*Soccer Matter with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston tomorrow brought to you by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute at 5pm features Lionel Messi of Barcelona, Adrian Serioux and Pat Onstad of the Dynamo and goals galore!!!!

Twitter: Soccermattergd

SACRIFICIAL LAMBS

We all had to know that for success and movement forward a price has to be paid. In this case it is individual players on MLS teams who are released based on the new CBA agreement that guarantees contracts for players 24 years of age and older who have 3 yrs of MLS service.
We heard today that Chivas USA’s Carey Talley and Jon Conway have been let go, goalkeeper Jon Busch in Chicago also has been set adrift as has Pat Noonan of Colorado.
These players will be put on waivers and if they are not picked up can then be re-signed at a lower salary.
Th guaranteed contract will force the hand of some coaches who may have kept a player until the summer transfer window but were not willing to keep him for an entire year.
There will be more to follow one would assume.
Here are SOME of the key points of the CBA agreement:

*Salary cap increase to $2.55 million from $2.31 with a 5% increase per season after that.
*CBA will guarantee contracts for those 24 years of age and older who have 3 years of MLS service
*minimum salary is $40,000
* Discussion of re-launch of reserve division (hugely important)

DYNAMO STADIUM
The wheels and political process of getting the stadium done has been in motion for a few weeks now and one wondered when it would go a bit more public.
That happened yesterday and really broke today locally.
“This was another step forward for the project,” said Dynamo President Oliver Luck. “Once we get formal approval then we are off to the races.”
It was common knowledge that this thing was at a standstill with the frigid nature of the relationship with then Mayor Bill White and County Commissioner El Franco Lee.
Once White left office the stadium once again gained traction under new Mayor Annise Parker whom many thought would be a stadium killer. She has proven to be quite the contrary and honored the original plan in place that started with White , Oliver Luck and the Dynamo and all the political players.
It has been a trying , frustrating process in difficult economic times and I am sure still has more work in store to get it done but Luck and the Dynamo have to be lauded for their steadfast believe in a stadium downtown.
The other significant development is that progress is being made towards a Dynamo training facility on 288 south of downtown that will become quite a beacon for the sport of soccer and a Dynamo training facility.
After watching the Dynamo training at the circus atmosphere of Carl Lewis track and field stadium it is a wonder that they have won two championships in this town! Whether it is a football team walking directly through your practice or a guy carrying a javelin or a bevy of other athletes it is tough to get a ‘zen’ type practice under your belt. This is not a shot at UH but just the reality of the situation. It has been rough and less than professional for these players who at times are hustled out of the locker room to find parking tickets on their cars.
When a stadium gets built there will be new challenges for the organization including the selling of suites or luxury boxes, more tickets and more sponsorship including the naming rights of the stadium. The sport is still heavily dependent upon ticket sales and sponsorship but still is not receiving the type of television money that other sports leagues depend upon. The valuation of regional and national television has to grow in order to make the sport more viable in the future.
I am still amazed at how regional television in MLS lacks on the list of priority around the league.
What areas do you look to save in and what areas are a given that money has to be spent? Lots of challenges but it is true that these are exciting times right now as MLS gets set to launch tomorrow night with Philadelphia at Seattle and the Dynamo opener at FC Dallas this Saturday!!!!

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis this Thursday on Fox Sports Houston presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute…….
Twitter.com: Soccermattersgd, foxsportshouston.com

WOLVES AIDED BY HAHNEMANN WIN AT WEST HAM

Wolves pulled off a huge result that could go a long way in helping them stay in the English Premier League winning at West Ham today 3-1.
Goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann’s Wolves are now seven points clear of the relegation zone. Other U.S. and Mexican players that took part include Jonathan Spector who played 45 minutes as a sub for West Ham. Mexican international Guillermo Franco came off the bench to score West Ham’s lone goal in the 90th minute as he continues to try and make the final World Cup roster for Mexico.

Scoring summary:

Doyle 28 Wolves
Zubar 58 Wolves
Jarvis 61 Wolves
Franco 90 West Ham

More EPL game on tap tomorrow. Check them out at the Richmond Arms:

Manchester City vs. Everton
Aston Villa vs. Sunderland
Portsmouth vs. Chelsea
Blackburn vs. Birmingham

Any thoughts on Wednesday matches?

FIESTA DALLAS CUP PASSES………I will be giving out passes to the Dallas Cup, courtesy of Fiesta next Monday during Dynamo All Access on Sports Talk 790 AM radio that just might end up being a live event. I will keep you posted.

Trivia: Where, what year and who was the opponent when Red Star Belgrade won the European Cup?
(Send your answer to gdavis98@swbell.net and you will be eligible to win passes to the upcoming Dallas Cup Youth International Tournament)

TAPING OF SOCCER MATTERS TODAY

It was not only a gorgeous day but one filled with optimism and excitement Tuesday at Dynamo training. The MLS season for the Dynamo gets started this weekend when the Dynamo head to Frisco, TX for a Saturday opener at 3pm. The Dynamo trained Tuesday amd Soccer Matters was up close and personal as we taped our show at Carl Lewis Track and Field complex. The new training facility won’t get here fast enough yet the vibe was positive and players that I spoke with both for the show and in passing are all looking forward to getting down to business.
The pre-season has been a different one with the Dynamo not involved in the Concacaf Champions Cup and players relayed to me that it has been long and different. The Dynamo will be involved in the Superliga this summer going up against clubs from Mexico.
Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis airs on Thursday at 5pm presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute and will feature interviews with Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad and midfielder/defender Adrian Serioux. Manager Dominic Kinnear weighs in on the CBA and top ten goals bring us some amazing efforts from this past week.

NAVAS COBO NEWS

Francisco Navas Cobo was at training today with the Dynamo and will be representing the United States under 20 national team at the upcoming Dallas Cup.
Sunday night Navas Cobo and the U.S. take on the Mexican National team at the Pizza Hut Park in Frisco. Dominic Kinnear has hinted to me that Navas Cobo could still possibly suit up for the Dynamo potentially on Saturday afternoon.

WEAVER OUT FOR FC DALLAS MATCH
Cam Weaver spent the day on the sideline on a stationary bike watching his teammates train. Weaver has a knee strain and is listed as out for this weekend’s match against FC Dallas. The Dynamo’s top goal scorer in pre-season has been Dominic Oduro who could start alongside Brian Ching. Striker Luis Landin should also figure in this game one would think.
Whom do you like as the best Dynamo pairing up front? The combination of a target man in Ching and the pace of Oduro?

MIDFIELD OPTIONS

Currently MLS and the Dynamo are trying to get the paperwork for Lovel Palmer complete, Adrian Serioux is trying to bolster his fitness level while Richard Mulrooney put in a quality 82 minutes this past weekend against Chivas USA. Mulrooney might just be the front runner to get the start in central midfield presumably alongside Geoff Cameron.
Who would you pair Cameron with against FC Dallas in central midfield?

Soccer fans,
Join me tonight on Sports Talk 790 AM and Dynamo All Access from 7-9pm. The show streams live at MLSnet.com, Sportstalk790.com and can be accessed at Houstondynamo.com where incidentally you can get your season opening tickets and affordable packages!!!

Call in number is 713-212-5790, guests at the moment confirmed included Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear to preview the FC Dallas match. Commentator Shep Messing with reaction on the new Red Bull Park, Mike Petke New York Red Bulls, Tyrone Marshall Seattle Sounders, Pat Onstad Houston Dynamo goalkeeper.

Bring it tonight soccer fans! Topics include: CBA agreement, United atop the EPL, Copa Libertadores and Mexican League, Dynamo/FC Dallas breakdown plus whatever you want to talk about!!

CHELSEA IN TROUBLE IN EPL
More woes for the ‘Blues’. After being eliminated by Inter Milan in the Champions League, Chelsea failed to take chances at Ewood Park against Blackburn and ended up drawing 1-1. Didier Drogba started it off in the 5th minute in a postive manner giving Chelsea the 1-0 lead but failure to take chances left the door open for Blackburn who tied things via a El Hadj Diouf header.
Still don’t believe the John Terry controversy has not troubled this team?
Meanwhile, Manchester United pulled off a 2-1 comeback win over Liverpool and are now 4pts ahead of third place Chelsea.
An April meeting at Old Trafford between United and Chelsea is one to circle on your calendars.

RIO TINTO EXECUTIVES IN PROBE
Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah is the home of MLS Champions Real Salt Lake. The mining giant has some trouble as three executives were have been proven guilty for accepting bribes. One Australian executive and three Chinese were arrested 9 months ago when Rio Tinto was acting as lead negotiators for global iron ore suppliers in price talks with Chinese steel mills.

WASHED OUT
They are both having poor seasons so it may have almost been fitting that yesterday’s Boca Jrs/River Plate match was suspended after ten minutes due to torrential rains.
The balance of power for the moment has shifted in Argentina with Independiente atop the standings.

Tell me what made your soccer weekend? CBA announcement? New stadium in Harrison, New Jersey? Season opener around the corner or the races in Europe and Mexico?

Check out foxsportshouston.com

*Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis tomorrow night on Sportstalk 790 Am Radio….
*Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute on Fox Sports Houston….foxsportshouston.com
* Twitter: Soccermattersgd

RED BULLS ROMP OVER SANTOS

It was the perfect capper to a day that started with the announcement that a collective bargaining agreement had been struck!
It was also a liberating day for MLS fans in New Jersey as the New York Red Bulls debuted in the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
A 3-0 win over Santos of Brazil was definitive and left fans in a postive mood at what looks to be an amazing stadium
Friends that I have in New Jersey that went to the game said the stadium was spectacular and thoroughly enjoyed the day!
Traffic problems were an issue and you could see on tv the field is far from totally ready but some problems had to be expected and in the future hopefully ironed out.

How important was this win? Tough to say but you have to put stock in a thing called ‘first impressions’. We remember that in Houston when professional soccer returned in 2006 on a night where Brian Ching scored four goals in front of over 20,000 fans. The win, the goals, the effort and the roll-out New Jersey in a positive manner was meaningful.
Despite missing a number of starter the Red Bulls produced goals from Joel Lindpere (Estonia midfielder), Mike Petke (what a moment for him) and former SAN JACINTO COLLEGE attacker Dane Richards.

I get the feeling that things are finally going to change in the Tri-State-Area and not just because of a new stadium. New coach Hans Backe and technical director Eric Soler look seem to be on top of it at this stage! MLS needs a strong franchise in the New York , New Jersey area.

FOCUS ON FC DALLAS

The Dynamo concluded their pre-season matches with a 3-1 win against Chivas USA in Santa Barbara, CA yesterday. The focus now is on FC Dallas this Saturday at 3pm in Frisco, TX. Who is heading up for the opener?

Harder Stadium, Santa Barbara, CA
Attendance: 1. 1,657

Scoring summary:

HOU–Dominic Oduro (Brian Ching) 51
HOU–Brad Davis (Brian Ching) 60
CHV–Yamith Cuesta (Gerson Mayen) 83
HOU–Adrian Serioux (Francisco Navas Cobo) 87

Dynamo lineup:

Tally Hall, Ryan Cochrane (Andrew Hainault, 53) Eddie Robinson, Bobby Boswell, (Adrian Serioux), Mike Chabala, Brian Mullan (Francisco Navas Cobo 80), Richard Mulrooney (Danny Cruz 88), Geoff Cameron, Corey Ashe (Brad Davis 59) Brian Ching, Dominic Oduro.

What are your thoughts on the Dynamo as they head into the 2010 MLS season?

Don’t forget Boca Jrs./River Plate today at 5pm on FSC!!!

The MLS season will start as scheduled to the relief of all. MLS Commissioner Don Garber, player association head Bob Foose, MLS players and representatives and mediator George Cohen should be commended for being flexible to compromise and get this CBA done. We all knew that any form of league in-activity through a strike, lock-out or work stoppage would have been disastrous for the entire sport in this country and it is clear that those involved studied the past problems of the NHL and MLB.
The momentum gathered by MLS can now continue in a World Cup year.
On a different and a more sobering reminder, Commissioner Garber mentioned that only two teams in MLS last year turned a profit in Seattle and Toronto.
Everyone else operated at a deficit.

Landon Donovan pointed out that in the future the players will be less combative towards the league as both sides have learned that they need to listen to each other.
MLS players apparently impressed Garber with their ideas which should not come as a surprise, relations between the two sides seem to be improved.

A positive day for the sport!!!

Highlights and notes:
*MLS Commissioner Don Garber commends Union representative Bob Foose, players and fans for their patience and effort.
*Garber says it would not have gotten done without mediator George Cohen.
*Five year agreement is solid and ultimately about fans. Foose thanks fans for standing by the league and players.
* Changes needed to be made to make MLS more competitive
* Negotiations were always about player rights according to Foose. Rights were the central them all along. Owner investment always respected.
* Joint role of increasing rights and pay plus keeping an eye on the bottom line
* Players are unified to making the league one of the best in the world

*Guaranteed contracts for most players in league, more free movement, Union and MLS will work as partners in the future.
*Mediator George Cohen stresses that both sides were focused on moving the game forward.

Garber: ” We recognized that free agency was the elephant in the room. Players will have greater rights at the end of their agreements but will not be free agents within the league.
Players out of contract at a certain age will go into re-entry draft. ”

“Best collective bargaining agreements end with compromise”- Bob Foose Players Union

“Pressure of deadlines tends to bring results”. Bob Foose

“Length of time and commitment to issues made for better end result”. Bob Foose

” We have not been through a process quite like this. The players got in Wednesday night and in this building until 2pm Thursday. We were in different rooms. We went article by article. This committee(player association) understood all the details, it was not fun, it was tiring but productive. I look forward to not doing this for five more years.” Don Garber

“The leadership of the players has been extraordinary”. Bob Foose

Five MLS players that were involved in the MLS Cup final were in a room in Seattle the next morning at 8:30 am for nine hours to discuss the CBA.

Compensation has been improved significantly for the players……

Are you relieved?

MLS and the Players Union have come to an agreement with MLS!!!! A new five year deal has been signed with details to come.
For now celebrate!!

This just came in…Major League Soccer will host a media teleconference call today, Saturday March 20th beginning at 12 central standard time with key individuals involved in the league’s collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
This announcement comes six days away from the opening of the MLS season this Thursday.
Lets hope this is good news.

Thoughts?

So today is the opening of what is another step up in stadiums according to those that I have been talking to. Red Bull Arena may just be the new standard bearer when it comes to ‘real’ soccer stadiums in the United States. Saturday’s match-up is against Santos of Brazil and the new look Red Bulls (5:30 FSC) are drawing a bit of attention. Having grown up going to New York Cosmos games at Giants Stadium, New Jersey is a rich soccer state. Yet the sport has always struggled in MLS whether as the Metrostars or the recent edition of the Red Bulls at Giants Stadium.
Former Cosmos goalkeeper Shep Messing will be calling the game on Madison Square Garden Network tomorrow night. Here is a quick Q&A that I conducted with him via phone:

GDavis: Is the stadium going to be the platform that finally brings takes professional soccer to another level in the tri-state area?

Shep Messing: I don’t think their is any question for soccer fans in the tri-state area that this is the most significant event in the last 30 years. I have questioned in the past the Metrostars and when the Red Bull took over. I have no question that this Red Bull ownership group plus a 200 million dollar stadium has them on the right path.
This ownership group have hired soccer people, built a soccer stadium for soccer fans. Historically for this franchise, this is the first time we have seen that.

GDavis: I get the stadium as a platform but many times this is believed to be the answer to alot of problems for clubs, is the product on the field going to be better?

Shep Messing: I think absolutely it will be better based on the last several months on what sporting director Eric Soler and manager Hans Backe have done. I am shocked how well these guys have done so far as they have adjusted. They look organized, disciplined. They want technical players. The guys on the team are tickled.

GDavis: Where do we see some of these changes?

Shep Messing: They have done a great job upgrading players. Role players have been brought in. They have always said they are going after a marquee player after the World Cup. They are building and look like they have a plan.

NOTE: Messing went on to say that Thierry Henry of France or Raul of Spain could be targets which have been rumored before. This makes sense with Henry potentially looking for a U.S. move. For that matter maybe Henry should consider Houston so he can be near his friend Tony Parker who plays for the San Antonio Spurs.

LOCAL NOTES:
*Dynamo in action today in Santa Barbara CA against Chivas USA whom are now headed up by Martin Vazquez. Doesn’t seem to be any coverage except maybe at Chivas website via twitter………
*Soccer and Dynamo supporters will rally today at the downtown stadium location East of Minute Maid Park at 1pm…….
* The Texian Army supporters group will be busing up to the Dynamo opening game at Pizza Hut Park next Saturday..to secure a place on the bus go to Texianarmy.org
Be a part of the traveling supporters group Texian Army style!

MY PICKS OF THE WEEKEND…..

Saturday: NEW YORK RED BULLS VS SANTOS (FSC 5:30 PM) Tune in to this if just to get a glimpse of the new Red Bull Arena. Then continue to dream of a stadium in Houston where one day you will convene to watch the Dynamo.

Sunday: MANCHESTER UNITED VS LIVERPOOL (8:30 AM) Need I say more?

RIVER PLATE VS BOCA JRS (FSC 5:30) The two Argentine giants have fallen on hard times in Argentina but this will still be an out and out war in one of the world’s most
passionate rivalries…..

Post your soccer thoughts on any subject from the youth game up to the professional game….What does your soccer weekend include?

Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis today at noon on Fox Sports Houston brought to you by MEMORIAL HERMANN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE and DANISH INSPIRATIONS CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE (MY APOLOGIES but FOX HAS TOLD ME THAT High School basketball pre-empted the show, it will air on Tuesday at 6:00pm)

Twitter: Soccermattersgd

YA MON JAMAICAN JOINS THE DYNAMO
The Dynamo have signed Jamaican midfielder Lovel Palmer. Palmer played for Harbour View in Jamaican and has represented the “reggae boyz” internationally 12 times setting a goal against Argentina in a 2-1 ‘friendly’ loss. He will occupy an international spot.
The central midfielder joins a stable of players capable in that position that includes Adrian Serioux, Geoff Cameron, Brad Davis, and others as the Dynamo seek out a combination to offset the losses of Ricardo Clark and Stuart Holden.
Do you like the signing of Palmer?

DEMPSEY again with a huge FULHMAM goal
Great news for U.S. soccer fans……Clint Dempsey chipped Juventus goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti in the 82nd minute to give the Cottagers an amazing 4-1 win over Juventus in the Europa League. Not only that, but that goal helped them win out on aggregate 5-4. Now Dempsey has scored hugely important goals in his career….who can forget the goal that he scored against Liverpool that helped them avoid relegation?
Juventus dropped by the sword of a kid from Nacogdoches!!!!!

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW……

March madness is a great time in college basketball, college players still have a sense of school pride and have yet to be ’spoiled’ by the lure of the NBA. Great upsets abound and schools that sometimes don’t get national attention are brought to the forefront.
I also love seeing the local story of UH making it to the dance!
As much as I like looking at the brackets and the tournament, nothing comes close to this stage of the Champions League for me. Teams are beginning to taste it and we are getting closer to the historic date in Madrid on May 22nd. So with that in mind, lets take a look at the Champions League draw which took place today at UEFA heaquarters in Nyon, Switzerland:

BAYERN MUNICH (Germany) vs. MANCHESTER UNITED (England)
I love this match-up which quickly brings us back to the famed 1999 final where the Red Devils scored twice in stoppage time to win 2-1. I will never forget Bayern’s bench already celebrating led by Lothar Mattheus swinging a white towel to the fans. With that win United completed their historic treble having also won the EPL title and the FA Cup.
I love this match-up that includes the top stars of Bayern in Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery while United has goal-scoring machine Wayne Rooney who at this moment is unstoppable.

LYON (France) vs. BORDEAUX (France)
The fact that two French squads face each other guarantees a semi-final place for a club representing Ligue 1. First time in six seasons that two French clubs have reached the quarterfinals and former French World Cup winner Laurent Blanc claims that the French Ligue1 is closing the gap on the rest of Europe.
Lyon eliminated star-studded Real Madrid while Bordeaux offed Olympiakos of Greece.
Remember names like Marouane Chamakh and Yoann Gourcuff of Bordeaux and Chelito Delgado (former Cruz Azul who played at Robertson a few times), Sidney Govou and Jean
Makoun of Lyon.

INTER MILAN (Italy) vs. CSKA MOSCOW
The quest for a Champions League trophy is now obsession in Milan for Inter. The ’special one ‘ Jose Mourinho (how great is this guy for soccer) pulled off another master-class in tactics eliminating Chelsea. Have you ever seen another coach in a tunnel greeting , shaking hands with his former teammates. All greeted Mourinho before the epic battle at Stamford Bridge except John Terry who was rumored to have helped his ouster. Mourinho got the last laugh and has the challenge of taking on the “mystery” of CSKA Moscow.
Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder is world class and shined against Chelsea and one to be watched at the next World Cup. Opponents will fear the tactics of Mourinho.
Milos Krasnic has four Champions League goals for CSKA Moscow.
First time to the quarterfinals for Inter in four seasons

ARSENAL (England) vs. BARCELONA(Spain)
Two aesthetically pleasing styles of football comes together in this one. This could be a purists delight and it is always interesting to see Barca up against English teams.
It also is a re-match of the 2006 final which Barcelona won 2-1 , so we have some history here. Remember Jens Lehmann ejection after bringing down Samuel Eto’o?
The reigning champions are looking to be the first team to repeat since AC Milan in 1988-89 and 1989-90. History in the making and did I mention…..Lionel Messi?

Notes: *England and France have two clubs remaining
*6 different countries represented

Your thoughts on the Champions League draw and predict a winner? Who at this point do you see lifting the Champions League trophy on May 22nd?

I will be back later with some thoughts on the Dynamo and some interesting insight from MSG announcer Shep Messing on the opening of the new Red Bull Arena which takes place tomorrow against Santos of Brazil whose star Robinho may not be available due to an injury it is rumored.

Twitter: Soccermattersgd and don’t forget to pay a visit to Foxsportshouston.com

Just a reminder…Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis today on Fox Sports Houston airs at 6:30 pm and is brought to you by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute…..Great goals (Roberto Carlos of Corinthians, you have to see it), interviews with 18 year old Francisco Navas Cobo and Strake Jesuit High School coach Bill McDonald, Strake Jesuit is undefeated and heading into the high school playoffs next week…….Catch the show on Comcast and ATT UVerse and highlights of it on Fox Sports Houston….twitter: Soccermattersgd

Fiesta Houston Unsung Soccer hero weekly on Dynamo All Access which airs on Sportstalk790 am radio….Do you know a hero? email me at gdavis98@swbell.net

DYNAMO 0 SAN JOSE 0

The exhibition match took place last night in San Jose.

Houston: Onstad, Waibel (Ustruck), Boswell, Robinson, Chabala (Barrett), Cruz (mullan), Serioux, Cameron, Ashe (Navas Cobo), Landin and Oduro.

San Jose: Cannon, Leitch, Hernandez, Burling, Corrales, Gjertsen, Robles, Ring, Convey, Alvarez, Johnson

Stats: Shots: Houston 5 SJ 7
On goal: Houston 0 San Jose 4
Fouls: Houston 7 San Jose 12
Corners: Houston 6 San Jose 6
offside: Houston 6 San Jose 1

Big note here is that Adrian Serioux played in the holding midfield role behind Geoff Cameron . Dominic Kinnear was ejected for dissent in a match that drew over 2000 fans according to San Jose twitter notes.

CREW OUSTED AT TOLUCA

The first ever MLS win in Mexico remains elusive as Toluca knocked the Columbus Crew out of the Concacaf Champions League 3-2.

Scoring summary:

45th+- Schelotto Crew
46th- Mancilla Toluca
57th- Sinha
7oth-Schelotto
71- Sinha

If you caught this on FSC you are reminded how difficult it is for MLS teams to get a result in a meaningful match in Mexico. Only Houston and DC to my knowledge have pulled off draws. Remember the Dynamo 4-4 draw at UNAM Pumas. Sinha , Hector Mancilla and Isaac Brizuela were active and dangerous all night long as Toluca and invidually and collectively were a huge challenged. Toluca also hit the post and crossbar 3 times during this match. Sinha produced two stunning free kicks against Columbus who battled bravely and made it difficult on the Mexican league club.
Crew striker Steven Lenhart was sent off for an off the ball incident not picked up by tv cameras.
Winning in Mexico seems although teams seem to be inching closer. It is difficult for MLS teams to jump into these competitve matches but is not and should not be an excuse despite the challenges. The same thing happens in the Superliga when Mexican teams come to the states where MLS squads tend to get the better of the results.
Thoughts on Concacaf Champions League and for MLS teams to ultimately win this trophy. Is it important?

MEXICO IN TORREON

Mexico rarely plays in it’s own country these days purely for financial reasons but did last night.
Scoring summary:
Mexico- C Blanco 51st
Korea Choe Kum Chol
Mexico Javier Hernandez 69th

The match was again one of analysis for coach Javier Aguirre and few stood out. Cuauhtemoc Blanco will go to the World Cup as a specialist and used in specific instances I believe.
Tell me why you wouldn’t take him? His is a talismanic personality for Mexico. Javier Hernandez should go based on his form and youthful contributions.
Guillermo Ochoa made a poor mistake but clearly is the number one for Aguirre no matter how many shout for the inclusion of Oswaldo Sanchez.
Did Braulio Luna earn a spot with his recent dip into the fountain of youth?
Your thoughts on this match ?

BARCELONA ROLL OVER STUTTGART

So much for the first leg 1-1 draw at Stuttgart. Back in the Camp Nou in front of 75,000 fans, Barcelona dominated every facet of yesterday’s champions league match against an over-matched Stuttgart. This was men against boys. Lionel Messi whether he shows up wide or central is simply amazing at Barcelona. Will this form be found with Argentina at the World Cup?
Mexican international Ricardo Osorio did not play for Stuttgart.

Scoring summary: Barca Mess 13th
Barca Pedro 22
Barca Messi 60
Barca Kirkic 89th

Tell me what else is on your soccer mind and don’t forget Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis today on Fox Sports Houston at 6:30 pm.