Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis today on Fox Sports Houston presented by MEMORIAL HERMANN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE at 3pm

NCAA WOMENS COLLEGE CUP DECEMBER 4th-6th at the Aggie Soccer Stadium in College Station on the campus of Texas AM. 12thmanfoundation.org for tickets…..

This thing called the playoffs is pretty popular in Mexico and mirrors MLS.
Just like the MLS the second season, in Mexico can be a re-birth for any club that gets in and is on a good run of form.
Interesting match-ups abound this weekend and notworthy clubs like Pachuca, Chivas and Atlas are missing. Somewhere Hugo Sanchez has popped a bottle of the finest champion to celebrate Atlas under Ricardo LaVolpe not making the playoffs. Pachuca missed out and actually had more points then some that qualified while Chivas has been a disaster ever since Efrain Flores was wrongly removed as manager.
So here is some great viewing and be prepared to expect the unexpected this weekend:

*Club America vs. Monterrey
Lots of emotion in this one as Antonio Di Nigris played for both of these teams and will be remembered. Monterrey is where he was most impactful. America has gotten it done under Chucho Ramirez and still has the lethal Salvador Cabanas. Monterrey counter with Humberto Suazo who is going to the World Cup with Chile. Dynamo fans saw Rayados in Houston a few weeks back.

*Toluca and San Luis

Raul Nava and company could be the most well rounded team….

*Cruz Azul vs. Puebla
The Blue Machine is in need of a title…is this their year? They come in winning four in row.

Morelia vs. Santos

Return legs are next weekend in Mexico and lets not forget Barcelona vs. Real Madrid in a can’t miss match.

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis today on Fox Sports Houston presented by MEMORIAL HERMANN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE

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*more on soccer go to Foxsportshouston.com and find an additional blog

So what do you think?
The Irish are raving mad about Thierry Henry’s obvious handball that led to a crucial French goal in a World Cup playoff. Blatantly obvious.
So here is a water-shed moment that I believe will lead to change in the international football arena. This was a moment for technology to used but it is still being resisted by FIFA.
Each and every week around the world referees are being pummeled with how many mistakes them make and how poor they are. It is a wonder some even want to continue to do the job. In fact there are few games where referees walk away without one team and it’s fan base highly critical of their performance. Referees are not loved individuals and that is why it is time for technology to support their efforts.
Think of the lost finances and dreams for the Irish because of this moment…….Could it have been an amazing moment of sportsmanship if the French urged FIFA to replay this leg? It won’t matter anyway as FIFA have rejected an appeal to play the game again.
Still one thing remains for sure, fairly or unfairly Thierry Henry is going to be labeled a “cheater” by the press. Oh wait, he already has.
If technology is introduced it must be introduced in a way that it is used sparingly. It can not become the star of the show. Referees need the backing of technology as it is impossible with the speed of the game for them to keep up. It is just too fast.
They also need it because with it there will be fewer major controversial calls and the emphasis just might be taken off their influence a bit which is good for the game.
With so many television camera’s of every angle on games it is virtually impossible for referees to come out of matches looking good.
Could FIFA who is all about fair play have made a statement or were they smart to nip the controversy in the bud and should we just accept that sometimes football is just unfair?
After all if this was reversed would we have teams regularly asking for replays?
Would the use of technology been appropriate in the Dynamo / LA game after the goal scored by Andrew Hainault?

NCAA Womens College Cup December 4th-6th in College Station at the Aggie Soccer Complex
See the best teams in womens collegiate soccer battle for a national championship…tickets at 12thmanfoundation.org and they are going fast……..

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute…….

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New blog at Foxsportshouston.com, click Dynamo logo and find my blog

Not a real surprise as Landon Donovan was named the MLS MVP leading into the MLS Cup final this weekend where his Galaxy will take on RSL. Pat Onstad received the save of the year on his amazing penalty kick sequence against Conor Casey and the Colorado Rapids.
Surprised Donovan got the award?

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston airs today at 5pm presented by MEMORIAL HERMANN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE…set your dvr or catch the re-air tomorrow if you can’t see it live!!!!!

The Irish FA are appealing to France and world of football to replay the second leg of their World Cup playoff match after France scored an obvious goal after an obvious handball from Thierry Henry. Should France step up a show the world a true sporting gesture or should Ireland get over it? Is this a case for use of video during a live game?

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston this Thursday at 5pm brought to you by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute….

* Bill McDonald the Strake Jesuit athletic director and soccer coach was awarded the FIESTA unsung soccer hero award last night at Tesars in the Woodlands.

