Here are a couple of quick free kicks to think about. Of course I would like your reaction and differing opinion:

1.) ACTING TO EARN FREE KICKS, TIME WASTING, POOR OFFICIATING
Now I know a-lot of fans weighed in on this after the Dynamo loss against NE.
This is not the reason the Dynamo did not get the desired result and it is
a poor excuse.
One way to combat the above is simply GET THE GAME’S FIRST GOAL.

2.) MANCHESTER CITY/NEW YORK YANKEES COMBINE TO BUY MLS FRANCHISE
Ok is it time to re-name the New York Red Bulls to New Jersey Red Bulls?
They will be MLS’s 20th franchise in 2015 and it will be interesting to
see how this club is positioned from a marketing standpoint.
I can only see the competition as being good to bring the game of the New York Red
Bulls to a higher level.
I can see it now, Henry jumps to NYCFC!

3.) BOSWELL HEAD BUTT ON IMBONGO
I was once a center back and can say I did a few very irresponsible things to get
sent off. Yes emotion is a part of this game and that got the best of Boswell who
from early in this game was going at it with Dimitry Imbongo the center forward for
NE.
The problem here is that he is positioned as a leader on the Dynamo and has less rope
for incidents like this. He is out of the Sporting KC game this Sunday and so likely
is Jermaine Taylor with a should that had to be popped back in.
We could see Eric Brunner and Ricardo Clark at the back with Luiz Camargo and Warren
Creavalle playing a bigger part of the picture.
The ejection was self serving and players are accountable.

4.) IS DORTMUND’S MARIO GOTZE’s head in it?
How bizarre that Gotze is bought by Bayern and it is announced during the Champions
League. The kid is only 20 and very talented but pulled himself out of training today. Is his head going to be right for the big day at Wembley on Saturday?

5.) MEXICO/NIGERIA
I am going out on a limb hear and saying this will be a sell-out so get over to Fiesta and get your tickets. Both teams will be loaded with their top talent and I know the Mexican fans will be out in full force.
My question is around Nigerian fans which we know are prevalent in Houston. Will there be a big turn out and how can we get them to support the Dynamo?

6.) FAGUNDEZ ADVANCED FOR 18
I have had some email me and compare him to Dynamo signing Bryan Salazar.
Fagundez is way ahead of the curve in that he signed professional at 15 and
was amongst the first team at 16.
His first season he had 300 + minutes, last year 700 + and now is a bonafide starter
it seems and will blow that out of the water this year at 18 yrs of age.
He was afforded the opportunity to play in NE early on a less competitive team
than the Dynamo, still it is a great story and his savvy and maturity is showing.
I interviewed him on Soccer Matters last night and he seems to have his head on his
shoulders.
Salazar is explosive over a few yards and needs games but they will be tough to find
in MLS with the strength of the Dynamo.
Still it is hard to compare the two as Fagundez already has 30 plus MLS games under his belt at 18.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc, facebook: Soccer Matters

The Dynamo were beaten for the second consecutive time at home by the NE Revolution 2-0 aided by an 18 year old.
NE attacker Diego Fagundez worked a give and go with Clyde Simms and that would be the game winner in the 51st minute.
The Revolution would add a second which was all about Juan Agudelo who nudged away Adam Moffat and then glanced a shot off Ricardo Clark that ultimately would be termed an own goal in the 84th.

This was not a classic Dynamo performance as things just seemed to be a struggle to click on a night where player ejections and injury played part in both managers re-configuring their lineup.

EARLY NE PRESSURE SETS TONE FOR ROAD TEAM
It is not always the true litmus test but NE started this game better than the Dynamo.
In fact they mentioned in the press that they would try to apply pressure from the start on the Dynamo.
They did and it earned them confidence and a level of self belief that would last throughout the evening.
Overall they defended well as a unit on the evening and reminded us that they are one of the top defensive teams in the league.
Central defender Jose Goncalves was impressive in a silent, positional, leadership kind of way. He was a pillar.

BARNES MISSED HEADER
Giles Barnes had a clear header that could have put the Dynamo up and might have changed the course of events over the evening.

BOSWELL/IMBONGO ejected and INJURY change game
Bobby Boswell and Dimitry Imbongo were ejected in the 40th minute after a tussle in front of goal. The replay made it look as though Boswell head butted the striker as both had been going at it literally from the opening whistle as they tumbled to the ground.

To add further to the struggle Jermaine Taylor went off with a shoulder injury as Dominic Kinnear had to change things moving Ricardo Clark to cb along with Eric Brunner who came off the bench .
Adam Moffat came off the bench in the holding role as Kinnear had to sacrifice attacker Giles Barnes.
NE would lose Ryan Guy to injury.

UNFORCED ERRORS
The Dynamo passing on numerous occasions was off as passes were over and under hit slowly killing off attacks.
The normal edge to their game and “teeth” to their game was missing despite still creating a few decent chances.
Barnes, Will Bruin, Andrew Driver, Brian Ching had chances but one has to credit a NE defensive effort that was solid and the type you need on the road.
That got good pressure on shooters and conceded few clear chances.

BONIEK GARCIA CENTRAL
Boniek Garcia lined up central for the Dynamo with Brad Davis and Andrew Driver out wide.
As always he worked industriously but had little to show from an attacking standpoint as he just seems to be that little bit off.

CHING INSERTION LIFTS DYNAMO
Brian Ching coming on gave the Dynamo a lift and his point blank chance was saved by NE GK Bobby Shuttleworth who on the night did not have to make many saves, both he and Hall had three.

FAGUNDEZ GAME WINNER
The Diego Fagundez game winner was a beautifully worked goal but clearly the Dynamo conceded too much space to allow this play to come off.

HOW QUICKLY THINGS CHANGE
This is the way it works in MLS, one minute you are on top of the world with two road wins and the next you are staring at two straight home losses plus your next three on the road.
The Dynamo head to rivals Sporting KC next weekend and the center back position will be a point of contention.
Boswell will serve suspension while one wonders how Jermaine Taylor and his shoulder is?
The Dynamo could line up with Ricardo Clark and Eric Brunner at center back.
After that it is two more road games in Columbus and Montreal and four players who have been called up for national team duty including Brad Davis who will live after the Sporting KC match, Tally Hall who will leave after the Columbus match and Boniek Garcia and Taylor who likely will go after the Sporting KC match.
Opportunity for others beckons now.

A GREAT CROWD AND CRAZY TV NIGHT
The Dynamo crowd was solid on Saturday night while tv was as unpredictable as the game.
At one point our tv truck router was down and locally on channel 2 the NE broadcast was going to be aired but suddenly things were up and running and we were able to air the game on local 2 sports.

My thanks to all who came out for Dynamo post game radio show at Southwest Corner of stadium, good fun for all!

I don’t know about you but I am excited to see the Dynamo (6-3-2) tonight at BBVA like always. The only difference is that they go in to this one off the loss to NE (2-4-4).
In the two prior losses this year the Dynamo bounced back to produce winning results.

THE BIG REASON: This is important from the stand-point off gathering more points as the Dynamo head to Sporting KC (now that is a juicy return match), then on to Columbus, and Montreal or “Monreal” for you Frenchies. The Dynamo won’t be home until June 22nd again.
Get those home points in.

DYNAMO: The club has improving health as both Giles Barnes and Warren Creavalle are back in the picture.
One would expect the Dynamo to go back to their 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 whatever you want to call it with Barnes as the withdrawn forward behind Will Bruin.
Familiarity has bred success and the change against Sporting KC in formation likely went down to the absence of Barnes in many ways.
Expect the Dynamo to take the initiative against NE and set the tone early as they do at home.
One thing to keep in mind is that NE with Bobby Shuttleworth in goal has one of the top defensive teams in MLS having only conceded 9 goals in 10 games.
Only Seattle is better.
The Dynamo are amongst the top five in goals scored with 17.

THE BIG QUESTION is how Dom Kinnear puts out his midfield tonight?
Does it include Andrew Driver, Brad Davis and Boniek Garcia or does it play with both Ricardo Clark and Adam Moffat in midfield to be a bit more defensive?
Clark and Driver for me were the best players for the Dynamo against Sporting KC not matter what you say in the twittersphere

RECLAIMING the midfield passing rhythm that lacked against Sporting KC and that means finding space and getting the ball of your feet quickly. Remember Sporting KC broke Dynamo rhythm with fouling and that must be overcome today.
The Dynamo will find space today I believe as their midfield will be tough to contain.
New England will play with a five man midfield and a lone striker to try to marginalize the Dynamo in this area.

