the United States from within? Where was the internal standards from the Mexican Federation? Why didn’t Ericcson do something? I suppose Marquez is bigger than the Federation.
Then it got worse when assistant coach Paco Ramirez, slaps, yes I said slaps Frankie Hejduk in the tunnel after the game.
Message to assistant coaches, stay out of it with players and do your job.
Now for me if either of these two incidents occurred with U.S. players I would certainly want a captaincy stripped (remember this is not the first time for Rafa) and I would want the assistant coach removed.
The real message has to be sent from the top and that is something that Mexico has failed to do with their national team. Do you think Ericcson dares to discipline Marquez (whom by the way I admire his soccer talents). Another example of why Svengali is the wrong choice for Mexico. He is good though on “Special One TV”.

FORMER ROSENBORG STRIKER JOHN PELU ON DYNAMO TRIAL AND PRACTICE OBSERVATIONS

Pelu was in training today with the Dynamo who went through a spirited session at Carl Lewis Track and Field complex.
Apparently he landed in Salt Lake City until it was realized that the Dynamo had a “discovery” placed on him and he was on his way to Htown for a look from Dominic Kinnear.
Having not seen him play it is not fair for me to judge. He was not very active in a practice that was geared towards preparing for the Crew. I would imagine his days to impress will be early next week until the Dynamo head to San Jose on Thursday. Pelu is Swedish and 27 years of age and was not playing regularly at Rosenborg in Norway.
Dominic Kinnear today spent alot of time with Cory Ashe individually during their run through scrimmage while Geoff Cameron seems to be penciled in at center back for the opener. Brad Davis was not at practice and one hopes this is not an injury related situation.
If Davis is injured it could be Ashe on the left side in midfield and Cameron at center back. Few fans and media were at training and I still feel this is a great opportunity for young players to watch the Dynamo train.
The environment was less than easy to work under today for Dominic Kinnear as UH track team and all kinds of people were buzzing around the perimeter of the field.

ACADEMY SQUAD
Had an opportunity to check out the Dynamo Academy squad last night against the Houston Leones at UH Carl Lewis Track and Field Stadium.
Looking forward to checking them out again as they prepare for the Dallas Cup. The squad is coached by James Clarkson and former Dynamo striker Paul Dalglish.

Vancouver, British Columbia becomes the 17th MLS team announced today by MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
The team owned by Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett and Steve Nash will debut in MLS in 2011.
Much like Seattle, Vancouver has tremendous soccer history dating back to the NASL and the Vancouver Whitecaps who had notable players including Ruud Krol, Kevin Hector and Phil Parkes.
Much like the NASL days, Vancouver will have a natural rival with the Seattle Sounders and Toronto F.C. and will bring in a new breed of ownership according to Garber.
“This is a great win for the province of British Columbia and the city of Vancouver,” said Jeff Mallett who is also a part owner of the San Francisco Giants an is an investor in the Womens Professional Soccer League.

All eyes are on the ESPN2 kickoff tomorrow night from Seattle where over 30,000 fans are expected to catch the Sounders historic opener against the new look New York Red Bulls at 9pm Eastern Standard time.

The Dynamo first team are off today in training but their Academy team is in action tonite at UH Carl Lewis Track and Field Complex against the PDL Houston Leones.
I am headed that way to take a look at the youngsters and the Leones. The Dynamo full squad resume training tomorrow and Friday before the big opener against Columbus on Saturday night at 7pm. What are your thoughts about the Dynamo heading into their curtain raising MLS 2009 game?

Sandi Gbandi, who formerly played his youth soccer here in Houston with the Cy-Fair Dynamos produced what may have been the most important game of his professional career.
Gbandi, brother to former FC Dallas defender Chris Gbandi (now playing in Europe) produced a goal and an assist in the first half of the Puerto Rico Islanders 2-0 win over Cruz Azul of Mexico. The match took place in Bayamon, Puerto Rico as a part of the Concacaf Champions League where the two squads are playing for a trip to the final. The second leg takes place in Mexico next week.
Now this is a great story and another example of former Houston area players making their mark in professional soccer, a player who helps knock off a Cruz Azul squad that includes Gerardo Torrado, Cesar Villaluz and former Dynamo target Luis Landin.
Sandi Gbandi has always been over-shadowed by his older brother Chris who led the University of Connecticut to a national championship during his college career before beginning an MLS career with Dallas.

