The Dynamo were beaten 1-0 in Colorado yesterday in what has to be considered a performance that lack energy and attitude. The 1-0 loss came on a goal from Julien Baudet (who?) who scored off a corner. The Dynamo looked like a team that has been over-extended but were able to rest players in Panama on Wednesday.
Here are a few thoughts;

*Chances created: few and far between from the Dynamo. A first half chance to Kei Kamara from Brian Ching and a 1v1 from Kei Kamara in the second were the best opportunities for the Dynamo. Little penetration out wide from Brad Davis and Brian Mullan along with sub-par possession in the attacking half allowed the Rapids to defend pretty comfortably.

* The GOAL: How often do we see strikers back defending get beat on set pieces and corners. It happened here with Baudet beating Dynamo striker Kei Kamara. I do believe that strikers mentally relax at times when coming back to defend set pieces. The guy who scored was Julien Baudet.

* Refereeing: IT was a crazy week for the Dynamo in this department. Not even worth talking about in Panama because that illustrates why people think Concacaf is a joke with all the red cards and yellows. Will Concacaf make a statement? Discipline the referee? Probably not, they will just stay quiet and let it blow over.
So on to Colorado and I would hope that MLS overturns this…….PABLO MAESTROENI led with his arm and elbow late on Andrew Hainault and deserved a straight red. Pablo then did the old “I have hurt myself routine”. Interesting to see where the league stands on this…….Then Brad Davis sent off for I do not know what……..I don’t like to focus on referee’s but this was a poor week in Conacaf and MLS for the Dynamo. And saying that they didn’t do enough to win the game yesterday, that is clear.

Give me your thoughts on the Dynamo and realize that LA now is within striking distance. The good news is that the Dynamo now have a bye weekend to try and re-gain some energy and find a final push. That game vs. LA in October could be incredibly important in the West vs. the Galaxy so get your tickets now. The Galaxy stuck a knife in Chivas USA this past weekend on a David Beckham game winner……..By the way John Spencer was inducted into the Rapids ring of honor and has his name up on the wall at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park….Ching, Clark and Holden called up to the U.S…….do you like Bradley’s selections overall?

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

What do you want to talk about tonite on Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis? I have some topics in mind but you come up with some. Is it Club America in Mexico? Man U, Chelsea, or Arsenal in the EPL? How about Academy soccer in Houston with the Dynamo, Texas Rush and Texans? Can this league truly produce players for MLS? How about the opening of the college season with all of our local teams in action? Bring it tonite soccer fans, fanaticos!

DYNAMO ALL ACCESS WITH GLENN DAVIS tonite at 7pm on 790 The Sports Animal……..streaming live at 790thesportsanimal.com and mlsnet.com

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston
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FIESTA Houston Unsung Soccer Hero and Smart Soccer Tips available at Soccer 4 All and Soccer Time in Pasadena

Catch the re-air of Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis at 12:30 pm today on FOX SPORTS HOUSTON.
At 2pm catch the Dynamo against Colorado at on Telefutura.

How things are heating up in the west as we head into the stretch run!!!
With LA knocking off Chivas USA last night on a late David Beckham goal 1-0 things in the West are becoming extremely interesting. Now this leads me to today when the Dynamo take on Colorado at Dicks Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. This game is huge for Colorado who blew a two goal lead last week at Chicago.
It will be interesting to see the mentality of Colorado today, conversely the Dynamo want to continue to be the standard bearers in the league and stave off a streaking LA Galaxy.
The Dynamo will look to continue to climb back to finding their total game today!

Key opponents: The Dynamo will need to control two strikers in Conor Casey and Omar Cummings. They are different….Casey more of a target type man and Cummings who does have a turn of speed on the larger surface in Colorado.

EPL

Chelsea to me looks the best team so far in England and produced a 3-0 win yesterday over Burnley….Are Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka feeling it or what? Incidentally Michael Ballack turns into a center forward as powered in a header…….Manchester United defeated Arsenal in a match that featured a hilarious ejection to Arsene Wenger who then tried to watch the game in the crowd. Manchester United defeated Arsenal 2-1 ….is a young Arsenal a serious contender this year and how much has United been hurt by the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez…

INTER thrash AC MILAN

Inter Milan crushed AC Milan in an early “Milan Derby” in this Serie A season.
One has to question the strength of AC Milan and also if Leonardo was the correct choice as manager? Pretty tough odds being a new coach and having to report to a ego type owner in Silvio Berlusconi who has questioned every tactical move from Leonardo. And MLS managers think they have it tough?

Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis tomorrow night at 7pm on 790 The Sports Animal….

FIESTA SMART SOCCER TIPS WITH GLENN DAVIS available at SOCCER 4 All and SOCCER TIME……

Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Viera has expressed interest in playing in MLS. Youri Djorkaeff has helped apparently influence him on making the move which in some ways might be remarkable after Djorkaeff laboring in New York on poor teams.
Viera with his experience could be an asset to the league .
It has been great to see players like Kasey Keller and Freddy Ljunberg come to MLS with a level of professionalism that has escaped others over the years that have come from Europe.
Ljunberg was worth the price alone at Robertson Stadium last weekend when the Dynamo and Seattle tied 1-1.

Andri Shevchenko apparently will be released by Chelsea and could be another potential for MLS? Could he be an asset to the league?

Chelsea put a hammer blow on upstart Burnley today 3-0 . Michael Ballack scored one of the goals and reminds us that he literally is a center-forward when he gets into the penalty area……….

FIESTA Smart Soccer Tips with Glenn Davis available at Soccer 4 All and Soccer Time

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Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis airs this Saturday at 8:30 AM on Fox Sports Houston in the Comcast and AT&T Uverse cable systems.
I think you will enjoy this show that features top ten goals, freestyle juggling, Dynamo highlights and interesting interviews with Dominic Kinnear on how he got in to coaching (he had not planned on it) and goalkeeper coach Tim Hanley who gives his insight into working with three very different Dynamo goalkeepers.
Highlights, goals, information and more!!!!
Note the 8:30 AM start time so set your DVR’s………….

Spanish League kicks off this weekend but how about already in week 2 of Serie A we get the Milan Derby between Inter and AC Milan! Also, I am planning on catching Arsenal and Manchester United. Lets see if the youth of Arsenal can leave up to this game!
Of course the Dynamo are at Colorado on Sunday at 2cst ….What games are you focused on and why?

September 5th….I have this date etched in the mind…U.S. vs. El Salvador, Mexico at Costa Rica without Carlos Vela…..I will not miss what should be a war between Argentina and Brazil…….FIESTA Smart Soccer Tips with Glenn Davis available at Soccer 4 All and Soccer time…..Mark West Pinot Noir!!! Taste it, enjoy it! Sterling Bank, Zukowski, Bresenhan and Sinex the law firm!

What does your soccer weekend entail?

Did this game really take place.
The road can be a crazy place and that is what it was in Panama last night apparently for the Houston Dynamo.
I didn’t see it so can only record second had thoughts but here are the facts:

Dynamo 1 (69th Kamara apparently off an Arabe Unido defender, Kamara from the top of the 18 yard box)
Arabe Unido 1 (stoppage time of second half, Orlando Rodriguez)

The Dynamo started Tally Hall in goal, 19 year old Danny Cruz, John Michael Hayden which reflects opportunity for those players and an overall plan to rest others ahead of a trip to Colorado and Commerce City to take on the Rapids this Sunday.

The game featured 5 players ejected, 13 cards overall issued, stadium lighting that failed. The Dynamo almost had their first road win in Concacaf on a bizarre night.
You can catch the replay tonite on Fox Soccer Channel at 7 cst.

That will do it for this version of “Adventures in Concacaf”.

On an additional note the Dynamo have to be pleased to see Real Salt Lake thrash Chivas USA 4-0 last night in Sandy, Utah.

It was a poor night overall for MLS as Columbus making their first venture into Mexico was beaten 5-0 by Cruz Azul in Mexico City while DC United was defeated in the nations capital by Toluca. Two goals in the first 9 minutes have me wondering if the Crew were up for this game or just over-awed. In the end this are poor performances that shake the foundations of MLS to the Mexican fan. These results are crushing. Not to mention that Ramon Nunez had a goal and an assist on the first two goals.
You remember Ramon, he played for FC Dallas and could not fit in……This types of losses can not be swept under the carpet, they are damaging.

SOCCER MATTERS WITH GLENN DAVIS Saturday morning at 9am on Fox Sports Houston

Get your Mexico vs. Colombia tickets at FIESTA TICKETMASTER outlets…….Thanks to Mark West Pinot Noir, Sterling Bank, Zukowski, Bresenhan and Sinex…..

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I know their are alot of true and tried Celtic fans in Houston but there champions league hopes have been crushed.
Actually they were crushed in the first leg in Scotland.
Which leads me to the Scottish Premier League and how dominant Celtic and Rangers are.
Celtic is an example of the best Scotland has to offer and it is light years away from the English Premier League.
In fact overall, MLS is a better league top to bottom then the SPL….and no, I do not think that is a stretch with all due respect.
What do you think?

The F.A. and police are launching investigations around violence that occurred at the Carling Cup match between West Ham and Millwall. One person was confirmed stabbed outide the stadium and fans ran on to the pitch on a night of absurdity. We must distinguish between real fans and criminals. West Ham won 3-1.

Silvio Berlusconi never ceases to dissapoint when it comes to being involved in everything! Is he undermining the new coach Leonardo or is he right?
He wants Ronaldinho playing as a striker and not behind Pato and Marco Borriello. Hey Silvio, leave Ronaldinho in the hole so he can make passes like the one that lead to Pato’s goal against Siena in a 2-1…..Already questioning the tactics of Leonardo….

I am real bummed that tonite I can’t see the Dynamo against Arabe Unido in Panama live……unless someone knows of “pirate television”. We can catch DC United hosting Toluca and Columbus at Cruz Azul as the Crew head in to their first foreign competition outside the country of meaning. The Dynamo can be heard on 790 AM radio tonite. According to Fox Soccer Channel you can catch the Dynamo on a one day delay at 7pm Thursday night.
As for the Dynamo expect a different squad in Panama and no Luis Landin due to his ineligibility in Concacaf play (that is too bad).
Mike Chabala, Cory Ashe, Dominic Oduro, Tally Hall could all be Dynamo players that could get starts. One would expect Andrew Hainault back in the lineup for the Dynamo as well.
Your thoughts on this one….

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gdavis98@swbell.net
Smart Soccer Tips with Glenn Davis brought to you by FIESTA! Mark West Pinot Noir…….
Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston…..spread the word!!!!
Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis on 790 The Sports Animal.

Mexico will take on Colombia on September 30th at the Cotton Bowl in a doubleheader that will also feature MLS.
FC Dallas will take on the NE Revolution and undoubtably will play in front of their biggest crowd of the year I imagine in the pre-liminary game.
Apart from the win over the Dynamo this will be one of the bigger moments for FC Dallas of the season and an opportunity to influence fans .

The game will also take many fans back to the days of the Dallas Burn and Leonel Alvarez, Hugo Sanchez, Mark Dodd and Jason Kreis whom patrolled the surface of the Cotton Bowl.
Having been a Dallas Burn commentator during this time period I can only say those were good times ! The team was league run and coached by Dave Dir and managed by Billy Hicks.
The squad had a much larger hispanic following which was ultimately lost when the team moving to suburban Southlake after the team was taken over by the Hunt Sports Group.

Tickets for the Mexico vs. Colombia game can be purchased at FIESTA TICKETMASTER locations.

This week FIESTA UNSUNG HERO is Craig Waibel of the Dynamo for his community work at Texas Childrens Hospital.

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis this Saturday at 9am on 790 The Sports Animal…..Twitter : Soccermattersgd

*DYNAMO UPDATE

Eddie Robinson and Cam Weaver continued their re-hab today at Robertson Stadium, Weaver could be available in September after having groin surgery and is dying to get back on the field.

Liverpool yesterday where beaten 3-1 at home by Aston Villa. At Anfield? Yes, at Anfield.
A Lukas own goal ironically got things going in the wrong direction for the Reds in front of 40,000 plus fans and and a late first half goal off a corner further incensed manager Rafa Benitez who clearly was asking the fourth official why so much stoppage time had been added in the first half.
Yet as much as you want to complain about that you have to defend the corner and Liverpool did not heading in 2-0 down at the break.
A Fernando Torres goal neatly tucked under the crossbar who give hope but in the end Aston Villa buoyed by a spectacular goalkeeping performance from Brad Friedel (unreal career) pulled off the valuable three points.
Is Benitez beyond it and will Liverpool compete for the EPL title this year? I say no.

Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis podcast is up….Hear and interview with new Dynamo Luis Landin and from Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear, former KC Wizards coach Curt Onalfo and Seattle Sounders FC technical director Chris Henderson…..great calls from you the fan and more…….Go to 790thesportsanimal.com, click podcasts, click Glenn Davis…it is that simple.
Thanks to FIESTA for this weeks Houston Soccer Unsung Hero Craig Waibel for his time committed to helping youth stricken with cancer.