NE REVOLUTION DRY IN SCORING GOALS
Conversely this team is struggling to score goals.
They recently acquired Juan Agudelo whose MLS club tour continues.
How can this be good for a young 20 year old player to be on his third team and now on artificial surface?
Could he play tonight? Reports say yes but I am going to say that he will come off the bench.
The Revs likely will have a lone striker and my gut tells me manager Jay Heaps will bring back as a starter Jerry Bengston.
You remember him right?
He scored the goal to beat Spain in the London Olympics for Honduras and also produced the game winner against the US in World Cup qualifying off a pass from Dynamo Boniek Garcia.
If Bengston does not start it could by Dimitry Imbongo a long rangy 23 year old from the Congo who comes from lower divisions in Germany at 1860.

REVS PLAYMAKERS
The Revs will try to get their outside back Chris Tierney to join in plus have passers of the ball in Lee Nguyen and Kelyn Rowe.
Andy Dorman is back on this club after playing in Scotland and is still looking to produce his best.
Saer Sene whom you remember had a huge night scoring twice against the Dynamo in Foxborough last year is slowly making his way back after ACL surgery and is likely to show off the bench .

KEEP AN EYE ON FOR THE REVS
Jose Goncalves who hails from Portugal and is the team captain.
Solid center back who played with Andrew Driver at Hearts and in Germany with Nuremburg.

How about an 18 year old who just happens to lead the team in goals? Diego Fagundez has two and plays with little fear at 18, he is busy , energetic and solid on the ball. A great story.

Here are a few thoughts and reminders:

1.) DYNAMO CROWD
Dynamo expecting larger crowd this weekend for NE than Sporting KC.
Now this is interesting because clearly the game with the better story-lines and
with Eastern Conference implications was Sporting KC, not to mention that little
36 game unbeaten streak. I suppose the Saturday night start time is the difference
here or we really don’t care who the opponent is? You tell me.
Tickets and packages at HoustonDynamo.com

2.) TALLY HALL AND BRAD DAVIS CALLED UP TO US NATIONAL TEAM
Hall is a European sized gk whose maturity and game continues to stretch forward.
After being called in to the last camp and told to work on his “feet” by Jurgen Klinsmann hall has been solid for the Dynamo, dependable. So why wouldn’t he be called in
again.
Comparing him to the youthful nature of Bill Hamid and Sean Johnson you see stability and maturity.
While Hamid and Johnson have big upside, so does Hall. Central defenders want to know what is going on behind them. Goalkeepers make them better.
As for Brad Davis all you can say is that he has re-crafted his career at a later stage and is a real story. The fact that Klinsmann used him to help manage out a game in the final 20 minutes at Azteca Stadium against Mexico tells you something.

3.) CALLING ALL NIGERIANS
Yeah I know, the Mexican National team is in town and it will feel like Mexico City on May 31 at Reliant Stadium.
Already 40,000 tickets have been sold according to Jamey Rootes of Lonestar but what I want to see is a turn out from the strong Nigeria soccer community, show me those Nigerian flags. After all this is the African Champions and coming to town are Chelsea’s Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel both whom just won the Europa League.
Super Eagles anyone? Get your tickets at Fiesta ticketmaster locations!

4.) JONH SPENCER INTERVIEW at ESPN975.com
That is where you get the podcasts of SOCCER MATTERS and DYNAMO ALL ACCESS
Here Spencer talk about the choice of drinking or playing football as a kid
in Glasgow, Scotland, why it is going to be tough for David Moyes and Manchester
United and how the caliber of MLS foreign and American talent was better in his
day in MLS. Expansion anyone?
The Brad Davis interview last night included the fact that he felt that Sporting KC
might have just celebrated a bit too much after their 1-0 win at BBVA Compass.

5.) CR7 V. EL TIGRE IN COPA DEL REY TODAY
Catch the Kings Cup today on ESPN at 1pm central between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. This is worth a watch as is the Liguilla playoffs which have been exciting to say
the least!

6.) DYNAMO V NE ON KPRC CHANNEL 2
Pre-game and post game as we bring you coverage of DYNAMO AND NE.

