When Barcelona strung 30 passes together off the kick-off at Stamford Bridge I guess we all knew how this game was going to be played. Barcelona wanted the ball, Chelsea didn’t so as not to risk their defensive posture.
Oh sure, they hoped to have it for a few precious moments on the counter attack and in the end they found the one that got them a vital goal.

I know the hardcore are going to call this a historic win for Chelsea and I am in agreement with the result and the cavalier spirit, and dogged defending. However you get it done against Barcelona counts!
Don’t call this a soccer masterpiece though. Spare me that load of rubbish.

Didier Drogba scored the lone goal at Stamford Bridge to give the “Blues” the 1-0 win .
Now I am a bit adverse to people calling this the perfect performance from Chelsea. If that is perfect then lets re-define perfection.

For footballing skill and guile it was all Barcelona and if not for the “soccer gods” shining on Chelsea, Peter Cech in goal, and a moment of greatness on the counter attack this would have been remarkably different.
Barcelona dominated every facet of the game except for the end product and should have score 4 goals.

Chelsea had one shot on goal (4 shots total) and scored while Barcelona had 6 shots (24 total) on goal hitting the post twice.

Barcelona had 79% of the ball to 21% to Chelsea who in this case didn’t want the ball except on the counter attack. I jokingly said that Chelsea’s best form of attack would be to concede corners to Barcelona in order to pull them deeper up the field so they could hit them on the counter attack.

The beauty of Barcelona is that they remain steadfast to the way they play their game, never wavering with full self belief.
It still is amazing how much better their football is consistently than every other team and that includes giants like Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, etc. who are constantly resigned in almost every case to defend deep and counter.

Don’t get me wrong, Chelsea as any team that wins deserves credit, in this case a day of poor finishing is what sunk Barcelona. The perfect result for Chelsea ? Absolutely!
The perfect performance? I think that is going a bit too far.

This second leg is going to be a beauty!

Sandwiched in between their next encounter in Barcelona next Tuesday are important league games for both that could be draining. Chelsea plays Arsenal while Barcelona takes on Real Madrid in the Classico.

Another amazing day of futbol.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

The new United States jersey or using the queens English, “kit” has been revealed.
Now apparently the theme is the American flag which I like. Still when will we identify one main jersey that is symbolic of the United States national team?
Money grab? Lack of vision to create an identity? Hey, what is next?
Ok, and enough of the FC Dallas jokes…..

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

Join me tonight for the best in soccer talk on Sports Talk 790 from 8-9pm cst.
SOCCER MATTERS is brought to you by IRONMAN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE.

We will wrap up today’s Champions League action and want your reaction to Real Madrid /Bayern Munich. Thoughts on tomorrow Barcelona/Chelsea?

More on the Dynamo as they get set for their Saturday match on Channel 2 KPRC from Columbus.

I want to hear from you the soccer fan/fanatico tonight !!!!

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

The Dynamo missing a number of starters picked up a road point in a 1-1 draw against Chicago at Toyota Park.
The match was abandoned after 66 minutes and each team will officially earn a point. The game also included an additional stoppage 13 minutes in due to lightning that lasted 70 minutes.
It was a tough night to judge but the Dynamo were agressive and lively on the road and still are seeking out more ways to create chances. Still they scored a great goal during the run of play with two strikers combing.

Only one minute in Dominic Oduro was nearly put in by the Fire near the right side and seconds later Patrick Nyarko found him on the left side of the box but his attempt to chip Tally Hall was easily handled.

In the 22nd minute Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall with a grand save on Sebastian Grazzini who curled a shot towards the upper corner but Hall made the critical road save at full stretch.

So what did this set up? Just the best goal of the game.

Brian Ching came off the Chicago back four in to midfield to turn playmaker and produced a wonderfully weighted pass between the two Chicago centerbacks German signing Arne Friedrich and Janil Annibaba that found a wonderful run from Will Bruin who took his finish expertly. It was the only shot on goal in the first half so lets just call this efficiency at it’s best.

Three minutes later Chicago would even things up as a Pavel Pardo free kick deflected off the back of Logan Pause who was on the end of the Dynamo wall. The ball got over Hall, hit the underside of the crossbar and went in. A strange goal that has to be considered a bit of a fluke.
Play would continue for only twenty minutes in the second half before both teams went to the locker room.

