Dynamo at DC 6pm ct on Comcast Sports Net Houston (ancillary channel)

Dynamo:

It is going to be interesting to see how Dominic Kinnear sets up his team tonight and how he shares playing time based on the fact that the Dynamo are in game 2 of 3 games in 8 days.
This game is more about the Dynamo as a team as opposed to the opposition.
The Dynamo used 12 players in their 1-0 win over LA with only Brian Ching coming on for 6 minutes used as a sub.
The Dynamo play this one tonight with an eye on Sporting KC at home on Sunday.
Brad Davis one assumes will jump right back in the lineup and relieve someone in midfield who needs a break due to fatigue.
Do Luis Camargo, Jason Johnson, Eric Brunner or others get some minutes tonight?

DC United
To say this team is one gigantic struggle right now is an understatement.
They have scored only 4 goals and stars and highest paid players Dwayne DeRosario and Chris Pontius have yet to score.
They are a league worst 1-6-1 and have been shutout 5 times while losing their last five in a row.
Attendance has dwindled at RFK Stadium and one has to believe the lack of getting a stadium deal is hanging over this franchise like a dark, nebulous cloud.
This club now is trying to prove if this team last year was a novelty and set the bar unrealistically high?
Now all of the above are real reasons to realize this team tonight could be a dangerous animal that has been backed into the corner one too many times. DC United can’t be looked past tonight and the return of Chris Pontius could be a boost.
Dwayne DeRosario will bet motivated to try and bring this team back to life and get them some points against the team he led to an MLS Cup in RFK Stadium in 2007.
DC United manager Ben Olsen must motivate and find a way to induce a positive performance against a team that they have been 1-8-2 against in their last 12.

Dynamo Keys:

GET GAMES FIRST GOAL: Score the first goal against United and it could be a major psychological blow that they may not recover from.

SET PIECES: The Dynamo can take advantage of an area that DC is poor. Defending set pieces has been nightmarish for United.

BUILD OFF LA ROAD WIN: Timely moments of possession, emotionally and mentally connected play all can lead to a good night but others will have to contribute.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

The recent skin crawling incident in Utah reminds us that youth soccer is just that…..youth soccer. To think that a 17 year old would throw a punch at a referee for receiving a yellow card is pretty mind blowing.
The referee Ricardo Portillo would collapse in a fetal postion, leak blood from his mouth, go to the hospital, slip into a coma and die.
This from a man from all reports that was dedicated to the sport of soccer.

This won’t be the first and last time violence strikes the youth soccer fields but it is sobering.
As adults we must take back control of our youth soccer fields with emotional control, REAL leadership and behavior that is expected from adults in the eyes of youth. No turning a blind eye to poor behavior. As adults we are expected to teach and lead youth players.

There is far more good going on at youth fields these days but the competitive nature of winning and scholarship potential is driving some to levels of expectation that can be unrealistic. Part of player development is disappointment and it happens to us all.

It is time to step back and reflect, think about what is desired at youth soccer fields for the adult and their sons and daughters.

DYNAMO WITH OPPORTUNITY AND PLAYERS SELECTION CHOICES

With three points in their last two road games the Dynamo are in a wonderful position in a rainy Washington DC to take on United tomorrow.
Still you can’t look beyond DC United despite the fact that they are rock bottom in the Eastern Conference and have no goals between Dwayne DeRosario and Chris Pontius.
They have only scored four goals in eight games and have lost five in a row and that simply is what makes them dangerous.

WHY THIS IS DANGEROUS?
Because at some point DC (1-6-1) will break out and they did not play this past weekend.
Meanwhile the Dynamo used 12 players in their win over LA 1-0 with only Brian Ching coming off the bench for 6 minutes.
The quick turn-around could make this the game that the Dynamo could make changes with Sporting KC looming on Sunday.
Brad Davis returns from suspension.
DC will look to get a boost from the return of Chris Pontius who has been out with a groin injury.

More in depth breakdown tomorrow .

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc, facebook: Soccer Matters

It was impressive, a collective display from a team missing it’s team mvp against their nemesis.

The Houston Dynamo behind a 56th minute goal from Andrew Driver defeated the LA Galaxy 1-0 for their first win since 2008 in tinsletown. More importantly it was their first road win of the year ahead of a match up with DC United at RFK this Wednesday (CSNHouston).

The return of Jermaine Taylor steadied down the back and the Dynamo were an emotionally and mentally connected squad throughout the night.

A missed Landon Donovan penalty which basically was hit right at Tally Hall could have changed the game.

I will break this down and more tonight on Soccer Matters on ESPN 97-5 at 7-9pm.

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Lots of speculation swirls around Los Angeles Galaxy center back Omar Gonzalez as to where his future lies as a player. The big LA center back who led the Galaxy to the MLS Cup title last year after an ACL tear has attention from Liga MX, EPL and the German Bundesliga.
Gonzalez will be on display tonight against the Dynamo at 10:00 Ct on Espn and it is clear the Dynamo will need to play away from the big center-back.

Here is what Gonzalez’s agent Richard Motzkin had to say to goal.com :

“Omar’s priority is remaining grounded and focused on playing well for the Galaxy. He’s not taking anything for granted. He wants to be somewhere where he’s playing regularly and continues to develop.”

Being grounded, focused is precisely what has been impressive about Gonzalez, this player is hungry to achieve and after injury to his acl told me on SOCCER MATTERS on espn 97-5 that he does not take for granted playing the game.

DYNAMO V GALAXY

NO BRAD: The Dynamo will be without their captain Brad Davis today who was re-carded in the 1-1 draw with Colorado. It is likely manager Dom Kinnear will move Andrew Driver to the left side of midfield where he is comfortable and play Boniek Garcia on the right. The depth of the Dynamo playing out here.
The absence of Warren Creavalle also complicates things in midfield depth-wise.

RETURN OF LANDON and CARLO : All signs point to the return of Landon Donovan and Carlo Cudicini. Donovan did not travel to RSL in the Galaxy 2-0 win that included the participation of some younger less experienced players.
A motivated and rested Donovan is danger and his soccer brain and movement will have to be contained. LA instantly becomes a more potent team with LD back in the lineup.

Carlo Cudicini likely could return in goal and the former Chelsea man has been excellent.

GILES BARNES could hold the key: The Dynamo will need to play in front of LA’s center back’s and Barnes coming from a deeper withdrawn position could tempt out LA center back Gonzalez and AJ De La Garza.
This coupled with strong wide play from the Dynamo could lead to road chances.

TRANSITION GAME: The Dynamo will have to be particularly sharp in those few quick seconds when the ball turns over against LA who can break quickly with Donovan. Good initial pressure on the ball and being organized will go a long way.

LA
Strong at the back, solid in the middle with the work ethic of Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas and with game changers like Donovan, Keane, Magee.
Juninho has power from long range as well.

PROJECTED DYNAMO LINEUP:

Goalkeeper: Tally Hall
Defenders: Sarkodie, Boswell, Taylor, Ashe
Midfield: Moffat, Clark, Driver, Boniek Garcia
Forward: Bruin, Barnes (withdrawn)

DYNAMO
A tough three games in 7 days seems brutal with the bi-coastal road trip starting in LA and then taking the Dynamo to DC on Wednesday (Comcast Sports Net Houston). DC will be lying in wait not playing this weekend and then the Dynamo chief rival Sporting KC comes to town.

Facebook: Soccer Matters, Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

The improbable has become and accepted norm for Monterrey.

With 30 minutes left in the Concacaf Champions League final Chupete Suazo, Aldo DiNigris and company found four goals in amazing, spectacular fashion to dispose of Santos Laguna and for the third consecutive time book their ticket to the World Club Championship and a possible date with the European Champion.

So what is it about Rayados?
Is it this team is just that much better than it’s Concacaf opposition?
Is it that they are more determined to get world exposure by winning this tournament?

This result hits close to home here in Houston as a huge contingent of Houstonians have a connection to Monterrey and either Rayados or Tigres. So many were tuned in to this game on Wednesday night and saw the drama unfold. The scenes in the Estadio Technologico were amazing.

My connection to Monterrey goes back to when I was a youth director and established ties with this club due to it’s amazing record of producing youth players.
I wanted my youth players and parents to feel a part of the passion that comes out of this great soccer city.
We played matches prior to their full professional games in front of close to 30,000 fans. The trips made indelible impact on youth players and their fathers who came on the trip to chaperone.

I loved when the Dynamo played Monterrey in exhibitions yet realized few of the MLS regular Dynamo fans showed. The games were edgy, competitive and exposed the club to a new base of fans.
Houston is Monterrey fan strong and it would be amazing to see if that bridge could be built.

I realize Houston area Monterrey based fans travel back for games.
Who knows, how about a yearly match with Rayados for a Cup that bridges Mexican football and MLS?

For the last three years Monterrey are the “Kings of Concacaf” and they don’t look willing to let go of their crown.

On another note, some of the best cabrito I ever had was in Monterrey.
Does anywhere compare in Houston?

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc

Now on SOCCER MATTERS this past week on ESPN 97-5 I spoke about how I was hoping to see an all German Club UEFA Champions League final.
My reasoning was because I like what is going on in Germany with emphasis on player development, the 50+1 rule giving supporters controlling interest of the club and the fact that fans are prioritized.
There is a lot to be learned from the fiscal responsibility and success in the Bundesliga.
If there is any team that can derail Bayern it just might be Dortmund who deserve credit for pushing “team Hollywood”.
Thoughts? Are you sad that Barcelona and Real Madrid are out?
Sad no English team at Wembley and is the Bundesliga now the best in the world?

MONTERREY
Speaking of someone to learn from. Monterrey Rayados (Sorry Tigres fans) rule the roost when it comes to the World Club Championship.
For the third straight time they have won the Concacaf Champions league and will go to the marquee event.
It is clear that Rayados wants the international exposure.
Thoughts?
Should we be talking Copa Libertadores with MLS teams when we have not won Concacaf? You tell me.

Dynamo All Access tonight on Yahoo Sports Radio 1560 Am radio at 7pm, call in number 713-439-1560, streams at ysr1560.com

The EPL in the form of Stoke City will make it’s way to Houston.
Fans have weighed in on the opponent which includes former Dynamo Geoff Cameron and FC Dallas Brek Shea.

For MLS to have a relationship with other leagues and clubs is important and of course this game also came from the fact that the Dynamo did business in selling Geoff Cameron and the tow entities agreed on a game.

Many people are excited about seeing Stoke and many are critical of their direct style of play.
Stoke has players like Charlie Adam, Robert Huth, and Peter Crouch who has represented England.
This year Geoff Cameron has played in 30 plus games for them against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United in a variety of positions in midfield and outside back.
Cameron will be a guest tomorrow night on Yahoo Sports Radio DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with me.

Some fans have said that they wanted Manchester United, Real Madrid or a club of that size and stature. Just not sure that can make financial sense to the Houston Dynamo at this stage .

Last year’s match against Spanish side Valencia was a great one and we all know how they fared going deep into the Champions League. IT was also a night we saw a great goal from Calen Carr.

Stoke City incidentally was formed in 1863 which was probably before your were born.
One of the greatest players in the history of the English game, Sir Stanley Matthews played 19 seasons for the Potters.

Are you excited about the Dynamo in international competition? Will you go to this game?

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc, facebook: Soccer Matters