The lack of blogging isn't due to my lack of attention to the world of soccer. On the contrary, so much has been going on (in the MLS, World Cup Qualifying, and my efforts to be a decent coach for my son's youth team), that I haven't made time to write.
But here I am. Since my last writing, the Dynamo have been very active.
They beat Colorado in Denver (Recap) behind 2 goals from Ching (he had a saved PK that would've given him the hat trick) and a sweet shot from afar by Rico. The win ensured the Dynamo clinched a playoff spot.
Midweek, in CONCACAF play, DeRo earned 3 points for the Orange with a brilliant game winner in the 88th minute. (Recap.) It looked like San Francisco FC of Panama was going to escape from Houston with a point. It would have been unjust, but poor finishing was killing the MIO. (We had 20 shots to Fr'isco's 6.) The night saw several young guns making their mark. Corey Ashe had perhaps his best game ever as he tore up the left flank and showed strong runs and solid crosses. Caig was a surprise starter in goal, and his poor positioning off his line (in yet another match) allowed the Panamanians to equalize early in the 2nd half with an outstanding lob. Chabala did well at right back, but could stand some practice making crosses when his legs are tired late. Wondo had a goal and nearly another (a chip that hit the post, and then the followup went wide as it was borne of frustration than of steely intent to finish). Kyle Brown was a surprising sub. But the game changed when the veteran, DeRo, came in at the 78th minute. He energized the team and seemed to make things happen.
His goal was good in and of itself, but what he did to get himself into that position is what was truly amazing. In the 88th minute, a long pass by Barrett to DeRo was intercepted and the ball ended up at Blanco's feet (no, not THE Blanco). Blanco began dribbling towards the halfway line, but DeRo came up from behind, deftly stepped between Blanco and the ball, and cleanly stole away and reversed course. Given time and space on the fringe of the attacking third, DeRo was like a kid at Christmas and unleashed a bending rocket that flat-footed the goalkeeper and iced the game. DeRo had been in the game all of 10 minutes.
Later in the week, the US Men's Team booked passage into the next round of WCQ with an easy win over an overmatched (and undermanned) Cuba. (Recap.) I feel for the Cuban players. Ching scored a goal after the match had already been decided. (His goal was a header of a Kljestan cross that Ching knocked in...but he was in a gaggle with 2 other US players so it would have been knocked in had Ching not been at the vanguard of the group). The most exciting part of the match for me was the introduction of José Francisco Torres of Pachuca into the USMNT rotation. (Quotes.) Maybe it's just pie-eyed dreams, but I hope that Torres is part of the future that builds a better technically skilled and creative USMNT culture. A guy can dream.
Ives has some observations about the game. Ives also had a good treatise on the worth Ching brings to the USMNT. The article is followed by amusing drivel -- for the most part -- chundered by the blogging community. It's amusing partly because the comments are so predictable, and partly because they are naive for the most part. As one matures, one realizes that there is not just one kind of forward, but many types that have value depending on the system and the team. Ching simply makes the players around him more productive. In other words: Ching makes the team better. That's a good thing. 'Nuff said.
Tonight, the week finished with a boring scoreless draw between a mediocre DC United team and a Dynamo team bereft of ideas. (Recap.) The result earned the Columbus Crew the Supporters' Shield.
The MIO wore all-white tonight as part of a charity effort to help raise funds as part of the reconstruction after Hurricane Ike. The team also honored first responders and their role in helping with the storm recovery.
The game was filled with half-chances. Geoff Cameron was an early 2nd half sub despite being listed as "Out" due to hamstring issues. He came in for Holden who knocked heads in the DC penalty box and got a golf-ball size lump on his forehead...yikes! Ashe was the other sub. He came on with only 10 minutes remaining, so it took him a while to get into the groove, but once he got into a rhythm, he delivered some nice crosses from the left.
It's been a long month for the Dynamo, but the traveling is over for the time being. Hopefully the MIO can re-energize themselves, recapture the (healthy) passion (not the anger-management-issue-laden passion that ERob shows before drawing needless Yellows), and do what needs to be done to get the third consecutive MLS Cup.
Go Dynamo!
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Between Quake events, and After the Hurricane
I hope Hurricane Ike has had as minimal of an impact as possible on you, your family, and your property. As for me and my household, we lost several tree limbs but had no property damage. We are still without power, but we have water and gas, so we can cook on our gas stove and take comfortable showers with our gas water heater. If the cool front hadn't come through, we'd be absolutely miserable without air conditioning, but the weather has complied to make for pleasant evenings. We count ourselves very lucky and hope you can do the same.
(One of my neighbors stated that God gives us these challenges to help us grow and to test us. I replied that God must have a low opinion of my character under duress, because He went easy on us this time. Or maybe He thought we already had our hurricane test since we lost everything to Hurricane Andrew when I was a newlywed young Ensign stationed on Homestead AFB. Either way, I'm grateful for the minor inconvenience we've experienced this time.)
Still no power at home, but at work we have power. You might surmise that this means that I'm spending work time on personal blogging. I will not confirm or deny that.
I missed the Dynamo-Earthquake match this past weekend. (Official Recap.) We had no power at the time, and while I could've listened to it on the radio, I was actually asleep on the couch having stayed up most of the night watching the storm and spent most of the morning keeping our street gutters free of debris to prevent street flooding. I watched the highlights, though, and they suggest that we were lucky to leave San Jose with a point. We may have had better possession (I can't tell from the highlights) and may have been unlucky to not convert a few more of our chances, but the Earthquakes had several 1-on-1 shots on goal that weren't converted. After a botched header by ERob, Onstad made two desperate point-blank saves in a row in the first half. Not long after, Onstad displayed more heroics on another point-blank shot. In the second half, a point-blank header found Barrett's chest at the goal line. In fact, Ronnie O'Brien's goal that opened up the scoring in the 50th minute -- a blistering shot from just outside our box, taken from Onstad's left and ending up in the far right netting -- was more difficult than these four shots that Onstad and Barrett saved.
Of course, we had our chances too. And how about the spunk shown by Ching after he scored the equalizer, when he ran over to remind the feisty Earthquake fans where their 2 stars came from? Reading Ives' blog, at least one Quake fan thought that was a classless display and has decided to instantly despise his former hero. I think Ching was merely responding in kind; it was defiance to counter spitefulness and it was only directed at the fans who were spouting vitriol, not to the fans who were merely supporting their (new) players.
ERob got ejected yet again, this time for getting two yellow cards. From what I could see, though, ERob's second yellow came when he was fouled from behind. Either I missed something or the ref completely blew the call. Or both.
We now have 39 points, 6 points away from the Supporters' Shield that I want so badly. We only have 6 games to make up the difference, and the next match is versus the very same Earthquakes this Saturday. With the generous post-Ike deal sponsored by the Dynamo and the University of Houston (free parking? free tickets for kids under 14? $10 adult tickets? Wow!) we hope to see a big turnout to root for the Dynamo, hope to equalize the Quake series (now at 0-1-1), and hope to get to 42 points (10 less than last year's final total, only 4 less than 2006's final total).
UPDATE: No game and no deal this Saturday, at the request of the City of Houston. This is going to really cram the Dynamo's remaining schedule, and the make up date falls on a FIFA World Cup Qualifier match day for the US and Canada. The media notes that the postponement could hurt the Earthquakes' momentum, but do we care?
Go Dynamo! (And take care out there, fellow Texans!)
(One of my neighbors stated that God gives us these challenges to help us grow and to test us. I replied that God must have a low opinion of my character under duress, because He went easy on us this time. Or maybe He thought we already had our hurricane test since we lost everything to Hurricane Andrew when I was a newlywed young Ensign stationed on Homestead AFB. Either way, I'm grateful for the minor inconvenience we've experienced this time.)
Still no power at home, but at work we have power. You might surmise that this means that I'm spending work time on personal blogging. I will not confirm or deny that.
I missed the Dynamo-Earthquake match this past weekend. (Official Recap.) We had no power at the time, and while I could've listened to it on the radio, I was actually asleep on the couch having stayed up most of the night watching the storm and spent most of the morning keeping our street gutters free of debris to prevent street flooding. I watched the highlights, though, and they suggest that we were lucky to leave San Jose with a point. We may have had better possession (I can't tell from the highlights) and may have been unlucky to not convert a few more of our chances, but the Earthquakes had several 1-on-1 shots on goal that weren't converted. After a botched header by ERob, Onstad made two desperate point-blank saves in a row in the first half. Not long after, Onstad displayed more heroics on another point-blank shot. In the second half, a point-blank header found Barrett's chest at the goal line. In fact, Ronnie O'Brien's goal that opened up the scoring in the 50th minute -- a blistering shot from just outside our box, taken from Onstad's left and ending up in the far right netting -- was more difficult than these four shots that Onstad and Barrett saved.
Of course, we had our chances too. And how about the spunk shown by Ching after he scored the equalizer, when he ran over to remind the feisty Earthquake fans where their 2 stars came from? Reading Ives' blog, at least one Quake fan thought that was a classless display and has decided to instantly despise his former hero. I think Ching was merely responding in kind; it was defiance to counter spitefulness and it was only directed at the fans who were spouting vitriol, not to the fans who were merely supporting their (new) players.
ERob got ejected yet again, this time for getting two yellow cards. From what I could see, though, ERob's second yellow came when he was fouled from behind. Either I missed something or the ref completely blew the call. Or both.
We now have 39 points, 6 points away from the Supporters' Shield that I want so badly. We only have 6 games to make up the difference
UPDATE: No game and no deal this Saturday, at the request of the City of Houston. This is going to really cram the Dynamo's remaining schedule, and the make up date falls on a FIFA World Cup Qualifier match day for the US and Canada. The media notes that the postponement could hurt the Earthquakes' momentum, but do we care?
Go Dynamo! (And take care out there, fellow Texans!)
Thursday, July 24, 2008
All-Stars was entertaining ... Who'd've guessed?
I wasn't really looking forward to the MLS All-Star game ... like most people, I'm sure. I wasn't sure if I would watch. Turns out I did, and I'm glad I did. The match was fun from beginning to end; and I even found it relaxing since I didn't care who won or lost.
West Ham played well, but the players weren't going to hurt themselves in the process. That, and the fact that the Hammers probably aren't match fit yet, was really the factor that led to the MLSers controlling possession and territory so well.
But what was cool was watching Blanco and Beckham play together. Blanco actually was off with his passing and had several give-aways, but started getting into the groove and ended the half with a clever, skillful goal curving so nicely into the net. His earlier assist was even sweeter: picking up a pass from Beckham, Blanco popped the ball up then heel-flicked it to Christian Gomez, who slotted the ball clinically into the far netting. Becks-Blanco-Gomez-goal: That play right there made the All-Stars worth it.
B-Fall's blog has a good summary of the game. Here is a good article talking about DeRo and Onstad playing two MLS games the same day and in different countries. DeRo is capping off his day with a party benefiting Nothing But Nets.
Beckham played all 90 and looked very strong, particularly since no one cared if he helped with the defending.
DeRo, had some good flashes as a late sub, including a dangerous run that won a PK. I was surprised that he took the PK, and it was tense seeing his blast ping-ponging off the crossbar and into the net. With the goal, DeRo has another game winner for the All-Stars. The Creative Canuck made some nice runs and passing combos, which was all the more surprising since he had just wrapped up his MLS match in DC that morning. He was certainly pumped to be in front of his hometown fans. He had a solid free kick late in the game (Becks kindly let DeRo take the kick, I wager).
Onstad wasn't tested much, but did well with what he faced. I was very surprised to see him inserted in (just after DeRo's PK), but it was good to see him playing in this honorary game, as he is still one of the best in the league.
Landon Donovan was off his game and didn't seem to do anything.
And what was the formation there at the end, when Hejduk and Bornstein came off for Buddle and Ralston? Was it a 2 5 3? Ralston must've been playing as a back. It would be nice if the announcers would, you know, cover the game and instead of laughing over inside jokes or commenting on the obvious ("So-and-so would like to have that one back"). THEY can see the entire field. THEY should tell us how the formation is morphing as the game plays out and especially as subs come in.
Speaking of announcers, I have got my whole family to detest the "as wells" that Harkes includes in every other sentence regardless of whether the phrase is relevant. In the off-season, maybe Harksie can go to a speaking coach. I complain because I care.
I thought it was laughable towards the beginning of the game when JP Dellacamera thought the Toronto fans would even consider chanting "We want Landon." No, Harkes was right: they were chanting "We want Brennan." And while it was cool that JPD mentioned DeRo played a 4 hour game last night, it'd be even cooler if he pointed out that DeRo actually finished playing that match THIS MORNING.
Finally, I don't know if it started to drizzle during the game, but the turf looked matted and slick by the end of the match. I didn't see a lot of sliding and falling, but the field sure looked worn. Was that an optical illusion or does that brand of turf have issues with heavy use?
All in all, great energy in the game. Good performance by the Dynamo reps. The MLS "super stars" (Becks, Blanco, and Angel, who looked onside when scored what would've been the 4th goal for the MLSers and would've been an assist for DeRo) all played up to the moment for the spectators. West Ham acquitted themselves well too.
I'd have to say that, other than my gripe about the announcers, the only negative of the whole night is that sad trophy presentation. Why is the MLS giving a trophy to itself in what is basically a friendly exhibition match? Who keeps it? Does the trophy go into the MLS headquarters' trophy case? This is a festival of soccer, not a meaningful competition. Invite both teams onto a stage. Let them swap jerseys. Pick an MVP, maybe even one from both teams. Thank everyone for coming. Then let the music blare and the confetti canons fire away. Having a "hooray for us" ceremony is just sad.
Speaking of shirt-swapping: did you see DeRo wearing (Anton) Ferdinand's shirt? With those cornrows, DeRo looked a bit like Anton's brother, Rio Ferdinand. Cool.
In Other news:
Check out Garber's "State of the MLS" speech. We'll have two more teams come 2011 it seems. Where will we get the quality players? Cannibalization? In the halftime interview, Garber said that the McBride situation has been resolved. It looks like he's going to Chicago. ("I hope he ends up in Chicago, yuk, yuk, yuk," Garber guffawed in the interview.)
In Toronto, Dynamo-Houston make the moves necessary to pick up the speedy forward they've been wanting: Kei Kamara. He has scored only 2 goals this year (so far!) and one of them was against us back in May. Here is B-Fall's take.
Do you ever feel that the Dynamo's 2nd striker position (Ching's partner) is kind of like the percussionist situation with Spinal Tap? The band could never keep a drummer due to all sorts of bizarre events, including spontaneous combustion. We've had Alejandro Moreno, Ronald Cerritos (kind of), Paul Dalglish, Nate Jaqua, Joseph Ngwenya, Franco Caraccio, Nate Jaqua again, and now Kei Kamara. That's not even considering the Reserves and midfielders that have played up there as band-aid approaches. Here's hoping that Kamara is the piece needed by the Dynamo to finish the season strong.
West Ham played well, but the players weren't going to hurt themselves in the process. That, and the fact that the Hammers probably aren't match fit yet, was really the factor that led to the MLSers controlling possession and territory so well.
But what was cool was watching Blanco and Beckham play together. Blanco actually was off with his passing and had several give-aways, but started getting into the groove and ended the half with a clever, skillful goal curving so nicely into the net. His earlier assist was even sweeter: picking up a pass from Beckham, Blanco popped the ball up then heel-flicked it to Christian Gomez, who slotted the ball clinically into the far netting. Becks-Blanco-Gomez-goal: That play right there made the All-Stars worth it.
B-Fall's blog has a good summary of the game. Here is a good article talking about DeRo and Onstad playing two MLS games the same day and in different countries. DeRo is capping off his day with a party benefiting Nothing But Nets.
Beckham played all 90 and looked very strong, particularly since no one cared if he helped with the defending.
DeRo, had some good flashes as a late sub, including a dangerous run that won a PK. I was surprised that he took the PK, and it was tense seeing his blast ping-ponging off the crossbar and into the net. With the goal, DeRo has another game winner for the All-Stars. The Creative Canuck made some nice runs and passing combos, which was all the more surprising since he had just wrapped up his MLS match in DC that morning. He was certainly pumped to be in front of his hometown fans. He had a solid free kick late in the game (Becks kindly let DeRo take the kick, I wager).
Onstad wasn't tested much, but did well with what he faced. I was very surprised to see him inserted in (just after DeRo's PK), but it was good to see him playing in this honorary game, as he is still one of the best in the league.