Gbandi trained with FC Dallas during the time his brother was at the club after playing at UAB. Ironically the coach of the squad at that time was Colin Clarke before he was fired and replaced by Steve Morrow. Clarke is now the head man with Puerto Rico who are flying the flag of the USL and Gbandi is patrolling midfield for the club.
These are stories that won’t get picked up in the Houston mainstream media but a success in the career of a player that dedicated his life to the game.
All in the Houston soccer community should revel in the success of this young player.
His coach during his youth career was Olivier Finidori………..

The Dynamo open up the 2009 MLS season on Saturday night and Dynamo fans are encouraged to head out to Robertson Stadium.
Being spring break it will be interesting to see if this effects attendance but if you are in town this could be a very special night.
Openers can give fans a potential glimpse into what the future of the season could hold. Not to mention that the Dynamo are going up against the defending MLS Cup Champions.
Amazingly, the Dynamo still have a shot at winning three MLS Cups in four seasons which would be remarkable.
Last year’s MLS Cup Final MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto leads the Crew in to Houston who are also buoyed by last years MLS Defender of the Year defender Chad Marshall.
Former Dynamo Alejandro Moreno will also look to make his mark against the Dynamo.
One could expect the Dynamo field a line-up that includes a mix of their veterans like Brian Ching , Brian Mullan, Ricardo Clark and Brad Davis mixed with youth like Stuart Holden and Geoff Cameron.
Manager Dominic Kinnear is challenged with injury to Eddie Robinson at center-back. This could be a place you see either Geoff Cameron or Julius James who has played their throughout pre-season partner with Bobby Boswell. Up front the Dynamo will be without Kei Kamara who has been suspended by the MLS league office so look for possibly Chris Wondoloski to partner Brian Ching up front .

CONSIDER THIS

Last week was a memorable week for Liverpool. Would you have thought that in two games they would produce 8 goals against the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United in two definitive wins?

Dynamo striker Kei Kamara will miss the first two games of the MLS season for the Dynamo after punishment was handed down by MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
Garber fined Kamara $500 and suspended him for two games, the Dynamo home opener against Columbus this weekend and their game at San Jose next weekend.
Kamara was involved with officials after a February 15th pre-season match against San Jose and all roads in this incident leads back to his altercations with San Jose and defender Nick Garcia. There is no love lost here between Kamara and Garcia which goes back to their time when Kamara was on San Jose.

This will put on hold the Kamara/Brian Ching partnership up front as Ching could be off to national team duty meaning this two might not pair up for awhile putting a hold on progress and chemistry up front. So immediately what will the Dynamo do? Does Brian Mullan (who does not like playing up front) get the call this Saturday to start as a front runner?
Will Chris Wondoloski get a run or could Geoff Cameron get the start. Kinnear might opt to go with Chris Wondoloski in order to keep his confidence at a high level. If he opts for Mullan what does Wondoloski think about the confidence of his manager? Remember last year Wondoloski was given the opportunity to be a starter early in the year and struggled to produce despite bringing a great ethic. What do you think would be the best option up front in the abscence of Kamara……./

BEASLEY to MLS

So do you think DaMarcus Beasley should head back to MLS? Beasley did not feature on the bench for Rangers and has played sparingly in Scotland. Now lets face it, Beasley still is an automatic starter for the U.S. national team and his ethic and ability to control the left side of the field is still coveted. With the 2010 World Cup around the corner what will the future hold for DMB? What would be best for him?

My thanks to all who came out to the Dynamo Charity event on Monday at the Intercontinental Hotel. Lots of great soccer people who have helped to grow the sport in Houston turning out for this event. It was great talking to all of you and some even followed up by showing up at our on location Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis radio show at Niko Nikos Greek and American cafe. Thank you fans for making the game relevant!!!! Get your orange on for Saturday night at Robertson Stadium and don’t forget the game will be broadcasted on 790 The Sports Animal and join me for post game call in show where we can break down the match. Call in number is 713-212-5790……….Don’t forget to check out the podcast with interviews with Adrian Hanauer Seattle GM, Dominic Kinnear Dynamo coach, Craig Waibel Dynamo defender and Stuart Holden Dynamo midfielder. Go to 790thesportsanimal.com, click podcasts , click Glenn Davis……Thanks to OHM (Guys with the orange helmets) who gave me a scarf during the radio show. It is appreciated an honored.

Support the sponsors: TURQUOISE GRILL, MARK WEST PINOT NOIR, MEZZANINE LOUNGE, HOUSTON FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION and ZUKOWSKI, BRESENHAN and SINEX………

A couple of additional thoughts on player development in the U.S. after my column on Saturday in the Houston Chronicle.
Sunil Gulati U.S. Soccer President made it clear on Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis radio show that he and many others in MLS did not think the reserve league was working.
Part of that reason may be because the rosters are not deep enough. The other is that some MLS teams did not take this league serious. Hard to believe? Yes.
Dominic Kinnear and the Dynamo took the reserve league serious and reaped benefits especially from player performance in Concacaf . Without the reserve league most likely these results and the confidence of a coach to use certain players would not have been there. What about coaches and referees and the experience they get. Don’t all MLS assistants have the ambition to be a head coach? If so, they have to be disappointed that the reserve league is gone.
Real pressure also lies on where kids that in rare cases, graduate the Academy program to earn a contract will get games. Training alone will not do it and these players need the opportunity to be eased into MLS cause we all know that only the rare case will be ready to get some MLS minutes. They will not be ready coming out of the Academy program for first team soccer in MLS. Top 17 and 18 year old players in other countries are playing against men.
Will MLS teams decide to put together PDL programs to make up for the lack of a reserve division? If so that will cost clubs a couple of hundred thousand to operate.
You can also make an argument that it is more beneficial in certain markets for MLS teams to have their Academy best play in mens amateur soccer leagues. A proven player development move in my mind as I had matched up my best youth players with top mens clubs when I was a coaching director.
New York, LA DC, NE, Chicago and Houston could all come to mind here.
Personally a slate of amateur games thought out and with the proper competition against men could in many ways out- weigh the benefit of the U.S. Academy program.
So give me your thoughts on this. Lots of you have opinions and insight on the youth game. Let me hear it?

Mike Chabala, Eric Ustruck, John Michael Hayden all have not gotten any MLS minutes yet the reserve league prepared some of these players to help with a crucial Concacaf result where will the get consistent games this year?
That is the question in Houston and around MLS? Will the reserve division re-emerge? It is hypocritical to expect MLS clubs to produce their own if there is not a place for them to get games once they arrive in MLS. Academy players in almost every case will not be ready to play in MLS.

Many fans have asked me about more “on location” shows well we have one Monday night to kick -off the Dynamo season.
It comes at Niko Nikos a long time sponsor of mine on 790TheSports Animal.
Niko Nikos were there on day one as a founding sponsor of the “Soccer Hour with Glenn Davis” which has now morphed into Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis.
Located on Montrose Blvd. near Westheimer come sample awesome Greek Food and lets get the momentum going for MLS opening day at Robertson Stadium on Saturday.
Dynamo players Craig Waibel and Stuart Holden and coaches are expected to be in attendance but I suggest you get their early.
We also will hear from Seattle Sounders GM Adrian Hanauer ahead of their opener on Thursday on ESPN plus guests from Dynamo opponents the Columbus Crew.
The show will kick off at 7pm and go through 9pm. The restaurant will have specials so get out and get your orange on!!!

I will break down the Columbus Crew ahead of Saturday, talk Manchester United/ Liverpool, plus Chelsea in their 1-0 win over Manchester City not to mention the weekend “derbies” around the world. Youth player development is a huge topic so we will touch on that plus more breaking soccer news from around the world. I will be prepared to take calls from you as always! Looking forward to it!

CALL IN NUMBER: 713-212-5790
STREAMING LIVE ON THE INTERNET AT 790 THE SPORTS ANIMAL, MLSNET.COM OR HOUSTONDYNAMO.COM

What a week for Liverpool. They thrash Real Madrid 4-0 and then crush Manchester United 4-1. The race is on again in England . Chelsea and Liverpool now only 4 pts behind Manchester United . You had to think United was going to have an off game sometime but this was not the game to have it. A win would have taken the pressure off to a degree in the EPL and may have tempered both Liverpool and Chelsea’s hope. Now it is “game on” . How quickly things can change……………

See you tomorrow night!!!!