Boxing day in England / Dynamo activity up / U.S. Soccer blow!

The day after Christmas in England is called “Boxing” day but has nothing to do with the pugilist form.
This term grew in the middle ages but the true origin is not known. Churches during this time period would open up a box that contained monetary donations that had come from parishioners and then distribute the money to those in need.
Another thought was that that the wealthy gave “boxes” or “gifts” to servants and this is how the name came about.
December 26th is also St. Stephens Day. St. Stephen is the patron saint of horses thus boxing day became associated with the “horses” and other sports.

Here is the boxing day lineup in England for December 26th with the home team listed first:

*Stoke City vs. Manchester United
*Portsmouth vs. West Ham
*Chelsea vs. West Bromwhich Albion
*Tottenham Hotspur vs. Fulham
*Wigan vs. Newcastle Utd.
*Liverpool vs. Bolton
*Manchester City vs. Hull
*Middlesbrough vs. Everton
*Sunderland vs Blackburn
*Aston Villas vs. Arsenal

*If you have watched Manchester United lately you have seen quite the contributions from their central midfield players when it comes to adding to the attack.
Michael Carrick has shown his ability to open up a defense with long, accurate passes from deep yet has also shown as desire to get in the box. Darren Fletcher has also proven dangerous……Sami Nasri of Arsenal hit an amazing long ball to set-up accurately the amazing piece of goal-scoring artistry from Robin Van Persie of Arsenal last Sunday.
The U.S. National team has a bevy of central midfielders in Ricardo Clark, Michael Bradley, Pablo Maestroeni and Maurice Edu one hopes that out of the three younger players a passing threat will develop in the future so as to be dangerous out of all areas of midfield. Hit a few decent balls out of this area and opponents have to honor the potential thus taking a bit of the weight off the wide players.

*Good times for the Dynamo on the stadium front as progress has been made with the recent announcement. Still some issues and demands are pretty cloudy but this is a huge positive for the future of soccer in this city not to mention just good business from elected officials. Captain Wade Barrett and assistant coach John Spencer have all re-upped and central defenders Jose Luis Perlaza (Ecuador national team in 2006 World Cup) and Andrew Hainault have a discovery option placed on the by the Dynamo.
But the big player signing could be LUIS LANDIN. Let me tell you why this would be perfect for the 23 yr. old LANDIN.
The DYNAMO could be the perfect stretch for LANDIN. Players at times in their career need to get out of the comfort zone. If he comes to MLS this is precisely what would happen as he would have to adjust to both a different level of play and culture. These are the times that athletes grown and can platform to another level if they are up to the challenge.
I once had a conversation with then CHIVAS coach Hans Westerhof who told me that all young Mexican players should spend two years playing in the U.S. early in their careers.
This would be a win for LANDIN and MORELIA as he could boost his value by coming to the Dynamo and producing.
What an interesting pick up this could be from both a playing and marketing stand-point.

*SUBOTIC picks SERBIA
DORTMUND defender NEVEN SUBOTIC has picked SERBIA over the U.S. for his national team career. SUBOTIC played for the u17 and u20 U.S. National teams and wrote a letter to U.S. Soccer officials informing him of his decision.