*Thanks to the soccer fans, El Batallon members who made it out to Tesars for radio taping last night. The show airs tonight at 8pm-10pm on 790thesportsanimal

*Brian Ching had surgery yesterday for a meniscus injury which occurred in the Seattle game at Robertson. Ching played on the injury against the LA Galaxy,

*Ricardo Clark has made it clear that he is seeking out other options overseas and will leave the Dynamo. Stuart Holden could likely follow as financially it will be hard for the league and the Dynamo to hold on to him. Then again you never know.

*The Dynamo protected list has to be submitted on Monday for the expansion draft. Who should they protect? Who should they not protect?

*Paul Dalglish has apparently been hired to coach the USL Tampa Bay Rowdies……

*Landon Donovan won the goal of the year award for his amazing curling volley while Pat Onstad with his amazing penalty kick saves against Conor Casey of Colorado won the save of the year.

*The U.S. lost at Denmark 3-1 after leading 1-0 at the end of the first half on a Jeff Cunningham goal. The U.S. played without key elements like Landon Donovan and Tim Howard. They gave up 3 goals in ten minutes at the beginning of the second half to finish the scoreline and it was a very disconnected team. Both Ricardo Clark and Stuart Holden started and were subbed out. Edgar Castillo came on as a second half sub but hard to judge. Thoughts?

Nick Doize passed away yesterday after a long battle with leukemia.
He was an amazing young man with incredible courage who reached and touched the hearts of many with his zest of life, courage, and large heart.
His reach and connection was amazing and spanned all ages. The Dynamo were very aware of Nick who helped create Nicksteam.org and brought so much awareness to the fight against cancer through his amazing personality and his love of soccer.
Please pray for Nick and his family.

Fanaticos, soccer fans

Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis airs in the Woodlands tomorrow night 6-10pm at Tesar’s Restauran in the Woodlands…..Tesars.com
Dynamo players will be on hand, hamburgers and hot dogs will be $2 off and Dynamo fans, soccer fans and youth soccer players and families are encouraged to come out to this great restaurant, have some food and take in the event!

I am hoping the Woodlands/Spring area comes out strong for this one!! I will update you on players attending, giveaways and much more.

A couple of changes occur in this weeks Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis.
It will not air live but streamed on the 790thesportsanimal homepage due to UH/Nicholls State basketball. The show will-re-air Wednesday night from 8-10pm on 790 The Sports Animal. So with that said, come join us live for this event. Giveaways, Dynamo players BOBBY BOSWELL, ANDREW HAINAULT, MIKE CHABALA and DANNY CRUZ confirmed along with team president OLIVER LUCK. It’s the best in soccer talk tomorrow night at Tesars!!!!!

*********Oliver Luck will be on the Michael Berry show Tuesday talking stadium..call in number 713-212-ktrh

Read my new blog at Foxsportshouston.com, click on the Dynamo logo…………

*NCAA WOMENS COLLEGE CUP DECEMBER 4TH -6TH AT TEXAS AM….SEE THE TOP TEAMS IN THE NATION COMPETE FOR A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP…GO TO 12THMANFOUNDATION.COMA FOR TICKETS

*SOCCER MATTERS WITH GLENN DAVIS ON FOX SPORTS HOUSTON PRESENTED BY MEMORIAL HERMANN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE THIS THURSDAY AT 5PM

* DYNAMO ALL ACCESS WITH GLENN DAVIS LIVE THIS TUESDAY AT TESARS RESTAURANT IN THE WOODLANDS…..WATCH LIVE RADIO, GET AUTOGRAPHS FROM DYNAMO PLAYERS AND ENJOY THE GREAT FOOD AT TESARS………COME JOIN US AT THIS SEASON ENDING LIVE BROADCAST!!!!!! TESARS.COM

*Soccer Matters camp to “Kick Cancer” presented by FIESTA December 11,12,13 at Pin Oak Fields in Bellaire….all proceeds go to TEXAS CHILDRENS HOSPITAL and NICKSTEAM.org
All coaches have donated their time and dedication to this event so we can raise cancer awareness and make a contribution to TCH!! Please help support this venture!!

