The Dynamo put in a great complete performance in defeating an excellent Seattle Sounders. Talk about a tough series!
Some random thoughts:

*A great collective effort won on a spectacular goal worthy of this occasion. Dominic Kinnear made all the right moves and the timing of his substitutions impeccable with all contributing.

* BRIAN CHING got untracked with a spectacular goal that will go down in Dynamo lore. The sweet side volley was set up courtesy of an effort from Brian Mullan that kept the play alive. The goal was blurry orb past Kasey Keller. Great timing for Ching to get a confidence building goal. More than that he had some great hold up play and never backed down against one of the league’s best defenders in Jhon Kennedy Hurtado.

*DOMINIC ODURO has become a huge x factor for this team based on his threat of getting behind defenses. Not only that but he now is DANGEROUS via the pass and the finish. This could be a real asset in LA on Friday at the Home Depot Center on a larger field against a team that could be exposed by his pace. His movement is also pulling defenders off Brian Ching and creating more space.

*HUGE MISTAKE..that dubious honor would go to Roger Levequese of Seattle who instead of heading the Mike Chabala cross towards the sideline doesn’t go with his head and allows Brian Mullan an opportunity to keep the play alive.

*TIMELY SAVES and SOLID BACK FOUR…Pat Onstad continues to make the plays he needs to and all credit to the Dynamo back four who were unbending for most of the evening.
Two centerbacks Bobby Boswell and Geoff Cameron were solid.

*The game was carried by the Dynamo possession wise and build up wise but Seattle was dangerous on the counter-attack. The Dynamo clearly made Freddy Ljunberg work extremely hard over these two games. It is also great they are finding their possession game because that need it against LA to keep Donovan and Beckham off the ball.

*DOMINIC KINNEAR… Kinnear’s substitution choices were outstanding and all contributed from the tight skills of Luis Landin, the energy of Cory Ashe and Cam Weaver.

*Fans were outstanding and I mean both Houston and the traveling Sounders fans!

Tuesday 7-9 pm join me at El Pacifico Restaurant for live radio and then the following Tuesday at Tesar’s Restaurant in the Woodlands.

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Couple of quick final thoughts on the Dynamo and Seattle today.
Will this be a continuation of a grind em out battle that occurred in Seattle with the emphasis on the physical side of the game? It is a good question but lets not forget the tight confines of Robertson Stadium and a referee Jorge Gonzalez who will be under pressure in a tight environment where players don’t have room to breathe.
How much will teams risk to play quality soccer and focus on possession? The dimensions of the field do challenge teams to build games up and often times leads to the mentality of just get the ball in the penalty area which can eliminate alot of midfield play and lets not forget the talent that lies in both of these teams midfields.
To advance though might take some risk so I assume today that we will see teams commit a few more into the attack and lets hope the game opens up a bit.
Emotion both on and off the field today at Robertson Stadium make this match intriguing to say the least.
On another note sand has been put on the field to soften it up so lets see if that becomes and issue.

KEEP AN EYE ON THE OUTSIDE BACKS:

Keep an eye on the left back’s of both of these teams. Leo Gonzalez a Costa Rican won the left back spot after Seattle tried Zach Scott, Nathan Sturgis and others.
Can Houston’s Brian Mullan could find success down this side of the field. Conversely will Seattle go out the less experienced Mike Chabala down that side of the field through Freddy Ljunberg?

This is a tough one to call as these teams have some many similarities. Enjoy this one !!!!