When the Dynamo take on Sporting KC they are going to likely do it without one of their top attacking options as both clubs are on their 3rd game in eight days.

Withdrawn forward Giles Barnes who has 4 goals has an injured hamstring.
Brian Ching would likely replace him but focus will be on Cam Weaver (back struggles), Jason Johnson as well.
The striker position will become much different without Barnes whose mobility, movement and element of surprise has been a headache for MLS teams.

How will players hold up in their third consecutive game? Will Ricardo Clark be available for the Dynamo? These are some of the questions.

On another note, Sporting KC likely will not have MLS defender of the year Matt Besler meaning Ike Opara should continue to partner Aurelien Collin.

ARTIFICIAL SURFACE

Seattle, Portland and NE still play on the stuff in MLS and it brings out lots of emotion and passion but I am not a fan of the stuff nor are the majority of players in MLS over-whelmingly whom I have spoken to. In fact only one player has ever said he likes it.

The surface clearly does not do much for the longevity of one’s career and you can bet your bottom dollar that many players avoid making a move to clubs that play on it.
Also, I know for fact that players have opted out or mysteriously become injured when it comes time to play a road game on the fake stuff and who can blame them?

Thierry Henry will likely be absent from the NE game this weekend and that is a shame for the fans of the Revs. Not to mention ticket sales of a former French World Cup winner and Arsenal star.

Clearly artificial surface will play a future in the United States especially in urban areas where field space is limited and I can see it’s use there but for MLS I can’t argue with Henry who at 35 wants to extend his career, not end it.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

Most Houston area soccer fans don’t know the great history of players that have gone on to MLS. Imad Baba, Nidal Baba, Johnny Torres, Rusty Pierce, Chris Gbandi, Sam Forko, Willis Forko, current Dynamo players like Tyler Deric, Alex Dixon and many others who all played or play in Major League soccer.

Josh Gardner grew up in the Bear Creek Area, played for the Hurricanes Youth Soccer Club (now Albion-Hurricanes) before playing at the University of Cincinnati. Gardner left college early and signed Nike project 40 with the LA Galaxy. His career has taken him to Seattle, Carolina Railhawks, Columbus, Montreal and he comes to town now as a member of Sporting Kansas City after starting and playing 75 minutes against Seattle in a 1-0 loss on Wednesday.

How do you like playing for Sporting KC?

The first part is the city of Kansas City loves their soccer team. I think that Sporting KC they do a good job of being in the community and making the fans feel a part of the game and the team. Every game is a celebration, a party from the opening kickoff to the end of the game.

What is it like playing for manager Peter Vermes?

Playing for Peter is amazing. I respect his knowledge of the game and his drive to compete. He has put together a coaching staff that believes in the players and the system they have.
Training is intense. He has brought in guys that are hungry and have won before.
He sees potential in every player and brings that drive out of players that might not think they have it. He makes you feel wanted and that you have a-lot more to give.

What is your role on Sporting KC?

My role when called upon is to be ready to be a left back or left winger, to help secure the left side of the field.
We have such a deep team that I need to be game ready when called upon. I will push those in front of me to be a starter. I am here to do what ever the team needs.

What are your thoughts on your Argentine striker Claudio Bieler?

He worked extremely hard in pre-season getting what we call is “Sporting” fit.
He gets in great positions and is an accurate finisher. He is comfortable back to goal and being a link player with his midfield or wingers.
He is a character and his English is not great but he still finds ways to communicate and be willing to communicate in our locker room culture.

You grew up playing youth and high school soccer in Houston, what crosses your mind when thinking about your upbringing in the game?

Being able to turn pro out of Houston was prideful as many went on to higher levels before me.
I can go back and remember my youth games and it reminds me of a fun time and educational time in my career.
I still think about the club (Hurricanes Soccer Club) that I grew up with and those times.
As a youth we played different teams with differing styles due to the diversity of Houston. Their is a sense of pride with Houston soccer history.

What type of game do you think it will be Sunday?

Knowing the history between the teams I look forward to a highly competitive game between clubs that look to win every game either home or away.
It is a conference match and we want to put our stamp on the game.

Facebook: Soccer Matters, Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

The Dynamo took their second straight road win behind a 2 goal 2 assist performance from striker Will Bruin who continues to be a DC United killer.
The opening 45 minutes was an indication this was going to be a good night for Dynamo strikers as DC United did not answer the competitive bell and reminded why they are the worst team in Major League soccer at the moment.
Their lack of pressure on the ball at home against a midfield of Brad Davis, Boniek Garcia and Andrew Driver was mind boggling.
Truth be told the Dynamo could have been up 4-0 as Bruin smashed one off the crossbar and Giles Barnes came close off a Boniek Garcia pass against a team that looked less than competitive.

DYNAMO ANSWER BELL AND DC DOESN’T IN FIRST HALF
DC United came out in the first 45 minutes in front of less than 1000 fans (truth)
Will Bruin and Giles Barnes both scored in the first half with the Barnes goal a huge mistake from DC on a poor piece of distribution from Bill Hamid after a pass back.
Bruin now has 9 goals lifetime in 9 games against DC.

DC UNITED GET BOOST FROM SARAGOSA
Marcelo Saragosa brought some pride and life back to United in the second half and they nearly scored after a crazy sequence that saw Kofi Sarkodie make two saves on the goal line. A goal would have made it 2-1 at that point.
The Dynamo would then strike off a set piece to make it 3-0 with Bruin getting his second which was a cruel blow. United has struggled defending set pieces.

DRIVER GETS ONE BUT SHINES IN DIFFERENT ROLE
Andrew Driver would get the fourth Dynamo goal off a Bruin pass but his diligent work and effort out wide helped control the wide areas in front of Cory Ashe.
His work off the ball from a defensive standpoint was excellent.

THE TAKEAWAY
The full three points plus one has to give the Dynamo credit for getting it done and doing what they were expected to do. There early energy and approach to first half was solid from the opening whistle.

The Dynamo will now have time to prepare for their home match against Sporting KC on Sunday which is a can’t miss game this year on the Dynamo schedule against their real rival.

What or who stood out in this game for you?

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc, Facebook: Soccer Matters

I got the news early via an alert on my phone.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is stepping down after 26 years.
At that time I also heard a collective sigh of relief from a number of EPL managers.

At 71 years of age, after 38 trophies including two Champions League titles this amazing manager and patriarch of United will walk away with the club on top. The manager has truly been remarkable.

Tactically, personel wise, management of players and the acute sense to buy and sell successfully has made him quite possibly the greatest manager in the game. I have also marveled at how the “fire in the belly” could remain such a constant, the desire to get results such a desire.

Names being bandied about to replace the Scotsman include David Moyes of Everton, Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid and Jurgen Klopp of Dortmund.
For me my money lies on the Scotsman Moyes whose fiery competitive spirit is balanced with an adept and controlled way of handling the press.

Your thoughts on the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson and his remarkable management career.

Twitter: glenndavissoc

It may be Warren Creavalle’s twitter handle but WarrenSpeak glanced in a header deep in to stoppage time to earn the Dynamo a road point that frankly that had no business getting.

On a day of frustration, swirling winds, gnawing cold the Dynamo were outplayed by Toronto FC who clearly created the better goal scoring chances on the day and thought they were about to provide new manager Ryan Nelsen with his most significant win.

It is important to note the sequence of events in this one to appreciate the degree of difficulty to get this point and the litany of ill-advised TFC decisions by individuals that in the end cost them two points.

ROBERT EARNSHAW: The TFC striker is all that is advertised and struck a warning shot early in the 6th minuted creating space against Bobby Boswell and bending a shot off the crossbar that had Tally Hall beaten.
The Welsh international was busy and active and is going to score a bunch of goals in MLS. His incessant work rate tested the Dynamo throughout the day.

DYNAMO INJURIES in midfield were impactful on this day as Warren Creavalle had to come on in the first half for Adam Moffat.
Then at the beginning of the second half Brad Davis would not answer the bell and Brazilian Luiz Camargo who has played limited minutes this year would get the call.
The Dynamo re-shuffled things putting Creavalle out wide and Camargo in the middle but did not react very well to the loss of both Davis and Moffat on this day.

58th MINUTE JEREMY HALL would put TFC up with a shot that got into the far corner after the Dynamo struggled to get the area cleared in front of Tally Hall. It was somewhat strange as the ball did not seem to be struck with much power. 1-0 TFC

62nd MINUTE EARNSHAW gets JERMAINE TAYLOR sent off.
That is the way I see it.
Earnshaw knew this was a referee that was young and in-experienced. The Welsh veteran seemed like he was in on a one on one with Hall and Taylor got an arm out that made some contact and Earnshaw sold the foul.
With Taylor being the last man referee Drew Fischer sent him off and the Dynamo had to play the rest of the way a man down to further exacerbate things. Soft to say the least.

TFC would fail to capitalize on the man advantage although they had chances but a DEFINING MOMENT would come in the 69th minute when Dynamo goalkeeper TALLY HALL would produce THE SAVE that would keep the Dynamo positioned to earn a point over the course of the rest of this game.
Hall playing his angles perfectly denied a point blank effort on a diving header from Justin Braun .

It NEVER SEEMED DESTINED for the Dynamo to earn a point nor did you feel it coming when a fatal mistake from a center back would be costly.

TFC DARREN ODEA who did not put a foot wrong the whole day inexplicably tried to play out of the corner against Will Bruin as opposed to conceding the throw in. Instead he gave the Dynamo a corner.
On the ensuing corner kick RICARDO CLARK would rise above everyone to steer a header towards goal. With his back to goal CREAVALLE would just glance his header into the upper corner setting off a Dynamo celebration and their first road point of the year.

VERDICT
Some days you don’t play well and determination and will gets you something and this is the big takeaway from the Dynamo.
The Dynamo did not play well and were outshot 16-7 but character/will earned them this point, Dominic Kinnear was clearly frustrated throughout the game and they did not create much on the road up until the sending off of JERMAINE TAYLOR that changed the game even more.
It was ugly and that is the way TFC wanted it to be but they clearly were the better team on the day.
Still it is the first road point of the year and the Dynamo are positioned well against Colorado who come to BBVA Compass Stadium Sunday with a litany of injuries. The Orange also have 5 of their next 8 on the road.
Creavalle is now joint leading scorer for the Dynamo with Will Bruin, Giles Barnes and Brad Davis.

INJURY
Brad Davis injury is a groin while Adam Moffat is a hamstring reportedly.

Your thoughts? Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

I am not going to laden you with stats here except for ones that are relevant to this match.
The Dynamo are coming of their historic home 35th consecutive game without a loss that put them in the MLS record books but the road is another story so far.
In three games including the Concacaf Champions League the team has struggled and if you look back at the goals many of this came off Dynamo charitable mistakes.
So how do they get it done on the road and how does that home confidence carry over to BMO Field this weekend?

ELIMINATION OF MISTAKES
In all their road matches the Dynamo can point to individual mistakes that somehow rear their ugly head on the road but are less prevalent at home. Increased focus and concentration is in order and the Dynamo will need to take care of the details of this match.
It might just take a more scratch and claw attitude on the road, the will not to be beaten.

WIDE GAME EXCELLENT, WILL IT CARRY OVER?
Brad Davis and Andrew Driver set the tone with the wide game against Chicago at home and one wonders how much influence will carry over to Toronto. If these two get the tempo going the Dynamo will find road chances, not to mention control the wide areas of the field.

DYNAMO LINEUP
Based on history of Dom Kinnear one would think little will change after this solid win at home and the return of Will Bruin to the striker position.
Only Boniek Garcia and his involvement remains a question with the achilles problem. Where will Omar Cummings fit in?

ROAD POSSESSION
A good day of possession on the road can go a long way in controlling the match and relieving pressure. I think the Dynamo will have a good day in this area.

TORONTO FC
They have a bit of an injury crisis right now and are coming off three consecutive draws including at Philadelphia last weekend.
They are missing key pieces like Terry Dunfield and Richard Eckersley who both will miss Saturday.
Ashtone Morgan also is out suspended so manager Ryan Nelsen will have to use less experienced players in some cases.
The Dynamo need to get pressure on their backs as that is where TFC are hurting .
They are missing THREE REGULARS in this area including Morgan, Eckersley and Darel Russel.
The Dynamo took advantage of two young center backs against the Fire.
TFC could star Ryan Richter, Doneil Henry, among others that are in-experienced.

HOTTEST GK IN LEAGUE?
TFC may have the hottest gk in the league at the moment as Joe Bendik was spectacular against the Union and made the saves on the road to earn his club a point. He will not be easy to beat.

BONIEK AVAILABLE BUT NOT LIKELY TO START
Lets be sensible here, after the Dynamo performance from Andrew Driver at home, why would you risk Boniek Garcia from the start coming off an achilles injury with the volume of games he has ahead of him with both the Dynamo and Honduras.
Now I am not privy to how healthy he is but it makes sense today he will come off the bench if needed for manager Dom Kinnear.

EYE ON RICHARD EARNSHAW
He is quick, he is opportunistic and 2 of his five goals have come on self inflicted mistakes from an opponent that he has pounced on.
The Dynamo must eliminate mistakes on the road with this prowler around and be alert even more to those moments when it seems he is not active.
He has five goals: 2 from pouncing on opponents mistakes, 2 from the penalty spot, and one direct over the top of a defense.
Earnshaw was born in Zambia and had a long career at Cardiff amongst other clubs in England. He is a Welsh international who on his debut against Germany scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win.
The Dynamo will look to defend him collectively with a good team shape and “alive” players who are communicating and constantly aware of him and where he is.
Earnshaw will try to position himself in places where two defenders may believe the other is marking him.
Not allowing balls to be played over the top to him will help the back four.
In tight they must deny him the turn.

LAST TIME AT BMO AND TIME FOR THE ROAD
Last year the Dynamo won at BMO Field 2-0 behind goals from Calen Carr and Brian Ching so it can be done.
The Dynamo will play 6 of their next 9 on the road so we will get a snapshot of their road play here in the future!!
A great opportunity to get their first road win beckons tomorrow.

Local 2 Sports KPRC
No problems finding the game this weekend as it is on Channel 2 starting with a 2:30 pm pre-game show!

Facebook: Soccer Matters Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

Join me tonight for DYNAMO ALL ACCESS on 1560 AM as we get your ready for the Dynamo at Toronto, Champions League, NBC announcement, Mexico concerns and more…..

Call in: 713-439-1560, streams at ysr1560.com

Guests: Dom Kinnear, Boniek Garcia, TFC Ryan Nelsen and Robert Earnshaw the league’s leading scorer, Tim Hankinson San Antonio Scorpions Manager.

NBC ALL IN ON EPL
NBC is throwing huge resources at the EPL and will broadcast 380 matches live with all kinds of tertiary programming to support. Is this investment in the EPL good or bad for MLS?

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc, facebook : Soccer Matters

The road in MLS is difficult with the extent of travel (consider those teams on either coast and how much additional travel they have every year), and different playing surfaces.

It is early in the year but here are some interesting stats considering the road team in MLS.

*57 games played the road team has gotten a win or draw 30 times
ROAD TEAM IS GETTING RESULT OVER 50% OF THE TIME

*17 out of 19 MLS teams have gotten at least a draw on the road (Only Houston and Seattle have not)

*Ten MLS clubs have won led by Montreal and Columbus who have done it twice.

*Columbus and Portland led the way with three road results

MY TAKE: As teams figure out their purpose of play and become more familiar with each other and new managers etc. my judgement is that road results will become more difficult in the future to gather. The climate and weather will play a part in this.

Facebook: Soccer Matters Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

Join me tonight on SOCCER MATTERS brought to you by MEMORIAL HERMANN IRONMAN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE at 7-9 on ESPN 97-5, this will be an excellent show with guests BRAD DAVIS and ANDREW DRIVER.

Call in 713-780-3776 and I have tickets to give away.

Thanks also to DANISH INSPIRATIONS CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE, SNAPPLE and HOUSTON ACES WOMENS PROFESSIONAL SOCCER

MY FIVE THOUGHTS:

1.) DYNAMO MAKE MLS history and one has to marvel at the fact that 35 straight games have come and gone without a loss. Now on to that “road” thing as the Dynamo have 6 of their next 9 away from home on the “road less traveled”.

2.) CHELSEA fans should not feel “hard done” by the 2-1 loss to Manchester City, the Blues were outplayed fro the majority of the game and were lucky it was not over at halftime. Yes you can call for a sending off for Sergio Aguero but this clearly was not a Chelsea day. If you want to direct your angst, direct it at your owner.

3.) DRESS UP THE STADIUM LIKE SOUTH AMERICA and EUROPE….I love seeing the flags of the United States, Jamaica, Scotland, and German at the Dynamo game reminding us that we play this sport within the context of the WORLD! Lets embrace it and lets get more and more banners hanging at BBVA Compass. I am still waiting for a Honduran and Nigerian flag.
Would love to see the return of the orange smoke bomb which could be detonated in a metal box like in Portland safely.

4.) DRIVER A SIGNING..Don’t forget the Dynamo were looking at signing Franck Songo a Cameroonian and passed when Driver became available. The signing is pure genius and his hunger to produce is exhilirating. He is entertaining and yesterday proved to us that he can command respect from the right side of the field even though he is predominant left sided player. A great signing!

5.) BOOTH CRASHER and US Crash out. We had a booth crasher last night during our CSNHouston broadcast at BBVA Compass Stadium, a guy wearing a VIP badge came between Eddie Robinson and I and leaned outside the both screaming to fans before we both made an effort to push him away….bizarre for sure.
The US u17 team bowed out in Concacaf qualifying and this is another measurement of concern for US soccer much like the U23 team not qualifying for the Olympics.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc, Facebook: Soccer Matters