If you have never heard of the San Antonio Scorpions, Charlotte Eagles, Harrisburg City Islanders, Carolina RailHawks, Michigan Bucks, Dayton Dutch Lions you may have now.

All got maybe their most important wins of the season as the knocked out MLS teams last night.

Being in San Antonio the Dynamo game was destined to be a difficult match.
Highly motivated opponent in the Scorpions with 7 former MLS players , artificial surface at Heroes Stadium filled with football lines, and a Dynamo lineup that included players with few or no minutes this year and need experience.

Tyler Deric (solid in goal, protected the area outside his box all night wonderfully), Warren Creavalle, Oscar Recio, Alex Dixon (threatening moments coming into the interior of midfield), all got starts. While first year players like Colin Rolfe, Brian Ownby got opportunity.

The Dynamo starting lineup looked like this: Deric, Recio, Boswell, Sturgis, Creavalle at the back. In midfield Clarke, Camargo, Moffat, Dixon, Kandji, and Weaver up front.

The physical game was decided on a penalty kick which Hans Denissen from the Netherlands converted .

The Dynamo may have had the edge in possession but San Antonio seemed to create the better chances at night’s finish.

The game was a balance of trying to get a result plus getting playing time and assess some of the Dynamo players right know who still remain unknown as to how they would respond in an MLS game.
Lack of quality and consistent games is still a problem in MLS and the reserve league frankly is only a band aid. A night like last night was very important for the Dynamo coaching staff and those getting experience in front of a great crowd in San Antonio.

The Scorpions set up and fans was impressive as a great crowd turned out.
They have gathered excellent PR and are opening up the eyes of MLS as to a potential site down the road.

At games end their owner Gordan Hartman was on the field hugging players along with president Michael Hitchcock . Take nothing away, this was a big night for the Scorpions getting a result over the Dynamo.

Next up for the Dynamo is Valencia this Thursday and more opportunity for those in need of playing time to get a run in it would seem. Fact is, young players on the Dynamo could benefit greatly from getting playing time on loan in the NASL yet a stretch now comes where the Dynamo will be missing players due to international duty.

A shocker this was not as every year MLS teams are knocked out.

Are you disappointed in the Dynamo exit from the Open Cup ?
Is it really a tournament of importance in the big scheme for MLS teams?

UNITED STATES / BRAZIL ON INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY AT 7PM

After ripping Scotland to shreds 5-1 the U.S. National team challenges go up a few notches tonight against Brazil from Washington D.C.
The road of preparation continues for Jurgen Klinsmann and the U.S. towards their Concacaf World Cup qualifier opener against Antigua and Barbuda.

Many were quick to go real critical on Jurgen Klinsmann in the beginning when the U.S. failed to get some early results at the start of his coaching tenure.
Tonight will be another great, telling test and it will be interesting to see the U.S. go into this game after the positive performance against Scotland.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

When the Dynamo game concluded against the LA Galaxy in winning 2-1 fashion I quickly went to the performance of JeVaughan Watson in midfield and Jermaine Taylor at center back.
The Jamaicans were solid on a day of grunting it out in tough, hot , humid weather.

Watson has been criticized by fans for undisciplined mistakes and choices in the past but on this night he was as professional as we have seen him. His power and strength was a good match for Adam Moffat in midfield and he was far more controlled, and composed with the ball.

Taylor in the absence of Geoff Cameron proved that the Dynamo can play without the big man.
His aerial game was strong, he we was committed and timely in the tackle and he is in his best phase as a Dynamo over the course of his time as a starter.

Watson got the start over Brazilian Luiz Camargo whom the Dynamo hope to get more out of.
Will Camargo wrap his arms around the midfield position and make it his own is a real question? For now he has real competition for Watson who adds the work ethic.

National team call ups are going to play heavy into the Dynamo in coming weeks with Taylor, Watson, Andre Hainault (great response getting back in lineup with goal), and Geoff Cameron who got a full 90 minutes for the U.S. against Scotland which is a good sign.

Expect to see some players with little playing time get opportunity in San Antonio tomorrow night against the Scorpions and Thursday against Valencia.

Dynamo All Access and Soccer Matters presented by Ironman this week are pre-empted.
We get back to our normal schedule in one week on Sports Talk 790.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

The United States men’s national team rolled over Scotland 5-1 at the former Gator Bowl in Jacksonville.
Forty four thousand plus fans were treated to a dominating performance by the U.S. that featured domination over Scotland in the middle third of the field that led to Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley and company to find huge space to run at the Scottish defense.
Here are a few thoughts:

LANDON DONOVAN- just when we might be saying he is dis-interested in MLS, he absolutely ravages Scotland for 3 goals and 2 assists. Donovan remains a huge piece for the next World Cup and the U.S. national team.
Lets hope the man gets out of LA and heads overseas to Everton, I would love to seem him as a regular in the EPL week in and week out.

MICHAEL BRADLEY-they may call him the “General” for Chievo and he may just be becoming that with the U.S. He was outstanding last night with his decision making and execution. The man truly does relish playing for the U.S.
Best thing that ever happened to him was not being coached by his pop and now playing in the Serie A. Best is yet to come with a maturing Bradley.

GEOFF CAMERON- might have lost Scottish striker who pulled off him on the own goal but this was a significant night for the Dynamo CB. Cameron played against two experienced Scottish strikers in Shaun Maloney and Kenny Miller.
Read into the fact that Jurgen Klinsmann gave him the full 90 at CB with play alongside both Carlos Bocanegra and Oguchi Onyewu.
Klinsmann is full aware that they have to get more athletic at the CB position.

FABIAN JOHNSON-looks like the U.S. have found a left back.

KLINSMANN- Lets face it, everybody and their mother overreacted with initial results. So in this case lets not go overboard on the win over Scotland.
Lets just say progress is being made and we are letting a coach have some time to get his team right in his eyes before World Cup qualifying.

Thoughts on the U.S. win ?

DYNAMO/LA

The Dynamo put in the grit and determination against LA under incredibly difficult conditions. It was impressive to say the least and the soccer/Dynamo culture continues to grow and it is exciting! Enjoyed my time with fans and taking in the game not to mention a wall to wall call in show post game showing that fans have opinion, wants and excitement around our game!!!

DID IT WITHOUT CAMERON-While Geoff Cameron was getting 90 minutes in a win over Scotland the Dynamo learned that their back four on this day could operate effectively with Jermaine Taylor partnering Bobby Boswell in the middle.
If in fact Geoff Cameron were to move on to Europe in the transfer window the Dynamo showed that they can adapt at the back.
Problem is in the future is that many will be off to World Cup qualifying including Cameron, Taylor, and Hainault.
Significant to the play of the back four was a hard-working midfield four that worked incessantly.

RETURN OF ANDRE- Hainault had lost his starting spot to Jermaine Taylor at outside back but with Cameron gone to national team duty Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear had the Canadien back in the lineup.
He responded wonderfully as a coach and player would want.
The icing was a spectacular on the move header at the near post off a great Brad Davis corner. The goal would prove to be the game winner.

WATSON/ TAYLOR STRONG PERFORMANCE
Many have come down hard on J Watson but this was his most professional and accountable performance as a Dynamo in the middle. The man worked incredibly hard in tandem with Adam Moffat to set the tone out of the middle.
He was responsible and more wise on the ball.
This is a good thing in that it increased competition between he and one Luiz Camargo.
Taylor was excellent at the back along with Boswell winning everything in the air and committed to timely tackles.

ASHE
Good day for Cory Ashe out wide getting into the attack as he more often tried to beat people wide as opposed to coming inside. His delivery was strong and he gave both Will Bruin and Brian Ching chances to score goals.

BECKHAM
No doubt he proved to be the focal point of the LA attack.
Credit Beckham because he made the day interesting with his vast array of amazing passes. Would have loved to see his frustration towards referees etc. turned into leadership of his own teammates.

Everyone went home happy and the Dynamo now look ahead to San Antonio in the Open Cup on Tuesday and Valencia of Spain on Thursday.

MVP: MarySarah for here rendition of the national anthem.

Thoughts on the Dynamo win over LA?

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

BBVA Compass Stadium hosted it’s first ever international match last night as El Salvador and New Zealand provided the entertainment in a 2-2 draw.

With youth on display and a game that was very open due to the nature of being a friendly the game provided some good moments.

El Salvador striker Rafael Burgos played a part in both goals including the opener when he lobbed goalkeeper Mark Paston who had raced out beyond the 18 in the 13th minute. The goal drove the El Salvador fans wild.

Only 15 minutes later in the 28th minute Ian Hogg who was debuting for New Zealand scored a wonderful goal into the far side netting from an angle past El Salvador goalkeeper Benji Villalobos.
It looked as though Hogg might have stumbled while driving into the penalty area but he regained his balance to strike his finish perfectly.

The second half would see Burgos strike a ball with power from an angle in the box that would deflect in off NZ defender Michael Boxall to make it 2-1.

Kosta Barbarouses would provide the game tying goal after an initial chance was saved by side footing past Villalobos.

The 2-2 scoreline provided the entertainment for the nationalistic El Salvador crowd.

Dennis “Pitbull” Alas in midfield and Rafael Burgos would be my picks for MOTM for El Salvador. Former Mayde Creek striker Arturo Alvarez was injured and did not play for El Salvador.

New Zealand brought on 17 year old Cameron Howieson in the second half as both teams substituted liberally.

Another good night at the BBVA Compass Stadium ahead of the Dynamo/LA which is sold out this Saturday.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

The “designated player” category was devised by MLS to allow teams to invest heavily in a player with it counting less against the salary cap.
A salary cap that is meager at $2.7 million dollars compare to teams around the world.

Designated player or DP are terms tossed around loosely and it is time for the Dynamo fan to drop it from their vocabulary. That is, unless you just want a name player in Houston that will take those large dollars to acquire.

So, for instance, if you would like Alessandro Del Piero to come to Houston then you just might want to use the term “designated player” because it will take that type of money to acquire the Juventus star. Personally I don’t seem him a good fit in Houston based on his age and the challenges of playing in MLS.

If it were for example Mexican attacking players Gio Dos Santos, Pablo Barrerra or Marco Fabian it might be another story but in the end a star player must make sense both on and off the field to the organization.
Economic sense comes in to play here in a brand new stadium I would imagine and with three owners making investment they all have to agree upon a dp.
AEG owner Tim Lieweke may have said go “big” but who knows what the other owners feel although Oscar De La Hoya who will be in Houston this weekend mentioned the word DP recently.

For me I am not concerned with a “designated player”, I would love to see players that can platform the Dynamo to the next level of potential in the summer transfer window.
So lets worry less about players with “name” and more about players with ability that are the right fit.
If he happens to have a “name” that is ok also.

Would you like to see the Dynamo add an additional wide player that is more of a traditional winger to help further unlock the potential of strikers?
Would you like to see the Dynamo add a striker that is a threat to get behind defenses to add to the current stable of strikers?

When Freddy Montero (Seattle), Fabian Espindola (RSL), David Ferriera (FC Dallas), Juninho (LA) , Saer Senn (NE) all came to MLS they were not designated players yet they were players that have catapulted their clubs to the next level.

It is about acquiring the right players, players that can be impactful.
After all the Dynamo have stated they are constantly on the look for players that can improve their team and want to make a move in the summer transfer window.

You the fan are on top of it.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

ROAD TRIP
Are you heading to San Antonio this coming Tuesday for the Dynamo /San Antonio Scorpions? The Scorpions defeated Laredo Heat with former Dynamo Kevin Harmse scoring setting up this Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup match.

EL SALVADOR/NEW ZEALAND
Who is in tonight at BBVA Compass to see El Salvador and New Zealand in the first ever international game at the new stadium! Tickets available at Fiesta Ticketmaster.
Also, the DYNAMO V LA is sold out this weekend. Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane will not be in attendance due to national team call ups but for you fashionistas and lovers of the “pass” David Beckham will.