Out in Seattle the Sounders fan base proved out that soccer can draw anywhere, anytime in their city.

I remember calling a noon kickoff in Seattle for Espn and going to the stadium at 10 am while watching fans congregate around the then Qwest Field.
Fast forward to your Houston Dynamo and soccer in H-Town.

The opener against DC United sold out and was an afternoon game. Portland sold out and was a Tuesday night game, today LA sells out with a 2pm kickoff.

The fact is all these successes are now going to be considered the the “benchmark”. Yes, the stadium is the star, yes it is being marketed like crazy and why not?

It is not an exact science any of this but what we do know is that it raises the bar. You the fan have helped to raise the bar.

Today is another huge opportunity for the sport of soccer and the Dynamo. Newbies in attendance can be influenced whether they know alot about soccer or not. Lets hope the day lives up to the moment and the Dynamo send people home happy with a few goals and a win. LA seems to be the perfect opponent.

Wednesday 14,000 El Salvador fans were at BBVA Compass for their 2-2 draw against New Zealand. I spoke with many and the night was theirs nationalistically. Some are Dynamo fans but when I looked out at all the blue and white jerseys I saw potential, grand potential.

Today an organizational benchmark set again!

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

The Houston Chronicle web page has photos of David Beckham in his underwear from his H&M adverts ahead of an article on soccer.

This is the enigma of Beckham and the LA Galaxy when they visit the Houston Dynamo today at BBVA Compass Stadium.

For some today it will be a about fashion, celebrity and a look at “team Beckham”.

Beckham draws eyeballs but his team is drawing more attention these days as they are locked in the bottom of the Western Conference, lost to Chivas USA recently whom they share their stadium with. By the way, that is 4 out of 5 they have lost in a row and they are in a precarious position.

I am going to wager that Beckham will not likely have much influence on this game. At 36 years of age, after going a full 90 minutes against San Jose this past Wednesday one wonders what he can offer today.

Beckham will be the lone representative of the LA trio of stars (Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan away with respective national teams) for the Galaxy who are the “most disliked” team in all of MLS.
They are the symbol of the “designated player”, the team that has put more dollars out on players than any in the league and they are the defending champions.

David Beckham is guaranteed to make $4 million, Landon Donovan $ 2.5 million and Robbie Keane $3.4 million this season and this trio have not provided the return. To put it in perspective, Robbie Keane and Beckham will each make more in one week than Dynamo midfielder Adam Moffat ($59,000).

GAME PREVIEW:

DYNAMO NEED POINTS- as much as LA need points it is time for the Dynamo to grab their’s after being on the road. They are rested, LA is playing their 3rd game in a week so anything less than three points today would be a disappointment in front of a sell out crowd.

SELL OUT- this are indelible moments that can truly grow the popularity of the game and the Dynamo brand. With only one goal in two games at BBVA, it would be great to see the Dynamo break out today, score a few goals and send LA packing. With new fans sampling the game through the vehicle of the stadium the chance to impress is there.

GEOFF CAMERON ON NATIONAL TEAM DUTY- The Dynamo will have to do it without their center-back Geoff Cameron who could get a game tonight against Scotland on NBC for the U.S..
The Dynamo struggled last year at the back at times without Cameron there so it will be interesting to see how the team adjusts to his absence.
Will Bobby Boswell be partnered with Jermaine Taylor or Andre Hainault in the middle? This is an area to watch.

LA THREE HEADED MONSTER only is a one headed monster today with DP’s Landon Donovan (U.S.) and Robbie Keane (Republic of Ireland) missing. LA has struggled to score goals and players like Edson Buddle, Chad Barrett have failed along with the DP’s in taking chances.

DAVIS v. BECKHAM
The two best players in “dead ball” situations in MLS will be on display today. Davis led the league in assists last year and Beckham still delivers great balls and has an amazing range of passing over distance. If he can play look for him hitting balls over distance to Buddle and Barrett.

KINNEAR and ARENA
Two of the best in MLS history are on display tonight from a coaching perspective.

DYNAMO FINAL THIRD
This remains the question, can the Dynamo produce more chances in the final third? Can they get more delivery in to their strikers. Last week v. New England Calen Carr broke players down off the dribble in the last third. Can he do that again?
Can Luiz Camargo platform now off the great goal that he and Brian Ching put together at NE? Can he make more plays and be more definitive for the Dynamo as a fulcrum in midfield? Today could be a perfect day for him.

HUMIDITY
LA defender Bryan Gaul yesterday tweeted out that he was bothered by the humidity after training.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc