The Dynamo will take on Kansas City on October 4th (return of Kei Kamara) and then on October 18th the city of Houston and soccer fans will get their first glimpse of David Beckham and the most prolific player in U.S. soccer history Landon Donovan.
It is essential that youth organizations like EDDOA, Timberline, Baysa etc. begin to think about re-scheduling youth games on this day in order to give people the OPPORTUNITY to go to the game live or view it on tv.
Youth coaches should not wait for the associations to act in the name of player development they should be on the phone asking for changes and getting together with opponents to come up with solutions.
Let’s not miss these great Sunday opportunities to watch professional soccer and influence our youth players. We are one of the few cities in the U.S. that has a professional team and these can be memorable afternoons with the weather changing and the Dynamo in a playoff fight.
Lets think big!!!!

Speaking of thinking big. MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced today for the first time that MLS would not play opposite the group phase of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The group phase includes the first 48 games of the 64 game tournament. This means the MLS will not play from June 11th to June 25th. MLS also does not plan to play games on the days of World Cup semi-finals and the final. A big thumbs up to MLS!!!

Entertainers jumping on stage to steal a rare moment from others. A tennis player who threatens a line judge and soccer player who rakes his studs over the face of an opponent.
A Major League baseball brawl and I am sure there are more.
The apologies of some of these athletes definetly did not seem heartfelt and were most likely initiated from a publicist.
Maybe it is the world we live in where accountability just doesn’t matter.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is giving the benefit of the doubt to Emmanuel Adebayor who clearly raked his studs over the face of Robin van Persie. Most everyone else is calling the move horrific. I call it a move of cowardice. I understand the heat of the battle and poor decisions are made, I have made a few myself. What I despise is the lack of confidence from a manager to on occasion call out there own. Mark Hughes may not have wanted to upset his star striker and I do not buy that he needs to protect his player.
Hughes had an opportunity to be courageous and make a stand against incidents with intent to injure.
Adebayor will get a heavy suspension and put his team at risk with his individualistic behavior as they go to Old Trafford this weekend and most likely will lose their first match.
Don’t blame this on the media, don’t blame this on the fans.

Dynamo at Pachuca tonite and all I can think about is the danger of players like Damian Alvarez and Chaco Gimenez. Lets hope the depleted Dynamo can produce a game that can bring back the overall confidence. Catch this on Fox Soccer Channel at 9pm.

Podcast of Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis last night on 790 is up. Check it out. Some great callers and discussion plus a brief interview with new Dynamo Abe Thompson who will arrive on Thursday.

Soccer matters with Glenn Davis brought to you by Memorial Hermann Hospital airs tomorrow at 5pm and Friday at 3pm. Set your dvr’s or catch it live.

This update brought to you by FIESTA, MEMORIAL HERMANN HOSPITAL, MARK WEST PINOT NOIR and DANISH INSPIRATIONS FURNITURE…..

The Dynamo have traded Kei Kamara to the Kansas City Wizards for forward Abe Thompson and allocation money.
Kamara who would have been out of contract at the end of the year has been sporadic in his play and his not particularly meshed with Brian Ching.
Ironically it is KC where Kamara scored a powerful header and broke into a Michael Jackson tribute that Kamara will end up at.
The Dynamo looking to get cash and something of value for Kamara who played at Cal State Dominguez Hills and was discovered by Sigi Schmid.
The Dynamo clearly felt the time was right to make the trade based on getting something of value for Kamara .
Abe Thompson has never been a prolific goal scorer in MLS yet has a solid skill set and should be motivated to be leaving KC to come to the Dynamo and Houston.
The Dynamo had also been continuing the pursuit of Joseph Ngwenya who did not accept a Dynamo offer before the signing of Luis Landin.
The Dynamo countered after the Landin signing and Ngwenya did not accept the offer again.

What do you make of this trade? I have some thoughts tonite on Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis on 790 The Sports Animal among other topics from around the world tonite.
Call in at 713-212-5790, streaming at mlsnet.com, I am also giving away tickets tonite.

POLL QUESTION: What other professional soccer team do you support other than the Houston Dynamo?

FIESTA, DANISH INSPIRATIONS, MARK WEST PINOT NOIR

Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis tonite on 790 The Sports Animal! Fanaticos lets air it out!

What a weekend it was in soccer with amazing goals being produced and amazing results from around the world.
The Dynamo are trying to find their game again as we head into the business end of MLS and the stretch run towards the playoffs.
The MLS Cup this year is up for grabs quite frankly and no one in the league is playing well enough for me to give them the edge.

Adebayor incites Arsenal fans, Eduardo dive reversed, Landin debuts and so much more to talk about including the U.S. and Mexican national teams.
So what do you want to talk about.
Call in number tonite on 790 AM The Sports Animal is 713-212-5790, I will be giving some tickets away as well. Show streams live at 790thesportsanimal and MLSnet.com

What did you think of Man City’s Emmanuel Adebayor’s length of the pitch celebration in front of his former Arsenal fans? Just good fun and expression or was this incitefully dangerous?

Rarely do you see penalty kicks called in the 90th minute of a soccer match but that is what happened when Geoff Cameron tugged on the jersey of the Crew’s Alejandro Moreno who embellished the incident. Eddie Gaven stepped up and placed the penalty kick perfectly to the left of Pat Onstad in goal and the Crew remained undefeated at home in a 2-1 win.
To be fair if you grab a jersey it then becomes the choice of a referee to make a call or not. Moreno had gotten inside of Cameron.
Sadly I don’t believe Moreno would have gotten to the cross as Bobby Boswell looked as though he would have gotten their first.

Truth be told the Dynamo deserved a point in this one after Cam Weaver hit a spectacular side volley to tie things up after a Frankie Hejduk header had given the Crew a 1-0 lead.

Cam Weaver was the best of the four Dynamo forwards with his energy off the bench and his desire to make an impact.
Luis Landin had a chance off a Ricardo Clark pass while Brian Ching played a vital part in the goal but missed a clear header.
The Dynamo had their moments but over the course of 90 minutes are still seeking out their game.
They now head to Pachuca with a depleted squad to take on the Tuzos.
RSL will come to Robertson on Saturday and the Dynamo will be without Ricardo Clark and return Brad Davis.

What are your thoughts on this game?

Fiesta, Mark West Pinot Noir and Danish Inspirations are huge supporters of soccer!

Twitter.com: Soccermattersgd
Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis tomorrow night on 790 The Sports Animal at 7pm
Soccermatters with Glenn Davis Thursday night at 5pm on Fox Sports Houston

Mexican striker Luis Landin looks set to start after a quadriceps injury has sidelined Kei Kamara.
Landin in two appearances has clearly shown savvy but came on in games where the Dynamo’s form was in question.
Today could we see a fresh, hungry, revived Houston Dynamo? That is the question after they had a weekend off in MLS.

Today’s result could go a long way towards winning the supporters shield as the Crew have two games in hand on the Dynamo.
These two teams have combined for the last three MLS Cups and are number one and two in overall points yet still have questions heading towards the finish line before that crazy thing called the “playoffs”.

Both squads are looking to ignite key players. Two that stand out include Guillermo Barros Schelotto whom Columbus are hoping to get back to his early season form. For the Dynamo Brian Ching has been lackluster and lacking hunger up front due to a heavy schedule of games. Can Ching get hungry and can Luis Landin potentially ignite him?
Landin is different on the floor and I am interested to see him up against the Crew defense whom are not used to playing against him. They will see something different. Expectations need to be kept in check on Landin as fitness wise I do not believe he can go 90 minutes today. Dominic Oduro, Cam Weaver anyone?

Outside back is still a position of interest around the Dynamo and will Dominic Kinnear start Mike Chabala or Wade Barrett at left back assuming Andrew Hainault plays on the right.
The teams met earlier in the year with Brian Ching and Guillermo Barros Schelotto trading goals at Robertson Stadium in a 1-1 draw. Both teams looking to get those two player back on track.

Will the Dynamo get back to their energetic best, find their possession game and gives us a hint to what to expect in the run to the MLS Cup?

