I have have an opinion about my team’s performance as well as my own. Quite frankly I’m not happy with either one right now.
(Pat Onstad being the only exception). I feel that we all played below our individual potential and seldomely influenced the game with the aggressivness and passion we are known for. My passing was sub par and I got beat once in the middle of the park because I didn’t stay in a good athletic position (you can’t defend when your body is straight up and down). With that thought in mind I want to address a growing trend in the United States….having an opinion about your team and your player’s performances…Please do have an opinion….good or bad you are not wrong! To many people are worried that if they say one of their team’s players had a bad game that they are going to be considered a traitor. I encourage yo to care enough to be critical of everyone. Yes that means even your “favorite” player has a bad game once in awhile. I encourage you to be critical knowing that I am a love/hate type of player. You either love the way I play or you hate it…you either recognize my ability to read the game or you write it off and ignore it as one of my “shortcomings”. No matter how you see me it is your right as a fan of the game and I respect that. You are the reason we have jobs and therefore you should care about everyone’s performance. I strongly encourage you to voice it, BUT remember that at the end of the day the object is to win as a team. This team won last year and won on the weekend…….I/you don’t have to like the performances, but I/you have to respect the results. An ugly win is always better than a pretty loss…..and as a fan I love the way the table looks after week two.
Craig Waibel

How do you know when a top flight Mexican futbol club is nervous and needing a victory…..they make the game free to the public.
We just found out that the club will be opening the gates to all comers. It should prove to make for an interesting atmosphere.
Enough about them though.
Training has gone well down here. Pachuca has a wonderful stadium and a great playing field. We went through our regular day before a game training session that had a light-hearted atmosphere. As a group we are still trying to hit form which isn’t likely for another two or three months, yet we are optimistic and enjoying our ride in the Concacaf tournament.
I think we clearly come in with an advantage being up two goals, however Pachuca is a very good team and even more importantly at their own home field. The elevation here is definetly going to play a factor in the game.
All things considered this is a great opportunity to advance in a major international competition. It would be a great achievment for us as a team and for MLS as a league. We are proud to represent our city and our fans and are hoping to bring another title to Houston. I know you will all be watching us so enjoy the game.
Craig Waibel

I freqently get asked what the most memorable moment has been in my career but because I am long winded and love conversation I can never limit myself to just one.
In 1999 I subbed into my first MLS game at Mile High Stadium donning the “old school” Colorado Rapids kit. At that moment it was easily the pinnacle of my soccer days because I felt it rewarded me for years of dedication to the game. I have always remembered that feeling and have the great Mooch Myernick to thank for it.
The second memory that crops up is coming back from four goals down in 2003 against the Galaxy in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. In my opinion it stands as the greatest comeback as well as the best game in MLS history. I had been released from LA the previous off-season and picked up by San Jose shortly thereafter so there was a bit of venom involved for me which made it all the more rewarding. The number one memory for me though will never be replaced! It was getting beat 2-0 by DC United in the third week of the 2006 MLS season. It was my first time back on the field after blowing my knee out in 2005 and it was euphoric. Any one that has suffered an injury will probably agree that returning to the pitch is better than any win or accolade that you can receive. I enjoy the game more than ever before and often try to re-live the feeling of that da because of what it did for me and my career. If there are any other top three’s you want to know feel free to ask. Until next week GO USA!
Craig Waibel

We came to grips with reality this week against the LA Galaxy after falling 1-0 at the Home Depot Center. It is always important to get a good reality check early in the year, so it was not too disappointing to have a poorly officiated scrimmage game turn out with a poor result for us. I have been lucky to win three MLS championships and the biggest drawback is the “champions hangover” that carries into the following season. Sometimes it is hard to motivate so soon after having a great run in November, and other times it is just to easy to think that just because you won it last year the chances are you may not do it again this time around. Either way it only takes one of the eleven starters having these thoughts to throw the whole team off kilter. It is a delicate balance so the quicker we are reminded that this is a new year the better.
We as a team are excited to play Pachuca because they are very good. We are still in out pre-season so I don’t think we can change much, however I do think that we will focus a bit more on our shape and our tactical awareness such getting the ball wide a little more often and closing the ball down a bit faster. As far as handling two great front runners at one time, we will rely on pressure, covering and always a little bit of luck. Every great defender will tell you that reading the game, timing and getting lucky are the three most important skills to possess. Enjoy the game and let me know what you think.

*Editors note: The Dynamo also tied Chivas USA 1-1 on their West Coast pre-season trip.
To hear Dominic Kinnear and Dwayne DeRosario address the Pachuca match go to www.houstonchronicle.com or 790thesportsanimal.com

Let me start by saying cheers to a couple of groups that truly deserve it. The Texian Army/El Battalon and the Screaming Eagles up in DC. Last night I realized how far this game has come and how dedicated the MLS fans are when the Texas AM Stadium filled up and black and red showed up in big numbers at RFK. Needless to say it is extremely important to have a “home field” atmosphere while competing in international games and both teams were provided that luxury last night.
I feel that there is no true favorite going into the semi-finals. Keep in mind that we have only been training for about a month. While the advantage goes to Chivas and Pachuca due to the fact that they have been playing competitive matches for a quite awhile, I think our character and talent level here in the MLS makes us very dangerous teams to play we are full of tenacious and extremely skilled players that desire big games and big wins.
Both teams representing MLS are very structured and disciplined sides that are tough to break down as well. Look for entertaining and emotional games in the weeks to come.
If you have any questions about the games or the league feel free to fire them at me.
Craig

We are only a few hours from kick-off down here in Costa Rica and we are all pretty excited. Practice yesterday was about an hour and quite successful give the bumpy field conditions. The stadium is tight and definetly favors the home team as the fans will be within a few feet of us. We found out today that the club has been fined in their past five home matches for fan behavior so we are hoping against hope that above all else a safe environment is provided for the match.
It will not be easy playing our first truly competitive match of the year against a team that already is in the middle of their domestic season. The weather, stadium, and field conditions will definetly play a role in tomorrow’s game. That said, I do believe we are a team capable of winning all of the competitions we enter. I believe that our experience and our tactics will benefit us more this year than any other that we have played in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Expect a great effort…sloppy field…..a good result. I truly hpe to play DC for the Cup, I wish them the best of luck and GO MLS !
Craig Waibel Houston Dynamo defender

Rene, I am a huge fan of the Mr. Clean chants at the games. It fires me up because we all want our own cheer…one that is done just for us……thousands of fans cheering for me! I can take that all day long. You keep bringing the noise up there and I’ll keep bringing it down on the field! And the answer to why I came into the crowd after winning the MLS Cup…..just read my answer above. The Houston crowd gave me more than I ever imagined last year. I couldn’t wait to get up there and share all the smiles.
Oh yeah, I only shave my head on game days.
El Naranja I want more money. I like getting ‘popular players’ over here, but we still have a developmental team players making $800 per month. Personally, I think it is disappointing to see them paying so much when the average salary in the league hovers around $75,000. Remember that is the average which means there are quite a few guys making less than that when you take into account how much the DP’s are making. And finally Evan-I like that Beckham is coming. I hope he brings his “A” game to the states. I am a fan like the rest except when playing against him. I applaud him for getting the money. It is not his fault for earning his check. About the tackle on him……….I’ve never stepped out of a challenge prior to now regardless of the opponent so that one is up to him. Thanks for the questions and keep them coming.
- Craig Waibel

Last week I threw out the chance to ask anything you wanted to know…..the questions were hard hitting and controversial, which is perfect for a guy like me. So here is the first round of answers.
Kevin, NO..the regular season does not mean enough. While we want to win every game, the only advantage gained is home field in the playoffs. That alone isn’t always enought to motivate us through June, July, and August. it is also common thought among the players that too many teams make the playoffs. Until that changes it is difficult to convince me that the weekly table is important Now it is simple to to answer your question about whether the players care about the Open Cup and Super Liga. Yes! Those two tournaments are worth money and at the end of the day the chance to make more is a great motivator.
Ashley…..thank you for the kind words and to everyone else….No I didn’t pay her off! I loved playing in San Jose but I learned very quickly as a pro that choosing where I go is not up to me. If given the choice to return I would have to take a good look at the coaching staff and then decide…..remember that Dom and John are one of the best coaching duo’s in America and a ton of fun to play for….I did not ignore the rest of you so stop whining. I just need to calm down now that Kevin got me all wound up. Thanks for the questions and keep them coming.
Craig Waibel Houston Dynamo

Editor Note: Craig Waibel and the Houston Dynamo leave for Orlando, Florida this Tuesday to continue preparation for their
Concacaf Champions Cup competition in Costa Rica against Puntarenas .

Its the fourth day of pre-season and so far we have had six training sessions and needless to say our legs are pretty much done right now. Saying that it has been great and I wouldn’t change it for the world, just getting out to training and getting the legs nice and sore is something that I desire. The feeling and vibe around our locker room is awesome, all the guys that you spend most of the year with and add in a few of the rookies and I would say there is alot of fun going on.
We are all very excited about David Beckham joining our team, I for one realize that we all have an opportunity to learn from him and perform under the spotlight he brings. He is going to bring alot to the Galaxy which is something to look forward to. So I’ll end with this, make sure you start watching Galaxy games because this year is going to be an exciting one. All the best with your football.

Josh Gardner LA Galaxy

*Editor Note: Gardner enters his fourth year with the LA Galaxy

The English Premier League star Vinny Jones used to write for a well known English paper.
He gave people of England a professional footballer’s opinion about player’s , coaches, officials that no other journalist could deliver.
People loved his column because he wasn’t afraid to share his views. Whether they were good, bad, popular or inflammatory Vinny put pen to paper and made no apologies. He wrote with the endless emotion that would electrify readers evoking emotion.
He gave them something they would never have been able to attain otherwise.
I share a few things in common with Vinny other than my strong will and a wide array of opinions although mine rarely hit the newspapers although I still have a copy of the LA Times article which I mentioned I would slide tackle my own mother if she were wearing the other team’s jersey. (It took me about a year but the answer is yes my mom has forgiven me). So this where I turn to you the reader’s……what do you really want to know about? What are the questions you want answered? What is the issue you think all MLS players are biting their tongues about?
Thanks to the courage of Glenn Davis you now have your chance…….Ask away.
-Craig Waibel

Gbandi blog

Hi everyone I was hoping to have more information on my transfer situation but as it stands things are still in the workd. IK Start of Norway are looking at other players and are still in negotiation with the league and FC Dallas.
I think by the end of the coming week I should have a definite answer if the transfer will happen or I will remain with FC Dallas.
I really appreciate all the support that I have received from both FC Dallas and IK Start supporters. I just hope in the next week or so I can start to prepare my mind for the upcoming season. Until next time enjoy your family and your football.
-Chris Gbandi

Yes, I like the signing of David Beckham. I think that he has enough invested in the United States that he won’t ‘mail it in’ during his years in MLS like so many others have. With his academy in LA and his “A list” celebrity status the he shares with Posh he can’t afford to not pour his heart into his time here.
I like that the global representative of the sport is now going to wear the yellow and gold of the most catered to franchise in MLS (I have played there and now first hand how it is in LA).
I like that he will test his boots against the demanding schedule that we have here in the states. I like that his fame crosses over into the pop culture.
I am looking forward to playing against him and hope that he has a great regular season so long as I am not the dejected player opposite him in the ESPN highlight when he scores his first MLS goal. If you want to know how I feel about his salary….I applaud anyone that can make money playing this game.
- Craig