Twitter: Soccermattersgd

Manchester City dumped Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a historic win. This was my pick of the weekend for games and it did not disappoint.
The first half was all Chelsea against a deep defending City and they looked well on their way to a victory. Frank Lampard broke the ice late in the first half to give Chelsea the lead.
Carlos Tevez would tie things for Manchester City after a comedy of errors from Chelsea three minutes later on the stroke of halftime.
Craig Bellamy would get two more in the second half for City while Tevez would hit from the penalty spot. Lampard would get a late penalty to make the final 4-2.

Thoughts:

*This whole off field incident ( Married Terry affair with former girlfriend of Wayne Bridge) is in the head of John Terry currently who looked poor and was run ragged by Tevez and Bellamy. Real poor week from Terry who sported a semi-mohawk haircut….not sure what the message was. Wayne Bridge refused to shake the hand of John Terry at the start of the match. Who can really blame him ?
Terry struggled against Inter and was turned by Diego Milito for a goal in the 3rd minute and looked poor today and less influential. Is he losing a step, is this all in his head?
At the end of both the Inter Milan champions league match and today’s loss to City, Terry could be seen arguing with the referee.

* Hilario as I mentioned in a prior post is a liability in goal for the Blues in the abscence of Peter Cech. He could very well cost them a title. The first two City goals were clearly savable and his positioning was poor. Keep an eye on the goalkeeping situation at Chelsea.

*Tevez and Bellamy were mobile and dangerous especially in the second half for City.

* Michael Ballack and Belletti were both sent off for Chelsea who suffer two losses this week including the 2-1 Champions League match at Inter. Ballack’s challenge was a scissors on Carlos Tevez and looked foolish.

HOLDEN SHINES IN FIRST EVER PREMIERSHIP MATCH

Bolton got a 1-0 win over Wolves on a goal by Zat Knight despite two heat posts from Wolves. The win in a huge one for Bolton which carries them out of the relegation zone for the moment anyway.
Now I caught this game on Setanta for one reason only….to catch local Stuart Holden in action.
Respectfully, there was not alot of extended possession in midfield and alot of the play was early and often into forwards.
This match resembled a Coca Cola League match despite it’s importance and was not full of quality. IT was more about passion and willingness as opposed to quality football.
Also a clear reminder of the differences in teams at the top and bottom of the EPL . That doesn’t mean it was an easy game to play in. Quite the contrary.
On to Holden………he played in a central midfield role and in the first half and was pushing hard to get in front of the ball making alot of solid runs yet his teammates never found him.
He took a number of excellent set pieces including the corner that ultimately led to the game winning goal from Knight.
He did have one chance from about 20 yards out that flew off the outside of his foot and wide.
Holden handled the physical side of this game with no problem, made some timely tackles and simple passes that calmed down the game. As the game wore on Holden sat deeper to help defend the important 1-0 lead. I was impressed with his contributions based on a game that was not as conducive to the way he plays the game . A great start for the former area youth player and former Dynamo !

MANCHESTER UNITED DEFEND CARLING CUP TITLE
Manchester United bouyed by a game winning header from Wayne Rooney became the first time since 1990 to defend the Carling Cup trophy defeating Aston Villa 2-1.
Aston Villa was brave and had U.S. international Brad Friedel in goal but Martin O’Neill’s squad fell at the final hurdle.
Rooney again did the damage, this time off the bench and produced another aerial finish in the 74th minute for the game winner.

Scoring summary:

Aston Villa- James Milner 3rd
Manchester United -Michael Owen 12th
Manchester United-Wayne Rooney 74th

Did you catch this game on Setanta?

RANGERS DEFEAT CELTIC AIDED BY EDU

U.S. international Maurice Edu scored a 90th minute game winning goal in Scotland as Rangers edged out Celtic 1-0.
The victory virtually assures Rangers of winning the SPL title as they hold a ten point lead over the ‘hoops’.
The news is good for Edu who also was called up to this Wednesday’s U.S. squad who will take on the Netherlands at the Amsterdam Arena.

STADIUM
So here is the latest from the City of Houston and Harris County .

Statement:

The City of Houston and Harris County have continued conversations concerning collaborative efforts to have a Dynamo stadium constructed in East Downtown Houston. Both the City and County have asked the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority to take a limited administrative role in construction of a stadium for the Houston Dynamo. The Sports Authority has agreed to take this matter under consideration.
End Statement

Things are beginning to move forward and it seems the meeting between Mayor Parker and El Franco Lee have been productive.
This issue is now on the Sports Authority Agenda for Tuesday board meeting.
Things are finally looking good for a Dynamo stadium that the club says could be completed by 2012. This along with a new training facility and the All Star game makes 2010 a huge year for soccer and the Dynamo. The word is the all star opponent will come from Europe.

NGWENYA
On an different not the name Joseph Ngwenya came across my desk the other day saying he was negotiating with the Dynamo.
After speaking to Dynamo CEO Chris Canetti their is no truth to this rumor. Would you want Ngwenya back if he was available? For that matter would the Dynamo with all the vigor that they pursued him with while he was in Turkey?

STRIKE?
It could happen at any time but many say that it will happen if it does closer to the opening of the season when a financial impact could be made.
Tough to know how earnest and fair the negotiation has been without being on the inside. Tough to know what is truth from both sides when it concerns the media.
Is it just posturing or is it the truth?

PICK OF THE WEEKEND

Chelsea vs. Manchester City 6:45 am on Espn2

Key match-up in EPL features the two scandal involved players in John Terry of Chelsea against Wayne Bridge of Manchester City.
Hard to believe these two will shake hands before this one.
Bridge recently resigned from England saying the scandal is too much for him to handle at the international level and that it is best for England.
Should Bridge have stepped down? What do you think of John Terry now?

The re-air of Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston is today at 3pm brought to you by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute.

*MLS issued a statement yesterday saying they were prepared to continue the 2010 season under the current CBA agreement and continue to negotiate with the players association.
The ball now is in the court of the Players Association who if they elect to strike could look to be the bad guys.
One really mind-boggling element to this is when the original CBA agreement was drafted, why have in a World Cup year?
Huge mistake.

Check back later for updates……..

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis today airs at 5pm on Fox Sports Houston presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute…some positive words from Oliver Luck on the stadium issue………

U.S. Roster Announced for Netherlands match. Let’s examine:

GOALKEEPERS: Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa) Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves)
* These look to be the three goalkeepers going to the World Cup barring injury. Sidenote is Brad Friedel who has retired from the U.S. but is still in great form in the EPL for Villa.

DEFENDERS:
Jonathan Bornstein(Chivas USA) – History with Bradley at Chivas USA, center-back last night proving out versatility.
Carlos Bocanegra(Rennes)- experience and history with Bradley and internationally, central defender priority with the ability to play left back like in Confederations Cup.
Jay DeMerit-(Watford) value raised after confederations cup, traditional center back whose stock might be higher due to injury to Onyewu
Clarence Goodson- (IK Start) clearly getting opportunity under Bradley to make this squad as evidenced by this selection .
Heath Pearce- (FC Dallas) stock rose last night vs. El Salvador, will go to the World Cup in my opinion.
Frank Simek- (Sheffield Wednesday) A long shot but European based
Jonathan Spector- (West Ham United) Right or left back that has experience and youth.

MIDFIELDERS
DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers) DMB used to be mentioned in the same breath as Landon Donovan as they both broke in together. Race to make squad.
Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro) Needs spectacular moment or match to make the final squad.
Michael Bradley (Borussia Moechengladbach) Son of the coach or not he is an important part of the U.S. midfield
Landon Donovan- (Everton) best player in U.S. history, best player U.S. born in Europe right now and the key to success
Maurice Edu-(Rangers) most keep playing and performing to earn spot
Stuart Holden (Bolton) Ditto for Holden but many have placed him on final squad already due to ability to play wide in a non traditional manner.
Calming influence on ball a rarity for U.S. player
Jose Torres (Pachuca) another of the new breed that is comfortable on the ball. Will he get minutes vs. Netherlands?

FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Hull City) is top striker currently on national team because of athletic ability.
Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake) trying to help fill the need for pace and mobility that the U.S. could possibly miss without Charlie Davies.
Lack of international experience could hurt him but could be decent option off the bench.
Eddie Johnson (Aris) Over-hyped when he came in due to his exceptional athletic ability, he remains a long shot.

DYNAMO NOTE:
The Dynamo will play in the Superliga this summer against Mexican competition.

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis today on Fox Sports Houston at 5pm presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute……Team President Oliver Luck on the stadium, Eric Quill former Tampa Bay Mutiny on Carlos Valderrama plus meet Danish superfan Jan Christiansen. Top ten goals, Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute update and more!!!
Catch the show on COMCAST and ATT Uverse cable systems……

UNITED STATES got a 2-1 win over EL SALVADOR at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa……….

US Goals: Brian Ching, Sasha Kliejstan
El Salvador goal: Rudis Corrales (might be a good MLS player)

I know this will get the anti-Brian Ching crowd up in arms but he made an important statement in the second half against El Salvador. In essence, maybe a reminder of what he can do for the U.S. in combination with Jozy Altidore up front. Would you choose Conor Casey of Colorado over Ching up front?
Ching scored a header(savable to be fair) off a super cross from Heath Pearce , set up the stoppage time game winner from Sasha Kleijstan and looked lively and fresher although admittedly not at full fitness but building towards it.
Remember, Ching did not go in to the January camp (a choice he made) to focus on his fitness back here in Houston. Seems as though he made the right choice for the moment.
Remember back before the 2006 World Cup where alot was made of manager Bruce Arena either taking Ching or Taylor Twellman to the 2006 World Cup. In the end Ching went.
Heath Pearce also seemed composed at left back….Did anyone improve their World Cup position and what were your thoughts on this game?
Looking forward to seeing the U.S. against the Netherlands next Wednesday at the Amsterdam Arena.

MLS PLAYERS STRIKE
Two extensions and now the MLS wants to continue under the current collective bargaining agreement which doesn’t seem to be an option for the MLS players.
Can this be really happening in a World Cup year? Somebody made a huge blunder when putting this agreement together so that it was timed to be negotiated in a World Cup year?
Apparently if the Players Association agrees to play under the current CBA in 2010 they would revoke the right to strike while the league would not be able to lock them out.
It seems the players at this point are solid on striking and many have spoken out including Joe Cannon of San Jose, Pat Onstad of the Dynamo and Chris Klein of LA.
Players are looking for more rights when it comes player contracts that are terminated, waived or play out their contract. Lack of guaranteed contracts is also an issue
In the case of Kevin Hartman of Kansas City who did not agree to terms with KC I believe he should be released outright and free to negotiate with others. Under the current situation even though the Wizards have not signed him and have signed another goalkeeper. If Hartman gets interest from another MLS club, that club still will have to negotiate through the Wizards to acquire his rights………….I am praying to the soccer gods at this very moment.

DROGBA DENIED BY LUCIO
Again another thought on the recent Inter 2-1 win over Chelsea. One has to be impressed with the individual marking job done by Brazilian and Inter center-back Lucio on Drogba who was rendered ineffective. Lucio’s partner Argentina Walter Samuel formerly of Roma also was hailed for his efforts.

Twitter.com: Soccermattersgd

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis tomorrow on Fox Sports Houston presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute at 5pm

INTER MILAN defeated CHELSEA 2-1 in Champions League play today from the San Siro Stadium in Milan.
Scoring summary:

INTER MILAN- 3rd minute Diego Milito (great ball movement on this sequence from Inter with Milito turning defender John Terry like a top and then finishing. How often do you see Chelsea carved up like this…not very.)

CHELSEA- 51st Salamon Kalou (a seemingly soft shot from the top of the box that clearly was a goalkeeping error from Julio Cesar. Nevertheless an important equalizer at the beginning of the half. At this point I thought Chelsea would begin to find their game)

INTER MILAN- 55TH Esteban Cambiasso ( A great response and a game winner)

Chelsea had the better of possession but were rarely dangerous in the last third of the field and much of it came when Mourinho began to defend deep. Lucio and Walter Samuel as centerbacks were excellent and took away Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. Anelka ended up dropping deeper and deeper into midfield and away from goal.

What could be a big loss is Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Cech who after routine ball had to be stretchered off and Hilario came on as his replacement. If Cech is injured seriously, this could be a huge area of concern for Chelsea .

STUART HOLDEN GETS 90 minutes but BOLTON crushed by SPURS 4-0 in FA Cup replay

Stuart Holden finally got his debut for Bolton but they were defeated 4-0 at White Hart Lane.
This hammering was in the cards from the start if you read into the comments of manager Owen Coyle who is not prioritizing the FA Cup but prioritizing EPL survival. Bolton currently sit in the relegation zone.
With so many changes this result was a distinct possibility and a focus on the EPL…………….

Hoping to see Dynamo players Brian Ching, Geoff Cameron and Brad Davis get a game tonight against El Salvador.
Dr

TV PICK FOR THE DAY
For me the Inter Milan/ Chelsea (1:30 pm Central time on FSC) Champions League match will not come quick enough tomorrow.
This one has been a target for me to watch with so many sidebars of interest.
Of course they are top teams in their respective domestic leagues but both managers have intense knowledge of their opponent and the league they play in.
Jose Mourinho now at Inter is the former coach of Chelsea and many of it’s players including John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba developed under the tutelage of “the special one”. Expect to see the normal 4-4-2 from Chelsea whom are still doing things in similar fashion to the days of Mourinho.
Carlo Ancelotti, formerly of AC Milan is the manager of Chelsea currently and knows the Italian League and Inter Milan up and down. Ancelotti will return to the San Siro in Milan which is the scene of many of his managerial successes.
I love this cerebral challenge between two of the great managers in football history who both have an intense desire and fixation on winning the Champions League.

PREDICTION 2-1 INTER MILAN

U.S. vs. EL SALVADOR (6pm central time on Espn Classic)

So here is a good one for you the Dynamo fans. An all MLS based squad which includes Dynamo striker Brian Ching, midfielder Brad Davis and defender/midfield Geoff Cameron takes on El Salvador that features two former Houston area youth products in Arturo Alvarez (San Jose) and his brother Edgar who played at San Jacinto.
This one comes your way from Tampa, Florida and MLS based players will be looking to turn the head of manager Bob Bradley.
Both striker Jeff Cunningham and Heath Pearce of FC Dallas were on Sports Talk 790 AM radio with me last night and expressed their feelings on this opportunity. Check it out at sports790.com.
Does Geoff Cameron play in midfield or at right back where Bradley used him in the first national team camp he attended?
Should be interesting as the last U.S. outing was less than impressive against Honduras at the Home Depot Center.

MEXICO takes on BOLIVIA tonight….10:00 pm for this friendly match on Telemundo…..Mexico fans what are you looking for out of this match?

HOLDEN TO DEBUT
Former Dynamo Stuart Holden is set to debut with Bolton as reported by Sky Sports News and the Bolton FC website.
Manager Owen Coyle says that Holden will get his debut against Tottenham at White Hart Lane today in a FA Cup Fifth round replay.
“It’s a chance for a few players who haven’t had much game-time to come in and show what they can do, with Stuart Holden being one of those.
“He is a young, hungry players who is desperate to do well and an exciting prospect who always catches the eye.
“We’ve played something like ten games in five weeks, so we need to give it that little bit of freshness, recognising people who have been working hard have earned their opportunity to play and also taking into account that we have a big match on Saturday as well.”

It doesn’t matter where or how you get your opportunity to debut so I am hoping Stuart Holden can produce in what won’t be the easiest of environments and when a team is making a number of changes. Coyle is clearly prioritizing the Premier League fixture on the weekend and survival in the EPL over the FA Cup. A handful of players are getting rested while others are out with injury.

ROONEY RESPONDS
That is what happening yesterday when Manchester United played in a quick turn around match against West Ham after losing to Everton on the weekend.
United won 3-0 with Wayne Rooney scoring twice with both goals coming in the air. Michael Owen also scored.
United take on Aston Villa and Brad Friedel in the League Cup Final Sunday. Incidentally, they are now only one point behind Chelsea.

DYNAMO defeat the UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
At the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando the Dynamo defeated UCF 4-1 as Dominic Oduro continues his assault of college squads netting a hat trick.
Trialist Navion Boyd from Jamaica scored the first goal. Other trialists Shaun Saiko, Lovel Palmer and Jonathan De Leon also played.

MAN CITY WOES
Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez is expected back Thursday or Friday and should be available for their clash with Chelsea on the weekend.
Senior players according to Sky Sports are increasingly concerned apparently with the length and frequency of training under manager Roberto Mancini.

FANS URGING DONOVAN TO STAY AT EVERTON
Apparently Landon Donovan is taken aback because of the efforts that Everton fans are making to keep him at Goodison Park.
The fans have set up a social networking system to create awareness to keep him on the Merseyside.

THANKS TO DANISH INSPIRATIONS
Thanks to Jan Christiansen and all at Danish Inspirations where we taped this weeks episode of Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston brought to you by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute. Great hospitality and great fun shooting this show at a great furniture store. Let Jan know you are a soccer fan. Danish Inspirations is located on Fondren near Westheimer and has some gorgeous pieces !!!!!! Ask him to show you the history of Danish soccer book published in 1939…..amazing.

