Dynamo Round-Up

Former MLS defender Steve Jolley is joining the Channel 55 (KTBU - Houston) broadcast team as a color analyst for Houston Dynamo games. Janette Fernandez is also joining the team as a sideline commentator.

http://houston.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080414&content_id=150602&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&team=t200

http://www.thetube.net/

This past weekend in a 2007 Western Conference Final Rematch, the Houston Dynamo and Kansas City Wizards played to a 0-0 draw. The good news for Dynamo fans is that Caig looked much more comfortable in the box and Stuart Holden came in late in the game.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5696542.html

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/5700928.html

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/573616.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/13/SPCA104NVQ.DTL

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/scorecard/othernews.asp?articleID=231901

Not Dynamo related, but Houston related, Mexico's National Team will start its 2010 World Cup Qualifying campaign at Reliant Stadium in Houston on June 15, 2008 when they take on Belize.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/5702599.html

New Episodes of World Soccer Wrap Available

Are available for download on iTunes or you can listen to them online at or download them from these links:

World Soccer Wrap - Episode 65:
http://web.mac.com/rayharatian/iWeb/Site/Podcast/01A6B7CA-DD22-4D59-8E5E-0161ED2C7566.html

World Soccer Wrap: Serie A - Episode 5:
http://web.mac.com/rayharatian/iWeb/Site/Podcast/3EA5EB6A-5422-4C9E-BFB8-75494C22ED67.html

http://www.myspace.com/worldsoccerwrap

http://wswhb.blogspot.com

Thoughts on Caig as Goalkeeper for the Dynamo

Grahame L. Jones of the L.A. Times had a recent article criticizing Tony Caig's play against Dallas this past Sunday:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-spw-soccer8apr08,1,2090469.story

Gotta love that he now has one with reader comments on his comments about Caig:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-spw-soccer12apr12,1,2533099.story

I like Grahame, think he does a good job covering soccer. I hope he survives the turmoil of Sam Zell and Tribune Co.

A Little Late, but Houston v. Dallas Report

The teams had played 90 minutes and it looked like Dallas, who was up 3-2, would finally win its first game at Robertson Stadium in Houston, but in the dawn of stoppage time, MLS rookie Geoff Cameron scored the equalizer for the Houston Dynamo. And Dallas returned home with only one point.

This past Sunday’s exciting 3-3 draw took place before a crowd of 20,102 soccer fans, many of whom were wearing the Dynamo’s distinctive orange, especially in the North End where the supporter group sections have been converted into terraces.

It was a day of firsts for the Dynamo, riddled with injuries and still suffering the loss of Rico Clark, who was suspended late last season for kicking Carlos Ruiz in the shoulder. The young Argentinian forward, Franco Carracio, made his first MLS start, as well as 3rd round draft pick, Geoff Cameron, a midfielder and a product of the University of Rhode Island.

Carracio managed his first MLS goal off of a Corey Ashe cross in the 20th minute, and things started looking good for the Dynamo who have dominated their north Texas rival these past two years.

But the Dynamo soon suffered a big blow in the 28th minute when goalkeeper Pat Onstad left the game due to a right shoulder injury that he incurred during a collision with Dallas’ Blake Wagner. This resulted in another first for Houston, the debut of back-up goalkeeper Tony Caig, who looked rusty and out of place, especially when Kenny Cooper scored his two goals, in the 35th and 44th minutes, for the Hoops.

In the 56th minute, Brian Ching managed to score the Dynamo’s second goal, bringing them even with Dallas, but that didn’t last long as Arturo Alvarez quickly responded in the 57th minute with a breakaway goal, putting Dallas in the lead once again.

The Dynamo and Geoff Cameron managed to equalize the game by taking advantage of the fact that instead of holding onto the ball and allowing time to expire, the Dallas players were pushing for another goal, leaving them vulnerable to Cameron’s fast break and resulting goal.

The Houston Dynamo’s next home game will be on May 3, when Chivas USA comes to town.

Saprissa v. Dynamo - Live Blog

I've never done a live blog before, but here it goes.

A shame for D.C. United as they fall to Pachuca - 3-2 aggregate. Second half of the earlier game was great. At least they got that moral victory with the home leg win.

Wow, I wish I was down in Costa Rica right now, that stadium looks like a great place to be - at least I can take some heart in knowing the FSC announcers aren't there either. Houston wasn't able to score during the home leg, but they kept Saprissa from scoring too. So a clean slate for both teams.

I should note that this game is on a bit of delay. So . . .

Artifical surface in Costa Rica, so what do the Anglo snobs have to say about that??

Dag, looks like Waibel is injured. Both Boswell and Robinson are out tonight - the back line needs some help from the middle.

Brian Mullan is in now . . .

Easy, but nice stop for Caig who looked so rusty on Sunday.

Once again Caig comes through for the Dynamo.

Lucky break in the 13th minute for Dynamo.

Apropros of nothing . . . according to Du Nord, the rumors of Riquelme to the MLS have been flowing in the Argentine press. Come on Dynamo, let's find a way to get him, if the MLS can bend over backwards for LAG, they can give us a break too.

DeRo getting warmed up . . .

Saprissa can't get it together on a corner.

Right now, seems like Saprissa is controlling, but Dynamo have had a couple chances.

Oh . . . get up . . .

Hot, humid, this commentator needs help if he thinks that's an issue, this is a Houston team we're talking about.

Dag, a transformer must have blown, lost power, and my DirecTV had to start up again, thankfully I didn't miss any goals. Still 0-0.

Blown opportunity for Dynamo . . .

Cheese and Rice, goal for Saprissa gosh darn it . . .

Saprissa 1 - Dynamo 0

AA can kiss my . . .

Franco misses an opportunity in stoppage, and the first half ends with Saprissa up by 1

Now I'm just despondent . . .

2 - nil Saprissa

I swear that the call of the goal has lasted at least 4 minutes on Costa Rica radio . . .

Man Costa Rican radio sports coverage puts American sports coverage to shame, all sports coverage that is. I don't know half of what they're saying, but it sounds exciting. . .


UGH . . . at least I can hear the Benny Hill theme on Costa Rican radio . . .

I hate this friggin salary cap that the MLS has . . . no room for real depth when needed . . .

Seriously, if the MLS wants to compete at the international level it needs to take the kid gloves off and allow teams to spend money on salaries.

Carricio out . .. Davis in

Saprissa gets 3rd goal . . .dag . .

Caig, you need to learn to stay in THE F'N Box

So, it appears that Saprissa and Pachuca will meet in the CCC final . . .

Rough night. Rough game.

Com'on Garber, time to raise this stupid salary cap.

World Soccer Wrap - New Episodes

This past week World Soccer Wrap (c) released four different shows. If you obtain the show through iTunes, please hit the subscribe button, if you haven't done so already, and make sure you download the various programs.

In addition to iTunes, you can find the four latest shows as follows:

World Soccer Wrap (c) Episode 62

http://web.mac.com/rayharatian/iWeb/Site/Podcast/9615F989-1116-4F2B-888A-D96127D64FA1.html

World Soccer Wrap (c) MLS 2008 Pre-Season Special

http://web.mac.com/rayharatian/iWeb/Site/Podcast/40F328C0-225B-4B12-AF03-C2BC014C663C.html

World Soccer Wrap (c): Serie A

http://web.mac.com/rayharatian/iWeb/Site/Podcast/E537B38E-1185-4F3D-A1F6-9AD191598DA2.html

World Soccer Wrap (c) - Interview with Scott French from MLS Magazine

http://web.mac.com/rayharatian/iWeb/Site/Podcast/FBBE1CC6-BFE6-435A-9B61-F444A721B746.html

Houston Dynamo Round-Up

I apologize for the dely in posting here, been a busy week or so.

The good news is that since I last posted, the Houston Dynamo managed to defeat CSD Municipal last Wednesday in the home leg of the first round of the CONCAF Champions Cup, with a 3-1 score line. The first two goals were scored by Dwayne DeRosario, second off a of a penalty kick, with Chris Wondolowski scoring the third Dynamo goal.

You can hear my report and the post game news conference with Coach Dominic Kinnear and World Soccer Wrap (c) Man of the Match, Dwayne DeRosario, on the latest episode of World Soccer Wrap (c), available for download on iTunes or at:

http://web.mac.com/rayharatian/iWeb/Site/Podcast/9615F989-1116-4F2B-888A-D96127D64FA1.html

The Houston Dynamo begin their 2008 season this Saturday in New England in a rematch of the last two MLS Cups. World Soccer Wrap (c) has released an MLS Season Preview Special, inclunding my preview of the Houston Dynamo's 2008 season, which is available on iTunes or at:

http://web.mac.com/rayharatian/iWeb/Site/Podcast/40F328C0-225B-4B12-AF03-C2BC014C663C.html

On the television front, the Houston Dynamo have a deal with Channel 55, KTBU, which will carry 17 games this season. Play-by-play will be handled by Charlie Pallilo from 790 A.M., The Sports Animal, while Glenn Davis will provide the color commentary.

Channel 55's show The Dynamo Soccer Report with Glenn Davis has been moved to primetime, airing at 9:30 pm on Friday nights this season.

In my opinion, I really appreciat the fact that the Dynamo's deal is with Channel 55 and not FSN (and this is no knock against FSN), because Channel 55 is available to folks without cable or who just have the basic level of cable - making Dynamo games that much more available.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3606690

The Dynamo will be holding trials on Saturday April 19. So if you think you have what it takes to make the 2008 Dynamo squad, sign up at http://www.houstondynamo.com/

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3605178

Along those lines, forward Louis Briscoe, a 20 year old from England, who has played with Leek Town and Port Vale is currently practicing with the Dynamo, as well as Columbian forward Oscar Villarreal, 27.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/5648841.html

World Soccer Wrap: Serie A

The first episode of the first World Soccer Wrap spinoff, World Soccer Wrap: Serie A, is now available under the World Soccer Wrap subscription on iTunes, and at:

http://web.mac.com/rayharatian/iWeb/Site/Podcast/BC9C84CD-D63C-4F87-BA8E-0FBA715E1B6D.html

Please feel free to contact me with suggestions, comments, criticisms, and questions.

brian.zygo@gmail.com

New Episode of World Soccer Wrap

Is now available for download on iTunes and at:

http://web.mac.com/rayharatian/iWeb/Site/Podcast/1D5AC1E0-0A56-42B0-AD5C-F7A00805C43B.html

Thursday: A Million Little Fibers

First off, the Houston Dynamo made their 2008 CONCACAF Champions Cup debut last night, taking on CSD Municipal in Guatemala City. The game resulted in a 0 -0 draw, and while the Dynamo would have liked a win and the away goal it would bring, this is the first time that the Dynamo have not lost an away leg in the CCC. The Dynamo looked good, but not great, and between luck and the steller goal tending of Pat Onstad, Municipal could have easily had a win. On the whole the defense looked much improved since the Osaka Gamba game in the PPC, much of that was due to the presence of Craig Waibel and Eddie Robinson. Once again the midfield had a good game, but it was up front that the Dynamo were soft. The second leg of the tie will be held at Robertson Stadium in Houston on Wednesday night.

More news about the Dynamo's international play was released today. The Dynamo have been grouped with Atlante, Chivas Guadalajara, and DC United in the 2008 SuperLiga. Houston will host Atlante on July 12 and Chivas on July 15, then play at D.C. on July 19.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/5617193.html

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20080313&content_id=143146&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp

http://superliga2007.com/

The Dynamo at FC Dallas drama continues, due to accomodating a concert (so much for the Slice being a soccer specific stadium), that leg of the Texas Derby will be held on Wednesday May 28, 2008. Yet another blow to the concept of fostering a great atmosphere within the stands, its a school night and the Houston SGs will be represented, but not in the numbers that would have been there on a Saturday or Sunday.

http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/schedule/index.jsp?year=2008&month=05

http://blogs.chron.com/soccer/archives/2008/03/dynamo_escape_g.html

On to Italy and Serie A: the Gazzetta dello Sport reports that A.S. Roma's Francesco Totti is very postive about Roma's prospects in the Champions League and Serie A:

http://english.gazzetta.it/Football/Primo_Piano/2008/03_Marzo/13/totti.shtml

In the will he or won't he bin, Inter President Massimo Moratti has indicated that Roberto Mancini will not be leaving at the end of the season. I suspect that Mancini will be gone, but Moratti is trying to stop the disintigration in the locker room, disintigration that could give Roma a leg up in closing the 6 point gap with Inter.

http://english.gazzetta.it/Football/Primo_Piano/2008/03_Marzo/12/english_moratti.shtml

And speaking of Mourinho (you know what I mean), gotta share this clip and the laughs it brings:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwbu59aDtbo