Manchester City knocked off Liverpool yesterday 3-0 behind two goals from Carlos Tevez . The word out of Liverpool is that Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano refused to play for the “reds”.
Speculation has stirred around him moving to another club and now Barcelona is being mentioned. Do we really think that new manager Roy Hodgson can keep the Argentine at Liverpool?
What are your thoughts on this past weekend in the EPL. Chelsea rolling, Manchester United leave points on the table. Thoughts?

STUART HOLDEN shines at Bolton
If you watched Stuart Holden in the 3-1 Bolton win over West Ham you had to be impressed. Holden helped to control the middle of the field, broke up plays, made intelligent use of the ball and got himself forward on a few timely occasions. He is sitting deeper for Owen Coyle providing the shield for his squad’s back four. I have always compared Holden to Claudio Reyna of the U.S. national team in that he has the canny ability to calm the game down like few other American players. All this from a kid who was never recruited heavily and missed out on state teams at the youth level.
I believe Holden will take his game to another level this year and put himself in real contention to play as a central midfield player at the international level. His athletic range improved immensely with the Dynamo and that combined with his skill set and soccer brain is making it all come together in the EPL. I look forward to his games against the big clubs in the EPL this year .

DYNAMO/COLORADO
Is this the moment of truth for the Dynamo at the Rapids this weekend? In order to truly capitalize on the home win over Chicago, it is time for the Dynamo to get a second consecutive win. Alot will be revealed this weekend at Altitude and on the larger surface at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. It would be wonderful to see this squad after a frustrating two thirds of the season go against conventional wisdom and go on a run towards the playoffs. Looking forward to this one on the weekend.

CAMERON
As for Geoff Cameron, why is it such a big surprise that he is listed at 40K? The figures are always available to the public on what players make? The Dynamo will need to put a great package together for this young man who in my opinion is the face of the franchise for the future. He is marketable, talented and from a playing perspective makes those around him better. Another huge piece for the Dynamo moving forward as they get into their new stadium.

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To say it has been a frustrating year for Brian Ching and the Dynamo is an understatement. To say it was perfect last night against Chicago is naive yet who cares, the Dynamo won and took a full three points to keep playoff hope and possibility alive.
To say the scoring of goals and getting the full three points was liberating was to say the truth!
For the moment the Dynamo and fans are reminded what winning feels like, like being satisfied after a great meal! Last night, the Robertson Stadium magic was back as the Dynamo made what should have been a far less complicated win, five star entertainment culminating with a Ching header in the 85th minute as the ultimate game winner in a back and forth night that featured spectacular goals, mistakes and own goals. Just call it the late, late show starring Brian Ching with supporting cast Geoff Cameron, Anthony Obodai and Brian Mullan.

Here is the scoring summary:

31st Hou Ching 1-0
50th Hou Palmer 2-0
55 Chi Carr 2-1
59 Chi Ching 3-1
70 OG Boswell 3-2
81 Conde 3-3
85 Ching 4-3

Game thoughts:

Overview: Chicago clearly came to defend deeper after playing on Wednesday and based on the make-up of a lineup that included two DP’s in Freddy Ljunberg and Nery Castillo.
Ljunberg was in the thick of things trying to make it happen on the counter attack sitting behind Brian Mcbride and hoping to get Marco Pappa and Castillo who was playing wide involved. The Fire looked fatigued and were lucky to get out at halftime only down 1-0 . Telling teams to defend deep sometimes is mistakenly taken as taking the foot of the peddle pressure wise on the ball and this is what it looked like to me. It also made the Fire the perfect opponent on this night. They gave the Dynamo room to get confidence in their passing game which is enhanced out of the back with Mulrooney and Cameron. Fire players Pappa and Castillo ( so unfit right now) were liabilities defensively out wide which gave the Dynamo some room and confidence to get a more wide play going. They clearly are trying to find a way to get all their attackers on the field, create a system and win all at the same time. We sometimes forget that the addition of new players no matter who they are take time integrate. In saying that though, it is flowing in New York with Henry, Marquez and Angel.
The Dynamo as always at home came out with energy and had a bold and vibrant start ultimately getting the game’s first goal which has been a rarity.

ANTHONY OBODAI- Obodai was solid shadowing Ljunberg, professional and made good use of the ball as he anchored the middle. When he went off injured in the second half he was clearly missed. The move put Richard Mulrooney into center midfield, with Andrew Hainault moving over to right back and Mike Chabala coming off the bench. The Dynamo struggled with the adjustment for a spell getting their shape correct even though Lovel Palmer scored a 50th minute free kick to make it 2-0. His hit went right through the legs of Fire defender Gonzalo Segares. Obodai clearly was a loss after going off.

GEOFF CAMERON- Still building a base of fitness, the future of the franchise and as I have mentioned before can he be cloned. His lateral cover at the back was superb and no one else as a center back on this squad is capable of that or has the athletic range . Cameron timed perfectly some tackles out of the middle on Ljunberg that killed off the counter attack. He is also a danger getting forward out of that position like no other in MLS and his choice when to do that are still a work in progress based on score and time but it is amazing that he is as influential as he is at this stage after surgery. He also makes the Dynamo a far more interesting and exciting team from that position! Third minute header crashed off the crossbar. The guy loves to play the game and he wears that on his shirt.

BRIAN MULLAN-He is bruised, battered and been knocked down more than Mike Tyson’s boxing opponents over the course of his career yet he is this shining example to many that regardless of what day it is or who an opponent is he comes to play. He has had fatigue issues as of late and just plows through them. An influential figure that does the little things even though he days as an out and out penetrator are over. Pretty nice having this guy out wide playing in front of you.

BRIAN CHING- What more can you say from a striker that is dependent upon what is around him. No different then Brian McBride of the Fire. He can still score goals if he has the right support system and his hat trick reminds us of the thrills he has provided at Robertson. His first goal he made slight contact with Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson and the rebound was spilled. His second was out of the “theatre of the imagination” much like his infamous bicycle kick against DC United, it was all instinct, timing and the desire to try something different and not be afraid of failure. Spectacular!!! Still, his third goal will not get the credit it deserves but going away from goal he still had to get enough power and accuracy to beat a very athletic young goalkeeper off his head. Ching doubled his 3 goals and now has 6 on the year but it was a liberating night for him personally as chances have not come easy this year.
On another note, the Ching bicycle kick goal NEEDS to be positioned as one of the SPORTS PLAYS OF THE YEAR in Houston. In the end it could be as exciting as anything we will see from the Astros, Texans and Rockets……………

PAT ONSTAD- The veteran and three time MLS goalkeeper of the year returned last night in goal. He has provided amazing Dynamo moments and has himself won games for this team over his career in Houston on his own. In MLS, you need a goalkeeper to bail you out a few times a year, earn you points and then be solid and stable.
Calen Carr’s goal in the 55th which was a response to a Palmer goal five minutes early was clearly savable. It was in and around Onstad’s hip but that is a save that he normally makes and should make. That goal gave a quick psychological response to a team at that point had one foot in the “last chance saloon”.

THE REAL QUESTION: Can this team truly go on a run? Do they have it in them? Not just want, but do they have the players and resiliency to actually get it done? Not taking anything away from an important win but the Fire could just have been the perfect opponent last night. Still, two games in a row the Dynamo have showed signs of moving forward in different areas
With Colorado up next and also desperate next weekend will tell us a-lot . Thoughts?

HOLDEN PERFORMANCE EXCELLENT FOR BOLTON
Yesterday I watched Stuart Holden in central midfield for Bolton against West Ham in their 3-1 win. Very impressed with his effort as a central midfielder sitting deep in front of the back four. Holden broke up plays, was tremendous as we have come to know with his decisions on the ball and linking up with others. Not only that, he did get in to the penalty area on a number of occasions. He is a two way midfielder that has the confidence of his manager Owen Coyle.
Fascinating from a player that didn’t get picked to All Star teams, was originally offered a developmental contract in MLS and under the tutelage of Dominic Kinnear and John Spencer grew his game . He also took his physical game to another level in front of our eyes here in Houston which has become the perfect compliment to his great skill set and soccer intelligence.
I have always likened Holden to Claudio Reyna, it is so valuable to have players that are comfortable on the ball in the middle of the field. Think how nice it is for Bolton defenders to know they can hit his feet after winning the ball. On another note, Paul Scholes of Manchester United is off to a great start and is keeping Michael Carrick on the bench under Sir Alex Ferguson. Chelsea fans are reveling in their goal scoring machine Didier Drogba who looks unstoppable despite the two week sides they have started with. Wigan manager Roberto Martinez was interesting on the World Cup during Espn broadcasts but his Wigan side is a good bet to get relegated and are getting ripped to shreds these days. Thoughts on Holden and other EPL results.

*Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis brought to you by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute on Sports Talk 790 AM debuts on August 31 and will air every Tuesday from 7-8 pm.

*Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis this Monday features interviews with Brian Ching, HBU mens coach Steve Jones, UH womens coach Susan Bush and Dynamo midfielder Lovel Palmer. Show airs 7-9pm Monday.

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Here is the lineup for the English Premier League this weekend (home teams listed first) :

Saturday:

Arsenal vs. Blackpool- After stunning result 4-0 over Wigan last weekend, they get brought back to earth by Arsenal.
Birmingham vs. Blackburn
Everton vs. Wolverhampton- U.S. goalkeeping battle between Howard of Everton and Hahnemann of Wolverhampton
Stoke City vs Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwhich Albion vs Sunderland
West Ham United vs. Bolton- Stuart Holden vs Hammers
Wigan Athletic vs. Chelsea- Wigan trying to gain form against defending Champions

Sunday:
Newcastle vs. Aston Villa
Fulham vs. Manchester United- United at Craven Cottage

Monday
Manchester City vs. Liverpool- Game of the weekend with City getting home against Steven Gerrard and the Reds.

DYNAMO VS CHICAGO (tickets at FIESTA TICKET MASTER LOCATIONS and HOUSTONDYNAMO.com

Overview: Dynamo are in grave danger of missing the playoffs. Some fans may have been resigned to the fact that this team will not get post-season action.
Squad took a jump up with better team shape and defending against the NE Revolution on the road. Fluke goal from Stolica after a Sanna Nyassi mis-hit was the difference.
Geoff Cameron added much to the squad stabilizing the back a bringing a greater defensive confidence. He should continue there with Bobby Boswell in front of Pat Onstad who will return in goal. It is no coincidence that the injury to Cameron is related to the poor record since the Dynamo who were at one time at 5-4-1 May 22nd.
The real issue for the Dynamo remains the lack of chances they are creating in games and their predictable nature. Little impact out wide and lack of pentration have dogged this team throughout the year.
Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear has remained positive and training sessions still bring the same work ethic. The squad on Thursday worked on creating chances in the last third and it would be a huge confidence boost if they could get the games first goal. The Dynamo have played under pressure this year always chasing games and rarely with the cushion of a lead.

Star man Dynamo: Right now it is clearly GEOFF CAMERON whose first start in New England helped the team grow a few inches

Star man Fire: New acquisition Freddy Ljunberg the former Arsenal star now in his preferred central midfield role.

Position by position:

Goalkeeping: Young, athletic 21 year old Sean Johnson has displaced Andrew Dykstra for Fire. Onstad returns from injury for Tally Hall who has been solid.

Defenders: Cameron provides the perfect foil to Boswell, Dynamo should go with Mulrooney and Hainault out wide despite availability of Mike Chabala.
C.J. Brown could be a target for the Dynamo to get at in the middle who is partnered by All Star Wilman Conde. Gonzalo Segares has returned to left back for the
Fire.

Midfield: Can Dynamo get wide play from Danny Cruz, Brian Mullan with Cory Ashe out. How many minutes can the indefatigable Mullan give? Obodai and Palmer hold down the middle with Palmer trying to make the deeper runs in support of strikers. Can they change the tempo of their attacks? Chicago is now built around central midfielder Freddy Ljunberg but Baggio Husidic and Marco Pappa a MLS All Star can also bring damage. Logan Pause as holding midfielder is the new Chris Armas.

Forwards: Who will partner Brian Ching? Either the pace of Dominic Oduro an early season favorite or the less than striking Joseph Ngwenya. Can he regain that 2007 form after inactivity for two years in Europe? Can Ching get service that he can attack ?
Brian McBride is a good target and can be a great wall for Freddy Ljunberg to play off.

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If you don’t have plans tonight a trip to College Station just might be in order as the college season gets underway.

The Texas AM women under G Guerrieri get another season underway lacking only one thing: a coveted national championship.
UNC under Anson Dorrance has dominated the womens game over the year’s and comes in to the beautiful Aggie Soccer Complex tonight.
The Aggies are one of the top if not the top drawing college soccer program in the country but with school not yet in session they are expecting in the neighborhood of 3000 fans to show up. Last year’s crowd was 8,204 fans for the Tar Heels visit.
The Aggies and Tar Heels have traditionally played competitive matches that generally are decided by a goal or have gone in to overtime. Expect nothing less tonight as they women will come out of pre-season flying for real competition.
Did I say the Aggie Soccer Complex is amazing!!!

The game is a part of a weekend tournament called the Aggieland Invitational.

“The Aggieland invitational features 4 teams that made the NCAA tourney last year, including the Tar Heels, which won the National Championship right here in College Station. So we are expecting great doubleheaders on Friday night and Sunday afternoon,” said Guerrieri.

The Aggie coach also likes using UNC as a measuring stick for the upcoming season.
“Playing the defending national champs at our place in the season opener is something we have done in the past. I think it gives us a great, early season evaluation of ourselves and puts us in great position to win a huge game.”

The Aggies have won numerous Big 12 Championships but the big prize and the NCAA College Cup has been elusive. Could this be the year for the Aggies and what are your thoughts on the college game and our local teams like UH, Rice, San Jacinto and Houston Baptist University?
Do you follow the college game ?

Dynamo vs Chicago preview tomorrow……..FIESTA SMART SOCCER TIPS WITH GLENN DAVIS, DANISH INSPIRATIONS CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE…….MEMORIAL HERMANN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE presents Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on August 31st………..ZUKOWSKI, BRESENHAN AND SINEX the law firm!! Sip the luscious AVALON CABERNET from the Napa Valley!!!

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