Follow me at foxsportshouston.com and twitter: Soccermattersgd

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston today at 6pm presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute…this is the re-air of last weeks show which features interviews with Dynamo assistant John Spencer and striker Luis Landin…..Today we are taping this week’s show for Thursday airing at Danish Inspirations Contemporary Furniture on Fondren near Westheimer. If you are in the area come join us!!! Free t-shirt giveway.

Podcast of last night’s Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis features interviews with U.S. national team and FC Dallas members Heath Pearce and Jeff Cunningham.
Go to Sportstalk790am.com

DYNAMO TRIALISTS….

The Dynamo are taking a look at a few more players this week in Orlando. They include the following:

Shaun Saiko- 21 year old Canadien youth international midfielder on the books at Middlesbrough

Navion Boyd- 24 year old Jamaican midfielder who plays at Tivoli Gardens, 3 caps for Jamaica

Lovel Palmer- 25 year old midfielder who plays at Harbour View and has 13 caps for Jamaica

Jonathan De Leon- 22 year old midfielder at Tigres who has yet to play for the first team in Mexico

Thoughts on the world of soccer?

*Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis tonight on Sports Talk 790 AM, call in number 713-212-5790, streaming live at Sportstalk790.com, HoustonDynamo.com and MLSNET.com
Guests include U.S. national team players defender Heath Pearce and Jeff Cunningham ahead of the El Salvador friendly this week…..Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear as well!!!

*Head over to Danish Inspirations Contemporary Furniture (Fondren near Westheimer) tomorrow for the taping of Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis which airs on Fox Sports Houston and is presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute……free tshirts and more to the first 30 soccer fans that show up……

SO WHICH STRIKER WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
Play manager for a minute and tell me who would be your first choice striker if you were putting a team together? Here are a few to get you started…….

WAYNE ROONEY-Manchester United- power, strength skill personified. He is capable of coming back into midfield and playmaking not to mention strike free kicks. His powerful runs to get in the box are awe inspiring.

DIDIER DROGBA -Chelsea- another in the proto-type like Rooney with the power and strength of a modern day striker….can’t be contained.

LIONEL MESSI-Barcelona- Sublime skill, quick in thought and explosive over a few yards not to mention an excellent finisher…..

CRISTIANO RONALDO-Real Madrid- clearly coming off a great weekend where he was the dominant player for Real….

Who else do you add to this list? Luis Fabiano? Pato? Jermain DeFoe? Emmanuel Adebayor?

ONSTAD SPEAKS OUT ON PLAYERS ASSOCIATION AND MLS CBA NEGOTIATIONS

“In the last 8 months there has been no movement at all. The last offer we put on the table has not even been remotely addressed. Right now, negotiations are in a bad place. We’re far apart.” Dynamo goalkeeper and Players Union Rep.

It is no secret that former mayor Bill White and El Franco Lee were at a standstill.
So the good news is that a new Mayor in Annise Parker who many feared was anti-stadium actually adhered to the request of moving forward the original idea with the stadium and she is one that apparently El Franco Lee is willing to work with.
With the recent press coverage spurred on by the Dynamo Alliance, the issue being talked about in the media and non-soccer programs and stations picking up the issue a true healthy pressure has been put on all involved in this process.
It was important that all of this has ocurred because one wonders if AEG would wait forever? The word out of LA in my circles is that there is a sense of urgency. Those who want to wait on this issue forever on this have got it wrong. You the fan are getting the major players to move on this stadium issue. It hasn’t hurt one bit that the potential of interest in Bellaire came along at a good time irregardless of how serious it really is. The Dynamo and Oliver Luck have to be applauded for their steadfast refusal to go anywhere but downtown.
The Dynamo doesn’t have a shot at being a business without it’s own stadium and control of tertiary revenue streams not to mention suites and the big time feel that comes with being on stadium row. It has been time to stand for something for a long time and not consider our sport a second class citizen and that is what the Dynamo Alliance and fans who showed up to the rally have proven. I have been involved with the media now for many years and I always wondered when those involved in soccer would begin to really voice their opinion publicly. I am not talking about hiding behind emails here.
Those that have shown up in commissioners court also have to be lauded for finding the time to make themselves heard!
Those I listen to are up on the issues and have made many great points. If we in the soccer community don’t feel we are being heard then just like today it is up to us to unite.
Uplifting to see all the Dynamo fans passionate about their sport and their team!!!

On another note, the game of the day today is Manchester City against Liverpool at 9am on Fox Soccer Channel.

Don’t forget we are back tomorrow night on Monday for DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with Glenn Davis on the radio at 7pm!!!! Hope to hear from those at the rally!!