Next week expect to see seats going into the new Dynamo stadium on the East Side of downtown. Additionally the dirt has been graded out and sod will be placed in the bottom of the bowl. This two steps will continue to create excitement leading to the Dynamo home opener in the building on May 12th against DC United.

The Dynamo take on San Jacinto College tomorrow in a scrimmage at HASP at 10:30 am. Saturday the Dynamo then will play Houston Baptist University in a week of college competition. Any player intending to earn a contract with the Dynamo will need to shine in games against college competition. Should be a day of interest and a wonderful opportunity for the college players of San Jacinto.

The ORANGE BAR on RICHMOND will host tomorrow night an Eddie Robinson retirement party with fans and players expected to be in attendance to honor the Dynamo central defender who has joined the Dynamo Academy and will be on select tv/radio broadcasts next year.
I plan on attending to honor ERob.

Tomorrow morning from 6-8pm I am guest hosting for Charlie Stillitano on the FOOTBALL SHOW on SIRIUS XM radio. Lets get some Houston representation on the show tomorrow!!! Call in number is 877-629-4614. Sirius Channel 92 or XM 207 for those who get it. Former Lazio and Cosmos striker Gorgio Chinalgia a regular on the show will be there. Fernando Palomo of Espn Deportes and James Thorogood of the Munich Times also on the show.

Exciting to see Landon Donovan provide the assist to Darren Gibson in Everton’s 1-0 win over EPL first place squad Manchester City. Tim Howard kept the clean sheet. Donovan a pretty eventful week providing three assists in wins over City and Fulham. The Everton win has helped Manchester United go even at the top after beating Stoke easily on two penalty kicks from Chicharito and Dimitar Berbatov.

Best race in European football right now is going on in Germany in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, Dortmund, Schalke and Moenchengladbach!

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc, facebook: Glenn Davis

Join me tonight on Sports Talk 790 at 8 cst for Dynamo All Access as we talk the world’s game!

Guests include Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear, defender Geoff Cameron and former U.S. Womens coach Tony DiCicco.
Call in number 713-212-5790, sports790.com

What questions and topics are you interested in for tonight show? More thoughts on Brian Ching, soccer in Europe, WPS suspends play and U.S. Womens qualify for the Olympics.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

Don’t forget SOCCER MATTERS brought to you by the IRONMAN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE tomorrow night at 8 cst

Geoff Cameron is with the U.S. National team in Panama as tonight they play a friendly. Here are his thoughts :

GD: How is it playing under Jurgen Klinsmann?

Geoff Cameron: It is completely different vibe with Jurgen than with Bob (former U.S. coach Bob Bradley). People can have fun and not walk on eggshells. Jurgen lets players be who they are but we then have to come together. He is positive. Guys still have a good time but work hard.

GD: Have you been able to distinguish differences playing internationally though only one game at CB?

Geoff Cameron: A little bit. Everyone on the field is good. I have to pick and choose when to get forward. You have to make a fast decision. I enjoyed swinging the ball around the back.

GD: How does it feel to represent the U.S.?

Geoff Cameron: It felt really good to get out there. Getting a fair opportunity with Jurgen is great. He is changing the style of U.S. soccer for the better. You always dream to represent your country, it is great to put on the jersey!

GD: Assess your play against Venezuela?

Geoff Cameron: I think I played alright. I was comfortable and confident next to Michael Parkhurst. My organizational skills are getting better and I am talking more.

GD: Did you see the Panama canal?

Geoff Cameron: It was really cool to see it in person. The history behind it with the French and the U.S. was amazing. We saw ships go in and out.

GD: Are you excited about the new Dynamo stadium?

Geoff Cameron: I am really excited, it can’t come soon enough. I am anxious for May 12th!!

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

If you have not heard the Brian Ching interview from last night on Dynamo All Access then head to sports790.com, click podcasts, click Glenn Davis.
I believe Montreal is over the barrel right now with the salary cap of $425 k that Brian Ching brings.
“To be honest I am confused”, said Ching to me last night on Sports Talk 790.
The confusion clearly stems from the fact that it does not seem at all that Brian Ching was brought to Montreal to actually play but to actually be used as a bargaining chip to get Andre Hainault. This clearly now is a game of “chicken”.
Ching met with Marsch who said he clearly wants Ching on his team. Ok, we will see?
Ching is now focused to play in Montreal after listening to his interview but also hints strongly to the fact that he wants to be back in Houston.
“I am disappointed the way things have gone down,” added Ching who met with the Montreal media yesterday.
Food for thought that is important to understand in this situation is that when Brian Ching played in the MLS Cup final it triggered a clause (must play 50% of games) in his contract to play him his full $425k salary. If he had not played he would not have reached that clause and the Dynamo would have likely re-negotiated his contract and then protected him in the expansion draft. Instead, the Dynamo felt he would not be picked up in the expansion draft at a salary of $425k. Montreal then selected Ching.
I still would not be surprised if Brian ended up back in Houston at a reduced salary. This is still possible.

SOCCER MATTERS TONIGHT ON SPORTS TALK 790 at 8 cst so join me!!!!!

Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear is the featured guest tonight on Sports Talk 790, sports790.com. Call in number 713-212-5790, more guests to come tonight!!!

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

Join me on Sports Talk 790 tonight where the show promises to be a good one.

Guests: Brian Ching
Pia Sundhage U.S. Womens National team
Colin Rolfe- Dynamo draft choice
Warren Creavalle- Dynamo draft choice

Call in number 713-212-5790
Streaming at sports790.com
Facebook Glenn Davis: If you want specific break music!

Don’t forget tomorrow night is SOCCER MATTERS at 8 cst brought to you by the IRONMAN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE

Just got through watching Landon Donovan help Everton back to gain a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.
Now there will always be controversy around Donovan stretching himself and playing at a higher level. Heck, even Brad Friedel came out questioning why LD has not played or went after it in Europe on a full time basis. However, you or anyone else feels about this is your own judgement but today Donovan impressed and in my opinion was the Toffees man of the match in helping them secure a road point.
Donovan worked and controlled both flanks effectively, generally always useful with the ball, provided some great delivery as well. His physical range as a wide man coupled with soccer intelligence and a great skill set was effective and confident.
To cap it off he picked up a ball on the left side of the field, broke out cutting inside and ran at an unbalanced Aston Villa back four providing the perfectly weighted “killer” pass to Victor Anichebe in the 69th minute to equalize after a Darren Bent goal in the 56th minute for the Villians.
The question is now with the United States national team if Donovan will continue as a wide man with Clint Dempsey playing more central as of late in behind a striker or two.
Donovan today was excellent and responsible in his role.

KLINSMANN
It is laughable to me when people question Jurgen Klinsmann’s desire to win based on some friendly losses.
One only has to remind themselves that this guy “that doesn’t want to win ” according to some, won the World Cup in 1990 as a player and in 1996 won the European Championship.
Doesn’t want to win?
He also took Germany to a third place finish in the 2006 World Cup and one only has to do their homework and examine how they got to that point. German fans if you remember also were upset with results while Klinsmann preached patience and that the Mannschaft would win at the right times. He is preaching patience and his ultimate judgement will come when World Cup qualifying starts in June.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc, Facebook: Glenn Davis

The MLS Superdraft concluded in Kansas City with the general theme more on attacking players.
The Houston Dynamo had two picks and gathered Colin Rolfe a striker from Louisville along with UCF midfielder Warren Creavalle.
Rolfe will compete at the forward position and I quickly am reminded about his 1g3a performance for the 12the seeded Cardinals in the NCAA third round win over Maryland who was seeded 5th. Rolfe adds depth to the Dynamo at the striker position
Creavalle is from Georgia and was on the MAC Hermann watch list, a holding type central midfield player he could be used as cover for expected starting duo Adam Moffat and Luiz Camargo.
Both will need to prove quickly that they can cut it in

Thoughts?

Here are some Dynamo notes to consider:

* EDDIE ROBINSON- the Dynamo All Star defender instrumental in winning MLS Cups will remain a part of the organization working in the Academy as a coach and on
tv and radio. As I have mentioned before it is essential for clubs to keep beloved former players who truly have something to offer involved!

* DYNAMO ON CHANNEL 2- NBC is stepping up in a big way with an MLS game of the week next year. The will also cover the Olympics. Locally the Dynamo will have
6 games on local channel 2 KPRC. These high visibility games will not be hard to find unlike last year with an ancillary channel at KHOU
The high profile nature of these games acknowledges that networks are paying attention to soccer and it’s impact in the future in Houston.
Yes, the sport is and can be sold as evidenced by Dynamo sponsorship and soccer sponsorship in Houston.
KPRC and the Dynamo will also do a monthly show!
The real question now lies in the area of whom will pick up the other 18 games outside of national broadcasts? Fox Sports Houston would
be a perfect fit!

* SCOTTISH STRIKER to Dynamo?- Lots of talk around the potential of Scottish striker Kris Boyd who played at Rangers coming to the Dynamo. Fans are mixed on his
potential to come to the organization. He apparently has interest from other English clubs so there is not telling. According to Fifa
agent John Davies who was on Soccer Matters last night, Boyd is a finisher who is dependent upon service. Questions remain around
his mobility . He last played in Turkey where he apparently has not been paid for five months.
The Dynamo are apparently also after an unnamed Central American midfielder whom they have had positive talks.

* SEBA IBEAGEAH- The Dynamo home grown player is currently at Duke values his education but the club would like him to come out and go pro.
The challenge here would be to get him the necessary games to go along with being in a professional environment. He also is
currently on the 23 team and leaving college early could enhance his chances to go to the Olympic games with the U.S. as he would then
be training daily in a professional environment.

*BRIAN CHING SAGA-no telling how this is going to end but if Brian is going to retire prior to the season that is something that would happen in the near future as
Montreal begins pre-season on the 16th.

