Twitter: Soccermattersgd

Podcast of Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis is up…go to sportstalk790.com, click podcasts, click Glenn Davis..

DONOVAN BACK IN LA
The ten week loan for Landon Donovan at Everton is over for the moment.
Forty eight hours after playing in his final match of his loan period against Birmingham, LD was back on U.S. soil and training.
According to an article on the Everton website Donovan will meet the U.S. press today.

“It was beneficial for him,” said LA manager Bruce Arena. “Probably more mentally than the games themselves because he always had the tools to be able to compete at that level.
He demonstrated more to himself that he can do that. I think he comes back a more confident player.”

You think?

What England has it what MLS and the sport in this country is striving for: Healthy media/ fan pressure plus the daily pressure of performing within your club to get a place in your team on the weekend. These are two fundamental pieces that has to continue to grow in the U.S. in order for the sport at the professional level to improve.
It was fascinating watching Donovan compete against the best of the EPL and produce in an environment where not every teammate was looking to him to lead the way. His role in England was defined in a much different way than in MLS and how quickly he took to it was amazing.
I for one will miss watching Donovan in the EPL but if the strike occurs, one would expect Donovan to be on his way back to the Toffees.

SOCCER MATTERS WITH GLENN DAVIS ON FOX SPORTS HOUSTON BROUGHT TO YOU BY MEMORIAL HERMANN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE

Here are the show airtimes for this week:

Thursday 18th 6:30 pm
Friday 19th 12:00 pm
Tuesday 23rd 6:00pm

This week show features an interview with Dynamo 18 year old midfielder Francisco Navas Cobo who is in a whirlwind after signing with the Dynamo and now being called up to the U.S. national u20 team for the Dallas Cup.

Also on the show is Strake Jesuit College Prep head coach Bill McDonald. His squad is undefeated and ranked nationally and bringing attention locally to the high school scene.
Many of you ask for more high school coverage so if you have information that you would like out there than get it to me.

Top ten goals, viewer mail and much more on this weeks edition including the reasons why England’s Wayne Rooney is the number one striker in the world in my opinion.
We break down his various qualities.

This show is available on Comcast and ATT UVERSE cable systems and I urge you to let people know about the programming which I believe is important.
Being on Fox Sports Houston locally and next to the Astros, Texans and Rockets is important for your sport, the sport of soccer. This show also ties together the game at various levels with local stories , the Dynamo and MLS and of course the game in the big picture with information and highlights from around the world.
Also, you can see clips of the show at Foxsportshouston.com plus blogs from both myself and Bobby Boswell of the Dynamo. Lets show Foxsportshouston that we are passionate about the sport and that we want to be a big part of their programming!

SOCCER ON THE TUBE TODAY (my choices)

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Barcelona vs. Stuttgart 2pm FSC
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Bordeaux vs. Olympiakos 5pm FSC
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Crew at Toluca 7pm FSC
COPA LIBERTADORES Monterrey vs. Once Caldas 10 pm FSE

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Inter Milan knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League with a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge . Inter and their manager Jose Mourinho advance on aggregate 3-1.
So what to think of this match? Here are my thoughts:

*Jose Mourinho put out a solid team which included three strikers that helped to occupy the Chelsea defenders. Dutchman Wesley Sneijder put on a passing master class and hit a few passes that were out of the “school of imagination’. He truly was a pleasure to watch on the ball in this match. He remained the only person on this day that was able to open the game up via the pass in an influential way at timely moments. Inter remained composed and selective as to when they committed people forward into the attack and most every dangerous move included a Sneijder pass.
In the end they were the better team making a huge statement at a time Italian football needs some notoriety.

* Samuel Eto’o and Goran Pandev were hesitant in their finishing and in some ways kept Chelsea in the game. Yet in the end, it would be Eto’o who would produce the game’s killer goal and become a hero to the 4000 traveling Inter fans.

* Chelsea enjoyed their best spells of pressure at the end of the first half and in the early stages of the second but it seemed throughout the night something was missing. Drogba was resigned to frustration and proved dangerous on only a few occasions with his counter-part Nicolas Anelka . Drogba would get sent off for stepping on Thiago Motta who spent much of the match time wasting.

*Superstar Chelsea midfielder went missing on this day.

*I respect the soccer playing ability of John Terry, but does a game end these days without him whining and moaning to a referee?

Here is what Jose Mourinho said to the press prior to this match:

“It will be special for me to bring my team to the next stage. Chelsea is not special, tomorrow after the game I will be the special one. We know that,” Jose Mourinho Inter Milan manager.

Yes, the “special one” called it.

STRIKE RIDICULOUS ACCORDING TO AEG EXECUTIVE

AEG Chief Executive officer Tim Leiweke has spoken out on the threat of a players strike to the Los Angeles Times newspaper.
He has called a player strike “ridiculous.”

“Here’s our issue, and I am speaking on behalf of AEG,” Leiweke said.. “We have spent to the tune of $300 million on soccer. We have spent money on facilities. We at one point owned 6 of the 10 teams to keep the league alive. I don’t even know how to react when I hear the players now saying that we have treated them poorly and they’re going to strike. The fact is, the Galaxy isn’t going to make money this year. There are only a couple of MLS teams that will make money this year.

“So when I hear them talk about striking and shutting the league down, I’ve got to tell you, they’re going to lose us when the talk like that. We do this out of passion. If this were a business, we would have quit this 10 years ago.”

Inter Milan at Chelsea (2:30 Fox Sports Espanol)

Inter Milan hold a 2-1 aggregate lead heading into the second leg today at Stamford Bridge. Both of these clubs are obsessed with winning the Champions League and both managers were hired to do just that. Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho have squared off in the Milan Derby when Ancelotti was at AC Milan and have a genuine dislike for each other.
Jose Mourinho comes back to the home of the club he formerly coached and achieved Premier League success. In typical Mourinho fashion he is calling today just another match.
Far from it, he has a huge burning desire to knock off his former club.

The last time these two teams met the central defensive pairing of Lucio and Walter Samuel were excellent against the strike pair of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. Can they have a repeat performance against this duo of skill, power and movement?
Inter Milan was thrashed on the weekend by lowly Catania 3-1 while Chelsea destroyed West Ham 4-1 on two goals by Didier Drogba. These two teams head into this match after two very different domestic league games.

Key men: Wesley Sneijder, Lucio, Walter Samuel, Diego Militio, Mario Balotelli and Julio Cesar for Inter Milan
Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka

Post your thoughts and running commentary here today…….

SOCCER MATTERS WITH GLENN DAVIS TODAY ON FOX SPORTS HOUSTON PRESENTED BY MEMORIAL HERMANN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE ….at 5:30 pm…catch it after the Champions League matches….Former Dutch National team goalkeeper Jan van Beveren on the U.S./ Netherlands and more……

twitter: Soccermattersgd

Twitter: Soccermattersgd

Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis tonight on Sports Talk 790 Am radio from 7-9pm

Guests: Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear
Columbus Crew striker Steven Lenhart fresh off two goals against Toluca
New York Red Bulls representative on the opening of Red Bull Arena Saturday when they take on Santos of Brazil
New Dynamo Adrian Serioux

Call in number 713-212-5790, streaming live at mlsnet.com

STRAKE JESUIT UNDEFEATED

A great local story here as the Strake Jesuit Crusaders are undefeated with a record of 21-0-1 and ranked number four the national poll conducted by Espn.
Strake Jesuit’s first playoff game is Tuesday March 23rd against Seven Lakes High School from Katy and will be played at Crusader Stadium at Strake Jesuit, 8900 Bellaire Blvd.
Strake Jesuit is coached by former Houston Dynamo’s player Bill McDonald . Check this one out on Tuesday the 23rd.
Are you a fan of high school soccer , club or both?

HERCULEZ SCORES

Herculez Gomez formerly of the LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids scored on a diving header this past weekend for Puebla in Mexican league play against Monterrey.
His diving header helped to earn Puebla a draw. What I loved about this goal is that the Puebla fans went nuts as Gomez jumped over the advertising boards.
Good to see a former MLS player at work in Mexico and I am sure that he feels a bit more secure based on the MLS potential strike situation.

JOZY HAS A NEW MANAGER

U.S. international and Hull striker Jozy Altidore will have a new manager as Phil Brown was fired after a 2-1 loss to Arsenal this past weekend. Brown’s assistant coaches will manage the squad until a new manager is named.

THIS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH NOT TO BE MISSED………

Inter Milan and Jose Mourinho are headed to London to take on Chelsea holding a 2-1 Champions League lead. What makes this interesting is that Inter Milan are coming off a poor result this past weekend losing to Catania 3-1 in the Serie A. Sure, the focus and reason Mourinho was brought to Inter was to win the Champions league, but getting knocked out of the champions league will only swirl the rumors of him leaving to the EPL or LA LIGA. Manchester City, Liverpool and Real Madrid have all been offered as possible destinations for ‘the special one’.
Meanwhile Chelsea destroyed West Ham 4-1 behind two goals from Didier Drogba. Better be a bit of Mourinho magic on display if Inter are to advance to the quarterfinals over Chelsea. The quarterfinal draw will take place this Friday.

Soccer Matter with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston tomorrow at 5:30 pm brought to you by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute….

Twitter: Soccermattersgd

BECKHAM INJURED

We have all been asking the question about David Beckham and if he should go to record fourth World Cup for England?
Beckham’s attempt at a record fourth World Cup (he would be the first player to go to four) is in doubt after he tore his achilles tendon in a 1-0 win over Chievo today.
According to Milan physician, Jean Pierre Meersseman he will fly to Finland on Monday for surgery as told to Sky Sports Italia. Finland? Maybe they are experts in achilles tendon injuries but that would be news to me.
Beckham with the ball at his feet, crumpled to the ground by himself after he shifted weight as it appeared he quickly realized he had a problem in the dying minutes of the match.

