SOCCER MATTERS WITH GLENN DAVIS presented by MEMORIAL HERMANNS SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE today at 4:00 pm (COMCAST and ATT UVERSE)….Danish Inspirations Contemporary Furniture…

Smart Soccer Tips with Glenn Davis brought to you by FIESTA

Thoughts on Luis Landin at foxsportshouston.com…..

Have you listened to sports talk radio lately?
Have you even heard mainstream sports media jocks begin to even talk about soccer? Not likely, nor is it a surprise yet it is always an issue because sports at the professional level don’t survive without the media.
Now I am not talking about a quick mention, I am talking about anyone (sports jocks) driving a story or content to engage listeners. I am amazed at how much useless information flows these days around pre-season baseball and the Astros . Yet you find them on the major radio and tv stations everyday. Sure I know, they have more money to buy into the media and guarantee coverage.
It is amazing how far off our local media is when it comes to a sport that is becoming more important to the city of Houston, Texas as the gateway to Central and South American and Mexico.
In other countries around the world the roll out for the World Cup has already become as the sport is a priority, but here in the states it still remains an after-thought.
The Dynamo right now along with the World Cup has little buzz. Where is the buzz kill coming from? Collective bargaining agreement ? Fans that are content? Little news or have we just put the ball away until the MLS season starts? Are soccer fans not demanding enough when it comes to local media or are we just second class citizens?
Somebody give me a sign and don’t tell me what I already know?

DYNAMO and FIRE AT HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

What a great night for the soccer fan!
An entertaining match, a nice intimate crowd, impromptu small sided games being played by kids behind the stands and the passion of El Battalon drumming up some noise for our game. In the end the game being moved from the worn Carl Lewis Track and Field stadium led to all these great revelations over at HBU.
College players could be seen in the stands in their tracksuits, Houston Baptist University and their division one program get attention and a good number of youth players all in attendance and of course loyal Dynamo fans. A much more interesting and fan friendly environment then at Carl Lewis so in the end the change due to the poor surface at UH led to other great developments as the game became a great vehicle of promotion for the sport, Houston Baptist and the Dynamo. If there are enough good playing surfaces around the community it would be great to take pre-season games into different areas of the city? Goodwill all around last night and fans left feeling good! I love it when all the elements of the soccer community come together.
My thanks to all soccer fans who came up and spoke and nice to hear that you are watching Soccer Matters on Fox Sports Houston. A big thank you. Find clips of the show at foxsportshouston.com Twitter: Soccermattersgd

Scoring summary: Hou–Cam Weaver (Luis Landin) 63rd
Chi– Marco Pappa (Wilman Conde) 71

Dynamo lineup: Pat Onstad, Ryan Cochrane (Craig Waibel 65), Eddie Robinson, Bobby Boswell, Mike Chabala, Brian Mullan (Danny Cruz 66), Lovel Palmer, Geoff Cameron (Richard Mulrooney), Corey Ashe (Francisco Navas Cobo 81) Cam Weaver, Dominic Oduro (Luis Landin 60)

Fire lineup: Andrew Dykstra, Tim Ward, CJ Brown, Wilman Conde, Deris Umanzor, Julio Martinez, Baggio Husidic, Peter Lowry, Marco Pappa, Brian Mcbride , Patrick Nyarko
Subs: Collins John, Justin Mapp

1.) The pace of the game was quick and fans got to see two great goals in the 1-1 draw. Luis Landin hit an amazing outside of the foot ball with his right foot from a wide position on the left that was headed in spectacularly by Dynamo striker Cam Weaver. To get the power and distance on that delivery using the outside of his foot was remarkable. Landin pushed hard, looked active and gave that ever important effort when the ball was lost. He showed us again glimpses of skilled play in tight areas.
Weaver clearly is a traditional center forward and if given balls to compete for in the penalty area is dangerous. Get the delivery in when Weaver is in will be the theme to get the best out of him.
Chicago midfielder Marco Pappa had an excellent year in 2009 and is technically gifted and hit a great goal from distance. He also was denied from the penalty spot by Pat Onstad and ultimately ejected getting a second yellow card from local referee Colin Tait.

2.) Dynamo striker Dominic Oduro had excellent flashes of pace. With Oduro, Ashe and Cruz in the lineup the Dynamo overall team speed goes up a notch.
Oduro has had a solid pre-season and looks to be a critical piece either as a starter or off the bench.

3.) Jamaican Lovel Palmer in central midfield was steady and seems to be growing with the Dynamo…it will be interesting to see if he is signed.

4.) Dynamo back four the last two games has including Bobby Boswell and Eddie Robinson as center backs with Ryan Cochrane and Mike Chabala as outside backs.
Andrew Hainault must figure to be a starter but a head injury has kept him out.

5.) U.S. national team and Fulham favorite Brian McBride played for the Fire .

6.) Collins John…the former Fulham striker came on and looked dangerous on occasion for Chicago. John has had a bit of a checkered past but during his time at Fulham scored 20 goals. Born in Liberia, John lost his father in the civil war in that country. He represented the Netherlands in the 2006 European Championships at the u21 level. He could be an interesting addition to MLS and I am unclear if he is signed or not.

7.) Talented youngster Francisco Navas Cobo came on for the Dynamo and with his recent signing remains an interesting story to follow.

8.) Great to see Richard Mulrooney get back on the field after injury at Seattle last year…..

The Fire much like the Dynamo is dealing with change in certain areas. A new coach in Carlos de Los Cobos, loss of key players like Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Gonzalo Segares, Bakary Soumare provide challenges. Segares is playing in Cyprus with Apollon Limassol.

What did you take away from the Dynamo/Chicago match?

REAL MADRID WOES

How about the current pressure on Real Madrid after getting knocked out in the Champions League against Lyon. Now this one truly hurts for fans of the Galacticos as their home stadium the Bernabeau is hosting the champions league final in May. And it all started so well with a Cristiano Ronaldo stunner. This 1-1 draw ocurred at home and fans again as always are questioning the money spent on players and why this club can’t find more collective unity. Real Madrid will now focus on winning their La Liga battle with Barcelona.

DYNAMO ACADEMY VS REGALS FC
This match takes place at Primavera Park (Hardy Toll Road and Aldine Mail route) tomorrow at 4pm. Regalsfc.com or Houstondynamo.com for more information…..

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute and Danish Inspirations Contemporary Furniture air times for new episode: Friday 4:00pm, Tuesday 5:30 pm

Twitter: Soccermattersgd

DYNAMO VS. FIRE tonight at HBU

The game was originally scheduled for UH but has been moved to Sorrels Field on the campus of Houston Baptist University. The game is a part of a doubleheader which also features the Houston Baptist University mens NCAA Division 1 squad and the Houston Leones of the PDL. Yes, we do have an NCAA Division one mens soccer program in Houston. Love the community nature of the Dynamo game then followed by Houston Baptist University, makes alot of sense.
Take the Fondren exit off of 59 and use entrance number 2.
Take note of Dominic Kinnear’s comments on Sports Talk 790 AM where he mentioned players will be getting extended minutes as we inch closer to the opener against FC Dallas on March 27 at the PHP in Frisco. Also, keep and eye on Lovel Palmer the Jamaica in midfield who is making a bid to earn a contract. Adrian Serioux who is reported to be coming to the Dynamo could be in attendance tonight as well.
Expect to hear more Dynamo player moves here this week.

ROONEY
Wayne Rooney has been exceptional for Manchester United scoring 30 goals so far in all competitions and yesterday hitting twice against an outclassed AC Milan.
One thing to ponder is his improved danger in the air, Rooney admittedly worked on his aerial game in the off-season . His header against AC Milan was glanced in beautifully and out of his last eight goals , five have come in the air………..