The Dynamo will announce tomorrow that they will take on Monterrey of the Mexican first division in the Dynamo Charities Cup competition. The “friendly” will take place on October 11th….Monterrey has on their roster such notable players as Luis Perez, Duilio Davino (really), Diego Martinez, Panamanian Felipe Baloy as well as Also de Nigris……The relationship makes sense as many fans in Houston support both Rayados and Tigres who play out of Monterrey.
Are you excited about this match-up in October or will you be focused on the MLS Cup and the playoffs……

Catch SOCCER MATTERS with GLENN DAVIS tomorrow on FOX SPORTS HOUSTON at 5pm.
Top ten goals, interviews with Dynamo striker CAM WEAVER, UH Womens coach SUSAN BUSH and more. Rumors, rants and raves, viewer email and lots of great highlights and opinions. Set your DVR………..

In the race to sign Academy players DC United have signed 6′3 goalkeeper Bill Hamid .
Some MLS clubs have invested more time in the Academy programs than others.
As much as one wants this to work and help supply MLS with talented players few are ever going to be able to make the jump from an Academy program to being impactful in MLS. Without a reserve league where will the few that advance get games of caliber? Just training will not cut it. The gap is just too large from Academy play to MLS play.
One must remember that this has been a positive move from U.S. Soccer to start the Academy and just changing rules may not be the solution until a proper reserve system is set up.
Here in Houston the clubs in the Academy program will get the top talent . The Dynamo, Texas Rush and TSC are current US Soccer Academy teams but to truly accelerate the growth of these players they must be playing and mixing with men.
The top talent in top soccer playing countries around the world are mixing with men and have been signed to professional clubs thus competing against players that are more mature both mentally and physically.

Fanaticos,

*Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston Thursday at 5pm (*Note the new time slot)

*The debate reigns on whether the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup should be played in DC or Seattle. Seattle kick-off time will be 1pm on artificial surface but it would have had fans and lots of them! …..Seattle sold out a 12 noon MLS regular season game this year against Chicago in July. Just food for thought?
One thing is for sure, the debate might raise the bar in DC to get more fans out for tonite’s match which airs on FSC from RFK Stadium at 6:30pm central time.
Do you think this is a missed opportunity to grow the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup or has it been relegated to a second tier Cup? What should the direction of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup be in the future?

*The U.S. and El Salvador has a local twist with Arturo Alvarez formerly of Mayde Creek High School and Texas Premier Soccer Club playing for El Salvador (check out his candid interview on why he did not chose to play for the U.S. on podcast at 790 The Sports Animal.), he also will be featured in an interview on Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis this Thursday at 5pm. This critical qualifier for the U.S. is on ESPN Classic starting at 6:30 cst on Saturday.

Mexico and Costa Rica is at 9pm on Telemundo Saturday night while the much anticipated Brazil vs. Argentina Conmebol World Cup qualifier airs on PPV on Saturday apparently for $30. Can’t miss that game either.

* FIESTA presents Smart Soccer Tips with Glenn Davis available at Soccer 4 All and Soccer Time in Pasadena…..
* Get your early bird Dynamo season tickets by going to HoustonDynamo.com