Additional thought:

Tally Hall-key save on a night of few plays
Andre Hainault- strong in the tackle
Geoff Cameron-broke numerous plays up and got out of Toyota with out injury.
Bobby Boswell- timely tackles out of the middle
Jermaine Taylor- strong getting the start and pushed as hard as anyone to widen the game out
Nathan Sturgis- played simple and smart in the middle for Adam Moffat
Luiz Camargo- showed the signs of subtle skill on the ball that is needed, still to be fair working back into it.
Cory Ashe-tough making adjustment to midfield and getting forward but work ethic made up for it.
JeVaughan Watson- worked on the right but also had trouble getting into the attack
Will Bruin- one chance, one goal has a nice ring to it. Lots of energy
Brian Ching-change that #25 to #10 on this evening as he hits the telling pass for the Bruin goal. Fouled Nyarko when likely didn’t need to which led to goal.
Calen Carr- only played three minutes but led one potential counter attack against former team.

The Dynamo had the edge in ball possession and seemed to have the edge and sharpness in the tackling department with a strong attitude. Will Bruin led the Dynamo with 3 shots out of total of 5.
This can only be looked upon as a positive result heading to play a Columbus team that without mincing words looked poor at Philadelphia in a 1-0 loss this weekend.
The Dynamo are now 2-1-1 on 7 pts on four games on the road.

SAN ANTONIO SCORPIONS
In other news in Texas, the San Antonio Scorpions opened up their home schedule in front of 13,000 plus fans at Heroes Stadium.
The downside here is that they were beaten 4-0 by the Puerto Rico Islanders.
Former San Jose Earthquake Pablo Campos missed two penalty kicks for the Scorpions.
Former Dynamo players Ryan Cochrane and Kevin Harmse both started for San Antonio.
The San Antonio Thunder once played in the NASL and had one former England captain Bobby Moore on the team.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc, join me for Dynamo All Access tomorrow night on Sports Talk 790 Am at 8 pm cst

The Dynamo clearly have challenges tomorrow night at Chicago (Galavision 6:00 pm cst) missing a number of starters. Still one can also look at this game as a time to learn more about others in the squad.
Nathan Sturgis is expected to get the start in central midfield and will be expected to prove out the Dynamo depth. Sturgis was acquired to give cover in central midfield for Adam Moffat.
I had the opportunity to have a quick chat with Dynamo center back Geoff Cameron.

GD: How do you deal with the the Fire’s attacking trio of Marco Pappa, Dominic Oduro and Patrick Nyarko?

Cameron: Pappa is clever, we can’t give him time on the ball. He can pick out the right pass. We have to eliminate the pass over the top and limit the chances of Oduro and Nyarko. We will have to be on our game.

GD: Can you speak on the effects of the absence of Brad Davis, Adam Moffat and Colin Clark?

Cameron: Missing Brad Davis our service suffers. Three starters missing give others opportunity. Luiz is finally fit enough and we won’t miss a beat with him.
Nate is a good passer and keeps the temp moving. You can’t dwell on missing starters.

GD: What about the length of time between league games ?

Cameron: It’s funny, the long lay off has been good to heal bruises. Guys are fresher, staying mentally and physically ready. Practices have been intense and pretty good for the most part. Dom and the staff have done a good job during this stretch.

GD: Any champions league picks?

Cameroon: I like Real Madrid, they have something to prove. Bayern Munich has been on fire as of late. I am going with Bayern Munich they have been solid and they have a different style than Real Madrid.

*For more information on how you can help Geoff Cameron fight cancer go to HoustonDynamo.com and look for Cameron’s 20/20 campaign.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

Join me tonight between 8-9 cst for SOCCER MATTERS brought to you by Ironman Sports Medicine, Espn analyst Alexi Lalas will guest on the show as we go over the hottest topics in soccer.
Thanks to our sponsors: Ironman Sports Medicine Institute, Danish Inspirations Contemporary Furniture, Snapple, Fiesta, Houston Toros Futsal Center, Texas Dutch Lions FC

twitter: GlennDavisSoc

Podcast of Dynamo All Access including interviews with Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear, striker Brian Ching, Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas and striker Dominic Oduro up at sports790.com, click podcasts, click Glenn Davis.

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

A few things on my mind:

1.) Roberto Mancini Manchester City manager-this was doomed to blow up with Mario Balotelli, yes an amazing talent, yes the mind of a kid. Was Mancini an “enabler” by carrying on this consistent saga with his tempermental striker? Seriously this was like a reality show. How did the locker room handle this?
All I can say is that when we called the World Football Challenge Man City vs. LA game on Espn , the signs were strong back then that teammates had enough of “Super Mario”.

2.) Kamara aids Sporting KC- the team from Kansas is 5-0 heading into a weekend clash against Real Salt Lake who are 5-1, both clubs have beaten LA.
Kamara scored a great header in last weekend’s win over the Galaxy for Sporting KC and is making it fun in the heartland.

3.) Dynamo midfield crisis- well tough to say anything is a crisis at this time of the year. Let’s say opportunity for others. With Adam Moffat and Colin Clark suspended, and now Brad Davis in doubt due to a calf injury the Dynamo midfield will have a few fresh faces. Nathan Sturgis and Luiz Camargo are likely to man the middle, JeVaughan Watson on the right . Does Brian Ownby the rookie get a shot or could Dynamo coach Dom Kinnear move Cory Ashe to the left side in midfield and bring on Jermaine Taylor at outside back?
How do you think the lineup will be aligned?

4.) Dynamo Monthly tv show- debuts on Channel 2 KPRC April 14, at 5pm.
Interviews, analysis and more. Channel 2 will also air 6 games starting with the Dynamo at Columbus this month.

5.) So you don’t want VALENCIA huh?
The best game of the weekend that I saw from Europe was the 0-0 draw between Real Madrid and Valencia. Yes, that same Valencia of La Liga that will visit BBVA Compass Stadium in May. Many complained about wanting to see Real Madrid or Barcelona. Hoped you watched this game, this team has talent, and courage and could easily have won at the Bernebeau.

6.) The Dynamo depth will be tested in Chicago but a few more interesting sidebars exist in this game. Former Dynamo Dominic Oduro will go against his last club. Ditto for Calen Carr of the Dynamo.
German International defender Arne Friedrich could start. The high profile defender scored for Germany in the 4-0 win over Argentina in the last World Cup. He also starred at Hertha Berlin.
Will Frank Klopas return Sean Johnson to goal against the Dynamo. Johnson was in goal when the U.S. were tied and eliminated from the Concacaf Olympic qualifying tournament by El Salvador.

7.) Dynamo connected to 22 year old Peruvian striker- Luis Advincula who plays at Sporting Cristal in Peru and has represented the full national team has been linked. Interesting for sure.
Hear Dynamo All Access podcast at sports790.com or on ITUNES.

Twitter: GLennDavisSoc

Entrusting so much responsibility in Mario Balotelli a hot headed, talented striker did not make sense.

Yet this is exactly what Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini elected to do this season with the erratic, immature Balotelli. Episodes throughout the season made us all shake our heads and wonder when the full implosion would take place and why Mancini would invest this much ?
Today “Super Mario” was “Super stupid”. Running around straight legging opponents while producing little from a soccer standpoint.
In the end Ballotelli would be shown a second yellow and ejected.
His teammates looked perplexed as to why he was still on the field at the end of the game.

The truth is I would imagine this locker room had to be fractured due to the antics of Ballotelli and the amount of attention paid to him by the manager.
This may have been the final straw today against Arsenal and will likely cost Mancini his job who said Ballotelli will not play again this year for City.
How many times did you see City players walk past Ballotelli when he was injured. Go back to the World Football Challenge at the Home Depot Center where in that game Ballotelli’s teammates were clearly already at odds with him. This was back in July of 2011.

So why would Mancini put his entire stock in this striker who clearly is remarkably immature and just a kid acting out?

Who is accountable?
Clearly Mancini who elected to take this position with Ballotelli throughout the season is accountable and his head will likely roll. Factor in Carlos Tevez and that is why way back the thought of this team actually winning the title was outside of the realm in my opinion despite their great start. Personality, character counts and Mancini rode the wrong horse.
Look at how important professionalism and experience is in the case of Sir Alex Ferguson bringing back Paul Scholes who scored today against QPR in a 2-0 win.
It was only 5-6 weeks ago that some Manchester United fans were ready to concede the title to Manchester City. Silly.

Arsenal by the way deserve great credit for their lively win today and it was nice to see Mikael Arteta score the game winner.

Poor officiating today in the EPL, amazing to hear Sir Alex Ferguson defending the offside decision missed that led to their first goal.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

When I woke up a few things jumped into my mind today.
Here are my Monday morning thoughts:

1.) Gorgio Chinaglia passes- I know I did a previous blog on this but Gorgio’s passing cuts deep. Some many memories return to my mind from visits to live soccer and Giants Stadium to watch him score and celebrate goals. This were memorable moments as a teen-ager, moments that influenced my love of the sport and the dream of possibility.
Chinaglia and the Cosmos hands down is the greatest team that ever played professional soccer in this country. The power of influence was there.
More on this Wednesday on Soccer Matters brought to you by IRONMAN and Dynamo All Access starting at 7 cst on Sports Talk 790.

2.) “Cunning Spider” cut down by “Wheels” of Marvel Wynne.
The two fastest men in the leaguem not necessarily most refined soccer players met yesterday and Marvel and the Rapids came out the winner in this duel. Oh how to be blessed by recoverability as a defender, yet in saying that Oduro did get behind the Rapids defense and could have made it 1-0.
The “Cunning Spider” is up next against the Dynamo with his Chicago Fire club.

3.) Manchester city doomed?- sure they came back to draw dramatically at home against Sunderland but I am sticking with Manchester United to win the title.
They have simple been there before and know how to handle this situation.
This is not the first rodeo for Sir Alex Ferguson. (Hey how profound!)
Still the volatility of striker Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez is like a keg of dynamite. Who knows what is going on behind closed doors.

4.) High School soccer playoffs upon us-ok this is not the Academy vs. High School argument but tons of soccer players will be playing for pride on Tuesday throughout the Houston area. On the men’s side Alief Elsik is apparently a hot topic while Strake Jesuit looks to go to state for the third straight year. Anyone with thoughts on the high school state playoffs? Any teams we should be keeping an eye on?
On the youth front the Dallas Cup kicked off on Sunday night!!

5.) Mexico Honduras book their Olympic ticket-
The stunning blow for the U.S. is that they will not get to participate in the Olympics. Sure hits hard for U.S. Soccer. By the way, these amazing soccer playing nations will not be there also: Netherlands, Italy, Argentina and Germany.
Mexico and Honduras play today for the Concacaf Olympic title on Universal Sports at 5:00 cst.
I know so much has been said about Marco Fabian and Alan Pulido for Mexico but wide man Javier Aquino has looked good. How about him marauding down the right side in the new BBVA Compass Stadium. Just a thought and the price tag would be high for the Cruz Azul dribbling wizard.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

Weekends always bring us the promise both participation wise and soccer watching wise. Here are a few things on my soccer mind:

1.) Concacaf Olympic Qualifying- today semi-finals will bring us winners who will go to the London Olympics. My heart still heavy that the United States was eliminated but it is a good re-boot and assessment time for U.S. Soccer.
At 6pm Eastern time Honduras plays El Salvador for a ticket and at 9pm Eastern. catch Mexico and Canada on NBC SPORTS NETWORK. Looking forward to calling this game. Mexico the clear favorite with it’s quality and experience but the “will to win” will be on display from Canada. Someone say composure and living up to the moment?

2.) El Salvador Alexander Larin and a thirst for blood- apparently Alexander Larin the El Salvador defender that cold-cocked Terrance Boyd is an unsavory character. Canada’s Carl Haworth claims he was bit in the arm by Larin in their Group A opener. Bite marks were said to have been seen on his arm.

3.) Manchester City saves two points- Well that is the way I look at it anyway.
Down 3-1 at home to a strong Sunderland and Martin O’Neill, Manchester City despite being outplayed pull off a 3-3 draw. They just pulled themselves out of the grave but I have said all along the character of Mario Balotelli, Carlos Tevez would be too much. They seem to be pulling apart and this is where you go to the bank on Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson who have been to this rodeo before.

4.) Dwayne DeRosario-who can forget when DeRo was flying out of central midfield with an element of danger at Robertson. He still remains one of the great showpieces of MLS when it comes to excitement. Last night passing, shooting and passion oozed out of the man as DC United got a 4-1 win on NBC over FC Dallas. Remember it is DC that along with Pat Onstad and Danny Cruz that will come back to be a part of the BBVA Compass Stadium opener.
Cruz nabbed a goal last night. Get tickets for the Dynamo at HoustonDynamo.com

5.) Radio reminder- next week Dynamo All Access and Soccer Matters brought to you by IRONMAN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE make up a three hour block on Wednesday night due to basketball. Show is on Sports Talk 790 and I want you the soccer fanatic!!!!
You can also follow me on twitter: GlennDavisSoc where I will keep you updated with guests and more, facebook: Glenn Davis

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