The Dynamo have arrived in Panama and will train this morning ahead of a physical match against Arabe Unido in Concacaf Champions League after that it is Sunday at the Colorado Rapids……Expect a much different lineup then the one you saw this past Sunday night against Seattle. Here Kinnear’s commments at 790.

Anything else on your soccer mind?

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis Saturday morning at 9am
Twitter: Soccermattersgd

FIESTA SMART SOCCER TIPS WITH GLENN DAVIS available at SOCCER 4 ALL and SOCCCER TIME in Pasadena….

Fanaticos, soccer fans

Were you there?
Did you catch the Dynamo and Seattle last night in a 1-1 draw on a hot, muggy night at Robertson Stadium with 17,000 fans?
Here are a few of my thoughts on this one.

EVEN MATCH?: The result of 1-1 was a just result and one must credit Seattle for the road effort. It is rare when a team comes in to Robertson to take a point off the Dynamo.
Seattle created some good road chances and picked up a huge point . The Dynamo struck first off the driven delivery from Brad Davis to Geoff Cameron who got
his first of the year via the flick on. Former Dynamo Nate Jacqua got the equalizer for Seattle ……..

GOALKEEPING: A great night for watching goalkeepers with Pat Onstad and Kasey Keller of Seattle. Onstad had three or four plays outside his box and outside the area.
His decision making was excellent and he was a bit busier than Keller who pulled off a great right handed save in the first half to rob Kei Kamara.

FREDDY LJUNBERG: He saw alot of the ball and was effective throughout the evening. The former Arsenal star got everything funneled through him from his team and clearly was
the most outstanding field player of the night creating chances for Seattle.

AMAZING MISS: Steve Zakuahani missed an empty net from five yards out…all it needed was a tap in after a Ljunberg pass. One of the greatest misses in the history of MLS.
Zakuahani did set up Nate Jacqua for the game tying goal to his credit.

CHANGE OF TEMPO….It was a hot night but the Dynamo did not really get a change of rhythm or speed in their attack and much of the game they spent trying to break down a settled Seattle defense. Especially in the second half, a hard time playing in to strikers who weren’t able to consistently hold up the ball led to a lack of involvement from Stuart Holden. Teams were hesitant to shoot from longer range. Good news for the Dynamo is that got their first choice midfield of Clark, Holden, Davis and Mullan on the field as starters for the first time in a long time.

LUIS LANDIN DEBUTS….some good hold up play, comfort on the ball and created a chance for Stuart Holden. A good start for Luis!

DYNAMO ALL ACCESS WITH GLENN DAVIS TONITE AT 7pm on 790 The Sports Animal……..LUIS LANDIN INTERVIEW plus much more.
Call in at 713-212-5790 to talk and discuss your game. And my thanks to all for your support of soccer in the media!
The show also streams live at mlsnet.com and 790thesportsanimal.com so I welcome all of you who listen in from around the country!

LETS TALK SOME EPL

Manchester United made a statement of sorts winning 5-0 on Saturday at Wigan….so where do you stand. How different is this team without Cristiano Ronaldo influence?
One can only consider how differently Manchester United are viewed without him…..The influence of this guy just standing on the field is amazing.

Arsenal crushed Portsmouth Saturday 5-1…..So Gunner fans can these youngsters compete at the top of the EPL this year under Arsene Wenger?
Chelsea rolled on with a 2-0 win at Fulham…Didier Drobga and Nicolas Anelka are a true handful right now!!

How about Burnley winning points again…this time beating Everton 1-0…..A great story for a club that has returned to the top flight for the first time in 33 years.
When will the adrenaline wear off? The toffees have great problems right now under David Moyes and the sooner Lescott moves to Manchester City the better.

Jozy Altidore debuted for Hull and set up the long goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Bolton, a great debut and his physical strength in the box to turn defenders was impressive.
He was unlucky not to score. If he gets playing time regularly I can only think where he COULD be after a full season in the Prem.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa today on ESPN……

MEXICAN LEAGUE UPDATE

UNAM Pumas have scored one goal and remain winless…….Club America defeated Cruz Azul in the Mexico City rivalry at Estadio Azul 3-2 on a late goalkeeping error from Jesus Corona. Monterrey pulled off a huge result winning at Tigres on a goal from Jesus Di Nigris 2-1 in this great rivalry match!!!

Thoughts on the EPL or Mexican league play? Or anything on your soccer mind!