Now many had be-moaned the loss of Edgar Castillo to the Mexican National team. Castillo grew up in New Mexico and his international career began with Mexico but only in “friendly” games. Castillo was called in to the U.S. national team for it’s match against Denmark this Wednesday in Aarhus taking advantage of a new rule that allows one switch for players that are eligible for more than one national team provided they have only played “friendly” matches.
Castillo played for Tigres in this weekend’s 1-1 draw against Pachuca in the final round of Mexican League play. Castillo has played at Santos and Club America who loaned him to Tigres.
It is clear that Castillo does not see a future with Mexico and coach Javier Aguirre which means the window for going to the World Cup may be closed representing El Tri.
The story is much different with the United States where the left back position has been a point of contention and Castillo feels he has a better chance of making a roster and going to the World Cup. His competition at left back…..Jonathan Bornstein of Chivas USA, Heath Pearce of FC Dallas and as we all know Carlos Bocanegra has played there as well but is preferred as a center-back for the U.S..
Dynamo Ricardo Clark and Stuart Holden hoped they would have been in Seattle this Sunday but he is off to Denmark to represent the United States as he was called in as well showing the value that Bob Bradley places on the 24 year old midfielder. The real question remains as to where his future lies and if he will remain a Dynamo . Ricardo Clark is also rumored to be moving on and others like Eddie Robinson and Brian Mullan are out of contract. With an expansion draft looming the Dynamo could look very different next year.

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So the number eight seed in Major League Soccer is headed to the MLS Cup final to take on the LA Galaxy.
Just as a reminder, Real Salt Lake defeated Colorado and needed help from others to earn the eight and final spot in the MLS playoffs. Then they moved from the Western Conference over to the Eastern Conference and win it.
So a team from the Western Conference are Eastern Conference Champions.
It doesn’t matter and congratulations to RSL who got the winning penalty from Ned Grabavoy !!

RSL Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando did a repeat of his penalty kick heroics like he did back in 2004 with DC United and Jason Kreis whose job was rumored to be in trouble now has a shot at winning the MLS Cup as a coach and join the likes of Frank Yallop, Dominic Kinnear, Peter Nowak as former MLS players that have won the cup as a coach.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco had one of his least impactful games of the year for Chicago and did not find the ball against Real Salt Lake.

Pretty amazing how tight all of these playoff matches have been and what little differences their were between the teams.
A special thumbs up to owner/operator Dave Checketts for being on the field and engaged with RSL’s magic moment.

INTERNATIONAL MATCHES
US went down 1-0 to Slovakia on a penalty kick and will take on Denmark this Wednesday. FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty gets his first cap while Eddie Johnson (remember him?) played in this match. Robin Van Persie was stretchered off for the Netherlands in a 0-0 draw with ITaly. Spain defeated Argentina 2-1 on two goals from Xabi Alonso, Lionel Messi scored via a penalty for Argentina. New Zealand defeated Bahrain 1-0 to punch it’s ticket to South Africa. Wales defeated Scotland 3-0.
Russia , France and Ireland all got wins in their first leg World Cup qualifiers.

David Beckham of LA did admit in a post game interview that the first stoppage due to the power shortage was timely for the Galaxy.

LIVE RADIO this Tuesday night at Tesars in the Woodlands with Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis. Live guests and more this Tuesday . Tesars.com for directions……

So LA goes to the MLS Cup after a night of pretty even soccer.
If you had told me that Landon Donovan and David Beckham would be controlled as well as they were I would have said the Dynamo would find a way to win this game.

* The Dynamo threatened on numerous occasions whether Brian Ching, Dominic Oduro, Brad Davis or Stuart Holden all had decent chances to clear chances yet could not finish. Goals have been hard to come by in the playoffs.

*How important has Donovan Ricketts been for LA……how many points has his goalkeeping been responsible for throughout the year for LA.

* The Andrew Hainault goal certainly looked good to me, yes I saw a slight push from Ricardo Clark but Ching had Greg Berhalter beaten and then he and DeLaGarza collided. For me rather soft in this day and age of players grabbing and clutching on set pieces.
A decision that easily could not have been made and then you are staring at defending for eight minute and stoppage time.

*Omar Gonzalez got up above Bobby Boswell in pretty spectacular fashion to head down and the Dynamo could not clear leading to the Berhalter goal.

*Dynamo bench and changes could not replace the quality of Brian Mullan and Brad Davis and Dominic Oduro on this night…..Think of the injury challenges both and Ashe and Eddie Robinson have had .

*Lights going out was sad for a game of this importance…………..

A pretty even game in my mind and even a few more chances for the Dynamo at the end of the night.

What are your thoughts on the game, the game broadcast and the entire evening? Will Ricardo Clark and Stuart Holden stay?
What happens in the expansion draft and who does the team build around in the future?

Tesars Restaurant in the Woodlands on Tuesday …Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis live remote broadcoast 6-10pm..