North American Goats

Today, Dynamo Houston plays Chivas-Lite. In the brief history of the team, quite a little rivalry has developed between them and their caprine counterparts from the west -- a rivalry fed by highly physical play, short tempers, and exacerbated by Dynamo's emotional come-from-behind win of the playoff series last year.

Chivas USA has a passionate fan base, as does Dynamo. Chivas also brings a solid midfield with Amado Guevara, Jesse Marsch and Sacha Kljestan (who had a brilliant strike last week vs the team of Mo Johnston, hater of Serioux). Match them against DeRo, Rico Clark, and Mullan/Davis, and we should see some fun action in the middle of the field. There's also the background storyline that Ante Razov's next goal will get him to the century mark.

The US Goats have undergone substantial changes in their leadership (Preki is a rookie coach replacing veteran Bob Bradley) and their team (buh-bye Juan Pablo Garcia and Juan Francisco Palencia). At this point, their style of play seems to be the most Latin style in the MLS, with creative, open attacks, but equally open defense. I think Dynamo's attack will be able to exploit the defensive lapses, and Dynamo's disciplined defense will shore us up enough to carry the day for the Orange. Dynamo 2-0. If Chivas scores, it'll be from a set-piece...I say that even though I just said that their open, flowing attack is their strength. Oh well.

Lessee, my other predictions...
RSL over the Crew
DC over KC
New England over the Cannucks
FCD over NYRB
Colorado over Chicago

It seems I'm thinking the home teams are going to carry the day, except for NYRB.

Other thoughts...
I like the idea of an "MLS Anthem" to define the beginning of a 90 minute respite from the humdrum daily routine. Being that it is for an American league, it seems fitting that American musicians would be used; but the PTB ("powers that be") decided Prague was the way to go. Poor choice, if only for symbolic reasons. I like that the fact that Dynamo still incorporate their "Braveheart" intro into the proceedings, playing it after the anthem and after the opposition takes the field. I don't know how long the league PTB will allow it though, since they're trying to standardize the pre-game with both teams walking out together behind the officials.

Are we going to have a full-size, adult Championship flag flying today?

It seems at least one journalist likes the Dynamo Girls. Not much of a surprise, given that the commentator is Tino Palace.