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Another busy week for the three MLS entrants in the CONCACAF Champions League concluded last night, with DC United earning a convincing 3-0 victory over Marathón of Honduras at RFK Stadium. Following on the heels of the Houston Dynamo’s 5-1 thrashing of Arabe Unido of Panama, and the Columbus Crew’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Cruz Azul of Mexico, the MLS teams performed as expected. Going into the last two rounds of group play, all three MLS clubs have an excellent chance of advancing to the knock-out round.
The Houston Dynamo started Week 4 of the CCL well, with a dominating performance against their chief rival in the group, Arabe Unido. Playing at Robertson Stadium, the Dynamo were expected to win this game, especially in light of their result in Panama earlier in the competition. In that match, five red cards, three against Houston, and a late equalizer by Arabe Unido, resulted in a sloppy 1-1 draw. In a disgraceful scene at the end of the match, the Dynamo players had to wait at midfield while the stands were cleared before they could exit the stadium.
In this week’s rematch, there would be little of the drama seen in Panama, as the Dynamo asserted themselves early and often. Already up 2-0 on goals by Eddie Robinson and Cam Weaver either side of halftime, Arabe Unido’s Omar Camargo was sent off with a red card in the 56th minute. And despite, the Panamanians pulling one back, Houston attacked at will over the final 30 minutes and finished with a 5-1 victory. Both teams are now level in Group A with seven points each going into the final two weeks of play.

On Wednesday night, the Columbus Crew would have the difficult task of facing Cruz Azul. Coach Robert Warzycha fielded a relatively strong squad for the home match, with a starting XI missing notable defenders Frankie Hejduk and Chad Marshall. Columbus started well in the game, putting up-field pressure on the ball and stretching the attack through winger Robbie Rogers. Unfortunately all their effort was for not, as shaky defense led to a Cruz Azul goal from a well taken opportunity. The Crew continued to pressure the Mexican defense, but found only the crossbar and the goalkeeper, Yosgart Gutierrez, as targets. Cruz Azul doubled their lead later in the first half, and never really looked threatened after that.
While the Crew would have fancied a win at home, the Mexican side made it clear that they are the best team in Group C. After losing 5-0 earlier in the competition at Cruz Azul, Columbus comported themselves well in their home return, despite suffering their first loss at Crew Stadium since June of 2008. And with two winnable games left in Group C, the Crew must fancy their chances to advance in the tournament.
Last night saw the most important match of Week 4 for the MLS clubs in the CCL played by DC United and Marathón at RFK Stadium. The home side dominated possession throughout the first half, intent on achieving the resounding victory they all but required in their quest to advance in the tournament. Strikers Luciano Emilio and Chris Pontius both missed chances to put their side ahead; however, the Hondurans provided adequate resistance to DC United, and the teams went into the half scoreless.
DC United started the second half with intent under the leadership of substitute Jamie Moreno. Emilio was first to break through, after converting a sublime Avery John cross past the helpless goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead. Moreno then doubled the advantage with a clever toe poke from the top of the area that just snuck inside the post. Marathón couldn’t answer the attacking pressure of DC, as perhaps the political uncertainty back home that led to a lengthy and exhausting journey just to get to RFK left the players feeling lethargic. And when Emilio found the net for the second time in the half to make the score 3-0, the Hondurans were done. The victory leaves DC United and Marathón level on six points in Group B, but courtesy of the big win, DC United owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Overall, the three MLS teams are in good position to qualify for the second quarterfinal slot from each of their respective groups. With the first three tie-breakers in the competition being head-to-head record, followed by goal differential, and then away goals, the Houston Dynamo and DC United would advance if they finished even on points for second place with Arabe Unido and Marathón respectively. The Columbus Crew has a home date with Saprissa coming up next Tuesday. Having already beaten them on the road, the Crew will have their hands full with a Costa Rican side looking for revenge. With a win or tie, Columbus will join their MLS compatriots in position to advance.
Anything less than all three MLS teams advancing out of the group stage will be a disappointment. And with all four Mexican representatives poised to finish at the top of their respective groups, MLS could look forward to some excellent and challenging knock out stage pairings with our rival teams to the south. I, for one, cannot wait.

CONCACAF Champions League Week 4 in Review - World Soccer Talk

CONCACAF Champions League Week 4 in Review

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The group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League is set to start this coming week, and a question on the minds of many MLS fans is: “Will the MLS clubs involved in this competition step up and take it seriously?” After RedBull New York and Toronto FC got knocked out during the qualifying rounds, meaning that the Houston Dynamo, DC United, and the Columbus Crew are the only MLS sides remaining in the second season of the CONCACAF Champions League, meaning that Group D has no representative from MLS. Meanwhile, Mexico’s Primera Division is represented in all four groups by Cruz Azul, Pachuca, Pumas, and Toluca.
In last year’s inaugural CONCACAF Champions League, only two MLS teams were in the group stage since Chivas USA and New England Revolution were eliminated in the preliminary qualifying round, but only one MLS side managed to break out of the group stage, the Houston Dynamo. The Dynamo went on to lose to Atlante, the eventual winner, in the quarterfinals this past winter. Meanwhile, both USL-1 sides involved in the CCL advanced beyond the group stage with the Puerto Rico Islanders making it all the way to the semifinals.
Although the winner of this competition earns a berth in the FIFA World Club Cup, last year it seemed that most of the MLS sides involved in the CCL viewed the competition as a nuisance. In one way, that point of view was understandable since several of the teams involved were dealing with mounting injuries and fixture congestion. Additionally, the CCL began as the MLS teams were making the final push to make it into the MLS playoffs. However, the CCL is still a major competition offering MLS clubs an opportunity to test themselves against clubs from other leagues.
At last year’s MLS Cup, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced one change that would make the season easier on teams participating in the CCL – these teams would not participate in SuperLiga, the SUM competition between MLS and Mexican teams. As to whether this change will have an impact is yet to be seen, but during this year’s preliminary round the two MLS teams showed more fight then their predecessors did last year. Considering the poor form that New York has been in all season, it’s not surprising that they got knocked out of the CCL.
As a follower and fan of MLS, it would be good to see the MLS clubs advance farther in the CCL this time around. One important step in improving the MLS and its standing in the world is success in international club competitions such as the CCL. While the quality of the clubs from Central America and the Caribbean varies, the Mexican clubs are always strong and pose crucial tests to the MLS sides. The Primera Division is inarguably the best league in North America and arguably better then many leagues in Europe. Until the Dynamo drew against Pumas, no MLS team had ever earned a point playing a Mexican club in Mexico City. The more MLS teams are able to beat Mexican teams in this competition, especially in Mexico, the more respect MLS will earn from football fans and commentators.
If MLS teams take the CCL seriously and play hard, but still fall short in this competition, it will be very important to analyze the reasons for this lack of success. Was lack of depth, lack of talent, lack of proper coaching skills? The league and the fans and the media can learn from these issues and find ways to correct the problems. But, if the MLS teams fail due to lack of interest in the competition, then we learn nothing and the teams should be roundly criticized for failing to take advantage of the CCL and the opportunities it affords MLS.
This week’s CCL Matches:
Tuesday August 18, 2009 –
Columbus Crew v. Puerto Rico Islanders 
CD Marathon v. DC United 
Pumas UNAM v. CSD Comunicaciones
Wednesday August 19, 2009 –
Houston Dynamo v. Metapan 
Dep. Arabe Unido v. Pachuca 
Cruz Azul v. Saprissa
Thursday August 20, 2009 –
San Juan Jabloteh v. Toluca 
Real CD Espana v. W Connection FC

