Today may be tax day but it also is the 20th anniversary of an incredibly sad stadium disaster that took the lives of 96 fans of Liverpool at Hillsborough Stadium that day the home of Sheffield Wednesday (the stadium is shared with Sheffield United). These were the days of older, dilapidated stadiums and fans would stand behind the goal on “terraces” which had no seats. This fateful day 96 fans were crushed which is unimaginable.
A few years prior I had been in that stadium as I was over in Sheffield training with Sheffield United and took in a testimony match between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United at Hillsborough.
The event today will be marked in Liverpool with a Memorial service and marked in a more silent way in Sheffield according to the papers.
This was a sad tragedy and a case of looking the other way as many signs prior had been evident that this disaster might have been in the making.
Stadiums now are all seaters in England.

*Good news for Dynamo defender Andrew Hainault who will now become available for the Houston Dynamo. As you know Hainault was tied up in paperwork problems with his former club. This is one to really keep an eye on because this will give manager Dominic Kinnear the option of pushing Geoff Cameron forward and getting his energy into midfield.
Not to mention this increased the competition at the back with Julius James and Bobby Boswell while Eddie Robinson looks to re-hab and return.

*Yesterday Oscar De La Hoya retired from boxing…..

*See prior post on the Chelsea and Liverpool crazy Champions League quarterfinals and give me your opinion on this historic and entertaining match.

*I listen to sports talk radio and am amazed at how many times I here fans and sports jocks not give credit to the Houston Dynamo for winning two straight championships.
The club, the sport just don’t get respect out of the majority of the sports talk hosts and are never put in the same category as the NBA, NFL, and MLB. In some cases they mention the Houston Comets without mentioning the Dynamo.
Now with the Rockets bringing optimism heading into the playoffs (by the way I am rooting for them because they are a Houston team).

*How about this? Only three English players were in the starting lineups of both Chelsea and Liverpool in yesterday’s epic Champions League match. There would have been two more if John Terry (Chelsea) and Steve Gerrard (Liverpool) had played but it is a harsh reminder that the success of the EPL has been based on the foreign player . Neither bench included any English players. What is your say on this topic? Do you even care?

*You will see a few more English players when Manchester United takes on Porto today in Portugal in a mouth watering quarterfinal Champions League second leg.
The first leg ended 2-2 at Old Trafford and Porto has never lost at home to an English team.
Villareal will be missing Marcos Senna today when they take on Arsenal in the other quarterfinal.
Intensity and pressure of Arsenal play will see them through.

Check out this video of midfielder Ben Olsen is the brunt of a prank as he checks out of a Fairfield Inn & Suites. Cushions are tossed, players tripped with Ben getting even in the end. Metro Station’s “Shake It” song drives the action.
Check out the video here.

Chelsea advanced to the Champions League semi-finals after a pulsating 2nd leg at Stamford Bridge before 38,286 fans.
Now who would have predicted 8 goals in this match heading in although Chelsea did concede 3 on the weekend prior against Bolton in a 4-3 win.
This was a roller coaster of a ride of a two-legged affair and today’s match moved emotions for both teams up and down.
Liverpool dominated the first half and a had chances to get a third goal before heading into the locker room up 2-0 and tied 3-3 on aggregate.
Chelsea stormed out of the locker room in the second half undoubtably getting motivation from manager Guus Hiddink and got goals from Didier Drogba and Alex to wrestle back momentum. The roller coaster ride continued with Lucas and Dirk Kuyt hitting for Liverpool who were then finally extinguised by Frank Lampard in the 89th minute.
Both John Terry of Chelsea and Steven Gerrard of Liverpool missed out on this one.

Scoring summary:

Fabio Aurelio Liverpool (19) 1-0
Xabi Alonso Liverpool (28 pen) 2-0
Didier Drogba Chelsea (51) 2-1
Alex Chelsea (57) 2-2
Frank Lampard Chelsea (76) 3-2
Lucas Liverpool (81) 3-3
Dirk Kuyt Liverpool (82) 4-3
Frank Lampard Chelsea (89) 4-4

Game changing moment: In the 51st minute a goalkeeping error from Pepe Reina of Liverpool brought the crowd and Chelsea back to life.

Goalkeeping: Peter Cech in goal for Chelsea was an absolute ball of nerves and was shaky throughout this game. Cech was beaten comically on a free kick from Fabio Aurelio for the game’s opening goal.

Possession: Dominated by Liverpool

Best sub: Nicolas Anelka came off the bench for Chelsea and was a spark.

After the first leg 3-1 Chelsea win they go through 7-5 on aggregate.

How often do you see a goal like this one from Luis Landin of Cruz Azul?
Not very. It brings to mind a goal that Roberto Mancini once scored for Lazio years ago in the Italian Serie A.
What is your favorite goal of all time?

Check out the podcast of Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis. Go to 790thesportsanimal.com, click podcasts, click Glenn Davis.
Guests on the show included Pablo Maestroeni of the Colorado Rapids and U.S. National team, Eddie Robinson Dynamo defender, Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear plus Davey Arnaud of the Kansas City Wizards and Nederland, Texas.

Don’t forget Champions League action between Liverpool/ Chelsea plus Barca and Bayern Munich.
Wednesday brings us my most interesting match in Manchester United at Porto and Villareal and Arsenal.
What are your thoughts on the Champions league and the Dynamo preparing to take on the Colorado Rapids this Sunday.

Hey aspiring Mexican League players. Futbol without Frontiers comes to Houston this weekend with scouts from Chivas and Tecos assessing young talent . This is sponsored by the NATIONAL HONEY BOARD and open to boys born 1990 through 1999 and girls born in 1989 through 1991.
Eight teams will be put together in a tournament format, for more information for this event that takes place April 18 and 19 at Maya Soccer Park. Contact Marco Pedraza for more information at 281-850-9976 or by email at msl_soccer@hotmail.com

CRAZY PRICES FOR THE DYNAMO AND GOLD CUP
Check out HoustonDynamo.com for amazing packages to both the Gold Cup and Dynamo matches.
Get out to Robertson Stadium this Sunday at 2pm to catch the Dynamo vs. Pablo Maestroeni, Conor Casey and the Colorado Rapids. MCDONALD’s 4 pack and the FUTBOL FANATIC pack is the key here at crazy low prices. Fans jump on this…..

LIVERPOOL at CHELSEA in Champions League today……

Chelsea hold a 3-1 aggregate lead going into today’s Champions League Quarterfinals at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is hobbled by a groin problem and is a part of the games great matchup against Chelsea’s Michael Essien. Reds revival? If they can get the games first goal early this could be interesting and lets not forget the meltdown that Chelsea had this weekend giving up 3 goals in 9 minutes in a 4-3 win over Bolton.

Barcelona heads in to the Allianz Arena in Munich to take on Bayern Munich holding a 4-0 lead …Tomorrow it is Villareal vs. Arsenal and my favorite match of the quarterfinals Manchester United at Porto with the first leg result of 2-2. Can United get it done in Porto which is a place that the home club has never lost to an English club.

I want this guy in MLS….Club America’s Salvador Cabanas…….His hat trick this weekend at Azteca saved America in a 3-3 draw with Indios. On another note it is SUPERCLASICO time this weekend with CHIVAS vs. CLUB AMERICA…….

HOUSTON SOCCER UNSUNG HERO AWARD brought to you by FIESTA……….Evan Mundine an 11 year old that is a regular at HOUSTON DYNAMO games. Evan does tons of charity work despite the fact that he has had numerous surgeries on his leg that has hampered his own career. Some of his charities that he raises money for includes the American Heart Association and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Evan even sold his own signed jersey collection.
Send me your nominee for the Houston Unsung Soccer Hero award presented by FIESTA at gdavis98@swbell.net.
This is open to youth and adults in any capacity with the sport of soccer whether a player, coach, administrator, team mom etc.

Don’t forget to head out to Robertson Stadium this weekend for a great , fun environment at Robertson Stadium.

Fanaticos it is “game on” tonite on 790 The Sports Animal. Dynamo All Access begins at 7pm with lots of talk concerning the Dynamo , Champions League, Mexican Futbol league plus talk of the EPL, Serie A and Spanish League races.
Tonite the debut of the FIESTA “Houston unsung soccer hero” award. To nominate someone for this award email me at gdavis98@swbell.net.
We will chose someone weekly for this award throughout the year .

Guests: Manager Dominic Kinnear
MLS leading scorer Conor Casey of the Colorado Rapids
KC striker Davey Arnaud from Nederland- Game winner for KC vs. Seattle .
Dynamo defender Eddie Robinson

Call in number is 713-212-5790, streaming live at MLSNET.com, 790thesportsanimal.com and can be accessed at HoustonDynamo.com

CLINT THE MAN!

Native Texan Clint Dempsey scored twice as Fulham knocked off Manchester City 3-1 in the English Premier League on Sunday as they continue to push for a European place.
Fulham was down 1-0 after a goal from Stephen Ireland of City when Dempsey hit five minutes in to the second half. Dickson Etuhu then volleyed Fulham in to the lead 2-1 while Dempsey capped it in the 83rd. Now this was a significant comeback for Fulham lead by an American and they are now in 8th place only a point behind West Ham.
“We kept fighting and we got the result we needed and now we are on 43 points,” said Dempsey to the AP. “It’s great to get back-to-back away wins because it’s something we haven’t been doing. Hopefully we can continue on that form and have a strong end to the season and see where we get in the table.”
Brazil and 56 million dollar man Robinho was on the bench for Manchester City and then came on as a sub. City were also missing Craig Bellamy and Shaun Wright Phillips to injury.

DYNAMO TAKE ON RAPIDS IN SUNDAY AFTERNOON MATCH
Will this be the break-out game for the Dynamo this Sunday? Are a boatload of goals in store? They now have been shutout in 2 straight and take on the Colorado Rapids who one would assume will defend deep and look to break with the speedy Omar Cummings and power forward Conor Casey who leads MLS in goals. The two have combined for 6 gaols this season. The Rapids were fortunate to get out of Columbus with a 1-1 draw this past weekend with Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Eddie Gaven hitting the post for the winless Crew.
So what are your thoughts on the Dynamo? Is this a team just trying to put the pieces together while trying to find a bit of confidence?

The world of soccer is amazing in that every weekend in every corner of the globe the emotions of people are tweaked because of this amazing sport that unifies.
Well, that is except if you were in Rome for the Rome “Derby” this weekend between Lazio and Roma.
Passionate fans are sometimes confused with idiots and criminals who under the guise of the “fan” go too far.
Lazio defeated Roma 2-2 while tear gas was in effect and both Roma manager Luciano Spalletti and Igli Tare were both sent off.
Hey, get these guys a good bottle of Chianti and lets get this sorted out. See the replay today on the Fox Soccer Channel.

SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD STUNNER
He did it again. Federico Macheda, all of 17 produced a game winner for the second consecutive weekend for Manchester United. Some wonder where this kid came from?
Manchester United signed him at 15 from Lazio in Italy.
His game winner at Sunderland came via the head in the second half of a 2-1 win.
Meanwhile Liverpool responded to their crushing Champions League loss mid-week by crushing Blackburn 4-0.
Geordie “god” Alan Shearer the caretaker manager of Newcastle got a 1-1 draw at Stoke City.

EPL Standings: Manchester United 71
Liverpool 70
Chelsea 67

MEXICAN FUTBOL LEAGUE

In the much anticipated Monterrey “derby” no goals were produced as Tigres and Rayados drew 0-0. Give me your thoughts on this one if you saw it ?
Pachuca 3-1 over Toluca and Atlante and Chivas drew 2-2 in Cancun. UNAM and Puebla plus America hosting Indios today on tv.

DYNAMO DRAW 0-0 with the NEW YORK RED BULLS

The Dynamo and Red Bulls drew 0-0 in a game with few clear cut chances at Robertson Stadium. The best chance for the Dynamo came in the first half when Kei Kamara flicked in Brian Ching whose lob went way over the top with an onrushing Alec Dufty who had come on for goalkeeper Danny Cepero.
The Dynamo during their build up play could not find the final pass in the final third.

Defensively: Dynamo effort was organized and improved and Juan Pablo Angel did not have a shot in this game. The Dynamo dealt with everything that New York through at them.
How can Angel not be frustrated with his squad. He is not even getting one road chance? Dane Richards and Khano Smith were both poor and rarely gave New York
anything out wide in support of Angel who then began to come deeper to get the ball.
The Dynamo had an “edge” and played mistake free for the first time this season. Wade Barrett had a confidence builder against Dane Richards and Dominic Kinnear
provided the cover on the left side to deal with Richards by moving Stuart Holden to control the wide area.

Attacking: New York didn’t want to know and lets hope teams don’t adopt their road policy of conservative , risk free soccer. They still have not scored a legitimate goal in
four games. It is still a work in progress for the Dynamo and was not for lack of effort. Frustrating from the attacking side. Brad Davis was edged out by the three-set
midfield of Juan Pietravallo, Jorge Rojas and Seth Stammler who played deep and created nothing. In turn wide midfield players for the Dynamo rarely got in behind
anyone off the dribble . Brian Ching even began coming out wider to seek the ball and in turn became a playmaker.
No goals not for lack of effort but a combined 5 shots on goal tells the story.

Playing surface: Clearly the worst surface in MLS is Robertson Stadium and that includes the fake stuff. The ball constantly bobbled up as it was passed. No excuses but this
surface clearly makes it easy for teams to come to Robertson and abandon trying to win and just earn a point. Not to mention can lead to less attractive
games like large portions of last night. Makes it tough on players.

Ejections: Carlos Johnson was sent off for New York in the second half after a reckless challenge on Geoff Cameron in the 77th minute and Mike Chabala after productive minutes
replacing Wade Barrett was sent off in stoppage time after a challenge on Danleigh Borman .

Give me your thoughts on the match and don’t forget we will break it down plus all that went on in the international game this weekend on DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS tomorrow night on 790 The Sports Animal from 7-9pm. Bring it fanaticos at 713-212-5790.

Other MLS matches: San Jose 3 Chicago 3 – Arturo Alvarez hits from penalty spot while Chicago is highest scoring team in league. Please take a look at the class of
Brian McBride’s goal eliminating defender Ryan Cochrane. Marco Pappa from Guatemala is going to have a break-out
year for the Fire. This guy is a baller.

Toronto 1 FC Dallas 1- Dwayne DeRosario gets goal for Toronto while late equalizer comes from Pablo Ricchetti for FC Dallas on road.

RSL 2 DC United 1 Javier Morales gets RSL game winner in the 80th minute.

Columbus 1 Colorado 1 Crew winless still, Conor Casey gets fourth of the year and the hot striker comes to Robertson next weekend.

Seattle 0 KC 1 Long range finish from Arnaud again this time in front of sell out crowd. All hail to the Nederland product.

LA 0 Chivas 0 Superclassico ends goaless but not without chances, LA and Chivas had players a combined 3 players ejected in a game WITH
numerous chances. Passion and excitement. Donovan Ricketts in goal for LA helps the Galaxy earn a point.

DALLAS CUP SUPER GROUP

Vancouver Whitecaps will take on Sao Paulo of Brazil in the Super Group final at the Dallas Cup tonite at 6pm. The game takes place at the Pizza Hut Park in Frisco.

WOODLANDS and FRIENDSWOOD FALL SHORT in womens state high school championships

The Woodlands women conceded a late goal to Coppell’s Alyssa Diggs with 6:16 left losing 3-2 in the class 5A title game in Georgetown while Friendswood came up empty against Richard Pearce in a 1-0 loss . Congratulations to these women. On the mens side no Houston area teams got to the final with Katy, and Klein Oak losing in the semi-finals.
Plano won the 5A final while Hidalgo Early Coll. won the 4A title over Mes. Poteet 1-0.

What else is on your soccer mind?

Happy Easter to all……
Live soccer for those in Houston comes in the form of the Dynamo at home against the New York Red Bulls. See my Houston Chronicle column for some thoughts on this match about two teams that are seeking answers and a much needed confidence building win. The Dynamo could start for the first time this year both Brian Ching and Kei Kamara up front.
Meanwhile the Red Bulls were a timely goal scoring machine the last time they arrived at Robertson Stadium turning the Dynamo fans zombie-like after a 3-0 upset.
Orange U nite at Robertson, get out there and get live!
Do the Dynamo pick up their first win of the year and will you be there ?

Ade Akinbiyi will not be in uniform on Saturday night as the Dynamo had hoped as visa problems will not allow him to play. On another note the Dynamo are still hoping the Andrew Hainault saga can be worked out with his former club in the Czech Republic who have to be complicating things by holding out for more dinero. Not all is rosy during international negotiations with smaller clubs around the globe. Just ask Joseph Ngwenya who is trying to get his money in Turkey……..On the same theme players of famed Red Star Belgrade aren’t getting paid and can’t buy food or pay their rent. Red Star won the European Cup now the Champions League in 1991.

Check out some great games this weekend (of course the Dynamo tomorrow at 7:30 pm at Robertson Stadium) as follows:

Roma vs. Lazio- the “Rome Derby” is one of the world’s great rivalries. Rome will be burning passion for this one.

Everton vs. Aston Villa- Toffees vs. Villians featuring two of the great U.S. goalkeepers of all time in Tim Howard for Everton and Brad Friedal for Aston Villa.
Clash of managers with David Moyes of Everton vs. Martin O’Neill producing excellent teams without the free spending. Both these
managers will end up at even bigger clubs one day. 12:30 Setanta

Bayern Munich vs. Eintracht Frankfurt- Jurgen Klinsmann will be fired according to German newspaper Bild if he does not win. Bayern Munich officials again according to the
newspaper have already agreed that he will be relieved of his duties at the end of the year. Klinsmann to MLS?

Chivas USA vs LA Galaxy- will we have a great atmosphere at the HDC. Chivas USA coming in undefeated in three games while the “Superclasico” will be
the perfect stage for Landon Donovan and Sacha Klejstan. Espn 2 Saturday night at 9:30 cst

Monterrey v. Tigres- why aren’t we there. The battle of Monterrey. 7pm cst on Telemundo

KC at Seattle- Just another sell-out in Seattle. MLS Direct Kick

West Ham vs Spurs- London calling. London Derby. 5:30 cst Setanta

Boca Jrs. vs. Estudiantes- lets hope we don’t see 10 shots of Maradona screaming with his mouth agape in the crowd. A battle of #10’s with Juan Riquelme of Boca an Juan Veron of Estudiantes.
Nice to know that Argentina still believes in playmakers. Makes it more interesting. 3pm Fox Sports Espanol.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber stated in an interview recently with DC United beat writer Steven Goff that it is not out of the realm of possibility that United could be moved based on their difficulty in getting a stadium deal done.
“We don’t seem to be able to get a deal done and it could be that, if something can’t be resolved, we will move the team,” said Garber.
Is this possible for proud D.C. United who for many years were the standard bearers on and off the field.
The fact is it is tough for them to economically viable at RFK and their owners are itching to get their own building.
Parallel this to the situation here in Houston with the stadium and the fact that numerous markets are willing to put down 40 million to get a franchise.
I am pondering……

Ade Akinbiyi has made it clear that David Beckham has had a profound influence on the awareness that MLS has in England.
“Iv’e seen Becks doing quite well here before he went to Milan,” said Akinbiyi. “Obviously he has encouraged alot of British players to want to come to MLS and play soccer.”
Akinbiyi went on to say that those in England are more aware of MLS then those in the U.S. might think.
” Alot of people in MLS don’t recognize that alot of people want to come to MLS. The more it’s promoted over here the more English people who will want to come.”
Akinbiyi could be in uniform on Saturday for the Dynamo /Red Bull match at Robertson Stadium.
Is Akinbiyi the answer for the Dynamo?

It is documented that Brazil and Inter Milan striker Adriano has had depression problems.
Recently he went missing after playing with Brazil in South American World Cup qualifying and is now saying that he needs a break from football.
The 27 year old has said he has lost his passion to play the game.
I had an opportunity to interview him in Berlin, Germany and thought him to be a very personable young man.
If this is a health problem lets hope Adriano can sort this out.
What do you think of these developments?