Episode 4 of The Zygo Soccer Report

Main thing in this episode is Houston Dynamo Coach Dominic Kinnear's entire, unedited press conference following Sunday's 0-0 draw between the Houston Dynamo and L.A. Galaxy. Plus a little audio of Luis Angel Landin following the match.

Music featured in this episode is from The Judys, The Church, David Jordan, and Bombay the Hardway.

Houston Dynamo v. L.A. Galaxy: Postmatch Video

In their last 2009 MLS regular season home match on Sunday, the Houston Dynamo hosted the Los Angeles Galaxy in a physical 0-0 draw. Over 29,400 fans showed up at Robertson Stadium on a lovely fall afternoon to see David Beckham make his Houston debut. There might not have been any scoring in Sunday's match, but casual fans were treated to the kind of game that makes draws exciting. The Dynamo managed 11 shots, 4 of which were on goal but saved by the spot-on goal keeping of Galaxy's Donovan Ricketts. Meanwhile, Pat Onstad racked up 3 saves and Geoff Cameron made a bicycle kick save in the 52nd minute. Unfortunately for the Dynamo, star forward Brian Ching received a red card in the 84th minute, meaning he'll miss next weekend's season finale against Chivas USA in Los Angeles.

Here's some post game video courtesy of Erin Dutka:





My regular home post game report should show up on an upcoming Podcast from MLS Talk.

And, as always, tune into the Orange Slice on 1560 The Game - Independent Sports Talk Radio from Houston, Texas, which airs from 8-9 central time on Tuesday evenings. You can listen live online at http://www.1560thegame.com/

Episode 3 of The Zygo Soccer Report

This episode's topics include the tragic accident involving US National Team forward Charlie Davies, the US victory over Honduras, and the Dynamo victory in the Charities Cup on Sunday.

The entire press conference with Dynamo Coach Dominic Kinnear is included in this episode, as well as some audio of Luis Angel Landin, in Spanish.

Music from Joy Division, Lily Allen, Bombay the Hardway, and the Descendants.

Episode 3 - The Zygo Soccer Report

The Zygo Soccer Report

U.S. National Team Forward Charlie Davies Injured in Fatal Car Accident

According to news reports and confirmation from the U.S. Soccer Federation, U.S. National Team forward Charlies Davies, who plays club football for Sochaux in France, was injured in a one vehicle car accident on the George Washington Parkway early this morning. According to the U.S. Park Police, via News 4, the accident occurred around 3:15 am local time when a SUV traveling southbound made contact with metal railing on the bridge over Boundary Channel Drive.

Of the three passengers in the vehicle, one died, Ashley J. Roberta, 22, of Phoenix, Maryland. The survivors were transported to the Washington Medical Center MedStar Unit.

[UPDATE] Charlie Davies underwent several hours of surgery today for a broken femur, a broken tibia, fractured left elbow, facial fractures, and a lacerated bladder. Titanium rods were inserted in his tibia and femur. He is currently in serious but stable condition.

According to the USSF press release, Davies will be in the hospital for about a week. He will need additional surgery and extensive rehabilitation, with a 6 to 12 month recovery period expected.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by this accident.

Official Release from USSF

Updated Soccer Insider Report from Washington Post

NBC News Story on Accident

Soccer Insider Article on Accident

Orlando Sentinel Article on Accident

SI.com Article on Accident

ESPN Article on Accident

Sporting News article on Accident

WTOP Article on Accident

Another Article from WTOP

Video from US victory over Honduras

Last night the US National Team secured their spot in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Check out my write up on this weekend's footy action concerning the US by clicking here. And, here's some video connected to last night's US victory.

The Zygo Soccer Report Podcast - Episode 2

Episode 2 of my podcast is now available. This episode has a focus on the Houston Dynamo, including the raw audio from Coach Dominic Kinnear's press conference following the 1-1 draw with Kansas City Wizards this past Sunday.

This week's music includes CapaRezza, Goldfrapp, and Robbie Williams.

Episode 2

The Zygo Soccer Report

Dynamo v. Pachuca: The Rivalry Continues

The international rivalry between the Houston Dynamo and Pachuca continues tonight at 9:00 pm central time as the Dynamo host Pachuca at Robertson Stadium in the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League. Over the past three years, these two teams have met five times, with each picking up two wins and only one match resulting in a draw.

These teams last met at Pachuca on September 16, in a match that saw Pachuca win 2-0. This weekend, Pachuca lost to Santos Laguna, 4-0, in league play, meanwhile, the Houston Dynamo had the weekend off. If Pachuca wins tonights match, they will lock in their advancement to the knock-out stage of the CCL.

Tickets are still available through the Houston Dynamo website. The game will also be televised live on Fox Soccer Channel.

The Premiere Episode of The Zygo Soccer Report

I've ventured off and have created my own podcast, enjoy:

Click Here.

Recommended Site/Podcast - Russian Football Now

One of the up and coming leagues in Europe is the Russian Premier League; therefore, I wanted to take a moment to recommend the Russian Football Now Website and suggest that you subscribe to the Russian Football Now podcast on iTunes. The hosts are Chris Riordan and Richard Farley. With the amount of money floating around in Russian football, this is not a league to be taken lightly, so learn a little about it.

A FIFA International Labor Day Weekend in Football - US, Mexico, & Brazil Win

It's Labor Day weekend here in the United States and a FIFA International Break around the world. Despite the International Break for World Cup Qualifiers, there were still some league matches in the US, Mexico, and Brazil. Thankfully, the Houston Dynamo, with 3 players called up to the US National Team, had the weekend off.

Speaking of those countries, all three had crucial qualifiers this weekend. The US hosted El Salvador at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah on Saturday night. Despite the need to pick up 3 points, the US started flat and El Salvador's Christian Castillo scored the match's first goal in the 32nd minute. El Salvador's early lead was what it took to wake up the US National Team in general and Landon Donovan in particular. While Donovan did not score a goal, he did what a great 10 Shirt does by making both of the US's goals possible. In the 41st minute Clint Dempsey headed a Donovan free kick into the net and in first half stoppage it was a long cross from Donovan that Jozy Altidore headed in for the game winning goal.

Altidore had a goal called off in the 58th minute for because either Altidore nudged a defender or for a foul by Dempsey, there are conflicting stories as to the cause of the whistle. Jose Francisco Torres got his first national team playing time since the loss at Costa Rica earlier this year. Torres came close to getting a goal with a header in the 89th minute, but Miguel Montes managed to make the save and stop the bleeding.

Later Saturday evening, Mexico put CONCACAF and the rest of the world on notice that its National Team was back as it picked apart Costa Rica at Saprissa Stadium, 3-0. It was a big night for Giovani Dos Santos who scored Mexico's first goal and helped set up the other two goals. Meanwhile, Honduras beat Trinidad & Tobago 4-1. After last night's matches, Honduras and the US both have 13 points and Mexico and Costa Rica have 12 points, meanwhile El Salvador and T&T each have five points. Many are predicting that Costa Rica, which still has to play against the US in the US, will likely fall into the fourth position, which means playing against the 5th place team from CONMEBOL.

Speaking of CONMEBOL, the biggest match of the weekend was Argentina playing Brazil in Rosario, Argentina. Argentina has been struggling in its effort to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals, and last night was no improvement as they lost their first home qualifier match since 1993. Brazil secured its place in South Africa 2010 with a 3-1 victory over their biggest rival. Meanwhile, the Albiceleste need to come out strong at Paraguay on Wednesday and finish up qualifying with matches against Peru and Uruguay in October. Argentina owes some thanks to Colombia for beating Ecuador, 3-0, keeping Ecuador from moving past Argentina in the CONMEBOL standings.

One of the week spots for the US National Team Saturday night was its back line, who's trouble clearing the ball in the second half made for some very tense moments. However, word came out this weekend that Edgar Castillo, who was born in New Mexico but has played for Mexico, is no eligible to play for the US National Team. If Bradley is smart, he'll bring Castillo in to shore up the back line for the final qualifiers against Honduras and Costa Rica.