More on ESPN's New Media Tech

Here is more info on the new enhancements ESPN expects to unveil this season:

"With our successful FIFA World Cup experience and long-term commitment to soccer, the next natural step is to establish MLS Primetime Thursday as the premier weekly soccer telecast that will attract new fans to the sport and retain its core, passionate base," said Tim Scanlan, ESPN senior coordinating producer, remote productions. Scanlan spearheaded ESPN's 2006 FIFA World Cup production, which was just nominated for a 2007 Emmy Awards in the "Live Special" category.

The in-game enhancements will debut Saturday, April 7 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC during the 2007 MLS season-opening match – DC United at Colorado Rapids – from Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. ESPN2 will debut these innovations Thursday, March 12 from the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. – site for the FC Dallas at Los Angeles Galaxy match and premiere of MLS Primetime Thursday.

Highlights of ESPN's 2007 MLS Primetime Thursday production enhancements:

• Kick Trax: A virtual replay device that displays on-screen the trajectory and placement of set pieces (free-, direct- and indirect-kicks) in a match. It also provides the distance of key crosses and long passes including hang-time on goal-kicks. It will be used as a telestrator by the analyst in explaining in-game strategies on critical plays. Kick Trax also features a "radar gun" system – much like in baseball – that will measure and provide the speed of key shots and set pieces. [I think this could be a nice visual if not overdone. See previous blog entry for a link to an example.]

• Offside Line: A key replay technology which displays a virtual line affixed to the last defender to show the viewer whether the referee’s offside decision is accurate. [This is a pretty simple enhancement, but nice to have to support our armchair reffing.]

• SkyCam: A staple of ESPN’s many award-winning telecasts – NFL, college football and MLB – SkyCam will return on a more regular basis than in 2006 to provide aerial views of the field, giving fans a unique angle to appreciate the development and speed of match action. MLS Primetime Thursday will be the only soccer telecast using this aerial, remote and mobile camera. [This does provide some nice perspectives on the on-field play and overall buildup of an attack.]

• New Graphics: MLS Primetime Thursday on ESPN2 will feature new, enhanced graphics consistent with ESPN’s top-tier programming series, such as Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Baseball, NBA on ABC, NASCAR and college football. [No futuristic robo-soccer players, m'kay? Leave that to the NFL.]

• Access: Throughout the season, MLS Primetime Thursday’s sideline reporter will have unprecedented access on the touchline for in-game, halftime and post-game reports. [Personally, I don't like the in-game sideline interviews of the coaches. We don't gain any candid insight (unless Dom is talking and the ref is slacking!) and the coach is distracted. Save it for the pre-game, halftime, and post-game periods.]

Media Beautifying the Beautiful Game

The Chronicle (specifically Bernardo Fallas) reports that ESPN is adding some technology to enliven their MLS broadcasts. Among the highlights:

• Kick Trax — A virtual replay device that displays on screen the trajectory and placement of set pieces, distance of key crosses and long passes, including hang time on goal-kicks, and speed of key shots and set pieces.

• Offside Line — Replay technology that displays a virtual line affixed to the second-to-last defender (the last defender is usually the keeper) to show the viewer whether the referee's offside decision is accurate.

The samples found here look pretty impressive. I think it will help with the casual fan, and I know my kids will like it. Heck, I'll enjoy the spectacle myself.

At that same link, you can preview three commercials ESPN plans to run to market their broadcasts of MLS Thursdays. "You're a fan; you just don't know it yet." is the spiel. (When you hit the link, go to the list in the left panel and click on MLS-Things You Love About Baseball, MLS-Things You Love About Football, and MLS-Things You Love About Basketball.)

Fallas notes that "Dynamo fans will be especially pleased as all three ads show the MLS champs love. Look for Pat Onstad's MLS Cup shootout save, Eddie Robinson's denying of Chelsea at the MLS All-Star Game and Dwayne De Rosario's missed PK against Chivas in BASEBALL, Brian Ching's header in MLS Cup in FOOTBALL and Ching's bicycle kick and MLS Cup goal celebration in BASKETBALL. Also, look for Landon Donovan's sweet move on RSL and Stuart Holden's cameo appearance at the end of BASKETBALL."

2007 'Mo Preview

The two major sports outlets have their previews of the 2007 Dynamo.

ESPN has their preview of the team up. Our key addition is much less impressive than other team's off-season addition. I'm sure John Michael Hayden will do his best to dispel that notion over time.

Many of the general themes are echoed here from other publications: does Dynamo have the depth to endure its busy schedule, can Ching stay healthy, can they defend their title. Wynalda throws a left-handed compliment out there: "This team is not the best group of soccer players in the league...It's a group that has figured out a system and figured out a way to play. The Dynamo enjoy playing at home. Their fans love them and they will always be a difficult game for everybody." Team chemistry is mentioned as the team's "ace in the hole." It is indeed a big reason for their success.

Fox Sports lists Dynamo at the top of the power ranking. That's a nice compliment, but will surely change when the stumbles and droughts come, and they likely will. As long as the team is back on top at the end of the season, everything will be fine.

And how nice would it be to prosper in international play as well as domestic play. We'll see how likely that is at 8:30 PM on Fox Soccer Channel on Thursday.

Glen Davis in the Deadly Toxin

My alma mater's newsrag (affectionately called "The Deadly Toxin") has a nice but brief article on Houston's own Glen Davis. I'm anxious to check out that soccer program Glen expects to air on TV later this year.

In other news, I know the results of friendlies mean little, but the 0-0 result the US earned with Guatemala (or Gautemala, as ESPN's graphics showed) is a sign that the US needs to develop better creativity in breaking down a bunkered team. No reason to panic of course, but we definitely need to learn the lesson and change our strategy (and maybe personnel) when facing such a defensive ploy. We will face Guatemala in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, so we'll probably face the same strategy again.

And regarding USMNT personnel, how many more chances will Eddie Johnson be awarded? I sure hope his game picks up for the KC Wizards, for his sake as well as for the Wizards'. It would be nice to have him as an asset for the USMNT, but let's start with the club that pays his bills first.

Check out this goal...

Last year in Bridgeview, DeRo had an amazing goal from midfield. It was an excellent combination of talent and vision. The weekend the EPL provided an even longer range goal, although it was founded more on good fortune, I would think. From ESPN...

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson scored an extraordinary goal from his own half to embarrass his England rival Ben Foster in Tottenham's Barclays Premiership 3-1 victory over Watford. [Jay DeMerit did not play, so was blessedly not part of the problem.]

Robinson wheeled away in celebration after his free-kick bounced over Foster, the young goalkeeper on loan from Manchester United who has been putting pressure on his as England's first choice.

"That's why you're number one," sang the fans after his goal, remarkably the second of his career after netting for Leeds before arriving at Spurs.

Bipolar Play Can Still Win Games

Work put me in Lake Charles, LA, this past Thursday, so I wasn't able to watch the game vs Pachuca. I managed to record the match, and when I got home at 9, I sat down with trepidation to watch.

The first half saw my (almost) worst fears confirmed: we were playing prosaic, pathetic, panicky soccer. We didn't concede a goal yet (that would be my worst fear) but a goal didn't look far off given our play. Our touch was off still, yes; but the worst part was the lack of awareness and the inability to display any game intelligence. As bad as they looked in Costa Rica, this was much, much worse. In Costa Rica, Dynamo looked exhausted; here at home, Dynamo looked amateurish. Horrible passing and horrible decisions weren't just the purview of the pseudo-newbies, like Kelly Gray, but of solid veterans like Eddie Robinson, and -- gasp! -- Mullan and Davis.

Dynamo's work rate was solid, which led to many good defensive plays, and these were often followed by a good pass. But the next decision was -- almost without exception -- a blind, Hail Mary pass easily intercepted by the Pachuca defenders, or a hasty, lazy pass to the Pachuca forwards.

Pachuca forwards Luis Landín and Christian Giménez had plenty of opportunities to grab a lead. Their poor finishing (perhaps due to nonchalance?) saved the day for the Dynamo. Zach Wells' solid goalkeeping also helped.

My halftime funk was pleasantly spoiled by a reversal of quality in the second half. Dynamo became aggressive, confident, and savvy, and we saw them stringing passes together. In the 57th minute, after sustaining increasing pressure from the hometown team, Pachuca did a poor job of clearing a Houston free kick, and the ball landed at Craig Waibel's feet on the right flank. His subsequent cross was clinically headed by Brian Ching and the game changed yet again. Dynamo's confidence amped up some more, as did their play. The crowd was even more energized and the Tuzos became unsettled.

Bully for Coach Kinnear, who much have said something at halftime (he sure was vocal on the sidelines too), and bully for him for keeping the foot on the accelerator by subbing in De Rosario and Chris Wonolowski late in the game. In the 84th minute they provided a much-needed insurance goal -- and equally needed was the class of the play that led to the goal. On a throw-in deep in Pachuca territory, Brad Davis finds DeRo, who displays outstanding vision in sending his pass into space for Davis to run onto. Davis penetrates further, and (with great peripheral vision) sends a crafty cutback pass to Chris Wondolowski, who easily slots the ball into goal. Game, set, match. That goal accomplishes much in its timing as well as in its caliber.

To cap things off, Alejandro Moreno has a pure-sitter of a goal in stoppage time that would have given us a 3-goal lead that would be difficult to overcome in the second leg. He missed the opportunity, but we'll call it even since Pachuca missed similar opportunities in the first half.

(Zach Wells provided the biggest boneheaded decision in the second half when he was caught out of position on a Pachuca foray...but Waibel was there, too, to head out the ball headed to goal, preserving the lead and bailing out Wells in the process.)

With the 2-goal lead we're sitting pretty, but we're definitely not out of the woods. The return leg will take place somewhere near the edge of our Troposphere (actually 8,000 feet above sea level), and Pachuca will probably not sit their effective attackers again. Their backs are against the wall and they won't take us for granted.

Better play will be needed by the Dynamo. Most of all, the team needs improved possession. A goal (or two, dare we hope?) would be nice...and it is comforting to know we have solid goalkeepers, regardless of who mans the posts (Wells or Onstad).

As difficult a road as we face in Pachuca, we still need to lose by 3 goals (or 2 goals and a PK loss), which puts us in a better position than DC United, who have to win at Guadalajara.

And, at least in the first legs of these semi-finals, it looks like the mojo-pendulum may have swung from United's Christian Gomez to our own DeRo. Gomez looked like a maestro in United's Quarterfinal matches, while DeRo was ineffective. In the semis, DeRo looked sharp in his brief appearance, whereas Gomez was neutralized for the most part by Chivas (or was it something else?).

Orange in Aggieland

The environment and the result was the complete opposite of the first leg. The field was pristine, the crowd friendly, the weather cool, and the result a shutout win, 2-0.

The play wasn't diametrically divergent from the first leg, but it was better.

The team's fitness was a bit better, and there was much better passing, possession, and ball control. But the finesse wasn't there, nor was the smart teamwork. In fact, they often looked disjointed.

In the 25th minute, Moreno and Dalglish fail to take advantage of a beautiful Mullan cross because they are in each other's space. One of them (Moreno, I believe) should have delayed his run to give the other (Daggers) room, and to be in position to make hay with the subsequent deflection.

We did well in the flanks, but our center play was spotty. DeRo is my biggest criticism, not because he's playing horribly, but because he's not playing up to his abilities. He is our playmaker -- our Tracy McGrady -- but his touch was poor and his vision was myopic. So goes DeRo, so goes the Dynamo usually -- but luckily not last night. Perhaps I'm being too harsh and should be more forgiving since it's the preseason, but blame DC United's Christian Gomez for setting my standards high for MLS playmakers.

(Speaking of DC United, how about that new signing, Luciano Emilio? He looks to be the real deal. He's a potential golden boot contender. I'm interested to see how we handle him when we face DCU May 26.)

Rico played well I thought, but he seemed to disappear for stretches. In fact, I thought our usually strong spine was weaker than usual. I'm particularly disappointed in DeRo--not because he's playing particularly badly, but because he's not playing up to his form. He's our playmaker. Normally I might blame it on being the preseason, but Christian Gomez has set the bar high. (And speaking of DC, how about Luciano Emilio? He looks like he might contend for the golden boot this season. I'm looking forward to how we handle him when we meet in May.)

I was also disappointed with the decision (whether conscious or not) to bunker in late in the game after we got the lead. I hate when we do that without reason. (We had a reason in Costa Rica.)

We did well in the attacking third, but should have done better. I thought Ching (our Yao Ming?) did well when he came on. He definitely had the best contribution-per-minute-played ratio, earning the foul that led to the series winner, putting the ensuing header on frame, forcing the Puntarenas keeper to make a fantastic save, and giving Kelly Gray the opportunity to punch in the rebound and get us to the next round.

The referee let the most egregious and dangerous of fouls go -- but woe to the player to spoke harsh words!

Puntarenas is a good team and beating them was quite an accomplishment, particularly considering that we weren't playing on all cylinders. Our next opponent, Pachuca, will be much more difficult, though. First of all, they're a talented team (the defending Copa Sudamericana champions), secondly we face them away for the second leg, and finally we'll be playing 8,000 feet in the air when we do face them on their home pitch. Dom may want to have the team wear snorkels during practice to simulate the inability to gulp down oxygen.

The second leg is also 3 days before our season opener versus the LAGgers. How's THAT for timing?

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

Dynamo ran into a buzz saw down in Puntarenas, Costa Rico. In the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup matchup versus Puntarenas FC, Dynamo had to also fight the scorching heat, a pumpkin patch of a pitch (say that 5 times real fast), and a referee who was less than charitable.

I like good soccer, as does any fan of the game; but sometimes I enjoy gritty soccer too. This game was ugly and gritty. Beauty and harmony inspire, but there's drama in a train wreck.

Being that it was an international match there really weren't any surprises with regards to the field, the refs, the crowd, or the scheduling of the match. And that's exactly what the Dynamo needed to experience. It's easy to ignore the crowd of 2,500 in cavernous Arrowhead Stadium on a manicured field -- but can you play your game under adverse conditions? Well, the Dynamo found they can't yet play their game under the adversity of pre-season in Central America, but they found they could survive. If not for an unfortunate ricochet, they would have stolen a point from Puntarenas and left 0-0.

Zach Wells was undoubtedly the MOTM. Unexpectedly thrown into the fray early in the first half, he came up big with a PK save, and shut down the Puntarenas forwards for the full 90...until that blasted injury time garbage goal.

Houston offered little threat to Puntarenas, and eventually resorted to playing 11 men (and then 10 men after Robinson's sending off for unsportsmanlike bleeding) defending the goal.

As I said, it wasn't good soccer, and it wasn't pretty, but it was riveting drama and the result wasn't too bad.

Hopefully, the team learned some things, such as:

- Never give a foreign ref a reason to card you. Act doubly saintly when you're carrying a card. (I must say that, as bad as the reffing was, I was pleasantly surprised that he called back two of Puntarenas' goals -- not only the obvious one after the ball was knocked out of Onstad's arms, but also a very close offside on a set play.)

- If you don't close down your opponent, you give them the space they need to look at their options, to get comfortable, and to test your keeper. Caroms are more unpredictable when you are further from your opponent.

- Don't burn your subs early (which, in this case, was unavoidable after Onstad's injury).

- How one's usual play can be successfully adapted to compensate for bumpy pitches or -- and this will help in Houston -- hot weather. When it's hot, let the ball do the work with more passing, less dribbling. When a ball won't roll straight, put in your big guys and keep the ball in the air.

I think we'll do better in the second leg, which is a gimme prediction since we couldn't play any worse than in the first. The question is: can we play well enough to move on and put this horrendous leg behind us?

I wonder...

* How will we fare against international teams in the CONCACAF Champions cup and the SuperLiga Cup?

* Who was paid to change the uniform ... and is there a money-back guarantee?

* How will DynamoH employ "El Capitan" during our home matches vs. FCD? Will we be able to keep it? We meet one more time this year than we did last year to determine ownership of the Big Gun.

* How will the unfortunate Serioux be received when FCD visits Robertson? How will he fit into the FCD lineup? In fact, how will FCD as a whole react to the events of the off-season, losing Ronnie O'Brien and Coach Clarke?

* How will the new Dynamo Youth Academy enhance the team this season and in the long run?

* Will DynamoH eventually take advantage of the new "Designated Player" rule?

* How will Beckham fit into the MLS?

* Will DynamoH get the financial support AEG's favored Galaxy gets? Will we find a local buyer?

* And do we even need deep pockets to repeat? (Of course, great players will leave for greener pastures eventually.)

Dynamo's Jersey Sponsor?

Starting next year, MLS teams can generate revenue by selling shirt space to corporations. Red Bull New York and Real Salt Lake have already taken advantage of this new rule. Who will the Dynamo allow across their front?

Well, in this article there is a picture that shows "Gallery Furniture" across their chest:

I think the original jersey looks better; but the logo is subtle enough and it hopefully makes the club a bit more profitable (and, thus, stable). I think the La-Z-Boy logo would bring more irony. The Orange Crush logo would be more approriate. This Gallery Furniture one is less of a surprise.

Dynamo Quarterfinals schedule for CONCACAF Champions Cup

Friday the 2007 CONCACAF Champions' Cup fixtures were set.

Dynamo Houston will play Puntarenas FC in Costa Rica in the first leg of the Quarterfinals to take place sometime February 20-22. The return leg will take place somewhere in Houston sometime between February 27 and March 1.

A season of note

Dynamo-Houston have proven themselves a success this past year, and they've earned a well-deserved rest after their final MLS Cup victory. (While the players might be resting, I think the coaches and front office will be working just as hard this off-season. That's for another post.)

Winning the MLS Cup is certainly the ceremonial highlight of this season, but so many other events and achievements occurred this year. Here is some of what I remember:

* In what seems like another lifetime, I remember the announcement that the Earthquakes, my sons' favorite team and one of the most exciting teams in the MLS, was moving to Houston, our home of only a few months at the time. No new owner and no stadium deal? Then why is AEG moving the team here? And do you remember the radio buzz over the 1836 name?

* April 2: In the first match at Robinson stadium (late on a Sunday, so my family didn't go), Ching scores a Hat Trick +1 and Alejandro Moreno tacks on a bicycle kick/chileno at the end to cap off a 5-2 goalfest.

* April 8: Dynamo-H take on KC Wizards. This is the first match my family sees live. Ching starts off the scoring, but, in what looks to be a trend, the team allows a quick equalizer. DDR gets a red card and the team goes on to lose off a rocket of a strike from Jose Burciaga very late in the game.

* May 6: In another goalfest, Dynamo-H beat their in-state rival in their first formal meeting, 4-3. My oldest son and I sit behind the south goal, the locus of the first three Dynamo goals and all three of FCD's goals.

* Ching is selected to the US World Cup team. He scores in a warm-up friendly versus Venezuela on May 26, but gets no field time in Germany as the USMNT fails to get out of the group stage.

* June 3: Dynamo-Houston begins their "corporate restructuring" streak by beating the dastardly LA Galaxy. Their victory earns the Galaxy coach, Steve Sampson, a pink slip that week. Dynamo's victory vs KC on July 15 earns the Wizards coach, Bob Gansler, a pink slip the week following that match as well.

* July 22: Holden scores an equalizer versus the Revs in a match that see the visitors play boring soccer and Dynamo waste numerous changes. My oldest son catches a free t-shirt tossed into the stands. "I caught this at a Dynamo game" it reads.

* August 2: Dynamo vs Dynamo in the first US Open Cup match for Houston. Dynamo wins 4-2. The sprinklers go off too.

* August 5: Dwayne DeRosario, as the playmaker in the center of the field, scores the only goal in the MLS All-Star match versus Chelsea. DDR is rightfully chosen as the All-Star MVP.

* August 9: Dynamo-H fills Reliant Stadium and dominates the Galaxy, but new coach Frank Yallop leads his team to victory off a lone goal by recent transfer Santino Quaranta. Eddie Robinson scores an equalizer, but it's called back due to a hand ball. Barcelona follows, coming back from a 0-3 deficit to tie the game 3-3 vs Club America.

* August 12: Dynamo squeaks by FCD at home, 1-0, and wins the inaugural series versus the Toros, winning possession of "El Capitan" in their first year. My daughter gets several autographs after the game, including Craig Waibel (who scored the game winner) and Brian Ching.

* August 30: In Chicago's new stadium in Bridgeview, DDR scores a goal with the ball sitting on the halfway line. The 55 yard bomb eludes Zach Thornton and helps the team to a road 2-2 draw. Could this be DDR’s third consecutive Goal Of The Year?

* September 30: DDR doesn't get the GOTY because in this home match versus DC United, Brad Davis sends a cross into the box that is flicked on by Scotsman, Paul Dalglish, and almost 18 yards out, Ching skies into the air and drills the bicycled game winner into the net, propelling Dynamo into the playoffs. The marvelous, acrobatic kick earns Ching the GOTY. Can you see my orange family in the replays from the touchline?

* October 29: Things looking grim, down 2-1 in the aggregate Conference semifinals, Davis evens the tally early in the second half. It looks like we're headed to overtime when, 1 minute and 57 seconds into the 2 minute stoppage time, Ching knocks in the winning goal. Conference final, here we come.

* November 5: Again down by one to Colorado in the Western Conference final, the team comes back to win their first silverware 3-1, punctuated by a sliding volley by Mullan to seal the deal. Adrian Serioux throw a commemorative cap into the stands, and my oldest son catches it. Thanks, Serioux.

* November 12: Scoreless through regulation, Dynamo go down a goal (for the third time in the MLS Cup tourney) but equalize off the successive kickoff. Ching nets the final PK and Onstad stops the final attempt, and Dynamo bring the Cup to Houston, their new home.

Farewell, Serioux, and thanks for the Cup

Well, Adrian Serioux was picked by Toronto FC in the expansion draft today, so he's no longer a Dynamo.

That's a bit sad, because he has been such a contributing player to our lineup. He's a regular at Centerback and seemed to be the only sub for Ricardo Clark as D-Mid. I think this works best for Kelly Gray, who now might have more opportunities as D-Mid, or Ryan Cochrane who might get more playing time as a back.

Serioux seemed like a no-brainer pick for Toronto since he's Canadian and a proven contributor to a winning side in the MLS. Still, there is some surprise since the coach of Toronto, Mo Johnston, was the coach of the NY Red Bulls when they traded Serioux to us at the beginning of the 2006 season. The player we traded for Serioux, Danny O'Rourke, was also picked by MoJo.

I think this move brings Serioux closer to his family, which is one reason why he came to the MLS from Millwall, England, to begin with. Thus, this should be a good move for him.

Here's the list of who Toronto picked. They didn't pick anyone from Dallas or Colorado:

1. Paulo Nagamura (Los Angeles Galaxy) - Midfielder
2. Danny O'Rourke (New York Red Bulls) - Midfielder- He was with San Jose/Houston at the beginning of last season, and we traded him to the Bulls for Serioux from the Bulls.
3. Jose Cancela (New England Revolution) - Forward
4. Adrian Serioux (Houston Dynamo) - Mid/Defender - Bye, thanks for the Cup
5. Nate Jaqua (Chicago Fire) - Forward
6. Rod Dyachenko (D.C. United) - Midfielder
7. Jason Kreis (Real Salt Lake) - Forward - the MLS career leader in goals scored...for now
8. Tim Regan (Chivas USA) - Defender - He's the guy who fouled Ching (or tried to) as Ching headed the game winner with 3 seconds to spare in the 2nd leg of the Western Conference semi.
9. Ritchie Kotschau (Columbus Crew) - Defender
10. Will Hesmer (Kansas City Wizards) - GK

Follow up:
Aaargh!! Serioux has been traded to FC Dallas for Ronnie O'Brien. Serioux, my heart goes out to you. You are now only 4 hours closer to your family and you're stuck with the rival of Dynamo-Houston!

Who'd have thought that your MLS Cup win would be on your homefield for next season.

You can play with our shiny new ball when you come down and visit...

Britons on the MLS Cup

An interesting take by a Brit at the MLS Cup.

Dynamo get the silver ball

One of the results of the Dynamo's MLS Cup victory is that they'll get to play with the "+Teamgeist Winner MLS Ball" for all of their home games. This is the ball used at the 2006 MLS Cup, so only Dynamo and the Revs have any experience with the ball. Does that suggest that Dynamo will have an added advantage in their homegames since they'll be familiar with the game ball? Let's hope so. In post-game comments, Twellman mentioned that the Revs hadn't been able to practice with the ball before the match and that might have been responsible for their slow start in the MLS Cup.

Marry the unique ball with the unique narrow confines of Robertson stadium and the vocal, partisan crowd, and the home field advantage might be substantial for Dynamo Houston 2007.

Speaking of unique home advantages, how about our heat and humidity? Dynamo were supposed to be used to the heat and humidity (and no, it's not a dry heat) and that was to add to their home field advantage in 2006. Coach Kinnear and others have stated that the heat was just as hard on them as on their opponents, so no advantage there. Let's hope they adjust better in 2007, because I don't think the H&H will go away come Summer.

Hey, do you think that Dynamo-H will fare better than their northern cousins in the CONCACAF Champions Cup? There's that whole H&H adaption thing, where Dynamo will feel as at-home in the rainforests of Central America as in Robertson Stadium. There's also the fact that Dynamo has a solid core of players and an aggressive, attacking mindset. It's good to have international teams, but to have the Dynamo taking on the international teams? Now, THAT's awesome.

Here's hoping we still have that solid core of players in the new year. Hands off, Toronto! (And let's designate DeRo as our Designated Player just to keep him here.)

Drama, Destiny, and Dynamo

What a dramatic win for the newest group of Houstonians!

In yesterday's MLS Cup, Dynamo came out strong (against the wind too, from what I understand), and looked like they wouldn't be long in getting one into the net. The Revs eventually awakened from their stupor and began to control the run of play at about the 20 minute mark. That continued until the second half, when Dynamo again looked to be more dangerous, save for a scary point blank shot by Twellman that Onstad stopped. Perhaps the Dynamo's resurgence was due to the wind, perhaps it was due to the 3-5-2 formation they adopted, or maybe it was due to the Revs' fatigue.

If the later, then the Revs must've just been saving up, because they picked up their pace in overtime while Dynamo looked absolutely exhausted in the two overtime periods. With regulation ending in a 0-0 draw, and the threat of PKs against a solid Reis looming, the best bet for the Dynamo would be to finish things out in the OT period. But with their tired legs, it didn't look likely; and then with about 8 minutes left to play, Twellman slots a shot into the far netting and seems to seal the deal.

"That's the game," my son said, and I had to agree with him.

Luckily, DDR, Mullan, and Ching didn't think the game was over yet. Virtually unchallenged on the flank, Mullan sends a cross in to Ching. Though deflected, the ball is met by Ching in the air and, just a minute after the Revs' goal, we're again even 1-1.

It was an excellent response by Mullan-Ching after the Twellman goal, and with typical Dynamo drama.

Dynamo picked up their pace a bit after that, but no one really had an edge until the end.

And then we went to PKs. Everyone thought the Revs recent success with Penalties gave them the advantage. Yet, Gray and Holden looked like seasoned pros with their PKs. Davis' miss surely was in sympathy for Noonan's miss. Weren't they childhood teammates at Scott Gallagher in St. Louis?

As usual, it all came down to the last kick. DDR and Ching had made their shots (Ching's having to be driven through Reis' hands), and when Onstad stopped Heaps' shot to the left (Onstad's right), the stadium and our home erupted.

Not a perfect match, but a perfect result
It was not the prettiest of matches, but was perfect in terms of drama. A team that was solid throughout the season in its attacking team play (if not always in terms of results), and was gutsy when it needed to be, rightfully earned the first MLS Cup for which it vied. I'm glad to see the only MLSer who is older than me make the save that wins the Cup for my hometown. (And Pat's such a nice guy to boot.)

The two teams were equally matched on the field throughout the whole season. Both their league matches ended in 1-1 draws. Their MLS Cup ended in a 0-0 draw in regulation and a 1-1 draw in overtime. This was (surprisingly) the first MLS Cup to be decided on PKs. That is a testament to how equal these teams were, and is proof that the two best-matched teams met in the final this season.

Hopefully, this result leads to increase stability for the itinerant players of the Dynamo-Quakes, and entrenches them into the Houston sports culture.

One gripe: I can't believe ABC didn't broadcast the Cup presentation. Yes, the game went long...but the ceremony would have added -- what? -- an additional 15 minutes? At least send it over to ESPN2. Thank you 790AM for sticking with the coverage.

Speaking of 790...how great was it to hear Glenn and Charlie explode after Ching's goal and the Onstad save of Heaps' PK? Most soccer announcers are network announcers and exude an air of non-bias, but Glenn & Charlie's emotion was classic.

MVP
The MVP, to my mind, was either Mullan or Onstad. Mullan controlled his flank, created many opportunities, including the game-tying goal, and was indefatigable both ways, offensively and defensively. Yeah, he had that great look at goal in the first half that resulted in a shot that achieved orbit, but he was one of the best threats overall and kept us in the match when others were flagging.

Onstad is perhaps the best choice. He kept the sheet clean through regulation, including that wonderful block of Twellman's point-blank header in the first half. He directed his 3-man defense throughout the game and was instrumental in the final result with his game winning save on Heaps' PK.

Ching got the official nod for match MVP, and I can't really argue with that. He made the remarkably timely equalizer in extra time, and put away the final PK at the end. He also made a timely steal in front of our goal deep in OT, when Twellman looked to have an excellent opportunity. He also had an embarrassing whiff in the second half, which Kinnear amusingly mentioned in the post-game press conference, saying Ching should be commended for his "vision" in making that intention dummy so Wade would have a clear shot. Ching laughed at this and said "I'm a team player, what can I say." That humorous exchange (and the goal he eventually did get) erased the ills of that whiff in my mind at least.

I'm sure I'll have more in the days to come. Until then: Thank you Dynamo for a great season. I'm so glad that ONE of my orange teams won this weekend...

Orange Sunday

Today, we're going orange. The family is eating squash soup and pumpkin bread, and drinking Sunkist and Tangerine Cosmos. We're going to spend the beautiful afternoon with the windows open and the Dynamo game on. We're hoping for a victory, and I think we'll get it.

The talent is quite balanced between the teams. We have a hole with Ricardo being gone, but I think Adrian Serioux is actually better suited for a D-Mid role than his usual C-back role. Ryan Cochrane is generally solid in the back and will bring good defensive consistency to our back line. He even scored in the first matchup versus the Revolution.

With such balance between the teams, I think we have to look at the x-factor as the potential difference maker. In today's game, there are two such factors: Dalglish and fan support.

The Revs haven't faced Paul Dalglish, and brings a different dynamic to the Houston attack. He doesn't always work seamlessly with Ching, but he brings a level of unpredictability that is hard to defend. He's an excellent complement to DeRo and Davis-Ching-Mullan. Let's say Dynamo 2-1.

Regardless of the result, I think the game will conclude with a general consensus that the Dynamo should have won. Either this will be confirmed by the victorious result, or it will be another frustrating match where our domination of possession and the run of play is for naught. Either satisfied or frustrated, we'll be here in beautiful northern Houston, draped in Orange and filled with various orange comestibles. Go Dynamo!

The culmination of the season

Sunday night, at the final game for the Dynamo at home, we saw the storybook ending for this inaugural season -- a season that was an unexpected gift. A year ago at this time, the Dynamo didn't exist, soccer wasn't played at Robertson Stadium, and the Houston sports scene was far removed from the MLS universe. And now here we are: celebrating our heroes, while they applaud us as if we were lifelong supporters of their cause.

It seemed a weird experiment involving the transplanting of an entire team, the heart-breaking of a dedicated west coast fanbase, a marriage of attacking soccer with humidity, and a false start with naming the new creation. Somehow, it worked -- and successfully so.

As I sat low behind the North Goal, in Section 111, with my family and 23,000 of my closest friends, the volume of noise, the swath of orange, and the mass of waving towels were dazzling. As the teams took the field, the Rapids looked small and isolated, while the Dynamo took the field as 23 thousand and with bold clamor.

Yet, the game began inauspiciously. There was too much activity near my goal that first half. I saw Serioux's handball much too closely in those opening minutes, and was just a few yards away from Jovan Kirovski when he sank the resulting PK. (I did not, until later, recognize Kirovski without his mane.)

Paul Dalglish’s goals were salves for a worried heart, but it looked to me that he still does not work all that well with Ching, and that cost Dynamo a few more opportunities. Dalglish with his two goals was the obvious choice for man of the match, but I think Mullan earned that title in fact. His work on the wings helped break down the Rapids' defense, he assisted on the second goal, and he earned the third and final goal for the 'Mo.

Luckily, that third and most acrobatic goal was in the North End goal, and I could see it perfectly. Not quite as dramatic or as critical as Ching's bicycle versus DC United, but such power and timing...and that was the nail that broke Colorado's will. Dynamo, a team with no history, has written its exciting first chapter of what I hope will be a long narrative. Dynamo are the Western Conference Champions and are heading to the MLS Cup in Frisco to face the talented and hungry Revolution.

Quick Hits:

• As I was heading to the WC before the match began, I crossed paths with Charlie Pallilo. I said "Hello, Charlie" as he walked past. He took a few steps before he realized he heard his name, then cast a curious glance over his shoulder. I waved, but that was all.
• At the end of the match, the team sure looked excited with their hard-fought silverware (crystal-ware, actually). Their glee was great to see. Adrian Serioux stopped by the North Goal and tossed a shirt and a ball cap into the crowd. My son came up with the ball cap. He caught a t-shirt several games ago as well. How many sporting events have I been to in my life, and I have yet to catch anything...

• Dynamo's record when I'm present has climbed to 6-3-1. We went to exactly half (8) of the regular season home games, exactly half (1) of the US Open Cup home games, and exactly half (1) of the post-season home games. That's 10 of 20 games in toto, for you Aggies out there...
• If the MLS Cup were on a Saturday, we'd make the trip and pay the costs. Being that it's on a Sunday, that would make for an awfully long trip before a long school/work week. Dynamo will have to win at Frisco without me present...but I’ll be watching, beer in hand.

Confessions of a Dynamo newbie

Excellent article by Ken Hoffman in the Chronicle today. Soccer is a different experience live than on TV, and you don't have to understand every nuance to enjoy the sport.

Hope to see you, Ken, on Sunday...and hope to see Dynamo in Frisco next week!

Should I bring my bad Ju-Ju?

I am really wanting to go to the Conference final this weekend of course, but I'm worried. Am I wanted by the Dynamo?

Oh, I know they want fans in the stadium, but heed the facts: Dynamo cannot lose when I watch the game from afar; they can lose when I'm present.

They played 18 games at home (including the game at Reliant, and counting the 2 Open Cup matches). Their home record is 10-3-5 (W-L-T) in toto. When I'm in the stands, they are 5-3-1, meaning when I'm NOT in the stands, they're 5-0-4.

They can win when I'm present or when I'm absent, but they can lose only when I'm present.

Well, they'll have to overcome my Ju-Ju. My wife just informed me that she bought tickets for the whole family in Section 111, just behind the North Goal. Last time we sat on this end of the stadium was versus Chicago (let's not discuss that...), but it should provide excellent views of the goal.

Looking forward to it!