* SOFT OPENING OF DYNAMO STADIUM-it will occur on May 10th, 2012 when the Dynamo Academy u18 squad will play an opponent to be determined.
This will be a dry run for the official opener of the stadium two days later on the 12th when the Dynamo take on DC
United and former legend Pat Onstad will return as an assistant.
The soft opening will be a run through for game day operations and open only to season ticket holders. Another great
way to connect youth players to the big team who likely will play in front of the biggest crowd of their careers. Will there
be a future Dynamo player amongst them?

*DANNY CRUZ-situation still up in the air but Danny has been offered a contract by the Dynamo. Cruz was an Adidas Generation player and did not count against the
salary cap before. Now he has to be a salaried player and the two sides have to agree on his value contractually. The wide man is instant energy!

*ROAD WARRIORS- The Dynamo will have to do it on the road for the first seven games of the year….cue Sporting KC.

*MLS SUPERDRAFT tomorrow- The Dynamo will have the 18th and 36th pick and will hope to find an unpolished gem. The Geoff Cameron scenario per say.
In reality a squad player with potential is what we are talking about here.

*NEW DYNAMO TRAINING LOCKER ROOMS- red tape, leasing and legality has slowed this process but dirt is finally being moved so the Dynamo have their own
locker rooms at HASP.

*GONE- Brian Ching , Jason Garey, Eddie Robinson (retired), Hunter Freeman
*ARRIVES-Nathan Sturgis from Toronto whose interview can be hear at sports790.com via podcast

*NOTEWORTHY DATES- tomorrow MLS SUPERDRAFT, JAN.17 MLS Supplemental draft (4 rounds), Jan. 23rd Dynamo pre-season begins.

*BRAD DAVIS STILL RECOVERING-as per interview on SOCCER MATTERS last night Brad Davis is still nurturing along his quad injury which was torn.
Davis is excited about assuming even more of a leadership role in the future with the club after an outstanding season
last year.

Questions? Let me have them!

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

As I watched Liverpool control the first half of their match against Manchester City yesterday I was reminded of how important center back Vincent Kompany is to the “noisy neighbors”.
The Belgian was the “rock of Gibraltar” in the middle of the City defense. On a team that boasts high paid attacking players like Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero, and David Silva one can overlook the value that Kompany brings to this team. His positional play, leadership, strength in the air and overall presence takes him to the top of the heap of EPL center backs currently.
One sequence in the second half with City leading Liverpool 3-0 saw Kompany head three consecutive balls away, the man is clearly a beast in the air, a head ball animal.
Did you ever really get the feeling that Liverpool would penetrate the organized, tactical defending of Manchester City. This coupled with the best English goalkeeper in the EPL in Joe Hart might just be the difference at the end of the EPL season. Just compare the solidarity at the back and in goal currently for City with what is happening in the moment at Manchester United.

Dynamo notes: Fans surely are hoping to hear news concerning Dynamo acquisitions and the Brian Ching situation where little contact has been made between the player and Montreal apparently.
With pre-season starting soon and expect some clarity on that situation in the next few weeks.
The Dynamo like many MLS teams have questions around acquisitions and speculation but it is clear the team needs some cutting edge help on the attack in midfield and up front. A foreign striker seems to be in the cards for the Dynamo who are preparing for the upcoming Superdraft as well in KC.
Midfielder Danny Cruz if he comes back to the Dynamo will now count against the salary cap after being a part of Generation Adidas.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear has signed a three year extension to continue as head coach.
Kinnear’s success since 2006 is un-matched in MLS by any other head coach where he engineered two MLS Cup triumphs and this past season reversed the fortunes of the Dynamo just beyond mid-season to take them to the MLS Cup final. Few coaches ever remain in the top position for this length of time. Kinnear will be heading into his seventh season in charge of the Dynamo as they head into a new stadium on the east side of downtown.
Kinnear himself may not even have believed that he would have been in Houston this long but he has been a huge addition to the soccer community and has helped the professional game return to Houston in a big way.
Working with him weekly on Sports Talk 790, Channel 11 and having known him when he was an assist at San Jose I can only re-iterate the positive sentiments of what others have said when it comes to his professionalism, soccer IQ and more. Kinnear clearly has not had it easy with training facilities, having to move on players that have helped him win titles and re-locate a family. He has also been a bridge to the game pre-MLS having labored in leagues similar to the ones that I played in that were far less in resources and imprint.
It is not hard to respect someone that is respectful to others and his examples of this validate leadership. How many players have said they have wanted to play for Kinnear? Lots!
Kinnear’s hunger to win must also be respected and exciting for fans. We have to consider the fact that we are in a city that desires to win titles and is not sitting on their franchise like a handful of others just existing in MLS.

The target now for the Dynamo in Houston is to grow the game to fever pitch proportions like Seattle and Portland. This is achievable through a number of means but first and foremost you have to start with a coach that is a winner and that is what we have in Kinnear..
We have been fortunate in Houston that Kinnear has a platform in the media and is willing to discuss his team, give people insight on a weekly basis. This is important for the growth of the franchise and the sport that a head coach is willing to be out there.
The extension is deserved and the re-signing of the head coach is significant.

Thoughts?

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc