The Dynamo take on a desperate for points Real Salt Lake tonite at Rio Tinto Stadium starting at 8 central on Fox Soccer Channel.
The club has re-acquired Ryan Cochrane as you all know to address their situation defensively.
A few thoughts come to mind with this move…….The Dynamo and Dominic Kinnear return a player that they are comfortable with, exit Julius James who did not progress quick enough. It also shines a light on Eddie Robinson whose knee has not responded as rapidly as he would like.
Cochrane is better positionally than Julius James and that what the Dynamo have gone for here. A mistake free defender that is dependable.

EPL UNDER WAY!
The EPL is off a running and Chelsea left it late at Stamford Bridge to get a 2-1 win over Hull while Aston Villa was shocked at home 2-0 by Wigan. Did you see these games? What are your thoughts?

Will the EPL be dominated by Manchester United and Chelsea or is this the year we see Manchester City emerge, Arsenal re-emerge? Everton? Tottenham? Tell me?

RAPIDS BLOW

The Colorado Rapids have suffered a huge blow as midfielder Colin Clark tore his ACL in practice which ends his season.
The injury occured earlier this week.

Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis Monday at 7pm on 790 The Sports Animal streams at mlsnet.com and 790 The Sports Animal.com

FIESTA Smart Soccer tips with Glenn Davis available at Soccer 4 All, Soccer Time…

Thanks to sponsors….

FIESTA, STERLING BANK, MARK WEST PINOT NOIR and Zukoswki, Bresenhan and Sinex the law firm

Here are a few more random thoughts on the U.S. and Mexico……

*After the early goal one has to wonder if the U.S. defending deep allowed Mexico to re-organize their thoughts and regain balance after the stunning opening goal.
Could the U.S. have continue to pressure Mexico higher up the field for a time period. The U.S. landed a “body blow” and instead of allowing Mexico to re-gain their faculties it seemed we did not have the confidence to pressure them a bit more both mentally and physically…….

*Cuauhtemoc Blanco starting was a masterstroke from manager Javier Aguirre. No wonder the Mexican Federation pushed to get him earlier which led Cuauhtemoc Blanco apparently to say that the Fire playing him on Sunday was designed to help the U.S. Blanco is at home in Azteca where he has performed for both Mexico and Club America and did not seem a liability defensively especially after the U.S. dropped off. He got lots of the ball and proved dangerous , even setting up the amazing goal from Israel Castro after luring in both central midfielders Michael Bradley and Ricardo Clark.

* Gio dos Santos looks to be the emerging attacking leader of this squad but how dangerous were Mexico with the variety of players that can show up in different areas including Dos Santos, Blanco, Vela, Guaradado. All four are capable of coming deep in midfield and turning and facing opponents. Efrain Juarez powering up the right side and Guardado on the left brough great width against Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey.

* Fans are criticizing Brian Ching but he was rendered ineffective due to the lack of ball possession. Ching was a starter based on his experience and to be able to alleviate pressure holding the ball up front yet the fact is the U.S. never had the ball and it was fruitless…….Don’t try to tell me any other striker is more effective holding the ball up front….

*The U.S. goal was a thing of beauty and Landon Donovan (who apparently now has come out saying he tested postive for some type of virus) eliminated Andres Guardado after coming in central and turned the entire unbalanced Mexican defense with a beautiful pass……for the games first goal.

*So who performed well for the U.S.? Charlie Davies was a relentless effort machine up front and scored a great goal. Through sheer effort he tested and kept Mexico honest.
Oguchi Onyewu had a solid afternoon and should continue to grow in Italy. He broke up numerous plays while the U.S. was under seige.

* The U.S. has questions at outside back . Carlos Bocanegra in this case really is more a center back playing out on the left . Against Spain he tucked in the middle more almost conceding crosses, he is experienced but one wonders if in the future he remains here or ultimately goes back in the middle………

*How telling was the shot of Landon Donovan going to take a corner and cups raining down on him…..

*The Dynamo trio of Brian Ching , Ricardo Clark and Stuart Holden all played…..Ching was ineffective, Clark battled but seemed overwhelmed by Mexico in midfield, Holden’s best moment was a searing cross that you wished Brian Ching not Charlie Davies was on the end of……….

ALVAREZ DEBUTS FOR EL SALVADOR

Former Mayde Creek High School player Arturo Alvarez debuted for El Salvador in a 1-0 lost to Trinidad and Tobago in a Concacaf World Cup qualifier.
Alvarez came on as a second half sub and once was expected to make the U.S. Olympic team under Peter Nowak. Alvarez who was born in Houston to Salvadorean parents chose El Salvador over the U.S………What do you think of Alvarez’s choice? Did the U.S. let him get away or was his future limited as a yank?