MLS Teams Need To Take CONCACAF Champions League Seriously - World Soccer Talk

MLS Teams Need To Take CONCACAF Champions League Seriously

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On Saturday, July 4th, the Kansas City Wizards hosted the Houston Dynamo at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in front of a sell out crowd of 10,385. The Dynamo were coming off a lackluster loss to Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday and a lucky draw against Real Salt Lake the previous weekend, and Kansas City was seeking their first MLS win since June 13 when they beat the New England Revolution, 3 – 1.
Kei Kamara got the match’s only goal in the 18th minute when he headed a Mike Chabala cross into the net. Saturday’s goal was Kamara’s fourth goal of the season, a goal which he celebrated with a tribute to the late Michael Jackson. Despite the early Houston goal, the Kansas City Wizards never gave up – racking up 15 shots, only 3 of which were on goal.
With Saturday night’s win, the Dynamo sit atop of the MLS table with 31 points and a league leading nine wins. Kansas City is still within Playoff range, sitting at the fifth spot in the East with 19 points.
Up next for both teams are Quarterfinal matches in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Dynamo travel to Charleston on Tuesday to play the Battery while the Kansas City Wizards head to Seattle to take on the Sounders. On Saturday the clubs resume MLS play as Kansas City heads to New England and the Dynamo make their first visit to Seattle.
Here’s some post match video from the Houston Dynamo dressing room, courtesy of Erin Dutka:
<a href="http:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=scsH6GUy2rw">Houston Coach Dominic Kinnear</a>
<a href="http:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=fACtl0ZENr4">Houston Dynamo Mike Chabala</a>
<a href="http:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2qgLOWk3GY">Houston Dynamo Kei Kamara</a>
<a href="http:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4XVYa_2OvM">Houston Dynamo Pat Onstad</a>
As a bonus, here’s some video Erin Dutka filmed after the Dynamo’s 2-0 victory over the Austin Aztex in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup:
<a href="http:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-JN0_aaMFY">Houston Coach Dominic Kinnear</a>
<a href="http:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkpmArZR5Ds">Houston Dynamo Corey Ashe</a>

Kansas City 0 - 1 Houston Dynamo: Post Match Video Reaction - World Soccer Talk

Kansas City 0 – 1 Houston Dynamo: Post Match Video Reaction

After what appeared to be another typical slow Dynamo start to the 2009 MLS Season, losing away matches to the San Jose Earthquakes and D.C. United and only getting draws with Columbus Crew and RedBull New York at home, the pressure was on the Dynamo to get a victory as they hosted the Colorado Rapids on April 20th. In the 20th minute of the match, Brian Ching finally ended the Dynamo’s 254 minute scoring drought when he found the back of the net. The Dynamo held their lead late into the second half, and just when it looked like the Dynamo would get their first win of the 2009 season, the Rapids were awarded a penalty kick in the 84th minute. While it was Ching’s goal that put the Dynamo on the scoreboard, it was the amazing goalkeeping of Pat Onstad that secured the victory.
Following the previous week’s 0-0 draw with RedBull New York, the Dynamo’s Coach, Dominic Kinnear, stated that he felt his squad was on the verge of breaking out of their winless doldrums. As to whether the victory over the Rapids will be the start of a winning streak for the Dynamo is questionable because they were going into an off week and would then have to travel to New England to face the Revolution on the plastic surface at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
While the Dynamo were once again off to a rough start, the New England Revolution managed to beat the Western Conference’s Earthquakes and FC Dallas, while getting draws with I-95 rivals DC United and RedBull New York. This strong start to the 2009 season was achieved despite the injuries plaguing players like Taylor Twellman, Matt Reis, Kheli Dube, and Steve Ralston.
Last weekend the Revolution made their first visit to Real Salt Lake’s Rio Tinto Stadium and ended up leaving the Beehive State with their worse regular season loss ever, giving up six goals in the second half of the match, while failing to score any goals of their own.
This Sunday when the New England Revolution host the Houston Dynamo (2:00 p.m. central on Telefutura), soccer fans will be treated to two teams with a strong history of battling each other and two teams eager to get a win and the three points. As MLS fans are aware, the Dynamo’s back-to-back MLS Cup victories in 2006 and 2007 came at the expense of the New England Revolution while the Revolution beat the Dynamo in the 2008 SuperLiga Final.
The advantage on Sunday goes to the Revolution, thanks to the expected return of Matt Reis and Kheli Dube, as well as the fact that the Dynamo have yet to win at Gillette Stadium, but it will not prove to be an easy victory.
The Dynamo took advantage of their off week to play the PDL’s Laredo Heat in a reserve match, which the Dynamo won 4-0. This match marked the first time that the team’s new signings took the pitch for the Dynamo. Defender Andrew Hainault looked solid on the back line while a jet lagged Ade Akinbiyi was instrumental in the team’s first two goals. It should also be noted that despite never having won at Gillette Stadium, the Dynamo have only lost one match in Foxboro (the Revolution won the 2008 SuperLiga Final on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw).
If Sunday’s match stays true to form and the history between these teams, this meeting between the Revolution and Dynamo will not be a defensive slog, but rather a match highlighted by aggressive, offensive styles from both teams. In the end, it will be the soccer fan who is the true winner, even if the match ends 0-0.

Match Preview: New England Revolution v. Houston Dynamo - World Soccer Talk

Match Preview: New England Revolution v. Houston Dynamo

<div id="attachment_2399" style="width: 370px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div>Omar Bravo</div>
Last Saturday morning, while he was in town to promote the fights taking place that evening at Houston’s Toyota Center, Oscar de la Hoya stopped by Estadio Robertson to chat with reporters while watching his Houston Dynamo host the Montreal Impact in a 70 minute practice match. While most of the de la Hoya press conference focused on the impending fights, Houston’s own Juan “The Baby Bull” Diaz, and de la Hoya’s future as a boxer, de la Hoya did discuss the team that his Golden Boy Promotions bought an interest in just over a year ago. In addition to expressing his opinion that a stadium deal among the Dynamo, the City of Houston, and Harris County was going to be finalized soon, de la Hoya also indicated his desire that the Dynamo sign a big name player from Mexico; however, he did not commit to a time from for such a signing and he did not indicate that he had any particular player in mind.
Little did we in the press know that the Houston Dynamo had already set their sights on Omar Bravo and were actively courting the Mexican striker. Bravo made his debut with Club Deportivo Guadalajara on August 20, 2001, and went on to score 101 goals over 258 appearances for Chivas. The only Chivas player with more goals then Bravo is Salvador Reyes who scored 122 goals. This past summer, Bravo parted ways with Chivas and signed with La Liga’s Deportivo La Coruña, where he made 9 appearances and scored his only goal against Málaga CF.
Late last month news emerged that Bravo would be returning to Mexico on a 4 month loan to UANL Tigres – a loan deal that could turn into a permanent transfer. But the news had emerged before a deal was finalized and the Houston Dynamo quietly expressed their interest in obtaining Bravo’s services and signing him as the club’s first designated player.
In his blog on MyDynamo.com on Friday morning, Dynamo COO, Chris Canetti, finally addressed the Dynamo’s close but failed effort to sign Bravo. Dynamo Coach Dominic Kinnear, who is well acquainted with Mexican soccer and Omar Bravo, was very interested in adding Bravo to his team’s offense, giving it that extra offensive firepower that so many fear was lost with the departure of Dwayne De Rosario.
The Dynamo have not provided detailed information on the course and status of the Bravo negotiations, but the Dynamo believed they had a serious shot at landing Bravo and are uncertain as to why he chose to go to Tigres instead of Houston. In the end, Tigres is pay $500,000.00 for the loan and then could acquire Bravo by paying a $4.3 million transfer fee this summer. In light of these figures, it is possible that the MLS front office balked at coughing up the necessary money to bring Bravo to the Dynamo, but the team contends that the league was in full support of the Dynamo’s efforts to bring Bravo to the MLS. More likely, it had to do with Bravo concluding that his best shot at securing a starting spot with El Tri would be playing in Mexico.
After the failed effort to sign Luis Angel Landin earlier in this MLS off-season, it is not surprising that the Dynamo kept their efforts to sign Bravo quiet. What is clear is that the Dynamo, a team that has won two MLS Cups without relying on the designated player rule, is seriously open to signing a designated player and the team has seemingly set its sights on offensive talent from our southern neighbor. That being said, Canetti is still making it clear that the team is weighing several factors in determining who they go after, factors that include age, position, ability, talent, contract status, style, attitude, salary requirements, and, yes, marketability.
Had the Dynamo signed Bravo, who just turned 29 this week, it would have marked the biggest signing going into the 2009 MLS season. Not only did Bravo make a name for himself by playing at and being the poster boy for one of Mexico’s most popular, and hated, clubs, but he has 55 caps and 14 goals for the Mexican National Team, including a brace in Mexico’s match against Iran in the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, the Dynamo would have legitimized the club in the eyes of football fans in Mexico. That’s not meant as a knock against the Dynamo, who already have a good reputation in Mexico, but Dynamo jersey sales would have shot up south of the border in the same manner that Blanco’s time at Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol legitimized that Spanish side in Mexico and had football fans in Mexico wearing the purple and white kits in public.
One of the interesting points made to me by my colleague Rey Gallegos is that not only have the Dynamo been eyeing soccer players in Mexico, but the club has been pursuing Mexican players who are equipped to handle the physical play of the MLS. Landin stands about 6 feet and has the physicality to handle the rough play of the MLS, while Bravo was an amateur boxer who knows how to employ the physical traits of that sport while on the soccer pitch.
It is the patient yet persistent approach that the Dynamo have shown on the pitch these past few years, resulting in the team becoming on of the top clubs currently in the MLS, that the club appears to be employing in its efforts to sign a designated player. The question is not if the Dynamo will sign a DP, it is when and who will it be? Based on the team’s recent efforts, the answers are likely to be soon and someone who will contribute positively both on and off the pitch.
– Brian Zygo is the Bureau Chief for the World Soccer Wrap – Houston Bureau and a co-host of the 1560 The Game Soccer Show. Special thanks to Rey Gallegos for his insight on Bravo and the Beautiful Game in Mexico.

The Long and Winding Road - Dynamo Again Try to Sign an Offensive Weapon from Mexico - World Soccer Talk

The Long and Winding Road – Dynamo Again Try to Sign an Offensive Weapon from Mexico

<div style="width: 115px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div>Tyler Deric</div>
Earlier today the Houston Dynamo announced they would be signing a player to the squad tomorrow, in a World Soccer Wrap/MLS Talk exclusive, we have learned that the signing will be goalkeeper Tyler Deric. Deric is a native of Spring, Texas, a suburb of Houston, a graduate of Klein High School, and has been a member of the soccer team at the University of North Carolina. The 20 year old was also named the newcomer of the year and player of the year by the Houston Chronicle in 2005.
More importantly, Tyler Deric is a product of the Houston Dynamo’s Youth Academy and is the first member of the Academy to sign with the Dynamo. The signing will be officially announced on Friday, meaning Deric should be present at the Dynamo’s friendly against the Montreal Impact on Saturday morning.

Dynamo sign Goalkeeper from Youth Academy/UNC - World Soccer Talk

Dynamo sign Goalkeeper from Youth Academy/UNC

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-Photo by Katy Umana
The quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League kicked off last night and the Houston Dynamo hosted Atlante in front of a crowd of 10, 203 at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Texas. Defender Bobby Boswell scored the first goal of the night giving the Dynamo the lead in the 34th minute. The Dynamo managed to hold onto the lead and looked to be headed to Cancun with a home win, but with 8 minutes left in the match Gabriel Pereyra scored the equalizer for Atlante.
While Atlante is in the middle of 2009 Clausura, this was the first competitive match for the Dynamo since late November of 2008, when the beat CD Luis Angel Firpo, 1-0, to advance to the CCL Quarterfinals. Going into Tuesday night’s match, Dynamo Coach, Dominic Kinnear, had indicated he was satisfied with the number of preseason friendlies the Dynamo have played since starting camp at the start of this month, and he felt his squad was ready to take on a struggling Atlante team, though he downplayed the possibility of the Mexican side’s league struggles would carry over into the CCL. 
Knowing the history of MLS success, or lack thereof, playing Mexican clubs in Mexico, the Dynamo went on the attack, keeping the bulk of first half action on Atlante’s side of the field, while Atlante bunkered down, looking for the nil – nil draw, but not failing to take advantage of occasional counterattack. The Dynamo’s aggressive play finally paid off in the 34th minute when Boswell headed the ball into the goal from 12 yards out. The Dynamo managed to maintain their one goal lead heading into halftime.
Despite being down by a goal, during the early stages of the second half, the Potros seemed content with losing the match by a goal, and put little pressure on the Dynamo defense, which showed some weakness as Julius James got his first start with the Dynamo’s back line. As the minutes ticked away, Atlante took advantage of their midseason form and turned up the heat on a slowing El Naranja. Finally, in the 82nd minute, Atlante took advantage of confusion by the Houston side that had expected a goal kick instead of a corner and the congestion in front of the goal, and Pereyra’s momentum got the ball into the back of the net. The Dynamo pushed to get another goal, but to no avail.
Referee Neal Brizan, from Trinidad &amp; Tobago, deserves special mention as a somewhat shocking 42 fouls, including 8 yellow cards, were called during the match. It seems that Brizan was familiar with the recent history of this competition and took pains to control the match, and while he managed to thwart time wasting tactics, he also managed to disrupt the rhythm of the game to the detriment of the Dynamo.
Following the match, Stuart Holden, who is stepping into the spot once controlled by Dwayne DeRosario and still mourning the loss of his father, acknowledged that he is going to have to be more selfish in the future and take more shots when the opportunities arise. Holden had a couple shooting opportunities in the match, but chose to pass the ball to teammates, whom he believed had better shooting opportunities, but who did not take advantage of those passes. Meanwhile, Coach Kinnear indicated that while he was disappointed in giving up the lead late in the match, he believes that his team can secure a victory in Mexico next week and advance to the CCL Semifinals.
Despite being suspended for earning a red card during the group stage, Atlante’s coach, Jose Guadalupe Cruz, was present in the stadium and addressed the press following the match. While proud that his squad faired better in this match when compared to last summer’s 4 – nil loss to the Dynamo in the 2009 SuperLiga, Cruz indicated that the Dynamo are still one of the toughest MLS sides to face and should not be taken lightly next week, even when Atlante hosts the Dynamo. When reminded of the MLS history in Mexico, Cruz’s telling response was that history does not play the games.
When the two teams meet on Tuesday March 3, 2009 at 9:00 p.m. central time in Cancun, Eddie Robinson will be available for the Dynamo and goalkeeper Federico Vilar will be available for Atlante. But before the second leg of this CCL Quarterfinal tie, on Saturday, the Dynamo will host the Montreal Impact, fresh off of tonight’s victory over Santos Laguna in the CCL, in a friendly at Robertson Stadium.

Dynamo Lose Lead Against Atlante in First Leg of CCL Quarterfinal Tie - World Soccer Talk

Dynamo Lose Lead Against Atlante in First Leg of CCL Quarterfinal Tie

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With the Houston Dynamo’s opening match of the CONCACAF Champions League’s knockout stage quickly approaching on February 24th, it’s time to take a quick look at what’s going on here in Houston.
The franchise made the move from San Jose to Houston, with the impression that it would be easier to obtain a stadium deal in Houston. With the Dynamo’s fourth season starting next month, the club still calls the rundown Robertson Stadium, located on the University of Houston campus in the Third Ward, home. Without rehashing the long, tortuous route the stadium process has taken, it appears that the Houston Dynamo will be starting the 2011 MLS season in a new stadium located on the eastern edge of Downtown Houston. This afternoon, Houston Dynamo CEO Oliver Luck made an appearance on the Ken Hoffman show on 1560 The Game. While Luck was primarily there to promote the Dynamo’s new $150 season ticket package and the $32 special for 4 tickets to the Dynamo’s game against Atlante on Wednesday February 24th. However, Hoffy asked Luck about the status of the stadium negotiations, Luck did not say a final deal had been forged, but nonchalantly and openly stated the team would be in a new downtown stadium in 2011. Gone were the caveats and spin of the past.
More importantly, Luck stated that an unnamed bank has agreed to involve itself in the financing of the Tax Increment Redevelopment Zone a/k/a TIRZ that is at the heart of the public funding associated with the potential stadium. Unlike the sporting palaces recently built for the Astros, Rockets, and Texans, the Dynamo stadium carries a projected cost of under $100 million with only a fraction of the cost coming from public sources. This means that instead of relying on local taxes, which would require a vote, to fund the stadium, the City of Houston and Harris County will provide funds through the TIRZ that will go towards infrastructure improvements. Little, if any, public money will be used on the actual stadium. While a deal has not been finalized, the fact that a bank has agreed to finance the TIRZ, despite the credit crunch and current economy, is an indication that the Dynamo, the City, and the County are on the eve of finalizing a stadium deal.
Speaking of the current economic situation, MLS and the Dynamo, as well as most of the other MLS teams, should be applauded for providing affordable season ticket packages.
Meanwhile the Dynamo are out on the West Coast for some preseason friendlies. Today they faced the L.A. Galaxy, and beat them 2 – nil, thanks to an own goal from Tony Sanneh and a Brian Mullan goal. The Dynamo will be travelling to San Luis Obispo to take on the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday.
This Monday on 1560 The Game’s Soccer Show, it appears that a couple representatives from the Dynamo Girls will be joining us in studio. As always, you can watch and listen to the show online at http:\/\/www.1560.tv . The show starts at 7:00 pm Central Standard Time.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "houston dynamo" - Page 4

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Dynamo sign Goalkeeper from Youth Academy/UNC

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