Not having broadcast duties for the Dynamo /Pachuca game I had the opportunity to enjoy the game from the stands. Here are ten random things that come to mind.
1. Pachuca grossly underestimated the Houston Dynamo, some might call it a lack of respect. As bad as the Dynamo were in the first half they were better in the second. Most who know the character of this team knew they were not going anywhere but up in the second half. Pachuca obviously didn’t get this.
2. Just to put the amount of resources available for players in perspective. Pachuca second half subs were Juan Carlos Cacho, Damian Alvarez, and Gabriel Caballero. Nothing to sneeze at here. All three are top Mexican league players.
3. Pachuca clearly came unwound in the second half, it was interesting to see them lose emotional control, focus on hitting, grabbing, and clutching people (Mosquera, Pinto to name a few). It was almost comical to watch Brian Ching emotionless walk away from Acquivaldo Mosquera who was so ‘wound up’ that he was fouling Ching 50 yards away from goal.
Some clear tendencies are here that are similar to the U.S. and Mexico rivalry internationally.
Lets just call the emotional loss of control “a sign of respect’ from Pachuca.
4. Plays! The Dynamo made them Pachuca didn’t. Zach Wells with a huge first half save on Landin, Ching header off Waibel cross, Waibel heading off the line, missed chances from Andres Chitiva, three man move with DeRosario, Brad Davis and Chris Wondoloski getting the key goal. One of my favorites was when Brian Mullan gave a poor ball away to Pachuca he immediately chanced a laid a beautifully timed tackle in on Christian Gimenez. The tackle was pure timing, skill, and desire. Gimenez was left in a crumpled mess trying to figure out what hit him. Brad Davis gave us great moments in the technical department rivaling anything that Pachuca produced. Ricardo Clark after a miserable first half turned it around. I could go on.
5. Dynamo fans are knowledgable, passionate, and are learning the art of gamesmanship. Bringing a true home field edge.
I loved the fan who had the ball behind the goal in the second half and made Miguel Calero in goal for Pachuca come and get it.
Dynamo fans 1 Pachuca 0. I love seeing young kids commentating on the game, discussing it, demanding more from the Dynamo and celebrating with them. TA/EB led the way over 90 plus minutes of relentless non-stop cheering. They helped the Dynamo through the tough times. You are a part of the growth of the game in this country. Awesome!
6. Now I know what you are talking about. Concessions are pathetically slow, attendants are not knowledgable enough and UH where are you? Pretty sad and this stuff can cost a franchise fans. Why no kiosks selling water and drinks around the stadium.
The wait in line in the second half forced me to miss begining of second half while workers in the concession stand warned fans ‘don’t rush me’. Moral of the story….hydrate before entering Robertson.
7. Spanish language television commentators that I heard led with the loss being because of poor officiating. With the amount of chances Pachuca missed or didn’t take advantage of ….well one might think a little accountability in order here.
8.Kinnear vs Meza…….Kinnear wins the coaching duel between himself and a Mexican coaching legend who in the second half may have been questioning his preparation for this one. His team looked rather ordinary at the end and were not gracious in defeat. Still respect hard to come by.
9. Ricardo Clarke injury- sprained knee ligaments rules the vital cog out of the next game. I will talk more about this but Clarke needs two players to replace him in this role…..see what I’m getting at?
10. 13,000 fans show up on a re-scheduled date at 5pm, this is impressive. All involved are taking this to another level.
Keep the heat on the written press, radio, and tv and don’t be afraid to demand more coverage. Those at the top are slowly learning the value of diverse listeners, viewers and readers. Believe me being on the inside it has been a slow patient process but it makes us all appreciate it more.
Give me your feedback on my top ten, add some of your great moments and tell me who you want interviewed from the Dynamo this Tuesday on the Soccer Hour with Glenn Davis. GlennDavis@thesoccerhour.com
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Sup yo. I’d say the man of the Pachuca match was D. Kinner. Great job encouraging his team to attack in the 2nd half.
Here’s a question: What should Houston do to advance to the next round while in Pachuca? Play to win by attacking constantly on offense, or play defensive-minded, knowing Pachuca will be focused on scoring three the whole time? I’d like to see Dynamo become the first U.S. team to win in Mexico, but how realistic are the chances seeing all of Pachuca’s advantages? (home team, altitude, mid-season form, etc.)
Also, if they choose an attacking game, do you think they should focus on scoring early, or preparing for a strong offensive in the 2nd half? It may be tough doing both knowing that the team may get winded easier due to the elements.
Perhaps Kinner should be the guest:) Ask him what he wants his team’s mindset to be…
Hey Glenn!
For your show, I would love to have Wondo as a guest. That kid has been great for years now and is showing how much he deserves to be on the XI. Any other team and he’d be a stud…
My favorite moment was Goal #2. Wondo just tapped it in and turned around, knowing he had it. At first he is just like…”Yey….” then he sees Mullan (IIRC) and screams and jumps into his arms. Mullan didn’t see it coming but caught him anyways and carried him around the stadium. Sweet. That’s just incredible. Wonder if Dom would use him for Clark to give his midline a really attacking mindset this season….
And DJ V: I think Dom will try to go for a 1st half goal…but slowly…expect them to really push it around the 20min mark or so. During the 2nd half, they’ll rely on defensive miscues and counterattacks (like Moreno’s almost goal in Houston) and try to conserve their energy.
Thanks, I always enjoy what you have to say but this article covered everything. Awesome job, Glenn!
Maybe you can´t get them for this tuesday, but it would be very interesting to get one tuesday the officials of the Dynamo, maybe the president of the team, or the highest management member you can get.
Why did they choose Houston?
What are their long term objectives and goals?
How do they see MLS in 5, 10 and 20 years?
What needs to happen for a Football only stadium in the metro area?
Do they have any plans of selling the team to someone or a group of Houstonians?, and if they only want to end with one team in the MLS?
Who is their target market?, Hispanics?, Anglos?, Everyone?, what plans do they have to attract this target market?
Do thet think MLS teams should attend “Copa Libertadores”?
Glen great piece! I definately agree on the point you made about the similarities between the national and club teams of mexico in that they both have what appears to be an inherent disrespect for american teams. Dom is a great coach who deserves recognition. The last thing I wanted to talk about ,and I will call in on this tonight ,I want Dynamo supporters to have a reputation around the league and world as some of the hardest fans to play in front of from a visitors prospective. What i dont want to see is the throwng of water bottles ,or other projectiles, at players on the opposing bench. Now dont get me wrong I hate the guts of any team who walks into Robertson with intentions of challenging my orange and will happily tell them so all ninety minutes . I just think you have to draw the line at physical assault on the players be it with bottle or hand. I love the streamers and confetti and all just the things meant to harm should go. Even carlos ruiz doesnt deserve that even though I tell him he does. Keep up the good work Glen your the man p.s. when you think we gonna get english language radio broadcast?
The officials for that game did suck!
You could tell they were very bias toward Houston
and the level of refereeing by certain refs in
Concacaf is more than sub-par!