OVER AT MYDYNAMO.NET CEO CHRIS CANETTI revealed….
That the Dynamo will play a Mexican team in a friendly in October and one expects it to be either Chivas or Club America strictly from the perspective of drawing fans.
I could be wrong here but it is interesting to speculate on who the opponent might be. Are you excited about the prospects of this friendly match?
Canetti also revealed that Joseph Ngwenya was a long shot . The Dynamo have certainly from my understanding given him every opportunity to come back but there is only one thing worse than NO. It is a SLOW NO. The other concern here is that Ngwenya has played little competitive soccer in the last year and a half…..

*The response….lets see how the U.S. respond after this loss at Mexico which amazingly they were only 8 minutes and some stoppage time away from earning a draw.

*Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis Saturday morning at 9am on Fox Sports Houston
* Dynamo on Fox Soccer Channel at 8pm vs. Real Salt Lake Saturday night!
*Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis Monday night at 7pm on 790 The Sports Animal
*FIESTA “Smart Soccer Tips with Glenn Davis” available at SOCCER 4 ALL and SOCCER TIME!!! Ask for them…….

TWITTER: Soccermattersgd

Thanks to FIESTA, STERLING BANK, ZUKOWSKI, BRESENHAN and SINEX, MARK WEST PINOT NOIR for supporting soccer in the media………..

Some of my most memorable Dynamo games are against foreign competition. I love when the Dynamo measure themselves against clubs from Mexico and Central America.
I am waiting for the day that they get one of this high profile exhibition games against Barcelona, Real Madrid or the likes of Chelsea. They have earned that through performance on the field and players have confided in me that they would love the opportunity. Who wouldn’t ?
With that the Dynamo Concacaf Champions League schedule was released today and the quest to go to the World Club Championships starts next Wednesday with the Dynamo and Pachuca of Mexico favored to advance out of their group. Here is the Dynamo schedule:

8/19/09 vs. Isidro Metapan of El Salvador 7pm Robertson Stadium
8/26/ at Arabe Unido of Panama 7pm
9/16 at Pachuca 9pm
9/22 vs. Arabe Unido of Panama 7pm Robertson Stadium
9/30/ vs. Pachuca 9pm Robertson Stadium
10/21 at Isidro Metapan 9pm

Get your tickets for great upcoming international competition at HoustonDynamo.com

*SOCCER MATTERS with GLENN DAVIS on Fox Sports Houston on Saturday mornings at 9am

*FIESTA brings you Smart Soccer Tips with Glenn Davis plus Houston Soccer Unsung Hero………

*Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis Monday at 7pm on 790 The Sports Animal

*MARK WEST PINOT NOIR, STERLING BANK, ZUKOWSKI, BRESENHAN AND SINEX, FIESTA …..thanks to these great sponsors of soccer !!!!

An early goal from Charlie Davies was a dream start at Azteca Stadium for the United States but in the end a late goal from Miguel Sabah proved decisive for Mexico who needed nothing less than a win for a variety of reasons.
Mexico would counter Davies stunning goal with a stunner of their own by Israel Castro from 30 yards out to make things 1-1 and that is where it would stand going into the locker room.
Mexico as expected clearly dominated the possession side of this match with the U.S. who defended valiantly at altitude. The U.S. amazingly where only 9 minutes away plus stoppage time from pulling off a 1-1 draw when Sabah a second half sub struck. The U.S. struggled to find timely possession in this game to take off the pressure but positioned themselves well for taking a point.
Dynamo players Brian Ching, Ricardo Clark and Stuart Holden all played . Amazingly the trio along with Mexico’s Cuauhtemoc Blanco all played Sunday night at Robertson Stadium in 90 degree heat. Clark, Holden and Blanco played the entire game at Robertson with Ching doing 75 minutes.
What are your thoughts on the Mexico 2-1 win?

Yes we know the environment is smoggy, hot, poor air quality and at altitude. Is it one of the hardest places to play in the world, yes it is according to many that have played there.
I can only say that going to Mexico City I am always aware that I do not sleep or breathe well there.
With that established it is also the most optimistic time in history for a U.S. national team to be heading into Azteca Stadium. There is a real positive feel around this game which no expects the U.S. to win which makes one feel it could be a historic day in U.S. Soccer history. Just the POSSIBILITY of that makes this intriguing.
Here are a few thoughts:

1.) NOTHING TO LOSE…the pressure is all on Mexico here. Could you imagine the back-lash if El Tri does not take a full three points this afternoon.
Sure there is all kinds of “feel good” around the Gold Cup win but this is a different team that Mexico will be playing.
Are expectations in check? The crushing win over the U.S. doesn’t assure the next World Cup nor does it assure a result today.
We will find out after 90 minutes.

2.) INITIAL 20 minutes……..It will be like a shark to blood from the kick-off. Mexico will want to score early and lay a mental body blow on the U.S.
Can the U.S. get through the early stages of this game without conceding a goal. This is not a place you want to be chasing the game.
How is this achieved? Through organization, tight lines and patience not to get opened up. If they do the likes of Gio Dos Santos, Nery Castillo and
company can then play to their strengths.
Keep this close into the second half and the crowd and the magnitude of the game could begin to prey on the minds of Mexico.

3.) THE HOWARD FACTOR…..Lets face it. Howard will have to have a stellar game in goal. He will need to produce critical and timely saves. Good goalkeeping can
be a huge confidence boost and mask problems which at times will occur.

4.) DONOVAN FACTOR He has been as focused as we have seen him in his career and you get the feeling you may just see a vintage performance from Donovan.
Negative press has motivated him and his intensity and focus going in to this game is at an all time high. He was excellent in Confed Cup.
Can he produce this type of performance today? An “on” Donovan effects others, that is fact.
I can see an over-commited Mexico getting hit on a counter attack from Landon Donovan…don’t think they are not aware of this.

5.) POSSESSION…Now no one believes this area of the game can be won by the U.S. at Azteca on this day but….can you find timely moments to keep possession and take the pressure off. When the U.S. gets the ball it must not lose it quickly. The ability for their deepest players to hold the ball and give the squad a breather is essential.

6.) BLOCK OF 6 will need to be solid…. Cherundolor or Spector, Onyewu and DeMerit , Bocanegra, Clark and Bradley…..A big game needed from this six players whomever they are. If it is Onyewu and DeMerit they will have to be protected by Clark and Bradley. These two must not concede space in front of the two U.S. center backs whose strengths may not be dealing with quick inter-play on the ground.

7.) How do you attack? It will be through Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey wide if this is the case. Donovan could go central and play in midfield behind a lone striker in a five set. It will be interesting to see how Bob Bradley aligns his team. Even if he plays with two strikers one will come deeper at the top of the U.S. midfield I would presume …The U.S. can not possibly press for long periods of the game and will have to be selective in this environment as to their moments to commit people forward. They will need to be wise and efficient with their moments. Set pieces of course will be a time of opportunity for the U.S.

Your thoughts on today?

BLANCO

Now let me make something clear again to those emailing me on C Blanco. I am a fan of the guy and his contributions to MLS. Not only do I respect his intensity and commitment to win! But at 36 years of age he looks at the game differently and his amazing skill set has to be respected. He has had an amazing career and is be-loved by Mexicans.
Would this past Sunday night’s game have been as interesting without him at Robertson Stadium? I doubt it.
He is in a unique position in that he has no defensive responsibility but that is also accepted by Chicago coach Denis Hamlett and makes opponents particularly wary of Blanco when the ball turns over. He had alot of it against the Dynamo despite a small field.
Lets also not forget that he boosted the Sunday night attendance by thousands and I for one saw alot of Club America jerseys in the crowd.
SO WHAT IS NOT TO LIKE?……..I don’t like his incessant whining to referees and his comical dives like many but like it or not , Blanco has a following and he helps to stir up interest in any game he plays in. There is no question that he has been good for MLS.

“SOCCER MATTERS WITH GLENN DAVIS” Saturday morning at 9am on Fox Sports Houston (This week’s show features St. Thomas University College team, Eclipse Youth plus Dynamo breakdown, Manchester United and Chelsea plus interview with Chicago goalkeeper Jon Busch)

TWITTER: Soccermattersgd

*SMART SOCCER TIPS WITH GLENN DAVIS and HOUSTON UNSUNG SOCCER HERO brought to you by FIESTA…….Who is your Houston Unsung soccer hero? email me at
gdavis98@swbell.net

*Pick up your Smart Soccer Tips with Glenn Davis card at SOCCER 4 ALL, SOCCER TIME and SOCCER SPORT and FUTBOL TOTAL

SPONSORS to be thanked for supporting soccer in the media… FIESTA, STERLING BANK, MARK WEST PINOT NOIR, ZUKOWSKI, BRESENHAN and SINEX…….

There will be alot of people in the Houston are tuned in to the television tomorrow at 3pm for the U.S./ Mexico World Cup qualifier at Azteca.
Some may be going to Mexico City, others will watch from a variety of places. So where will you take in the game?
Are you going to Mexico City? Will you watch at home? Computer at work? Or do you prefer an environment with like-minded fans of the game and will be heading to a pub or bar?
Let me know where you will watch this much anticipated match and what you expect to see unfold in Mexico City?

Andres Guardado may not even play on Wednesday due to a knee injury but he has gotten in the prediction game and has said publicly that Mexico will beat the U.S. 3-0.
As if anybody needed any motivation to play in this game on Wednesday in front of 105,000 fans at Azteca? So what do you make of the Guardado prediction?

Podcast of Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis is up at 790thesportsanimal.com, click podcasts, click Glenn Davis to hear from Marcelo Balboa, Brian Ching and Dominic Kinnear.
Lots of calls on the U.S./ Mexico World Cup qualifier that is Wednesday.

Twitter: Soccermattersgd

“Smart Soccer Tips with Glenn Davis’ brought to you by Fiesta available at Soccer 4 All and Soccer Time

We are two days away from the massive (popular word these days brought to us by the Brits!) World Cup qualifier between the United States and Mexico at Azteca Stadium.
Join me tonite as we talk about on Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis on 790 The Sports Animal from 7-9pm.
The show streams live on the internet at 790thesportsanimal.com and MLSNET.com

Guests : Chris Henderson and Marcelo Balboa both members of the squad that got a 1-1 draw at Azteca in World Cup qualifying the only result ever for the U.S.
Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear…..Brian Ching weighs in on Mexico as well…….Call in number 713-212-5790

Soccer fans I want to hear from you about what YOU think is going to happen in Mexico City……..

Twitter: Soccermattersgd

THANKS TO SOCCER SPONSORS: FIESTA, Zukowsk, Bresenhan and Sinex, Sterling Bank !!!

The Dynamo are on both Fox Sports Houston and KHOU 11.2 tonite with kickoff against the Chicago Fire at 7:30 pm from Robertson Stadium.
Fox Sports Houston will air “Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis” prior to the match at 7:00pm while KHOU 11.2 will do a pre-game show starting at 7:00pm.

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis includes interviews with Brian Ching and Stuart Holden plus a look at the new soccer facility being built by the City of Houston that includes a Dynamo training facility.

CHELSEA won the Community Shield over Manchester United on penalty kicks 4-1 after a 2-2 regulation score. So what do you take out of this match and does it have any “real” bearing on the upcoming EPL season. For Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti this is a great start!!!

Tune in to the Fox Soccer Channel this morning at 10:00 am to catch the Community Shield match between Manchester United and Chelsea. The match is the pre-cursor to the opening of the English Premier League and questions sourround both of these teams heading into the 2009/2010 season. Can Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia prove out with Cristiano Ronaldo moving on? Will Chelsea work under manager Carlo Ancelotti who has moved in after leaving AC Milan?

The Dynamo are pushing the limits of their roster tonite at Robertson with Brad Davis out of the lineup due to a red card incurred on Thursday night in a 1-0 loss at FC Dallas.
Ricardo Clark, Brian Ching and Stuart Holden all will join the U.S. National team after in Mexico for Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier after performing tonite.
The Dynamo in their last two matches have had defensive problems and will look to solidify that effort tonite against Mexican star Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Patrick Nyarko.
This is the combination to keep an eye on as Blanco sees Nyarko as his new target since Brian McBride strangely bowed out to surgery for the season.
Chicago owns the best road record in MLS………..

German giants Bayern Munich drew 1-1 with Hoffenheim yesterday as the German Bundesliga got started ….Charlie Davies who could start on Wednesday for the U.S. against Mexico debuted as a sub in the French league for Sochaux in a 1-0 win over Auxerre…..Jay Demerit captained Watford in a 1-1 draw with Doncaster he also could start Wednesday as a center-back for the U.S…..60,000 expected today for Real Madrid’s friendly in the nation’s capital against DC United………Oh by the way, you must see the goal that Landon Donovan scored against NE, a swerving volley off basically a balancing leg. He did not get a run up to hit this past Matt Reis……No question the whole book incident and Donovan and Beckham squabble has focused these two stars. I am hoping this carries over to Wednesday at Azteca with Donovan!!!!

I broke down and am now a twitterer (is that right?) go to twitter.com : Soccermattersgd

*Get out to Robertson Stadium tonite for the Dynamo /Chicago and you can dvr the game on KHOU 11.2 or Fox Southwest, post game radio call in show on 790 The Sports Animal after the match..call in number is 713-212-5790

*SOCCER MATTERS with GLENN DAVIS on FOX SPORTS HOUSTON re-airs tonite on Fox Sports Houston at 7pm, set your DVR’s !

*FIESTA SMART SOCCER TIPS with GLENN DAVIS available at SOCCER 4 ALL, SOCCER TIME , FUTBOL TOTAL and SOCCER SPORT…ask for them.

Soccer fans , support the businesses that support the game!!! STERLING BANK, FIESTA, ZUKOWSKI, BRESENHAN and SINEX are all proud sponsors of DYNAMO ALL ACCESS WITH GLENN DAVIS every Monday night from 7-9pm…call in at 713-212-5790