Landon Donovan pointed out that in the future the players will be less combative towards the league as both sides have learned that they need to listen to each other.
MLS players apparently impressed Garber with their ideas which should not come as a surprise, relations between the two sides seem to be improved.

A postive day for the sport!!!

Highlights and notes:
*MLS Commissioner Don Garber commends Union representative Bob Foose, players and fans for their patience and effort.
*Garber says it would not have gotten done without mediator George Cohen.
*Five year agreement is solid and ultimately about fans. Foose thanks fans for standing by the league and players.
* Changes needed to be made to make MLS more competitive
* Negotiations were always about player rights according to Foose. Rights were the central them all along. Owner investment always respected.
* Joint role of increasing rights and pay plus keeping an eye on the bottom line
* Players are unified to making the league one of the best in the world

*Guaranteed contracts for most players in league, more free movement, Union and MLS will work as partners in the future.
*Mediator George Cohen stresses that both sides were focused on moving the game forward.

Garber: ” We recognized that free agency was the elephant in the room. Players will have greater rights at the end of their agreements but will not be free agents within the league.
Players out of contract at a certain age will go into re-entry draft. ”

“Best collective bargaining agreements end with compromise”- Bob Foose Players Union

“Pressure of deadlines tends to bring results”. Bob Foose

“Length of time and commitment to issues made for better end result”. Bob Foose

” We have not been through a process quite like this. The players got in Wednesday night and in this building until 2pm Thursday. We were in different rooms. We went article by article. This committee(player association) understood all the details, it was not fun, it was tiring but productive. I look forward to not doing this for five more years.” Don Garber

“The leadership of the players has been extraordinary”. Bob Foose

Five MLS players that were involved in the MLS Cup final were in a room in Seattle the next morning at 8:30 am for nine hours to discuss the CBA.

Compensation has been improved significantly for the players……

Are you relieved?

Thoughts?

GDavis: Is the stadium going to be the platform that finally brings takes professional soccer to another level in the tri-state area?

Shep Messing: I don’t think their is any question for soccer fans in the tri-state area that this is the most significant event in the last 30 years. I have questioned in the past the Metrostars and when the Red Bull took over. I have no question that this Red Bull ownership group plus a 200 million dollar stadium has them on the right path.
This ownership group have hired soccer people, built a soccer stadium for soccer fans. Historically for this franchise, this is the first time we have seen that.

GDavis: I get the stadium as a platform but many times this is believed to be the answer to alot of problems for clubs, is the product on the field going to be better?

Shep Messing: I think absolutely it will be better based on the last several months on what sporting director Eric Soler and manager Hans Backe have done. I am shocked how well these guys have done so far as they have adjusted. They look organized, disciplined. They want technical players. The guys on the team are tickled.

GDavis: Where do we see some of these changes?

Shep Messing: They have done a great job upgrading players. Role players have been brought in. They have always said they are going after a marquee player after the World Cup. They are building and look like they have a plan.

NOTE: Messing went on to say that Thierry Henry of France or Raul of Spain could be targets which have been rumored before. This makes sense with Henry potentially looking for a U.S. move. For that matter maybe Henry should consider Houston so he can be near his friend Tony Parker who plays for the San Antonio Spurs.

LOCAL NOTES:
*Dynamo in action today in Santa Barbara CA against Chivas USA whom are now headed up by Martin Vazquez. Doesn’t seem to be any coverage except maybe at Chivas website via twitter………
*Soccer and Dynamo supporters will rally today at the downtown stadium location East of Minute Maid Park at 1pm…….
* The Texian Army supporters group will be busing up to the Dynamo opening game at Pizza Hut Park next Saturday..to secure a place on the bus go to Texianarmy.org
Be a part of the traveling supporters group Texian Army style!

MY PICKS OF THE WEEKEND…..

Saturday: NEW YORK RED BULLS VS SANTOS (FSC 5:30 PM) Tune in to this if just to get a glimpse of the new Red Bull Arena. Then continue to dream of a stadium in Houston where one day you will convene to watch the Dynamo.

Sunday: MANCHESTER UNITED VS LIVERPOOL (8:30 AM) Need I say more?

RIVER PLATE VS BOCA JRS (FSC 5:30) The two Argentine giants have fallen on hard times in Argentina but this will still be an out and out war in one of the world’s most
passionate rivalries…..

Post your soccer thoughts on any subject from the youth game up to the professional game….What does your soccer weekend include?

Twitter: Soccermattersgd

YA MON JAMAICAN JOINS THE DYNAMO
The Dynamo have signed Jamaican midfielder Lovel Palmer. Palmer played for Harbour View in Jamaican and has represented the “reggae boyz” internationally 12 times setting a goal against Argentina in a 2-1 ‘friendly’ loss. He will occupy an international spot.
The central midfielder joins a stable of players capable in that position that includes Adrian Serioux, Geoff Cameron, Brad Davis, and others as the Dynamo seek out a combination to offset the losses of Ricardo Clark and Stuart Holden.
Do you like the signing of Palmer?

DEMPSEY again with a huge FULHMAM goal
Great news for U.S. soccer fans……Clint Dempsey chipped Juventus goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti in the 82nd minute to give the Cottagers an amazing 4-1 win over Juventus in the Europa League. Not only that, but that goal helped them win out on aggregate 5-4. Now Dempsey has scored hugely important goals in his career….who can forget the goal that he scored against Liverpool that helped them avoid relegation?
Juventus dropped by the sword of a kid from Nacogdoches!!!!!

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW……

March madness is a great time in college basketball, college players still have a sense of school pride and have yet to be ’spoiled’ by the lure of the NBA. Great upsets abound and schools that sometimes don’t get national attention are brought to the forefront.
I also love seeing the local story of UH making it to the dance!
As much as I like looking at the brackets and the tournament, nothing comes close to this stage of the Champions League for me. Teams are beginning to taste it and we are getting closer to the historic date in Madrid on May 22nd. So with that in mind, lets take a look at the Champions League draw which took place today at UEFA heaquarters in Nyon, Switzerland:

BAYERN MUNICH (Germany) vs. MANCHESTER UNITED (England)
I love this match-up which quickly brings us back to the famed 1999 final where the Red Devils scored twice in stoppage time to win 2-1. I will never forget Bayern’s bench already celebrating led by Lothar Mattheus swinging a white towel to the fans. With that win United completed their historic treble having also won the EPL title and the FA Cup.
I love this match-up that includes the top stars of Bayern in Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery while United has goal-scoring machine Wayne Rooney who at this moment is unstoppable.

LYON (France) vs. BORDEAUX (France)
The fact that two French squads face each other guarantees a semi-final place for a club representing Ligue 1. First time in six seasons that two French clubs have reached the quarterfinals and former French World Cup winner Laurent Blanc claims that the French Ligue1 is closing the gap on the rest of Europe.
Lyon eliminated star-studded Real Madrid while Bordeaux offed Olympiakos of Greece.
Remember names like Marouane Chamakh and Yoann Gourcuff of Bordeaux and Chelito Delgado (former Cruz Azul who played at Robertson a few times), Sidney Govou and Jean
Makoun of Lyon.

INTER MILAN (Italy) vs. CSKA MOSCOW
The quest for a Champions League trophy is now obsession in Milan for Inter. The ’special one ‘ Jose Mourinho (how great is this guy for soccer) pulled off another master-class in tactics eliminating Chelsea. Have you ever seen another coach in a tunnel greeting , shaking hands with his former teammates. All greeted Mourinho before the epic battle at Stamford Bridge except John Terry who was rumored to have helped his ouster. Mourinho got the last laugh and has the challenge of taking on the “mystery” of CSKA Moscow.
Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder is world class and shined against Chelsea and one to be watched at the next World Cup. Opponents will fear the tactics of Mourinho.
Milos Krasnic has four Champions League goals for CSKA Moscow.
First time to the quarterfinals for Inter in four seasons

ARSENAL (England) vs. BARCELONA(Spain)
Two aesthetically pleasing styles of football comes together in this one. This could be a purists delight and it is always interesting to see Barca up against English teams.
It also is a re-match of the 2006 final which Barcelona won 2-1 , so we have some history here. Remember Jens Lehmann ejection after bringing down Samuel Eto’o?
The reigning champions are looking to be the first team to repeat since AC Milan in 1988-89 and 1989-90. History in the making and did I mention…..Lionel Messi?

Notes: *England and France have two clubs remaining
*6 different countries represented

Your thoughts on the Champions League draw and predict a winner? Who at this point do you see lifting the Champions League trophy on May 22nd?

I will be back later with some thoughts on the Dynamo and some interesting insight from MSG announcer Shep Messing on the opening of the new Red Bull Arena which takes place tomorrow against Santos of Brazil whose star Robinho may not be available due to an injury it is rumored.

Twitter: Soccermattersgd and don’t forget to pay a visit to Foxsportshouston.com

Fiesta Houston Unsung Soccer hero weekly on Dynamo All Access which airs on Sportstalk790 am radio….Do you know a hero? email me at gdavis98@swbell.net

DYNAMO 0 SAN JOSE 0

The exhibition match took place last night in San Jose.

Houston: Onstad, Waibel (Ustruck), Boswell, Robinson, Chabala (Barrett), Cruz (mullan), Serioux, Cameron, Ashe (Navas Cobo), Landin and Oduro.

San Jose: Cannon, Leitch, Hernandez, Burling, Corrales, Gjertsen, Robles, Ring, Convey, Alvarez, Johnson

Stats: Shots: Houston 5 SJ 7
On goal: Houston 0 San Jose 4
Fouls: Houston 7 San Jose 12
Corners: Houston 6 San Jose 6
offside: Houston 6 San Jose 1

Big note here is that Adrian Serioux played in the holding midfield role behind Geoff Cameron . Dominic Kinnear was ejected for dissent in a match that drew over 2000 fans according to San Jose twitter notes.

CREW OUSTED AT TOLUCA

The first ever MLS win in Mexico remains elusive as Toluca knocked the Columbus Crew out of the Concacaf Champions League 3-2.

Scoring summary:

45th+- Schelotto Crew
46th- Mancilla Toluca
57th- Sinha
7oth-Schelotto
71- Sinha

If you caught this on FSC you are reminded how difficult it is for MLS teams to get a result in a meaningful match in Mexico. Only Houston and DC to my knowledge have pulled off draws. Remember the Dynamo 4-4 draw at UNAM Pumas. Sinha , Hector Mancilla and Isaac Brizuela were active and dangerous all night long as Toluca and invidually and collectively were a huge challenged. Toluca also hit the post and crossbar 3 times during this match. Sinha produced two stunning free kicks against Columbus who battled bravely and made it difficult on the Mexican league club.
Crew striker Steven Lenhart was sent off for an off the ball incident not picked up by tv cameras.
Winning in Mexico seems although teams seem to be inching closer. It is difficult for MLS teams to jump into these competitve matches but is not and should not be an excuse despite the challenges. The same thing happens in the Superliga when Mexican teams come to the states where MLS squads tend to get the better of the results.
Thoughts on Concacaf Champions League and for MLS teams to ultimately win this trophy. Is it important?

MEXICO IN TORREON

Mexico rarely plays in it’s own country these days purely for financial reasons but did last night.
Scoring summary:
Mexico- C Blanco 51st
Korea Choe Kum Chol
Mexico Javier Hernandez 69th

The match was again one of analysis for coach Javier Aguirre and few stood out. Cuauhtemoc Blanco will go to the World Cup as a specialist and used in specific instances I believe.
Tell me why you wouldn’t take him? His is a talismanic personality for Mexico. Javier Hernandez should go based on his form and youthful contributions.
Guillermo Ochoa made a poor mistake but clearly is the number one for Aguirre no matter how many shout for the inclusion of Oswaldo Sanchez.
Did Braulio Luna earn a spot with his recent dip into the fountain of youth?
Your thoughts on this match ?

BARCELONA ROLL OVER STUTTGART

So much for the first leg 1-1 draw at Stuttgart. Back in the Camp Nou in front of 75,000 fans, Barcelona dominated every facet of yesterday’s champions league match against an over-matched Stuttgart. This was men against boys. Lionel Messi whether he shows up wide or central is simply amazing at Barcelona. Will this form be found with Argentina at the World Cup?
Mexican international Ricardo Osorio did not play for Stuttgart.

Scoring summary: Barca Mess 13th
Barca Pedro 22
Barca Messi 60
Barca Kirkic 89th

Tell me what else is on your soccer mind and don’t forget Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis today on Fox Sports Houston at 6:30 pm.

Twitter: Soccermattersgd

Podcast of Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis is up…go to sportstalk790.com, click podcasts, click Glenn Davis..

DONOVAN BACK IN LA
The ten week loan for Landon Donovan at Everton is over for the moment.
Forty eight hours after playing in his final match of his loan period against Birmingham, LD was back on U.S. soil and training.
According to an article on the Everton website Donovan will meet the U.S. press today.

“It was beneficial for him,” said LA manager Bruce Arena. “Probably more mentally than the games themselves because he always had the tools to be able to compete at that level.
He demonstrated more to himself that he can do that. I think he comes back a more confident player.”

You think?

What England has it what MLS and the sport in this country is striving for: Healthy media/ fan pressure plus the daily pressure of performing within your club to get a place in your team on the weekend. These are two fundamental pieces that has to continue to grow in the U.S. in order for the sport at the professional level to improve.
It was fascinating watching Donovan compete against the best of the EPL and produce in an environment where not every teammate was looking to him to lead the way. His role in England was defined in a much different way than in MLS and how quickly he took to it was amazing.
I for one will miss watching Donovan in the EPL but if the strike occurs, one would expect Donovan to be on his way back to the Toffees.

SOCCER MATTERS WITH GLENN DAVIS ON FOX SPORTS HOUSTON BROUGHT TO YOU BY MEMORIAL HERMANN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE

Here are the show airtimes for this week:

Thursday 18th 6:30 pm
Friday 19th 12:00 pm
Tuesday 23rd 6:00pm

This week show features an interview with Dynamo 18 year old midfielder Francisco Navas Cobo who is in a whirlwind after signing with the Dynamo and now being called up to the U.S. national u20 team for the Dallas Cup.

Also on the show is Strake Jesuit College Prep head coach Bill McDonald. His squad is undefeated and ranked nationally and bringing attention locally to the high school scene.
Many of you ask for more high school coverage so if you have information that you would like out there than get it to me.

Top ten goals, viewer mail and much more on this weeks edition including the reasons why England’s Wayne Rooney is the number one striker in the world in my opinion.
We break down his various qualities.

This show is available on Comcast and ATT UVERSE cable systems and I urge you to let people know about the programming which I believe is important.
Being on Fox Sports Houston locally and next to the Astros, Texans and Rockets is important for your sport, the sport of soccer. This show also ties together the game at various levels with local stories , the Dynamo and MLS and of course the game in the big picture with information and highlights from around the world.
Also, you can see clips of the show at Foxsportshouston.com plus blogs from both myself and Bobby Boswell of the Dynamo. Lets show Foxsportshouston that we are passionate about the sport and that we want to be a big part of their programming!

SOCCER ON THE TUBE TODAY (my choices)

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Barcelona vs. Stuttgart 2pm FSC
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Bordeaux vs. Olympiakos 5pm FSC
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Crew at Toluca 7pm FSC
COPA LIBERTADORES Monterrey vs. Once Caldas 10 pm FSE

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Inter Milan knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League with a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge . Inter and their manager Jose Mourinho advance on aggregate 3-1.
So what to think of this match? Here are my thoughts:

*Jose Mourinho put out a solid team which included three strikers that helped to occupy the Chelsea defenders. Dutchman Wesley Sneijder put on a passing master class and hit a few passes that were out of the “school of imagination’. He truly was a pleasure to watch on the ball in this match. He remained the only person on this day that was able to open the game up via the pass in an influential way at timely moments. Inter remained composed and selective as to when they committed people forward into the attack and most every dangerous move included a Sneijder pass.
In the end they were the better team making a huge statement at a time Italian football needs some notoriety.

* Samuel Eto’o and Goran Pandev were hesitant in their finishing and in some ways kept Chelsea in the game. Yet in the end, it would be Eto’o who would produce the game’s killer goal and become a hero to the 4000 traveling Inter fans.

* Chelsea enjoyed their best spells of pressure at the end of the first half and in the early stages of the second but it seemed throughout the night something was missing. Drogba was resigned to frustration and proved dangerous on only a few occasions with his counter-part Nicolas Anelka . Drogba would get sent off for stepping on Thiago Motta who spent much of the match time wasting.

*Superstar Chelsea midfielder went missing on this day.

*I respect the soccer playing ability of John Terry, but does a game end these days without him whining and moaning to a referee?

Here is what Jose Mourinho said to the press prior to this match:

“It will be special for me to bring my team to the next stage. Chelsea is not special, tomorrow after the game I will be the special one. We know that,” Jose Mourinho Inter Milan manager.

Yes, the “special one” called it.

STRIKE RIDICULOUS ACCORDING TO AEG EXECUTIVE

AEG Chief Executive officer Tim Leiweke has spoken out on the threat of a players strike to the Los Angeles Times newspaper.
He has called a player strike “ridiculous.”

“Here’s our issue, and I am speaking on behalf of AEG,” Leiweke said.. “We have spent to the tune of $300 million on soccer. We have spent money on facilities. We at one point owned 6 of the 10 teams to keep the league alive. I don’t even know how to react when I hear the players now saying that we have treated them poorly and they’re going to strike. The fact is, the Galaxy isn’t going to make money this year. There are only a couple of MLS teams that will make money this year.

“So when I hear them talk about striking and shutting the league down, I’ve got to tell you, they’re going to lose us when the talk like that. We do this out of passion. If this were a business, we would have quit this 10 years ago.”

Inter Milan at Chelsea (2:30 Fox Sports Espanol)

Inter Milan hold a 2-1 aggregate lead heading into the second leg today at Stamford Bridge. Both of these clubs are obsessed with winning the Champions League and both managers were hired to do just that. Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho have squared off in the Milan Derby when Ancelotti was at AC Milan and have a genuine dislike for each other.
Jose Mourinho comes back to the home of the club he formerly coached and achieved Premier League success. In typical Mourinho fashion he is calling today just another match.
Far from it, he has a huge burning desire to knock off his former club.

The last time these two teams met the central defensive pairing of Lucio and Walter Samuel were excellent against the strike pair of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. Can they have a repeat performance against this duo of skill, power and movement?
Inter Milan was thrashed on the weekend by lowly Catania 3-1 while Chelsea destroyed West Ham 4-1 on two goals by Didier Drogba. These two teams head into this match after two very different domestic league games.

Key men: Wesley Sneijder, Lucio, Walter Samuel, Diego Militio, Mario Balotelli and Julio Cesar for Inter Milan
Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka

Post your thoughts and running commentary here today…….

SOCCER MATTERS WITH GLENN DAVIS TODAY ON FOX SPORTS HOUSTON PRESENTED BY MEMORIAL HERMANN SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE ….at 5:30 pm…catch it after the Champions League matches….Former Dutch National team goalkeeper Jan van Beveren on the U.S./ Netherlands and more……

twitter: Soccermattersgd

Twitter: Soccermattersgd

Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis tonight on Sports Talk 790 Am radio from 7-9pm

Guests: Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear
Columbus Crew striker Steven Lenhart fresh off two goals against Toluca
New York Red Bulls representative on the opening of Red Bull Arena Saturday when they take on Santos of Brazil
New Dynamo Adrian Serioux

Call in number 713-212-5790, streaming live at mlsnet.com

STRAKE JESUIT UNDEFEATED

A great local story here as the Strake Jesuit Crusaders are undefeated with a record of 21-0-1 and ranked number four the national poll conducted by Espn.
Strake Jesuit’s first playoff game is Tuesday March 23rd against Seven Lakes High School from Katy and will be played at Crusader Stadium at Strake Jesuit, 8900 Bellaire Blvd.
Strake Jesuit is coached by former Houston Dynamo’s player Bill McDonald . Check this one out on Tuesday the 23rd.
Are you a fan of high school soccer , club or both?

HERCULEZ SCORES

Herculez Gomez formerly of the LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids scored on a diving header this past weekend for Puebla in Mexican league play against Monterrey.
His diving header helped to earn Puebla a draw. What I loved about this goal is that the Puebla fans went nuts as Gomez jumped over the advertising boards.
Good to see a former MLS player at work in Mexico and I am sure that he feels a bit more secure based on the MLS potential strike situation.

JOZY HAS A NEW MANAGER

U.S. international and Hull striker Jozy Altidore will have a new manager as Phil Brown was fired after a 2-1 loss to Arsenal this past weekend. Brown’s assistant coaches will manage the squad until a new manager is named.

THIS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH NOT TO BE MISSED………

Inter Milan and Jose Mourinho are headed to London to take on Chelsea holding a 2-1 Champions League lead. What makes this interesting is that Inter Milan are coming off a poor result this past weekend losing to Catania 3-1 in the Serie A. Sure, the focus and reason Mourinho was brought to Inter was to win the Champions league, but getting knocked out of the champions league will only swirl the rumors of him leaving to the EPL or LA LIGA. Manchester City, Liverpool and Real Madrid have all been offered as possible destinations for ‘the special one’.
Meanwhile Chelsea destroyed West Ham 4-1 behind two goals from Didier Drogba. Better be a bit of Mourinho magic on display if Inter are to advance to the quarterfinals over Chelsea. The quarterfinal draw will take place this Friday.

Soccer Matter with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston tomorrow at 5:30 pm brought to you by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute….