Thanks to all who made it to Lucky’s Pub last night for live radio and Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis last night on Sportstalk790 AM radio.
The podcast is up and available at Sportstalk790.com and includes interviews with Dynamo players Mike Chabala and Adrian Serioux. Also, we shined the light last night on the high school game with coaches Kevin Johnson of Kingwood and Bill McDonald of Strake Jesuit. Both of these coaches have been involved in the high school game for 20+ years.
Today is a huge day for high school soccer playoffs and a huge day in Champions League play:
Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich from the Allianz Arena in Munich
Lyon vs. Bordeaux
Give me your thoughts on the Champions league and all other things soccer related today in this open forum. Are you excited about the possibility of Manchester United coming to Houston to play in the MLS All Star game? How do the Dynamo match up against Real Salt Lake for Thursday’s game at Robertson Stadium and will you be there? What about the goal and the story that Mike Chabala has become at left back?
Did you know that Stuart Holden has been signed to Nike and Livestrong? Does United top Bayern today in Munich?
As for me it is off to Robertson Stadium to tape another edition of SOCCER MATTERS WITH GLENN DAVIS for Fox Sports Houston . The show will air this Thursday at 6:30 pm and is presented by Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute.
Need passes for the Dallas Cup courtesy of Fiesta? Email me at gdavis98@swbell.net and get over to the RICHMOND ARMS today for Champions League matches.
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Man U against Bayern its going to be a great game. I hope we can get Palmer for the home opener. We need something to ignite the midfield.
High school play off’s are really starting to take shape. I am looking at both The Woodlands boys and girls advancing to the next round.
Man U vs. Bayern- Will be glued to the TV or computer to watch this one. Should be a tough match seeing as how both teams have some of there firepower back on the pitch.
For those who are interested in reading a first person account of what it was like watching the Man Utd/Bayern match from 1999, I offer this for your enjoyment. Warning: It runs long. But I find comfort in writing it. And yes, with the exception of a few grammatical errors, its the same story that ran on under Glenn’s previous blog entry. Hope you like it.
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Living in Bratislava (that’s in Slovakia) at the time, I knew that the Bayern team was extremely talented (they blew everyone away in the Bundesliga and could have easily been the first German team to win the treble- though the lost the German Cup final to Bremen 3 days after losing to Man Utd in a match that they just didn’t seem like themselves).
Anyway, back to that night in Bratislava that I was watching the match in a local Irish pub with a bunch of other English language expats from various places. Me, just gotten a paycheck from my employer, saw the odds for a United victory, but liked the odds for Bayern much better (what is it they say about “greediness”). Bayern’s defense for the most part had been spectacular that season and their offense was technically sound as well. It is also worth noting that United captain Roy Keane and Paul Scholes were suspended due to yellow card accumulation. So, of course, I put my wager on the German champions, to the boos and catcalls of just about everyone in the bar. “One more case of the ignorant American” said most of the bar. But I had really done my homework and seen both of these teams play in a few matches against opponents of varying quality. And with the odds so off-balance towards the English champions, I thought that betting on Bayern was the way to go.
Shortly after the match began, Mario Dasler converts a brilliant freekick from just outside the box. Beckham himself had a great view of it blowing by his head and by Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeical into the corner of the goal. Brilliance!!! 1-0 to the Germans.
80th minute: after back and forth action, Alex Ferguson brings on Ole Gunner Solskjaer on for some last-minute magic. About a minute later, Carsten Jancker of Bayern headed one off the cross-bar that would have sealed everything. As Glenn notes often, Mattheus comes off at the same time for Fink for defensive purposes. Then, the manager of the bar who was running bets then did something unforgiveable. He put my projected gambling winnings on the table in front of me, taunting me for the last few minutes. And then, I got caught up thinking about going for drinks somewhere else, hitting a club, and something else extremely lavish.
Both sides had enough chances in the 2nd half that either team could score once in the last few minutes. Of course, I could bring myself to actually/physically touch the money. I did not want to risk something awful happening on my wager. The 4th official displays 3 minutes of injury time. The moment of truth was at hand. United earns a corner.
Beckham lifts the corner, off of Solskjaer and Sheringham (I think). Me, ever positive, thinking I just had to wait 30 more minutes. With one of the calmest, most talented, most professional Bayern teams in memory, I could wait 30 more minutes. United supporters had gone to the bathroom to prepare for 30 minutes of stoppage time. Gotta take care of business.
But alas, I was talking myself into this, United had earned another corner and even as Beckham was lining this one up, I knew it was over. You know how it ends: Solskjaer, with the dagger in the far corner. The Brits were celebrating. United players were euphoric. Germany players were in shock. UEFA President Leonard Johannson was wondering why United was celebrating after they had “lost” (he was in the elevator at the Nou Camp while United scored both of their goals). Surreal moments all around at the Nou Camp.
My fellow bar mates throwing my “winnings” into the air while I sat their in disbelief. Me, looking at my watch, realizing that I could forget about the late night of partying and not feeling the mood for a taxi. The last bus to my sleeping quarters was leaving in 10 minutes. I best be on my way to the stop. I pay my bill, slump out of there, and shake my head while going home. Its amazing how one long night can stay with you forever. Bayern winning this tie won’t erase those memories (we got them back in 2001 on the way to getting the Champions League trophy over Valencia in penalties). But I’ll always remember that ‘99 loss and that long walk back to the bus stop.
Hoping Bayern wins today.
Somewhat mixed feelings on who to root for in BayernvManU; although one of my son’s favorite people is Rich Hartis who comes from ManU to direct goalie camp at A&M each summer, I’m probably going to lean toward Bayern for this one after having myself lived in Germany for almost 4 years and enjoyed Bundesliga on tv. I just wish that Oliver Kahn was immortal!
Jon,
Fantastic story! Thanks for taking the time to put it up.
What a great read.
Glenn
I will pass on all of it. I think I am going to watch Rangers and St. Johnstone, or maybe the thrilling Barnsley and Plymouth Argyle match!
About the MLS all start game – YES bring on the Europeans!!! Man U will be good, I would really like to see a German team. But the Brits will do. Reliant Stadium will be rocking and packed.
Thanks for the kind words Glenn. But as I read on, I can’t believe how sloppy my grammer was. Apologies for this. Really should have stepped away from the keyboard for a few minutes and read it over once with a fresh set of eyes before publishing.
Meanwhile, halftime in the Champions League matches. Looking forward to commentary in about an hour’s time.
Jon,
Story still came through.
Glenn
What a beautiful day! Ivica Olić out of nowhere to put ManUre down. Now if Bayern can just bring the same energy, (along with Arjen Robben) on the road, they are sure to wipe the stain out of the Champions League.
8K in Dallas was shameful, but it looked like Red Bull Arena was only about half full for their MLS opener. What is the problem? A brand new stadium in a city of 18 million, a big percentage of immigrants from soccer-loving countries – and yet they still can’t fill the stands?
The Woodlands HS boys won today and are advancing to the next round.
Here is to hoping that Rooney stays in that air cast until next Monday!
Brian- Reference the NYBB vs. Fire game this past Sat.
The official attendance was 24,500. Not quite total sell-out, but clearly better than ” half full”.
Coach,
Come on….you don’t want to beat United at it’s best?
Also, where are your thoughts on the high school playoffs?
I have been waiting.
Glenn,
Sure Chelsea want to beat ManUre at their best but I’m sure Sir Alex, United, and their myopic fans aren’t shedding any tears about our FOUR INJURED STARTERS!!!
An all-world cast of Michael Essien, Ashley Cole, Ricardo Carvalho, and Jose Bosingwa will be watching from the stands, not to mention Bran Ivanovic so I’ll save my sympathies for Rooney’s loss for I don’t know…NEVER!
A couple of weeks ago, everyone was slagging Chelsea off after their Champions League exit and poor form but 12 goals in two matches cures many ills. I expect Chelsea to do the business and go top of the league and their leads on goal difference and goals scored might well be their insurance to the league title.
William – I didn’t see the official attendance of the NYRB game, I just know that at kickoff half the seats were empty. Maybe a parking or transportation problem?