Landon Donovan was off his game and didn't seem to do anything.
And what was the formation there at the end, when Hejduk and Bornstein came off for Buddle and Ralston? Was it a 2 5 3? Ralston must've been playing as a back. It would be nice if the announcers would, you know, cover the game and instead of laughing over inside jokes or commenting on the obvious ("So-and-so would like to have that one back"). THEY can see the entire field. THEY should tell us how the formation is morphing as the game plays out and especially as subs come in.
Speaking of announcers, I have got my whole family to detest the "as wells" that Harkes includes in every other sentence regardless of whether the phrase is relevant. In the off-season, maybe Harksie can go to a speaking coach. I complain because I care.
I thought it was laughable towards the beginning of the game when JP Dellacamera thought the Toronto fans would even consider chanting "We want Landon." No, Harkes was right: they were chanting "We want Brennan." And while it was cool that JPD mentioned DeRo played a 4 hour game last night, it'd be even cooler if he pointed out that DeRo actually finished playing that match THIS MORNING.
Finally, I don't know if it started to drizzle during the game, but the turf looked matted and slick by the end of the match. I didn't see a lot of sliding and falling, but the field sure looked worn. Was that an optical illusion or does that brand of turf have issues with heavy use?
All in all, great energy in the game. Good performance by the Dynamo reps. The MLS "super stars" (Becks, Blanco, and Angel, who looked onside when scored what would've been the 4th goal for the MLSers and would've been an assist for DeRo) all played up to the moment for the spectators. West Ham acquitted themselves well too.
I'd have to say that, other than my gripe about the announcers, the only negative of the whole night is that sad trophy presentation. Why is the MLS giving a trophy to itself in what is basically a friendly exhibition match? Who keeps it? Does the trophy go into the MLS headquarters' trophy case? This is a festival of soccer, not a meaningful competition. Invite both teams onto a stage. Let them swap jerseys. Pick an MVP, maybe even one from both teams. Thank everyone for coming. Then let the music blare and the confetti canons fire away. Having a "hooray for us" ceremony is just sad.
Speaking of shirt-swapping: did you see DeRo wearing (Anton) Ferdinand's shirt? With those cornrows, DeRo looked a bit like Anton's brother, Rio Ferdinand. Cool.
In Other news:
Check out Garber's "State of the MLS" speech. We'll have two more teams come 2011 it seems. Where will we get the quality players? Cannibalization? In the halftime interview, Garber said that the McBride situation has been resolved. It looks like he's going to Chicago. ("I hope he ends up in Chicago, yuk, yuk, yuk," Garber guffawed in the interview.)
In Toronto, Dynamo-Houston make the moves necessary to pick up the speedy forward they've been wanting: Kei Kamara. He has scored only 2 goals this year (so far!) and one of them was against us back in May. Here is B-Fall's take.
Do you ever feel that the Dynamo's 2nd striker position (Ching's partner) is kind of like the percussionist situation with Spinal Tap? The band could never keep a drummer due to all sorts of bizarre events, including spontaneous combustion. We've had Alejandro Moreno, Ronald Cerritos (kind of), Paul Dalglish, Nate Jaqua, Joseph Ngwenya, Franco Caraccio, Nate Jaqua again, and now Kei Kamara. That's not even considering the Reserves and midfielders that have played up there as band-aid approaches. Here's hoping that Kamara is the piece needed by the Dynamo to finish the season strong.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Media roundup (part deux)
ESPN Classic is hosting a series on The Art of Football, hosted by John Cleese. Don't know much about it, but it looks like it's going to start this Sunday, July 13, so check your listings. Maybe. The page for the show included a cool quote by uber-referee, Pierluigi Collina: "A good referee must defend creativity on the pitch. That is a very important role. If you make mistakes in this role, the beauty of the game and the creativity of the players can be influenced in a negative way." Amen.
I didn't attend the Free Kick Masters (and it sounds like it was a good thing I didn't), but I felt like I was there after reading Jen Chang's detailed account of the event. Here is his pre-event entry, with a tip o' the hat to DeRo. B-Fall also covered it in his blog.
And speaking of celebrity sightings, here's another nice recap of the Claudia Reyna-Steve Nash charity soccer game in New York last month. (More links here.) "This Is American Soccer" has some cool photos of the event.
Finally, check out the Dynamo blog. It quashes the rumor about DeRo going to FC Copenhagen, updates us on the Dynamo Academy's peformance in the SUM U-17 Cup tournament, and presents some nice photos of a few players and their wives at the Ronald McDonald House on June 27.
I didn't attend the Free Kick Masters (and it sounds like it was a good thing I didn't), but I felt like I was there after reading Jen Chang's detailed account of the event. Here is his pre-event entry, with a tip o' the hat to DeRo. B-Fall also covered it in his blog.
And speaking of celebrity sightings, here's another nice recap of the Claudia Reyna-Steve Nash charity soccer game in New York last month. (More links here.) "This Is American Soccer" has some cool photos of the event.
Finally, check out the Dynamo blog. It quashes the rumor about DeRo going to FC Copenhagen, updates us on the Dynamo Academy's peformance in the SUM U-17 Cup tournament, and presents some nice photos of a few players and their wives at the Ronald McDonald House on June 27.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Hosting the fighting Torontonians
On Sunday, Dynamo face Toronto FC. (Game preview.) We've never beaten the Canucks. Maybe it would be more accurate to say "we've never beaten Toronto FC" because we fielded as many or more Canucks than they fielded, so maybe we weren't really playing Canucks at all. Maybe we're the Canucks.
Anyway, last year Toronto was a doormat, so we naturally lost to them in Toronto and tied them in a scoreless draw here in Houston when they had to play with 10 men for more than half the match. This year Toronto is playing some good ball, which means they're a better team, which means we're more likely to get a point or 3 off of them.
Don't know if Dichio will be playing. He's listed as questionable. Edu and Guevara won't play as both are with their respective national teams. That's a good thing. Just about everyone is back to healthy again on the Orange side, although E-Rob will be out because of the league-imposed special punishment for "fouling while wearing orange."
On Sunday, Toronto might have problems with our 12th man: the humidity. It could kill their attacking spirit, particularly if Dichio isn't playing. Still, the next goal we score against them will be the first goal we score against them.
Kersten Mullan's story
Did you catch B-Fall's article on why Mr. and Mrs. Mullan are strong supporters of the Ronald McDonald House? It's a good story and a good charity.
DC trip half a success.
Well, the DC game wasrained monsooned out on Wednesday, but the team was still able to visit the White House. Ching said, "It's always a very special honor to meet the President. I can't wait to get up there and shake his hand again." Oliver Luck blogs about it too. "This trip was anything but 'been there, done that.'"
Anyway, last year Toronto was a doormat, so we naturally lost to them in Toronto and tied them in a scoreless draw here in Houston when they had to play with 10 men for more than half the match. This year Toronto is playing some good ball, which means they're a better team, which means we're more likely to get a point or 3 off of them.
Don't know if Dichio will be playing. He's listed as questionable. Edu and Guevara won't play as both are with their respective national teams. That's a good thing. Just about everyone is back to healthy again on the Orange side, although E-Rob will be out because of the league-imposed special punishment for "fouling while wearing orange."
On Sunday, Toronto might have problems with our 12th man: the humidity. It could kill their attacking spirit, particularly if Dichio isn't playing. Still, the next goal we score against them will be the first goal we score against them.
Kersten Mullan's story
Did you catch B-Fall's article on why Mr. and Mrs. Mullan are strong supporters of the Ronald McDonald House? It's a good story and a good charity.
DC trip half a success.
Well, the DC game was
Monday, May 12, 2008
It's three points, so it gets two posts...
The weekend concludes with the Dynamo's 3 points putting them right back in the race for the Western Conference. They're 1 point from second and 2 from first. Go figure. Only DC United trails them in the Eastern Conference though.
As with any win (or loss), a little luck was involved. Still, the win was a deserved one.
I agree with others that Bobby Boswell played well. Onstad says "I thought Bobby Boswell had his best game of the season for us." He definitely saved the game outright on one occasion, and did his job stifling the attack throughout the game. I just wished he was better at passing the ball forward when he wins the ball, but he's got outside backs that do that just fine.
Our midfield is still solid and our backs now seem to be clicking, so we only need to worry about our forwards. Those Colorado forwards by the way, were fast. I thought for sure we'd get burned on a fast break. While we did get burned by their speed on their goal, it wasn't a true fast break I guess. I wonder if we can bottle up any of that speed to give to our forwards.
I linked to the "official" match report yesterday and here it is again. And here is another MLS article. "Now, for the first time since winning the MLS Cup last November, they won't have to talk about what could have been or what should have been."
The post game quotes are helpful in seeing which opponents are good sports (like Columbus Crew coach Sigi Schmid the last time we faced the Crew) and which are poor sports (like FC Dallas coach Morrow every time we face Dallas). Rapids Coach Fernando Clavijo toes the line of poor sportsmanship when he says "In the second half, I thought there was one team there." For portions of the second half, sure. But larger portions of the first half were all Dynamo, and a good portion of the second too. If he wants to apportion victory based on the time spent dominating the game, we win 3-1. So there. Regarding the handball, Clavijo says "The outcome should be decided by the two teams and I don't believe that today was the case." I hope that when he sees the replay of the game when he returns to Denver, he realizes the call was the right call and the ref didn't decide the game, Umo Imehelu decided the game when he used his arm to deny the ball from Barrett.
The 'Pids GK, Bouna Coundoul proves himself to be a moron when he says "I was expecting better from [the referee]." Since the ref made the right call, I guess he means that he expects the ref to allow his defenders to use their arms when their skills can't cut it. Then Coundoul adds the badge of poor sportsmanship to his cloak of torpidity when he states "They were lucky enough to get the 'W,' but they didn't deserve it. In the second half, we were the better team on the field. But sometimes, it's out of our hands when it comes to the referee." Again with the feeling that 15 or so minutes of solid play, plus another 15 or so of even play, means more than the remaining 60 or so that saw you on the defensive. The math doesn't even support it, much less the Laws of the Game.
And you know what? You'd have had more time to get the equalizer you needed if you didn't take 15 seconds to get the ball back in play every time you touched it. More of your precious time was wasted by your 'mate Mastroeni, who spent more than a minute and a half rolling on the carpet because of contact that is but a small fraction of what he unleashes on others repeatedly through the game. I think if you had been behind, he would have found his cheek to have not been hurt severely enough to stall play. Something to think about Coundoul: stalling can hurt you in the end.
Back to the media. Here's The Chronicle's story on the match and the Dynamo Notes. B-Fall's player grades are here.
Jarrambide has a good summary of the game in Glenn Davis' blog.
A final word. Most of us root for the Dynamo because of geographic coincidence; we happen to be located in or near the town in which the Dynamo play. But the reason we become passionate supporters and recurring rooters is because the Dynamo never quit, they play exciting ball regardless of the result, and the players are good sportsmen and upstanding people. Check out this article (also mentioned by Lark). The Dynamo -- the Men In Orange -- are great guys. Plain and simple. It's easy to root for guys like these.
As with any win (or loss), a little luck was involved. Still, the win was a deserved one.
I agree with others that Bobby Boswell played well. Onstad says "I thought Bobby Boswell had his best game of the season for us." He definitely saved the game outright on one occasion, and did his job stifling the attack throughout the game. I just wished he was better at passing the ball forward when he wins the ball, but he's got outside backs that do that just fine.
Our midfield is still solid and our backs now seem to be clicking, so we only need to worry about our forwards. Those Colorado forwards by the way, were fast. I thought for sure we'd get burned on a fast break. While we did get burned by their speed on their goal, it wasn't a true fast break I guess. I wonder if we can bottle up any of that speed to give to our forwards.
I linked to the "official" match report yesterday and here it is again. And here is another MLS article. "Now, for the first time since winning the MLS Cup last November, they won't have to talk about what could have been or what should have been."
The post game quotes are helpful in seeing which opponents are good sports (like Columbus Crew coach Sigi Schmid the last time we faced the Crew) and which are poor sports (like FC Dallas coach Morrow every time we face Dallas). Rapids Coach Fernando Clavijo toes the line of poor sportsmanship when he says "In the second half, I thought there was one team there." For portions of the second half, sure. But larger portions of the first half were all Dynamo, and a good portion of the second too. If he wants to apportion victory based on the time spent dominating the game, we win 3-1. So there. Regarding the handball, Clavijo says "The outcome should be decided by the two teams and I don't believe that today was the case." I hope that when he sees the replay of the game when he returns to Denver, he realizes the call was the right call and the ref didn't decide the game, Umo Imehelu decided the game when he used his arm to deny the ball from Barrett.
The 'Pids GK, Bouna Coundoul proves himself to be a moron when he says "I was expecting better from [the referee]." Since the ref made the right call, I guess he means that he expects the ref to allow his defenders to use their arms when their skills can't cut it. Then Coundoul adds the badge of poor sportsmanship to his cloak of torpidity when he states "They were lucky enough to get the 'W,' but they didn't deserve it. In the second half, we were the better team on the field. But sometimes, it's out of our hands when it comes to the referee." Again with the feeling that 15 or so minutes of solid play, plus another 15 or so of even play, means more than the remaining 60 or so that saw you on the defensive. The math doesn't even support it, much less the Laws of the Game.
And you know what? You'd have had more time to get the equalizer you needed if you didn't take 15 seconds to get the ball back in play every time you touched it. More of your precious time was wasted by your 'mate Mastroeni, who spent more than a minute and a half rolling on the carpet because of contact that is but a small fraction of what he unleashes on others repeatedly through the game. I think if you had been behind, he would have found his cheek to have not been hurt severely enough to stall play. Something to think about Coundoul: stalling can hurt you in the end.
Back to the media. Here's The Chronicle's story on the match and the Dynamo Notes. B-Fall's player grades are here.
Jarrambide has a good summary of the game in Glenn Davis' blog.
A final word. Most of us root for the Dynamo because of geographic coincidence; we happen to be located in or near the town in which the Dynamo play. But the reason we become passionate supporters and recurring rooters is because the Dynamo never quit, they play exciting ball regardless of the result, and the players are good sportsmen and upstanding people. Check out this article (also mentioned by Lark). The Dynamo -- the Men In Orange -- are great guys. Plain and simple. It's easy to root for guys like these.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Dynamo Players: Rich in other assets
There are some decided disadvantages to being a fledgling league. If you need a refresher course in what these are, just check out your nearest blog, sports chatroom, or mainstream media source.
There are some decided advantages too.
For one, the players aren't overpaid elitists who insulate themselves from the hoi polloi. The Dynamo players have proven this on more than one occasion at fan events, on media broadcasts, and after games. (And also at centers of fine arts.) KHOU (the local CBS affiliate) has an article and video clip showing how three Dynamo players -- Corey Ashe, John Michael Hayden, and Jordan James -- went beyond the call of duty to help out stranded motorists during yesterday's deluge caused by Tropical Depression Erin.
Ashe the Samaritan said, “We actually just got through with practice and [were] just trying to make it home. Unfortunately, the weather kind of stopped us. I figured we’d help these poor people get out.”
You WANT to see people like this play. You WANT them to succeed. You WANT to see good things happen to good people.
In a related vein, local sports writer and commentator John Lopez has an editorial talking about the humble and honorable players that populate the MLS.
Now that you, dear reader, have a warm glow building inside, let's all join hands and sing "Kumbaya" a cappella. Or, better yet, go donate blood or save an animal's life.
There are some decided advantages too.
For one, the players aren't overpaid elitists who insulate themselves from the hoi polloi. The Dynamo players have proven this on more than one occasion at fan events, on media broadcasts, and after games. (And also at centers of fine arts.) KHOU (the local CBS affiliate) has an article and video clip showing how three Dynamo players -- Corey Ashe, John Michael Hayden, and Jordan James -- went beyond the call of duty to help out stranded motorists during yesterday's deluge caused by Tropical Depression Erin.
Ashe the Samaritan said, “We actually just got through with practice and [were] just trying to make it home. Unfortunately, the weather kind of stopped us. I figured we’d help these poor people get out.”
You WANT to see people like this play. You WANT them to succeed. You WANT to see good things happen to good people.
In a related vein, local sports writer and commentator John Lopez has an editorial talking about the humble and honorable players that populate the MLS.
Now that you, dear reader, have a warm glow building inside, let's all join hands and sing "Kumbaya" a cappella. Or, better yet, go donate blood or save an animal's life.
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