What a night! What a result! (Game recap.)
I should no longer refer to Bobby Boswell as BoBo. My wife suggests B-Swell has a more positive ring to it. And B-Swell's game winner comes a day or so after he says "For me, the goal is definitely to beat Pachuca, a team that [the Dynamo] played a lot last year. And if I can be a catalyst to help the team get past them and get into the finals, then that's a big step for me and the team." Congrats on your big step, Catalyst!
And I wonder how many more games I'll have to watch before I see Corey Ashe get another goal off a header. He's the smallest guy on the pitch, isn't he?
I thought there was a lot of energy in the crowd tonight. The two supporters' groups did well stirring up noise and fervor. We also were introduced to our newest player: Kei Kamara. He looked good, though he did not seem to have gelled with the team yet. No surprise there at this point.
My family tried a new seating position this time: Section 124. From that section we were looking over DeRo's shoulder when he made the two dangerous shots on goal from the left flank in the first half. The first shot looked like he was trying to bend it as a cross, only the ball didn't bend and it became a shot that was easily snuffed by Calero. The second shot looked like he swiveled to fake a cross, then attempted a clever flick that Calero deflected. Had a middie timed his run right, the deflection would have led to an easy follow-up shot on goal. (When I rewatched the play on Telemundo, it looked like Jaqua and Mullan actually were trailing the play, but the ball didn't get near them unfortunately.) DeRo's best shot was around the 8th minute. It was a spinning left-footed volley from about 25 yards out that Calero had to stretch to deflect over the ball. That shot, had it been a goal, would have been on the highlight reel.
From our seats, we were also in line with the play in the second half when Pachuca had a goal called back due to offside. We didn't see the infraction at the time, and watching the replay on Telemundo, it appears there wasn't one.
Before this divine/referee intervention, we also saw some excellent saves by Onstad in the first 5 minutes of the second half. The veteran saved our skin tonight.
I'd give Dynamo-H the edge in the first half. They had the better possesion and the better threats on goal. Pachuca completely dominated the first 5 minutes of the second half, and after that the game evened out (except for that fast break non-offside non-goal that we were gifted).
As the game wore on, I worried that we would head into extra time. If the Tuzos were able to sneak past the Dynamo yet again, who would I root for in the final, I wondered? Well, regardless of who wins the New England-Atlante match, I'd have to root for Pachuca. They're a quality team, and I won't root for the Revs as long as Steve Nicol is killing the game for them.
Then a bit of magic in the 77th minute when a DeRo corner is headed on by Waibel for a timely tap-in with B-Swell's side foot. After that, the game opened up as Pachuca sought the equalizer and the Dynamo had more opportunities to counter. Ashe's header 10 minutes later ensured that the non-offside gift wouldn't taint the Dynamo's victory.
Pachuca played a solid game, until their emotions got the best of them as time wore down. Then there was a fracas after the game. It seems Pachuca is only a class act when they're on top; they don't have the emotional maturity to face disappointment like men. Hats off to Calero (surprisingly, particularly after his antics with Dom at halftime) and Torres to show class and sportsmanship in their respective post-game interviews. They need to do some remedial training for some of their teammates.
Wednesday night, I guess I'll root for Atlante so we get the final at home. Either opponent would be difficult. We beat Atlante 4-0 in the group stage, so they'll be gunning for us -- plus they appear to have their edge back. Also, it's difficult to beat the same team twice in one tournament. New England would be difficult because they know how to frustrate the Dynamo, beating us for a combined 5-0 tally in our two matches this year. We've beaten them the past two MLS Cup championships, but that only makes the odds for a third consecutive championship victory seem that much more difficult to attain over the same opponent. Plus, we'd be on their home field with their fake turf. So, it's go Atlante.
But, Go Dynamo! even more.
Showing posts with label BoBoswell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BoBoswell. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Tonight's game pREView
See how I worked "Rev" into the title? And we're playing the Revs tonight? That, my friends, is how journalists create energy and relevance to introduce an otherwise routine story. No, my friends, I am no journalist.
Ahem, tonight the Revs come to town. (Game guide.) Last we met, in blustery Foxboro, we were spanked by their newbie players for a 0-3 loss. Tonight's game will be notable for who will not be there.
No DeRo, no Ching, and no Onstad is a combination that would scare any Orangeman. There goes our scoring and our clean sheet. Let's see: no goals for us plus goals for them, well that equals a loss, right?
But the Revs will be without their creative Shalrie Joseph and key goal scorers Twellman, Kenny Mansally, and Khano Smith.
We'll call it a wash. Particularly since Brad Davis will be back.
The question remains: can we score? Well, our defenders are great at scoring on set pieces, and Stuie has quite a shot. Our young forwards are also due. Ya' hear me, Caraccio? You're due.
The remaining Revs are no slouches, with Ralston the ubiquitous provider of scoring opportunities, Cristman and Nyassi more than capable of netting goals, and Reis making über-saves in the back. That's right, I used an umlaut. Despite the challenge posed by the Revs and their umlaut selves, I'm going to stick with my contrarian view of "when we should win we won't; when things are going against us we win." I say Dynamo 2-0. And that's with Caig in goal, I know. Now it's up to the Dynamo to make me look good and put a brace past Reis.
Here's the MLS article on the match. DeRo: "I'm 100 percent confident in the talent on the bench, I'm sure they'll get the job done."
The game is on ESPN, so they have a pre-game article. The Dynamo have never beaten the Revs in five regular-season meetings, including a 3-0 beatdown on March 29. MLS Cups have been a different matter entirely however, with the Dynamo claiming the last two titles at the Revs' expense. And Kinnear says: "The first key for us is to have our outside backs attacking, jumping into space. The second key is to switch the ball quickly. If you do that, then you give [New England] problems. If you sit back too far, and let them pressure you in your end with their numbers, then you can't really get out."
The Chron has an article on BoBo, who is becoming a bonafide MIO. When the Dynamo host the New England Revolution tonight, Boswell, 25, will notch his 13th consecutive league start — something only one other Dynamo, Richard Mulrooney, has accomplished this season.
Before being selected for the USMNT match vs Barbados, Ching was selected MLS Player of the Week for his 2-goal, 1-assist game versus Toronto. B-Fall had a link (which may not last past this week) that showed how the members of the Fourth Estate voted. This is an interesting data point that I had never seen. No surprise that the opinionated Jamie Trecker didn't vote for Ching. I am surprised that Andrea Canales didn't vote for Beckham or Donovan (even though Donovan didn't play). Here is the voting breakout:
And now for something completely different...
An essay from two fans who were able to accompany the Dynamo on their trip to the White House. To see the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington, our first president, which was saved by Dolley Madison during the War of 1812, brought a huge lump to our throats. To walk the halls where Kennedy and Roosevelt walked and to know that they entered these same rooms in which we stood was awe-inspiring.
Ahem, tonight the Revs come to town. (Game guide.) Last we met, in blustery Foxboro, we were spanked by their newbie players for a 0-3 loss. Tonight's game will be notable for who will not be there.
No DeRo, no Ching, and no Onstad is a combination that would scare any Orangeman. There goes our scoring and our clean sheet. Let's see: no goals for us plus goals for them, well that equals a loss, right?
But the Revs will be without their creative Shalrie Joseph and key goal scorers Twellman, Kenny Mansally, and Khano Smith.
We'll call it a wash. Particularly since Brad Davis will be back.
The question remains: can we score? Well, our defenders are great at scoring on set pieces, and Stuie has quite a shot. Our young forwards are also due. Ya' hear me, Caraccio? You're due.
The remaining Revs are no slouches, with Ralston the ubiquitous provider of scoring opportunities, Cristman and Nyassi more than capable of netting goals, and Reis making über-saves in the back. That's right, I used an umlaut. Despite the challenge posed by the Revs and their umlaut selves, I'm going to stick with my contrarian view of "when we should win we won't; when things are going against us we win." I say Dynamo 2-0. And that's with Caig in goal, I know. Now it's up to the Dynamo to make me look good and put a brace past Reis.
Here's the MLS article on the match. DeRo: "I'm 100 percent confident in the talent on the bench, I'm sure they'll get the job done."
The game is on ESPN, so they have a pre-game article. The Dynamo have never beaten the Revs in five regular-season meetings, including a 3-0 beatdown on March 29. MLS Cups have been a different matter entirely however, with the Dynamo claiming the last two titles at the Revs' expense. And Kinnear says: "The first key for us is to have our outside backs attacking, jumping into space. The second key is to switch the ball quickly. If you do that, then you give [New England] problems. If you sit back too far, and let them pressure you in your end with their numbers, then you can't really get out."
The Chron has an article on BoBo, who is becoming a bonafide MIO. When the Dynamo host the New England Revolution tonight, Boswell, 25, will notch his 13th consecutive league start — something only one other Dynamo, Richard Mulrooney, has accomplished this season.
Before being selected for the USMNT match vs Barbados, Ching was selected MLS Player of the Week for his 2-goal, 1-assist game versus Toronto. B-Fall had a link (which may not last past this week) that showed how the members of the Fourth Estate voted. This is an interesting data point that I had never seen. No surprise that the opinionated Jamie Trecker didn't vote for Ching. I am surprised that Andrea Canales didn't vote for Beckham or Donovan (even though Donovan didn't play). Here is the voting breakout:
WEEK ELEVEN: JUNE 4-8
Brian Ching: Houston Dynamo
Ching registered two goals and an assist in Houston’s 3-1 victory over Toronto FC on Sunday.
National or non-market reporters
Marc Connolly: Matt Reis
JP Dellacamera: Brian Ching
Beau Dure: Brian Ching
Jonah Freedman: Brian Ching
Scott French: Brian Ching
Ives Galarcep: Brian Ching
Allen Hopkins: Brian Ching
Doug McIntyre: Luciano Emilio
Rob Stone: Brian Ching
Jaime Trecker: Matt Reis
Jerry Trecker: Matt Reis
Pat Walsh: Luciano Emilio
In-market reporters
Chicago
Luis Arroyave: Brian Ching
Columbus
Shawn Mitchell: Brian Ching
Dallas/Fort Worth
Steve Davis: Luciano Emilio
Tobias Xavier Lopez: Matt Reis
Houston
Bernardo Fallas: Dwayne DeRosario
Kansas City
Bob Luder: Brian Ching
Los Angeles
Andrea Canales: Juan Pablo Angel
Joseph D’Hippolito: Kevin Hartman
New England (Boston)
Kyle McCarthy: Luciano Emilio
New York
Frank Giase: Brian Ching
Michael Lewis: Brian Ching
Salt Lake
James Edward: Kevin Hartman
Michael C. Lewis: Luciano Emilio
San Jose
Elliott Almond: Brian Ching
Ann Killion: Brian Ching
Toronto
Larry Milson: Brian Ching
Washington D.C.
John Haydon: Luciano Emilio
Craig Stouffer: Luciano Emilio
And now for something completely different...
An essay from two fans who were able to accompany the Dynamo on their trip to the White House. To see the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington, our first president, which was saved by Dolley Madison during the War of 1812, brought a huge lump to our throats. To walk the halls where Kennedy and Roosevelt walked and to know that they entered these same rooms in which we stood was awe-inspiring.
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