7.) DYNAMO WEEKLY TODAY
Catch the half hour show today at 4:30 pm on CSN HOUSTON.

8.) KICK CANCER SOCCER CAMPS DEC 13, 14 needs campers in all locations as we as a soccer community come together as one to fight pedatric cancer and raise funds for research.
ALL PROCEEDS go to CURING CHILDRENS CANCER FUND cccfund.org
Contact me if you want to be a part of this ever important yearly event that continues to grow! Join the team!

Chelsea look today to win more European hardware when they take on famed Portuguese side Benfica. Of course last year they won the UEFA Champions League over Bayern Munich on penalty kicks with Didier Drogba leading the way.

I know the popularity of the Champions League is hard to trump these days but to win this trophy will be another large step for Chelsea and will potentially shine a different light on the often maligned interim manager Rafa Benitez .

I find it comical when some fans downplay the significance of this tournament and the difficulty to navigate over the course of a long season.

The match is live from the Amsterdam, Arena at 1:00 central time on Fox Soccer Channel.

DYNAMO NOTES

Yesterday the Dynamo defeated the Chicago Fire in a reserve match that saw the club field three academy players including a 16 year old striker.

The good news ahead of the NE match is that withdrawn forward Giles Barnes and midfielder/defender Warren Creavalle both trained.

The Dynamo are expecting one of their better crowds as they go back to a Saturday night start which will air on Local 2 KPRC.

AGONY AND EXCTASY OF WIGAN

After winning the FA Cup in dramatic fashion on Saturday the mood was amazing with Wigan yet only three days laster after getting beaten by Arsenal yesterday they have been relegated to the Championship.
Wigan now could lose manager Roberto Martinez who likely will get other opportunity from Premiership clubs.
For the fans of Wigan you hope he will say to try and re-gain promotion.

XOLOS
Tijuana pulled off a huge win at Palmeiras to advance in the Copa Libertadores.
Check out the amazing goal from Fernando Arce. Jurgen Klinsman US National team manager was in attendance and will pick his squad on Thursday.

KICK CANCER ADDS SITES AND HOSTS!

A huge thank you to REGALS SC and MAYA PARK for becoming a part of KICK CANCER DEC. 13, 14.
Thank you Miguel Landaverde and Marcos Pedraza!
ALso a huge thank you to The Houston Aces Womens professional soccer team that will host at Delmar Stadium! Thank you Ted Brumbaugh!

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

Last night the 36 game home unbeaten streak that the Houston Dynamo carried in all competitions was broken as Sporting KC pulled off a 1-0 win.

Combative center back Aurelien Collin glanced in a header in the 73rd minute to provide the difference. The match more significantly pitted two rivals in the Eastern Conference. The match will only lead to building the rivalry more and you can be the next time these teams meet it will be even more passionate.

SYSTEM CHANGE FOR KINNEAR AND DYNAMO
The Dynamo played out of a 4-3-3 to start the match due to the hamstring problems of Giles Barnes. It was the first time this year the Dynamo played without Barnes in a starting role and it left Will Bruin in the role of a lone striker on many occasions throughout the evening.

DEVOID OF CHANCES
The game was more about sheer willpower than soccer as both teams were on their 3rd game in 8 days although the Dynamo played on the road on two coasts. The game for large portions lacked build up play and was quite direct. The intensity brought a playoff feel.
Clear chances were devoid and most chances were generated off second balls.
A Jason Johnson header bounced off the surface was cleared off the line by Paulo Nagamura near the end of the game.

GAME WINNER COLLIN
Aurelien Collin scored the game winning goal in the 73rd minute off a throw in out of a maze of defenders. His header glanced in behind Tally Hall. After making contact with Bobby Boswell Collin got the vital touch.
The goal was typical of the type that might be scored on a night where tackles and fouls reigned.

FOULS USED TO BREAK RHYTHM
Sporting KC committed 25 fouls many to break the Dynamo passing rhythm that struggled to get going. The best moment may have been at the end of the half when Ricardo Clark got to the endline and delivered right in to the hands of gk Jimmy Neilson.
Will Bruin seemed to be un-marked at the penalty area. It was a rare moment when the Dynamo got to the end-line.

