Houston Dynamo Advance to MLS Eastern Conference Final

Photo by Nigel Brooks

This morning, Sporting Kansas City and its fans are left pondering what it is that keeps enabling the Houston Dynamo to knock Kansas City out of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Last season the Dynamo beat Kansas City in the Eastern Conference Finals and back in 2007 the Dynamo eliminated the then Kansas City Wizards from the playoffs.

Although last night's match finished with a score line of Kansas City 1, Houston 0, the Dynamo came into the match with a 2 goal aggregate lead thanks to a 2-0 victory over Kansas City in Houston on Sunday afternoon. The two legged affair was essentially an elongated version of Houston's 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire in the MLS Knockout Round.

Not surprisingly, on Sunday the Houston Dynamo took advantage of the fact that they were playing at BBVA Compass Stadium and took the fight to Kansas City, a tactic that paid off first in the 18th minute when Adam Moffat fired the ball into goal and then in the 75th minute when Will Bruin did what Will Bruin does, scores goals.

On Wednesday, the Dynamo took a much more conservative, defensive approach, and although this caused some Dynamo fans to needlessly freak out and have anxiety attacks, the tactic paid off and the Dynamo held Kansas City to one goal, which was scored by Seth Sinovic in the 64th minute.

As of yet, the Dynamo do not know who they will be facing in the Eastern Conference Final because the RedBull New York - D.C. United match was postponed as a result of the Nor'Easter that hit New Jersey last night. That match was rescheduled for tonight.

In light of provisions in the collective bargaining agreement, an MLS team can not play two matches in three days; therefore,(and read this closely because despite the blatant announcements yesterday evening there was a great deal of confusion among Dynamo fans and person that cover the Dynamo) the first leg of the Eastern Conference Final will be at 3:00 p.m. central time on Sunday November 11th at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

Soccer Matters' Houston Dynamo Stadium Inaugural After Party at the Orange Bar

The Houston Dynamo's extended away tour to start the 2012 MLS Season came to an end with a 1-0 loss to RedBull New York last night in Harrison, New Jersey. Wednesday's loss gave the Dynamo a 2-3-2 record to start the season. While many Dynamo fans would have liked a couple more wins, or at least a couple more draws, the team's goal was to pick up at least 7 points during their first 7 away matches, and they achieved that goal. Now it is time for the Dynamo franchise and fans to stop dwelling on the past and get ready for the opening of BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday, when the Houston Dynamo finally get to play an MLS match in a stadium of their own.

Saturday's match against D.C. United starts at 3:30 p.m. central time and will be broadcast on NBC Sports.

Following the match, Glenn Davis & Soccer Matters will be hosting the Houston Dynamo Stadium Inaugural After Party at the Orange Bar. The party begins at 6:00 p.m. central time and entertainment will be provided by DJ Sun and The Are. The Orange Bar is located at 1617 Richmond Avenue, Houston, Texas 77006.

Episode 28 of The Zygo Soccer Report - Houston 2 - 2 New York

Houston Dynamo get a home draw against RedBull New York, 2-2, on Saturday May 21, 2011. This episode has post match audio from Tally Hall, Andre Hainault, and Dominic Kinnear, of course. Music featuring Kanye West, Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, and Fitz and the Tantrums.

Maybe Big Soccer is Useful: Message Board Meltdowns

I wish I had come up with this idea on my own, but I didn't. Instead, I'm stealing this idea from RollBamaRoll over at SBNation - and I learned about it from Sean & John on 1560 The Game in Houston.

On Sunday, Lazio lost the Derby della Capitale to Roma, 0-2. Here's what Lazio fans were saying:

I love Reja but fuck him for playing for the tie in the first half... Fuck Baptista for unfairly continuing play after 2 Lazio players got hurt.... and FUCK FUCK FUCK to HELL the ref for fucking up on 2 merda handballs, 1 missed penalty for dragging down Mauri, and for giving a second penalty to merda after he saw 2 lazio players get hurt and merda unfairly continue play... I seriously hope he dies a very very painful death.

I watched this BS for the last time! It just makes me mad, it just seems as if those cunts always get the refs on their side! Lets get our revenge by winning the Scudetto! Keep positive rega we're still prima in la classifica!

We were owned by referees!!! these bastards need to go to the hell asap

If you believe in fate, or karma, then I am not surprised at all. We had some moments of luck earlier in the season, we all know the strange goals we scored or whatever the fuck. It came back to haunt us TODAY. It was always the chance it could happen TODAY and it has.

