Your Friday Goals for March 22, 2013

El Capitán is headed back to Dallas, turmoil in the United States National Team's locker room, March Sadness is underway, and World Cup Qualifying resumes, it's time for your Friday goals.

More after the jump:

Dynamo Start First Leg of Champions League Quarterfinals With 1-0 Win

Photo by Nigel Brooks.

The first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals began in Houston, Texas with the Dynamo hosting Mexico's Santos Laguna at BBVA Compass Stadium.

On the whole, much of the match seemed fairly balanced with both teams being unable to take advantage of opportunities presented as a result of defensive breakdowns on both ends of the pitch. In the end though, it was Brad Davis, who had some less then stellar set pieces, that picked up the game winning goal in the 89th minute.

The Dynamo's newest player, Andrew Driver, had a golden opportunity to score a second goal almost immediately after Davis' goal, but Driver lost control of his feet and went down, untouched, in the box.

While a 1-0 win at home is a good result to start with, the Dynamo have to defend their lead, and hope to extend their lead, down in Torreón on Wednesday March 13th at 7:00 p.m. central time. The good news for the Dynamo and its fans is that the Dynamo do not have an MLS match this week, so they have plenty of time to rest and prepare for the second leg of this quarterfinals match-up.

Houston Dynamo Start 2013 MLS Season with a 2-0 Win over DC United

Photo by Nigel Brooks.

The Houston Dynamo kicked off the 2013 MLS Season at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday March 2nd with a 2-0 victory over D.C. United, with Ricardo Clark having a role in both goals.

Over 20,000 soccer fans showed up in the eastend of Downtown Houston on a chilly, windy winter evening to get a first glimpse of how the team that lost the last two MLS Cup finals is shaping up for their next run at the MLS Cup final. The first half was a bit sluggish as both teams tried to shake off the last of the off-season rust. As the first half clock moved past the thirty minute mark, the Dynamo's offense was pressing the attack and a foul on Ricardo Clark set up a penalty kick for Brad Davis in the 40th minute; however, it was a poor clock and United keeper Bill Hamid guessed correctly, blocking the shot. This was Davis' third missed penalty kick in a row. Television viewers felt that the foul took place outside of the box and that it should not have been a penalty, but following the match, Ricardo Clark said that he felt it was in the box.

The first goal of the match came in the 80th minute on a corner kick. The goal was initially credited to Ricardo Clark, but a review of the play showed it to be an own goal by United defender James Riley. Clark finally got his goal 8 minutes later, thanks to an assist by Warren Creavalle, who had just substituted in for Brad Davis.

With Saturday's victory, the Dynamo continued their regular season dominance of D.C. United with an 8-0-1 record and 19 goals to United's 4 goals. In Saturday's match, United was not credited with a single shot on goal.

The Dynamo's next match is at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday March 5th when they host Santos Laguna in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.

The Dynamo do not have another league match until St. Patrick's Day when they travel to Frisco, Texas to face F.C. Dallas at noon central time. Dallas also opened the 2013 season at home on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Colorado.

Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, Sporting Kansas City beatdown the Philadelphia Union, 3-1; the Vancouver Whitecaps pulled off a 1-0 victory over Toronto F.C.; Columbus Crew rolled over reborn Chivas USA, 3-1; and the Montreal Impact picked up a 1-0 away win against the Seattle Sounders.

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The National Anthem was sung by Asli Omar, lead singer of the Tontons, here's some Tontons for those who are not familiar with the Houston band:

Michael Chabala Returning to Houston Dynamo?

While there has not been an official statement from the Houston Dynamo, based on this tweet by Brad Davis it appears that Michael Chabala is returning to the Houston Dynamo.

The Dynamo drafted the defender in the 4th round of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, but did not make his MLS debut until 2009 against RedBull New York. Chabala ultimately made 47 appearances for the Dynamo before he was traded to the Portland Timbers in July of 2011. Subsequently, in 2012, Portland traded Chabala to D.C. United, who declined his contract option for 2013.

Since Chabala obtained free agent status after going undrafted in the 2012 re-entry draft, if the Dynamo did sign him, the Dynamo did not have to give anything up to make the deal. In light of that, along with the fact that the Dynamo need back line depth and Chabala is already familiar with Dominic Kinnear's system, this seems like a no-brainer of a preseason signing.

I'll update this as more details become available.

Dynamo Best Galaxy, 2-1, On A Hot & Humid Saturday Afternoon

When the MLS schedule was set, Saturday's match between the Houston Dynamo and Los Angeles Galaxy looked to be a good rematch of the 2011 MLS Cup Final, and possibly a potential preview of the 2012 MLS Cup Final, but the Galaxy have been struggling, having only won 3 matches this season, and big names like Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and Geoff Cameron weren't available due to international call ups. With a 1:30 p.m. start line, the bigger question was how well the Galaxy would hold up in Houston's heat and humidity.

It was the Galaxy who scored first, when, in the 10th minute, Edson Buddle scored his first goal in ten weeks. Whatever life the Buddle goal pumped into the Galaxy was quickly sapped away as the heat began to take its toll on the away side. When Brian Ching's shot hit the crossbar and bounced off of the Galaxy's Mike Magee and into the net in the 38th minute, it looked like the Galaxy were ready to head back home with a draw.

Not long after the second half started, Houston was awarded a corner kick, which Brad Davis took. When Davis put the ball in the air, Dynamo defender Andre Hainault leaped up, heading the ball past Galaxy keeper Brian Perk. That goal, which came in the 57th minute, was all that the Dynamo would need to pick up the win, despite a few minor offensive bursts by the Galaxy before the match ended.

Obviously, the heat was an issue that was addressed by both teams after the match. While Dominic Kinnear and his team don't necessarily enjoy playing on a hot afternoon in Houston, they've seemed to accept it as something that they have to deal with from time to time. Meanwhile, the Galaxy were a little less accepting of the situation. Galaxy coach Bruce Arena not only complained about having to play in the Houston heat, but having to do so after just having played in San Jose on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Beckham complained about both the heat and the officiating.

After the win over the Galaxy, the Dynamo have 16 points and are currently in 6th place in the Eastern Conference.

Up next for the Dynamo is a US Open Cup match against the San Antonio Scorpions at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio at 7:30 pm on Tuesday evening.

Houston Dynamo Pick Up First Win At BBVA Compass Stadium

Last week the Houston Dynamo franchise was feeling the love as numerous media outlets in both the United States and outside of the United States gave positive reviews to the team's new stadium, BBVA Compass Stadium, and although the positive reviews were important they would ring hollow if the Dynamo failed to deliver when they hosted DC United for Saturday's inaugural match. Winning Saturday's match was an important goal for the Dynamo, not just because it was their first match in their new home, but to also turn momentum around after dropping their last two away matches.

Since it was the prospect of getting their own stadium built that lured the former San Jose Earthquakes to Houston, the story line that most Dynamo fans and media were looking for was one involving a first goal or a game winning goal from one of the last two players who had made that move from San Jose to Houston in 2006, Brian Ching or Brad Davis. Over the past 6 season, it has been Brian Ching who proved to be the face of the Dynamo franchise, but on Saturday it was Brad Davis who scored the first MLS goal at BBVA Compass Stadium, giving the Dynamo a 1-0 victory over their Eastern Conference rivals.

The Dynamo aren't getting much time to savor Saturday's victory since their second match at home is set for Tuesday night when they host the Portland Timbers at 7:30 pm.

Where you at the game on Saturday? Be sure to share your thoughts of opening day at BBVA Compass Stadium on tonight's Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis, broadcast on Sports Talk 790 am here in Houston. The show, which hits the air at 8:00 pm central time, also streams live over the internet: Click Here for the 790 Stream.

Dynamo Win Second Straight Match on the Road

Today the Houston Dynamo returned to their old stomping grounds in the Bay Area of California as they faced off against the San Jose Earthquakes at AT&T (nee PacBell) Park in San Francisco. We all know that the Houston Dynamo were once the San Jose Earthquakes and that MLS has created a fiction whereby the expansion Earthquakes get to "keep" the Dynamo's old trophies . . . this means there is a whole lot of bad blood when the teams play.

In light of MLS's decision to make a completely and totally unbalanced schedule this season, the Earthquakes and the Dynamo faced off in the only regular season match they will play against each other in 2012.

In the end the Houston Dynamo bested their foes 1-0 thanks to San Jose's keeper Jon Busch fouling Brian Ching in the box. Brad Davis converted the penalty and that's all Houston need to pick up it's second straight road win of 2012.

Galaxy's Triumvirate Wins Los Angeles its Third MLS Cup

On Sunday evening in a rainy Carson, California it seemed that all the stars had aligned for MLS, for AEG, for Don Garber, and for the Designated Player concept as David Beckham, Robbie Keane, and Landon Donovan teamed up to give the Los Angeles Galaxy the 2011 MLS Cup winning goal in the 72nd minute at the Home Depot Center.

Going into Sunday's Cup Final, featuring the Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo, all the focus was on the Galaxy, winner of the 2011 MLS Supporters Shield by picking up 67 points over the course of the 34 game regular season. After having lost the 2009 MLS Cup final to Real Salt Lake on penalty kicks, all the talk was about how it was the Galaxy's time to finally win the Cup again, having last won it in 2005. More pressure was added to the Galaxy by the fact that Beckham's contract is about to expire and winning the Cup would give a sheen of success to the Designated Player system and the so-called "Beckham Experiment."

The extended break between the Conference Finals and the MLS Cup Final seemed to give the advantage to the Galaxy, who also enjoyed home field advantage, by giving them time to get healthy and cooling the momentum of the Dynamo, who were riding a 9 match unbeaten streak into the Cup Final. However, the rainy weather and choppy pitch seemed to favor the Dynamo, a physical team that relies on set pieces and counters, over the Galaxy, a finesse team that relies on smooth passing and flow.

Each team dominated portions of the match, but it was clear that the Dynamo were suffering due to the absence of midfield Brad Davis. Without Davis' skill on deadballs and management of the midfield, Dynamo attacks tended to break down too easily and the team seemed to lose focus too easily. Meanwhile, the Galaxy, who only made one substitution during the course of the match, managed to keep their focus, keep their cool and finally found the one goal, the only goal needed to win the match and give the Galaxy franchise its third MLS Cup.

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Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Dwayne De Rosario Named 2011 MLS MVP

Houston Dynamo fans will be a bit disappointed when they wake up this morning to discover that Brad Davis was not named the 2011 MLS MVP, but that disappointment will be tempered a bit since Dwayne De Rosario, once an important member of the Dynamo, is this season's MVP. In fact, the last time De Rosario won the MVP, in 2007, he was a member of the back-to-back MLS Cup winning Dynamo.

Although De Rosario, who played for Toronto, New York, and D.C. this past season, did not make it to the playoffs, by the numbers alone, he did beat out the other nominees for MVP, Brad Davis and Brek Shea. This season, De Rosario had 16 goals and 12 assists, while Davis had 4 goals and 16 assists and Shea had 11 goals and 4 assists.

Brek Shea's FC Dallas, which played in the 2010 MLS Cup Final, made it to the playoffs, but was knocked out by RedBull New York in the Wild Card. Meanwhile, Davis has been an important part of the Houston Dynamo's run to the 2011 MLS Cup Final, but he sustained an injury in the Eastern Conference Final and will not play for the Dynamo on Sunday.

The 2011 MLS Cup Final will take place at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on Sunday November 20, 2011, at 8:00 pm central time. The match will be televised on ESPN and Galavision.

Houston Dynamo Players React to Advancing to the 2011 MLS Cup Final

Photo by Chris Canetti

Following Sunday afternoon's 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City in the 2011 MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final, members of the Houston Dynamo shared their thoughts on the win and the upcoming MLS Cup Final with Simon Borg of MLSSoccer.com.

The Houston Dynamo will be facing the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2011 MLS Cup Final on Sunday November 20th at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. The match, which starts at 8:00 pm central time, will be broadcast on ESPN and Galavision.

The Zygo Soccer Report in the Raw: Dynamo 1-0 Union

Photo by Katy Umaña

The Houston Dynamo beat the Philadelphia Union on Thursday night, 1-0, to advance to the 2011 MLS Cup Eastern Conference Semifinal. This episode of The Zygo Soccer Report features raw post-match audio from Stuart Holden, Chris Canetti, Bobby Boswell, Adam Moffat, Brad Davis, Brian Ching, and Dominic Kinnear.

The Dynamo play Sporting Kansas City in the Eastern Conference Final on Sunday November 6, 2011. The match starts at 4:30 p.m. central time and will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel.

I apologize for the quality of my intro audio, had to use different equipment to record that part, the rest of it is the high quality you find on previous podcasts.

Music in this episode from Girl in a Coma, Cage the Elephant, Dum Dum Girls, and The Black Kids.

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[Video Highlights] Luck Shines on the Houston Dynamo in 2-1 Victory over Chivas USA

- Photo by Katy Umaña

Prior to Saturday night's match against Chivas USA at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Texas, the Houston Dynamo had gone seven matches without a win. After losing the lead to RedBull New York three weeks ago and losing badly to the San Jose Earthquakes last weekend, Dynamo fans were starting to get very impatient with the Dynamo's seeming inability to hold onto a lead or shut down inferior offenses.

Since May 25th, when the Dynamo lost to the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center, the Dynamo had played Dallas (tie) and San Jose (loss), with Chivas USA being the last of the Dynamo's run of playing Western Conference teams. Dynamo needed a win, especially a win at home, to change their momentum before having to face two of its biggest Eastern Conference rivals in the next couple weeks, Columbus Crew and D.C. United.

The match appeared to start on the right foot for the Houston Dynamo when Bobby Boswell put the ball into the net during the first five minutes:



Unfortunately, the goal was disallowed because of a foul committed by Dynamo defender Hunter Freeman.

Things quickly went from bad to worse for the Dynamo in the 7th minute when Marcos Mondaini tricked Dynamo keeper Tally Hall and scored for Chivas USA:



Twenty-two minutes later, Geoff Cameron, off of a Brad Davis free kick, scored for the Dynamo on this lovely header:



When halftime rolled around, the score was tied at 1-1 and Geoff Cameron was the star of the moment:



The Dynamo sealed up the match in the 56th minute when, on a Brad Davis free kick, the ball deflected off of Chivas USA's Heath Pearce and into the goal:



Not surprisingly, the mood in the Dynamo locker room after the match was one of relief, especially when you consider that not only did the Dynamo pick up 3 points but that Brian Ching finally got back on the pitch.

Despite their seven match streak without winning, the Dynamo find themselves tied with Columbus Crew at 2nd place in the Eastern Conference, at 18 points, while both New York and Philadelphia Union are tied in first place with 22 points.

Audio from the Houston Dynamo locker Room will be forthcoming on this week's episode of The Zygo Soccer Report.

Episode 21 of The Zygo Soccer Report

Saturday October 22nd will mark the end of the Houston Dynamo's 2010 season, the first season the team hasn't made it into the MLS playoffs. Here's some thoughts on the season and some audio from Dominic Kinnear, Brian Ching, Brad Davis, and Lovell Palmer who were at the Houston Dynamo's press conference on Thursday.

Episode 20 of the Zygo Soccer Report: Dynamo 1 - 2 Earthquakes

The San Jose Earthquakes came to Houston on Sunday night and beat the Dynamo, 2-1. Here's some post match audio from Eddie Robinson, Brad Davis, and Dominic Kinnear. Additionally, I give some brief thoughts on the Bob Bradley contract extension.

U.S.A. 2 - 0 Sweden

The USMNT started off 2008 on a strong note with a convincing 2-0 victory over Sweden. Among the starters for the U.S. were three Houston Dynamo - Ricardo Clark, Brad Davis, and Eddie Robinson. This match marked Robinson's first cap, first start, and, more importantly, in the 15th minute, his first goal with the National team. While Brad Davis did a great job serving as the National team's dead ball expert - including a corner kick which led to Robinson's goal. Landon Donovan scored an insurance goal on a penalty kick taken in the 48th minute.

On the whole, this USMNT looked much better then it did when it lost to Sweden last year, and the frustration they were causing the Swedish team was visable in the looks on the players faces and the number of hard and foolish fouls taken by Sweden. Looks like Bradley has the team on the right course.

Several Dynamo going to U.S. Soccer Camp

Coach Bob Bradley is holding a Training Camp for the U.S. Men's National Team this month, and among those invited to attend are the Houston Dynamo's Eddie Robinson, Brad Davis, and Ricardo Clark. Meanwhile Patrick Ianni and Stuart Holden will be with the U23 team.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2007/12/usa_training_camp_roster.html

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/5413584.html

http://houston.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20071231&content_id=133981&vkey=pr_hou&fext=.jsp&team=t200