This will be a good one today and you can catch the game at 4pm on Fox Sports Houston and KHOU 11.2.
A half hour after the game tune in to SOCCER MATTERS with GLENN DAVIS on FOX SPORTS HOUSTON as I continue to try to bring you a soccer program that ties in our city with the world game.

Houston Unsung Soccer Hero brought to you by FIESTA…

MARK WEST PINOT NOIR and DANISH INSPIRATIONS FURNITURE, SAN JACINTO COLLEGE COYOTES…thanks for your support!!!

twitter.com: Soccermattersgd

Check out my soccer column in the Houston Chronicle…go to Chron.com

The LA Galaxy were destroyed last night by FC Dallas giving up 6 goals at home. Yes, I said 6 goals.
One has to wonder if this is a subtle sign ….Two talented rookie defenders potentially hitting the wall? Greg Berhalter horribly exposed.
Now to be be fair you can’t pin it all on a back four but there are some consistent problems that have been there throughout the season and Bruce Arena has done his best to disguise them.
This doesn’t take anything away from FC Dallas and Cunningham who ran rampant.
Subtle signs at this time of the year can prove out ultimately.

Apparently the Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, New York has closed it’s doors.
One has to believe this was alot about location. Word is the exhibit and the great history the Hall has will end up in an MLS stadium ……

English Premier League fans have your say. All I can say is that today there were thrilling matches and thrilling goals……

MANCHESTER UNITED 3 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1

This one at White Hart Lane started off in stunning fashion with Jermain Defoe hitting an amazing overhead bicycle kick inside one minute to put Spurs up 1-0.
Ryan Giggs would hit a great free kick in the 25th minute to level things. Anderson would then score in the 41 and the capper would come from Wayne Rooney in the 78th minute who is reveling in being the primary striker for the Red Devils.
Spurs of course are trying to get into the elite of the EPL but this game has sent the clear message that they are not there yet.

MANCHESTER CITY 4 ARSENAL 2

An Almunia og in the 9th minute got Arsenal off on a poor foot who would level things through Robin van Persie in the 62nd.
Craig Bellamy (74) and Emmanuel Adebayor (80) the former Arsenal striker then made it 3-1. Tomas Rosicky (88) pulled one back for Arsenal to make it 3-2 before Shaun Wright Phillips made it 4-2. Many feel Arsenal out “footballed” Manchester City.
Was this match too much about Emmanuel Adebayor who looked to incite the Arsenal fans celebrating by running 90 yards to slide in front of them? Incidentally Robin van Persie claims he was stamped on by Adebayor his former teammate. Van Persie claimed that Adebayor set out to hurt him.
Are these just Arsenal fans whining because they don’t feel like they will win trophies this year ? Man City now perfect. Just for the record I did not see this game.

CHELSEA 2 STOKE CITY 1

Chelsea got a stoppage time goal from Florent Malouda as Stoke valiantly tried to defend on little oxygen and all heart. It was amazing in that long periods went by where Stoke could not get out of their own penalty area…..It is clear the top striker in the EPL right now is Didier Drogba who is playing with a burning passion and scoring great goals every weekend. Did you see this one and is Chelsea the top team in the EPL currently?

EPL fans I am looking for you and your insight on this website………….Thanks to FIESTA, MARK WEST PINOT NOIR, DANISH INSPIRATIONS FURNITURE

Twitter.com: Soccermattersgd
Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston this Sunday after the Dynamo game at 3pm on FSH
Dynamo and Crew preview in the Houston Chronicle today…

SAD,SAD, SAD

Pachuca’s 53 year old trainer Ramon Estrella was shot dead on Thursday after arguing with individuals at an outdoor seafood restaurant. Estrella was shot 4 times and had been with the club for 15 years. His wife was with him at the time.

MARADONA a man of change…

I still am amazed at what a “role of the dice” the Argentine federation took naming Diego Maradona the coach. He has used three goalkeepers, fielded teams that seem dis-organized and the team sits in 5th place in Conemebol heading into their two final qualifiers at home against Peru and on the road at Uruguay who themselves are fighting to get to South Africa.
Now the Argentine FA who named him coach are considering bringing in an assistant coach to help the cause.

DYNAMO AT CREW

A few key players to keep an eye on for the Dynamo:

1. Stuart Holden- if he is getting alot of the ball it will be a good day for the Dynamo.

2. Brian Ching- Can he overcome fatigue and look interested again in scoring goals?

3. Brian Mullan- Can he get his invigorating wide play going by getting behind defenses?

4. Wade Barrett or Mike Chabala- Assuming Andrew Hainault plays right back over Craig Waibel …..who will play left back? This could be a key area with the Crew
having good wide players like Robbie Rodgers , Eddie Gaven and Emmanuel Ekpo.

DYNAMO PLAYERS TO RETURN?

Both Eddie Robinson and Cam Weaver returned to training yesterday at Carl Lewis Track and Field Stadium. Robinson clearly is no where near close to playing 90 minutes and looks a bit cumbersome which anyone would after missing 5 months of action. Can he really make an impact this year? It would be a bonus at this point.
Weaver seemed active as well but as anyone knows it will take these players time to get their fitness levels up.
Luis Landin is also being whipped into shape and looks with the injury to Kei Kamara to maybe get a start tomorrow. I am looking forward to seeing him in the penalty area against Chad Marshall and company.

LOVE THE COVERAGE

I love the ability to choose from so many EPL games on Espn and FSC……the big one for me today while I watch Chelsea for the moment down at Stoke is Tottenham at home against Manchester United at 11am…..later I head to Cbus for the call of the Dynamo on Fox Sports Houston and KHOU 11.2….looking forward to a great game in Columbus from the leagues two best teams tomorrow.

Check out my article in the Houston Chronicle today on the Dynamo and Crew….twitter.com: Soccermattersgd, thanks to FIESTA for their undying support of soccer, MARK WEST PINOT NOIR and DANISH INSPIRATIONS FURNITURE….

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis airs tomorrow a half hour after the Dynamo game on Fox Sports Houston …check it out!!!

SOCCER MATTERS WITH GLENN DAVIS today on FOX SPORTS HOUSTON AT 3pm

I was just thinking it was a little quiet in that crazy world David Beckham lives in. Well leave it to the Italian media to stoke the fires again.
According to Sky Sport Italia Beckham will join AC Milan again on loan in January and the deal has been struck while sources close to Beckham (unamed) say that the deal has not been consumated. Don’t you just love these deals that go on while players are currently under contract to another club?
Lots of rumors have sourrounded the future of Beckham and his destination after his stint with LA is over. Don’t forget Dynamo fans, Beckham and Landon Donovan will be in Houston in October to take on the Dynamo. Get over to houstondynamo.com and get your tickets now.
By the way David Beckham was on Regis and Kelly this morning and they actually talked about soccer. Publicity that only David Beckham could get MLS!!!!

FIESTA has been huge supporters of the game of soccer consistently. They sponsor the “Houston Unsung Soccer Hero” every Tuesday on Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis.
Let me know if you know an unsung hero worthy of this mention and thank you brought to you by FIESTA. Email me at gdavis98@swbell.net

SOCCER ON THE TUBE
Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis airs today at 3pm on Fox Sports Houston.
Sunderland takes on Jozy Altidore and Hull this Saturday on FSC at 4pm while Fulham and Clint Dempsey take on Everton and Tim Howard Sunday morning at 10am also on FSC.
Don’t miss the DYNAMO on Fox Sports Houston and KHOU 11.2 Sunday at 3pm….Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis the tv show airs tonite at 9pm and tomorrow at 5pm….

DIEGO SPEAKS OUT

Diego Maradona Argentine national team coach has lashed out at the critics. Maradona said “good luck getting an interview when we qualify”.
He also said he is not “scared” of the critics. I guess Diego expects fans and tv commentators to talk about his scintillating career and not the fact that ARGENTINA is in danger of going to the WORLD CUP!

Twitter.com: Soccermattersgd

Thank you FIESTA, MARK WEST PINOT NOIR and DANISH INSPIRATIONS FURNITURE!!!!