This referee is a fucking shitass

Things didn't go much better for Lazio, who lost to Cesena 1-0 on Wednesday:

Zarate once aggain was playing like he is alone in the pitch and is shooting a comercial about dribling, no collective game!!!

What a fucking disgrace. Reja must be fucking stupid for resting basically everyone. I knew we wouldn't score as soon as I saw the starting lineup. I never want to see that piece of shit diakite and gonzalez on the field again. I don't understand how most of our starters needed rest. They play once a week and the first time they get a wednesday game they are too tired to play? Fuck that. I guess if we make Europe then we are going to have a shitty ass season because our players have no stamina. To play 2 games a week. What a joke.

This past weekend, Columbus Crew were knocked out of the MLS Cup Playoffs by Colorado Rapids:

bahhh! terrible! i'm sick of my team

Lenhart with the touch of a rapist. Unbelievable.

remind me again of why Jason Garey is on the field?

Hold the ball up top? no

Keep possession? no

Finishing? no

a shootout with greenbaum, oh god, what sort of a sick joke is this? threw this game away

Meanwhile, the Seattle Sounders were again knocked out of the MLS Cup Playoffs, this time by the Los Angeles Galaxy:

This is awful. I've gone from thinking we wouldn't make the playoffs at the beginning of the season, to being excited that we turned it around, to right now wishing we hadn't.

A goal would be nice, just to pop that cherry.

I don't understand this team. We've got the players to play great attacking soccer, yet we suck at attacking. Anyone know when Jason Kreis's contract is up?

Speaking of Kreis, his Real Salt Lake won't be defending their 2010 MLS Cup Championship since they were eliminated by Dallas this weekend:

AND BORCHERS WITH A YELLOW! this is ********ing bullshit, that was NOT a yellow worthy foul at all.

If anyone from our side would like to begin playing like it was the playoffs - now would be the time...

this has turned into one of the worst Utah sports days i can remember. down 1-0 on a ridiculous against the run of play goal for dallas. utes get absolutely embarrassed at home. ugh.

ferreira dives more than a $2 hooker in the cat house. absolute bullshit.

im going to drink myself into a straight stupor, i absolutely cannot believe this. we DOMINATED the second half, all 45 minutes. what a waste of a season, the greatest RSL team will go down in the first half. ******** you MLS for setting up the WORST playoff structure.

ugh, im so pissed right now i could punch a baby. see you in february.

Despite being the only MLS team with three Designated Players, RedBull New York was eliminated from the MLS Cup Playoffs by San Jose:

Backe is shiting in his pant and is afraid to take out Angel....

I stayed up for that?

Complete and utter bollox!

That was a ********ing embarassment. ******** Angel. Hasn't won shit in his entire career.

Marquez: If you wanna retire ******** off and do it cos your moving on the pitch like you have

Angel: Goodbye and Good riddance

Henry: Go ******** off and watch the Nick you cheating, handballing frog

On Wednesday, Newcastle lost, 1-2, to Blackburn Rovers:

Hey, look, it's like we remembered we're supposed to suck at defense.

Type of match Hatem Ben Arfa could have won on his own. Instead, we have Kevin ********ing nolan

Episode 18 of The Zygo Soccer Report - Thierry Henry Comes to MLS & Houston

On Saturday July 31, 2010, Thierry Henry made his MLS debut with RedBull New York as they faced the Dynamo at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Texas. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with Henry having roles in both of New York's goals. This episode includes post match audio from Tally Hall, Brian Mullan, Mike Chabala, Thierry Henry, Juan Pablo Angel, Hans Backe, and Dominic Kinnear.

Please click the link below to view it.
http://zygosoccerreport.podomatic.com/entry/2010-08-01T19_20_36-07_00

Or Use this Player:

Video: Post Match Reaction from RedBull New York after 2-2 Draw with Houston Dynamo

Saturday night Theirry Henry made his MLS debut when RedBull New York traveled to Houston to face the Dynamo at Robertson Stadium. Despite being up a man, New York allowed a late equalizer by Brian Mullan and the match ended in a 2-2 draw. Here's post match reactions from New York. Video by Erin Dutka:

New York Coach Hans Backe:



Thierry Henry:



Juan Pablo Angel:



Finally, some video of one of the pitch invaders being turned over to security: