*Join me for the best in soccer talk tomorrow night from 7-9pm on Sports Talk 790 AM Radio for Dynamo All Access (Sportstalk790am.com)……..Guests Martin Vazquez manager Chivas USA, Dominic Kinnear Houston Dynamo manager, Carlos de los Cobos manager of the Chicago Fire plus more…..call in number is 713-212-5790……
*Former Houston area youth product Chris Gbandi has signed with Miami FC ……Gbandi played 111 times for Dallas Burn/ FC Dallas and scored the final goal at the Cotton Bowl before the Burn made the infamous move to Southlake to play at a high school facility called Dragon Stadium. At that point hispanic support which was evident at the Cotton Bowl was lost.
*Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis on Fox Sports Houston presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute this week features Dynamo midfielder Francisco Navas, former Dutch National team goalkeeper Jan Van Beveran now the coaching director at Spindletop select in Beaumont and more…….foxsportshouston.com to catch clips of this show and more blogs from me and Dynamo defender Bobby Boswell……..Twitter: Soccermattersgd
LANDON DONOVAN SHINES…..
What an amazing day for U.S. Soccer and what an amazing day for Landon Donovan. Donovan in what MAY be his final game for Everton scored a fantastic goal and assisted on another in 20 minutes off the bench in a 5-1 win. Donovan struck a sweet half volley promptly got picked up in the goal celebration from Jack Rodwell in front of frenzied Everton fans at Goodison park. Then Donovan made a clinical one time pass to Rodwell who scored goal number five. Rodwell again lifting Donovan up to the crowd.
Bruce Arena of the LA Galaxy and others may want him back in MLS but even he can’t deny that the best thing for this player is staying in England with Everton. It is also the best thing for MLS. Landon Donovan has been a one man PR machine for MLS in recent weeks with his performances against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and more.
It is also possible his loan is extended.
On another note, Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden has had surgery for his leg fracture and is on the fast track to get healthy for the World Cup. Bolton without Holden got a critical win this weekend over West Ham 2-1 . West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola now under pressure………
DYNAMO NOTES
Not much to say about this one which left alot to be desired at Carl Lewis track and field stadium on a windy afternoon.
Game ended 1-1 with Eric Ustruck scoring a good goal from an angle for the Dynamo in the 86th minute after on own goal had given Austin Aztex the lead.
GOOD SIGN…Dynamo defender Eddie Robinson looked impressive today with his marking, tackling and overall edge he brought to the game. Robinson seemed quicker of foot and mind plus positionally looked solid.
WORK IN PROGRESS…..Geoff Cameron will need time to settle into his ‘new’ midfield role. Much like last year he is going to need some time to feel fully comfortable. Will he play as a holding midfielder? Will he play as defensive midfielder? Alot of this dependent upon who the Dynamo may sign capable of playing central midfield. Two of the brightest young American talents in Stuart Holden and Ricardo Clark as you know have moved on. It makes it an intriguing and big challenge for the Dynamo!!
REGGAE BOY TRIALIST…Lovel Palmer played in central midfield for the Dynamo today and had moments but was far from making a large impact. A real test for him will be how he performs against the Chicago Fire who come to Robertson on Thursday night at Carl Lewis Track and Field Stadium. This will be a great opportunity for fans to see the Dynamo against MLS competition prior to 2010.
WORRIED ABOUT LUIS……I am one who is really hoping that Luis Landin can provide for the Dynamo on the field. If he does it opens up another potential element of attracting fans and attention to MLS and the Dynamo here in Houston. With that said, I am worried it will happen. Yes, I know that he turned his ankle but he clearly does not look fit at the moment and time is running short for a kid that is gifted with talent.
Landin was sourrounded by press after the game and I know if he starts scoring goals he could be a Houston idol to many fans but I am beginning to wonder.
KIERON BERNARD RETURNS….Former San Jacinto college player Kieron Bernard played against the Dynamo at center back for Austin.
SAY THAT AGAIN….Fans who buy a pair of season tickets in the month of March will receive two free. I kid you not…this is a crazy good promotion that fans need to jump on.
Houstondynamo.com to jump on this bargain…..
GOATS CRUSHED
Chivas had won eight straight matches heading into this weekend’s 4-0 loss at Chiapas……..a game they were never comfortable in. Thoughts?
Soccer fans, bring some opinion tomorrow night on Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis on Sports Talk 790 between 7-9pm……..Donovan, should he stay or come back? Dynamo Austin, what did you think? Mediator for CBA agreement, Mexican League, EPL , Argentine first division and more……..Call in at 713-212-5790
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I’m with you, Glenn. Very few on the team looked good today, and Landin, oh Landin. Unless you can get it together, mi amigo, we should all lobby to get your DP slot filled by someone else. And that person shouldn’t be Lovel Palmer.
Glenn – Glad to see Landon Donovan finished his EPL stint on high note.However , glad he is honoring his contract and retuning to MLS.
He is being paid to be here all season and he should be. ( Unlike a teamate of his that views the MLS as a place to show up for last 1/3 of season)
Donovan will have chance to test and elevate his game shortly in South Africa at the World Cup.
The American soccer fan should celebrate the fact that it’s best player is returning to MLS.
Glenn – Can you give us an update about Richard Mulrooney? There hasn’t been any info on him in the last few months. Is he in training at all right now or still recovering from surgery? Also, where has Andrew Hainault been the last few scrimmages?
See my post at foxsportshouston.com tomorrow William.
I believe MLS will benefit from all the PR that he is bringing playing in England. I differ with you in that I hope he stays as it can do more for the American game and MLS.
In MLS he plays when he wants to and does not have the healthy pressure that he gets daily in England.
The money MLS could get from his sale (10 to 12 million) could go a long way towards improving the league overall.
Thanks for the entry.
Keep up the good work Glenn. It’s helpful to have your analysis of the Dynamo game – it’s not the same over at Chron.com anymore without you and Bernardo. I know Jesus is still there to cover, but he is woefully not up to speed yet on the team. Hopefully that will change once the season gets going, but I have my doubts since it’s painfully obvious he didn’t care about the team prior to his beat assignment. Perhaps you can teach him a few things . . . Cheers!
Will do Nicky……….check out foxsportshouston.com as well where both I and Bobby Boswell do blogs. Also, that site has clips from Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis which you can check out.
Also, tonight is Dynamo All Access on Sports Talk 790 am so join me!
With landon coming back to MLS it is a double edged sword. It is good in that he is honoring his contract with LA/MLS showing as a better example than Beckham, and bad in the sense that playing in the EPL can elevate his game, plus will have to agree with you in the fact that the millions MLS could get for him would improve the league IF USED PROPERLY. Finally if he were to hypothetically stay in the EPL it would take a lot away from MLS in the sense of how dangerous he can be against opposing teams, not that there are not others out there who are not as dangerous.
(Give me a shout at the store when you can por favor)
If CBA doesn’t work out, his loan can get extended. Check out more on this subject at foxsportshouston.com, does Donovan do more for the league in the EPL or in MLS actually playing?
Tell me?
I believe he does more for the MLS when he is playing in the EPL, he is showing the world what talent MLS has to offer when the game is taught properly. Just look at all the Americans playing abroad that started in the MLS even the commentator on the Hull v. Everton game has taken notice, and that is saying something for the Brits to say something positive about American soccer. Showing we are progressing very fast relitive to the age of the MLS. Donovan got himself in this mess by signing a contract with the MLS way to quick, he is to good to be playing in the MLS needs to be playing against the best before his age catches up with him. Cant find fault in the Galaxy wanting him back, I want Holden and Rico back but they were a bit smarter weighing thier options. Donovan being on the top 50 players in the world from espn is a bit of a stretch for me, but I will take it for my American pride. I believe Dempsey is the best field player we have produced, his form before he got hurt was incredible. Brad Friedel is by far the best soccer player the great USA has ever produced so far.
There is no doubt that Donovan and US Soccer are best served by Landon staying with Everton until the end of the EPL season. He should not be in MLS until after the World Cup at the earliest. For the sake of country, his club needs to at least extend the loan deal.
How about Liverpool losing today to Wigan. The Scousers are looking at Europa League this fall.
I thought Landin looked OK Sunday, chasing down loose balls and generally causing a lot of problems for the Aztex defense. I thought he was noticeably slimmer, though of course nowhere near 90-minute fit, then against SMU. Seeing him chase down loose balls and at one point forcing the Aztex to concede a corner was a good sign. That being said, Landin (or El Gordito as one of my friends calls him *OUCH*) has a ways to go. It’s all up to him right now.
Glenn, as avid Galaxy fan, I will say the Galaxy owes nothing to anybody but it’s fans! But is no secret that Landon would be better off staying in Liverpool, & this would be great for the growth & reputation of US Soccer & even MLS, but I kind of like the idea of him being close to Bob when they start trainning camp in May. I’m sure he’ll be better protected by MLS refs also.
I do however have to agree with Ives Galarcep about the fact that if it wasn’t for his recent play, Landon Donovan wouldn’t of gotten such high praise & respect. I think the temporary loan was perfect fit for Everton who had some injuries & suffered thru the CAF. That being said, most found out that LD is good enough to not just stay at Goodison Park, but to also start & perform at the highest of levels. America of Mex was very close to signin him, what does that tell you? Other than the respect they have for him, this would of been fun to watch as America is sometimes hated by Mexico’s other fans, imagine him scoring on Chivas at their new stadium? LOL
He didn’t have that many offers, eventhough PSG and Livorno was buzzed about.
I think if Landon can perform in SA, he will command a better offer, 12 million dollars isn’t good enough for MLS & LAG, simply because to replace someone like him well they’ll need 10 million alone. 20 would do the trick I think.
Lets just hope Stuart Holden can make it and stay in England, maybe Jay DeMerit can move up from Watford unless he helps them get promoted. I look forward to Edu playing in England or somewhere better than Scottland. We’ll get there, I think eventually guys like Kenny Cooper & Sacha Kljestan will make their way, if not it at least helps MLS keep it’s level up. Lets face it the talent pool isn’t that deep, maybe after 5 years of US develomental academy being around, but for now we need to embrace our few guys in England, Italy and Germany. I hope to see Jozy back in Spain, and I’ll say it again, Landon would be best suited for Spanish La Liga, but would he be as loved by fans there? Maybe not.
Glenn, quick off topic question, and sorry for not waking up in time to wake up to call in, but I listened and caught up on the podcast!
Can you please clarify the 4 blocks in which the East End stadium site lies in?
I was a bit confused as to where it lies? I understood the boundries to be as follows:
Northeast Street boundry-Texas Ave/Harrisburg
Northwest Street boundry-Hutchins St
Southwest Street boundry-Walker St
Southeast Street boundry-Dowling St
Although after watching the videos and keeping up with the articles both here and on Chron.com it looks like the 4 streets are Texas/Harrisburg, Hutchins St or Bastrop St, Rusk St, Dowling St?
Can you clarify this for me?