“David understood immediately that he had torn his achilles tendon. When the tendon breaks, everything comes away and the muscle starts to rise. I felt great pity for him. This injury has been a heavy blow for him and for us. Unfortunately the party is ruined.”
Initial reports had Beckham out for three months but he is now expected to face close to nine months out. I am not sure who is making that timeline but that will also then have him miss the entire MLS season if it is true. The entire MLS season………..
Thoughts?

DYNAMO 1 AUSTIN AZTEX 0

Dynamo midfielder Geoff Cameron scored the game’s lone goal in the 84th minute as the Dynamo defeated the Aztex 1-0.
The squad will train in Houston briefly and then host the Dynamo Charities Season Kickoff luncheon on Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency downtown from 11:30 am to 1pm.
The Dynamo then head to California to take on San Jose on March 17 and Chivas USA on March 20th before their 2010 MLS opener at FC Dallas on March 27. Of course the possibility of players strike still looms based on all we are hearing in the press.
Notworthy from this game is that Luis Landin, Francisco Navas Cobo and Sammy Appiah all played a full 90 minutes. Adrian Serioux went 76 minutes.
Both Brian Ching and Brad Davis were held out.
The San Jose Earthquakes will be heading back from London, England and Tottenham Hotspur in England where they have been training under extremely cold conditions.
The match against the Dynamo will take place at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco.

SOCCER MATTERS WITH GLENN DAVIS JOB OPPORTUNITY
Soccer Matter with Glenn Davis is seeking out an experienced sales person willing to work on a commission basis in the area of tv sponsorship.
For more details….gdavis98@swbell.net

*Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute this Tuesday 5:30 pm (Comcast and ATT Uverse), follow us at twitter: Soccermattersgd

*Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis this Monday night from 7-9pm on Sports Talk 790 AM radio…Sportstalk790am.com or MLSNET.com..show also accessed at Houstondynamo.com

*Smart Soccer Tips with Glenn Davis brought to you by FIESTA

WORLD CUP NOTES

* Dutchman Guus Hiddink (How many teams does he coach?) could be the coach of the Ivory Coast in the World Cup providing he can break a contract he currently has with Russia who failed to get to South Africa.
All of this is amazingly interesting with other getting in line to get the gig that was vacated by Bosnian Vahid Haliihodzic who was fired after a poor African Nations Cup in January. Hiddink and his agent will hope to get out of the Russian contract to proceed with an agreed deal with the Ivory Coast. If not the word is that Frenchman Phillipe Troussier is the next in line.

*RONALDINHO is confident of securing a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad yet Brazilian manager Dunga seems less than enthusiastic.
Ronaldinho disappointed at the 2006 World Cup and at the 2008 Olympics and has been linked to a high octane party schedule. He is definetly lobbying his inclusion through the media at this point. Should Brazil pick Ronaldinho? Is Dunga just being stubborn or is Kaka, Pato, Luis Fabiano enough?

*Good to see Texas native, CLINT DEMPSEY back on the field recently for Fulham against Juventus in the Europa league. The U.S. has some clear injury problems that will come down to an issue with time if they are to be resolved

CHECK THESE GAMES OUT ON THE TUBE………

Saturday: 8pm Chivas vs. UNAM Telemundo
10pm America vs. Atlante Telemundo (delayed)

Sunday: 8:30 am Manchester United vs. Fulham Fox Soccer Plus
8:30 Am Livorno vs. Roma FSC
1:00 pm Barcelona vs. Valencia Espn2
3pm Real Madrid vs Valladolid Goltv
5pm River Plate vs. Huracan FSC

Give us your commentary on these games or others…..

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………..

Scoring summary: Rooney 13th Manchester United
Rooney 46 Manchester United
Park 59 Manchester United
Fletcher 88 Manchester United

AC Milan are heading out of the city of Manchester totally outclassed as United destroyed them 4-0 in Champions League play to advance to the quarterfinals.
United dominated every facet of the game and once again Wayne Rooney produced a performance worthy of the moment. Amazingly, Rooney now has 30 goals this year as he remains unstoppable in world football.
The pace of play from United was never matched and Rooney’s goal inside of a minute in the second half was the killing blow to AC Milan.
David Beckham’s return ends up being the sideshow to the man of the hour Wayne Rooney.

Former Dynamo, Adrian Serioux is headed back to the Houston Dynamo according to the Toronto Sun.
Serioux was traded to the Dynamo for a 2011 draft pick. The trade is expected to be announced in the next few days and brings the return of a member of the 2006 MLS Cup champions.
I like this trade as Serioux can play a variety of positions including central midfield, has an ‘edge’ to his game not to mention is a good passer of the ball.

Serioux is clearly unhappy with the way this trade has come down from the Toronto side.
“What bothered me most was hearing I was released. They just went about it shady, , making it look like they had the upper hand, I was out of contract,” said Serioux.
It is obvious that Serioux did not fit in new coach Preki’s plans. Serioux played last year in 26 games.
It is a bitter break for the native of Canada and one hopes he can come to Houston with that ‘edge’ to produce.

What do you think of this move?