PASSING RHYTHM DENIED
Both teams broke the passing rhythm of their opponent with solid pressure. One might have thought that fatigue might have led to more time on the ball at some point and better possession. It never happened.
The Dynamo brought on Brian Ching and Jason Johnson while taking off Kofi Sarkodie and Adam Moffat and drove numerous balls into the penalty area in a chaotic, frantic finish that nearly produced the equalizer as the fans pushed the Dynamo on.

IN THE BIG PICTURE
Six points in three games was positive for the Dynamo especially since they only conceded one goal while winning at LA and DC.

RESPONSE GAME
That is what the NE Revolution will be walking into on Saturday when they take the Dynamo on at BBVA Compass Stadium.

SOCCER MATTERS on ESPN 97-5 tomorrow night at 7pm

Lots of international, Dynamo football talk along with an in-studio visit from former Portland manager and Dynamo assistant John Spencer.
More guests to come!

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc, Facebook: Soccer Matters

Three games in 8 days for both the Dynamo and Sporting KC with the Dynamo confident coming off two straight road wins at LA and DC while Sporting is hurting after losing on a late goal 1-0 at home against Seattle.

Fatigue, injury, mentality and real coaching choices based on the prior will test both manager Dominic Kinnear of Houston and Peter Vermes of Sporting KC. Make no mistake, Sporting KC want to be the team that breaks this 36 game home unbeaten streak of the Dynamo and would love to exact a measure of revenge and begin to turn history around against the Orange.
The Dynamo eliminated Sporting from the playoffs the last two years and truly these teams are rivals.
Simply put, no one needs to be motivated today.

“Someone has to be the first and I’d love to be the first,” said Sporting manager Peter Vermes to the KC Star. “Right now it’s about performing, it’s about playing well, it’s about getting results and continuing to get better as a team.”

DYNAMO COULD CAP an amazing week with a full 9 points in 3 games that could be defining after a lackluster match at home the last time against Colorado.

THE REAL POINT OF CONTENTION is the health of Giles Barnes and Ricardo Clark. Barnes has started every game and poses a unique challenge match-up wise and positionally to opponents in the withdrawn forward role.
His movement, skill and power from a deeper position behind Will Bruin has been troubling for opponents. Barnes came off with a hamstring injury and likely could miss out.
If he does the Dynamo will have to play different with Brian Ching or Cam Weaver likely to partner Bruin.
Clark likely could return which would be a boost for a squad that has had players log alot of minutes in a short amount of time.
Sporting KC is going to miss central defender and MLS defender of Year Matt Besler likely.
Ike Opara out of Wake Forest will continue in his place.

WILL FATIGUE LEAD TO MORE SPACE AND TIME AND POTENTIALLY MORE GOALS?
Generally these have been tight affairs with two teams in low scoring games.
Both teams like to take the initiative .
My guess is that Sporting will look a lot like a 4-5-1 at times with a lone striker in either CJ Sapong or Claudio Bieler.
With 3 games in 8 days for both teams players just might get that little bit more time on the ball, that extra yard. If they do, beware! Both teams are stocked with players that can make the telling pass or come up with that creative idea.
Graham Zusi, Benny Feilhaber, Oriol Rosell for Sporting KC and Brad Davis, Boniek Garcia, and Andrew Driver are all skillmasters!

SPORTING KC 4-3-3
The 4-3-3 when working for Sporting is the best in the league but it is also system where opponents can catch them in transition when pushing numbers forward. Space could be available out wide for the Dynamo when SKC pushes forward and we all know what Andrew Driver , Brad Davis and Boniek Garcia can do with space!
The Dynamo first pass to break pressure when they win the ball must be good because it can lead to good things.
Matching up with the three central midfield players will be a challenge for the Dynamo at times.
Could the Dynamo go to a five man midfield in the absence of Barnes? It is possible.

KEI KAMARA
The former Dynamo could return and one wonders if he is thrust into the starting lineup today?

SIR ALEX FERGUSON in an emotional farewell in a few minutes at Old Trafford as Ferguson will manage his final game at home for Manchester United.

MONTERREY and AMERICA have advanced to the semi-finals of the Liguilla while Cruz Azul takes on Morelia and Atlas plays Santos today.

WIGAN did the impossible defeating Manchester City to win the FA CUP!!!

FACEBOOK: SOCCER MATTERS, Twitter: GlennDavisSoc