Dynamo B-Team Advances With Win
By: Jeremy |
8 Comments
The Dynamo defeated the Austin Aztex last night 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open Cup Tournament. The roster was dominated by seldom used players; Tally Hall, Julius James, John Michael Hayden, Erik Ustruck, Danny Cruz, Ade Akinbiyi. Despite the roster overhaul, the Orange still managed to post two goals. Corey Ashe delivered what proved to be the game winner in the 71st minute of play. Dominic Oduru finished it up with the second goal at the end of regulation.
Their next opponent will be a familiar foe, the Charleston Battery. (I’m still trying to figure out their logo. Are those Double-A batteries?) The Dynamo have been eliminated by the hands of Charleston in each of the last two seasons. It was an extra-time goal in 2007 and by way of the penalty kick shootout in 2008.
The game will be played on July 7th at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, SC. In seven regular season home games this year, the Battery boast a 4-0-3 record as well as conceding only 2 goals. The Dynamo could very well have their hands full in this one.
For a shot of envy, check out The Three Lions. It’s an “English-style” pub located on the second floor of Blackbaud Stadium. Very cool.
The winner will face the Seattle Sounders or Kansas City Wizards in the semi final round. On the other side of the bracket, D.C. United will face the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) with the winner to match up against the Wilmington Hammerheads (USL-2) or Rochester Rhinos (USL-1). It looks like D.C. may have an easier route seeing there are no other MLS teams standing between them and the finals, but I guess that’s what happens when you are the defending champs.
FOREVER ORANGE
Dallas sucks.
Category: Team News
Aww, Austin wants to play. How cute!
By: Jeremy | 2 Comments
Tonight marks the Dynamo’s fourth attempt at winning the Lamar Latrell Trophy in the U.S. Open Cup Tournament. What? It’s the Lamar Hunt Trophy? Oh, I guess it makes the picture a little irrelevant then, huh? Although, with the approach the Dynamo take to this tournament, watching Lamar Latrell’s Revenge of the Nerds performance might prove to be more entertaining.
After falling to the L.A. Galaxy in 2006 and Charleston Battery in 2007 and 2008, the 2009 journey begins with the Austin Ass Ticks Aztex. The clubs from the United Soccer League have done well against their MLS opponents this year. In yesterday’s matches, the New England Revolution fell to the Harrisburg City Islasnders, the Chicago Fire was doused by the Wilmington Hammerheads, and Chivas USA was downed by Charleston Battery. The winner of tonight’s Dynamo/Aztex match will face Charleston. The only other remaining match of the third round is the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders. Something tells me these two teams, or support groups, don’t get along very well.
No TV for tonight’s game, but you can listen at 790 on your AM dial.
FOREVER ORANGE
Dallas sucks.
Category: Team NewsWhat The Flop?!?
By: Jeremy | 4 Comments
While recovering from surgery I have had ample time to watch soccer. With all of the Confederations Cup matches, Super Liga, Dynamo…there has been a whole lot of floppin’ goin’ on. I guess it has always been there. But I have tried my best to overlook it. Now, I am feeling a bit jaded.
Every several years I find myself following a new sport. Of course, there is (and always will be) American football, baseball, and maybe basketball to fill my sports void. But with those sports I have seen just about everything there is to see. There is rarely a new strategy or game situation that I haven’t seen before.
About 15 years ago it was hockey. I’ve always enjoyed learning a new sport and watching different strategies unfold. Even though it’s something that is decades old, it is new and fresh to me. But over time, with the strike and lack of TV coverage, my interest in hockey began to fade. In its place: soccer, “the beautiful game”.
Game after game, match after match, fixture after fixture, whatever you want to call it after whatever you want to call it, one of the most effective strategies in soccer is the flop. The amount of flopping seems to vary dependng on the nationality of the participating squad. But it is still a consistent facet of every match no matter where the soil is located, and I hate it. My soccer interest has taken a blow (and not in a good way). Hopefully, with a regular diet and exercise, my soccer-being will perk back into shape.
Also, if a blog is posted but nobody reads it, is it really posted? Does anyone really read this? Or would it serve just as well to discuss the benefits of wiping your backside with tuna salad rather than toilet paper?
As always, FOREVER ORANGE.
Dallas sucks.
Which has fewer flops per minute?(answers)
Category: Team NewsI Haven’t Been Posting Lately
By: Jeremy | Add Comments
For those of you that follow this blog, you have notice a drastic drop in activity. I am flattered by the well-wishes that have been sent by my throngs of fans. Actually, nobody sent anything, but if you were thinking of maybe sending something then I deeply appreciate it.
I am recovering nicely. My appendix isn’t doing so well as it is probably in a dumpster by now, or maybe it was purchased by a local restaurant and passed off as a rare eclectic delicacy in their soup of the day.
So, coming soon, you will have a page full of fresh new appendix-free posts to pleasure your day. But for now, I need to go. I don’t want to waste what is left of this Vicodin buzz by remaining in an upright position. It is much more enjoyable while horizontal.
Peace out, my Dyna-minions.
Dallas sucks.
Category: Team NewsSchedule Change
By: Jeremy | 2 Comments
The U.S. Open Cup match versus the Austin Aztex has been moved to Wednesday, July 1st, 7:30 p.m. You can catch radio coverage at 790AM. Peace out.
Dallas sucks.
Category: Team NewsMLS Uni Watch
By: Jeremy | Add Comments
I am a frequent visitor of a website called Uni Watch: The Obsessive Study of Athletics Aesthetics. Yesterday, there was a post about a guy that keeps track of the different uniform combinations worn during each MLS game this season. Check out the excerpt and link from Uni Watch.
Uni Tracking, MLS Style: Many of you, myself included, have been tracking Major League Baseball uniforms. Well, reader Lee Stokes has been tracking soccer uniforms, or at least those of the MLS. Lee explains:
* MLS teams don’t have “home” and “road” uniforms sets, more like “primary” & “secondary”, so games often feature both teams “in color”.
* Many times teams will mix & match shirt, short & sock combinations.
* FC Dallas actually feature ‘hoops’ (horizontal white stripes) in both their primary & secondary kits. I couldn’t represent that on my sheet.
* Likewise Chivas USA has white vertical stripes on the primary shirt, but their secondary shirt is solid blue.
* I am only tracking MLS regular season games, not games involving MLS teams in other competitions (Open Cup, Champions League, etc…)
Here is a link to his work (you may need an account to view it, but it’s free to sign up). Thanks Lee!
Wow! Now that is some MLS dedication (or obsession).
FOREVER ORANGE
Category: Team NewsTV Commercial; New Lion King
By: Jeremy | Add Comments
Open Tryouts for Dynamo’s Next Commercial:
Do you want to be on television and tell the country why you love your Dynamo? Well, this is your chance! The Houston Dynamo announced that open tryouts for their next television commercial will be held on June 20th, between 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., on the East side of Robertson Stadium. The commercial will air on KHOU, TV Informa 43, Telefutura, ESPN, MyDynamo.net, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, MLSnet, and various other outlets.
Coaching Change for Houston Leones:
Last Saturday I was at the Houston Leones game against Laredo Heat and noticed a change on the sideline. Our friend, Cuauhtemoc Rios (previously interviewed here), was in at head coach. I sent him an email and was able to get this response from him:
Jeremy: Was that you as head coach yesterday? Is that a permanent change or just for that game? I thought you did a good job and was pleased with at least one point against Laredo.
Coach Rios: Yes, sir. I was named head coach of the Houston Leones. We are working hard on turning this around. I thought the players did a good job yesterday. They worked hard during the week and it reflected on the score.
Jeremy: Congratulations, coach. Good luck on the long road trip.
Coach Rios: THANK YOU. We are going to try to add some points.
The Leones will be in El Paso this weekend for two games, then 3 more road games following. Only 2 home games remaining. Try to make it out and show your support!
FOREVER ORANGE
Dallas sucks.
Category: Team NewsThird Round Set
By: Jeremy | 2 Comments
2009 U.S. Open Cup Third Round schedule
16 games scheduled to kick off on June 30
Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) at New England Revolution (MLS)
Veterans Stadium - New Britain, CT | 7 p.m.
Ocean City Barons (PDL) at D.C. United (MLS)
Maryland Soccerplex - Boyds, MD | 7:30 p.m.
Chicago Fire (MLS) at Wilmington Hammerheads (USL-2)
Legion Stadium - Wilmington, NC | 7 p.m.
Chivas USA (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL-1)
Blackbaud Stadium - Charleston, SC | 7:30 p.m.
Columbus Crew (MLS) at Rochester Rhinos (USL-1)
Marina Auto Stadium - Rochester, NY | 7 p.m.
Kansas City Wizards (MLS) at Minnesota Thunder (USL-1)
National Sports Center - Blaine, MN | 8:05 p.m.
Houston Dynamo (MLS) at Austin Aztex (USL-1)
Nelson Field - Austin, TX | 8:30 p.m.
Seattle Sounders F.C. (MLS) at Portland Timbers (USL-1)
PGE Park - Portland, OR | 10 p.m.
(All times Eastern.)
Click here for full bracket info.
Category: Team NewsUS Open Cup Opponent
By: Jeremy | Add Comments
The El Paso Patriots (PDL) will face the Austin Aztex (USL-1) tonight to determine the Houston Dynamo’s third round opponent in the U.S. Open Cup Tournament. The tournament’s website says there will not be any broadcast coverage, however the Austin Aztex website has a “Listen Live” button that may or may not be operational for this match. The tournament site also mentions a live blog or something. I think I’ll just check the web tomorrow to find out who won.
From usopencup.com:
HOW THEY GOT HERE
El Paso: 2-1 win vs. Arizona Sahuaros (USASA), first round
Austin: 2-0 win vs. Mississippi Brilla (PDL), first roundDID YOU KNOW …
In 16 Open Cup matches, spanning 8 tournaments (including 2009), El Paso has never faced another team from Texas.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
While the Patriots have never faced Austin’s USL-1 club, they will hope a repeat of their encounter with the Aztex’s U23 PDL team does not occur. On May 22, El Paso lost 4-0 to the junior Aztex, with Juan Cruz scoring twice.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
El Paso
Michael Griego: The team’s leading scorer (3 goals, 2 assists in 7 games)Edgar Mendoza: He went to a small school at St. Joseph’s College, but has played big for the Patriots, scoring a pair of goals and adding two assists in the 2009 season.
Jorge Muniz: The former Laredo Heat player is the club’s #1 goalkeeper has a 1.14 GAA and three shutouts.Austin
Yordany Alvarez (MF) – Alvarez came to the U.S. as part of the Cuban U-23 team, which came to Tampa in March 2008 for the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament. Alvarez and six other players defected. After a failed trial with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Alvarez signed with Austin, and leads the team in points with 8 (3 goals, 2 assists).Lyle Adams (D) – The native of Kingston, Jamaica spent 2006 & 2007 in the PDL, then was drafted by D.C. United in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Adams decided to try to catch on in Europe, but after failed trials with teams in Austria and Switzerland, he signed with Austin. He has been named to the USL First Division Team of the Week twice.
Eddie Johnson – No, not THAT Eddie Johnson, this one is from England. He began his career with Manchester United, but made only one appearance as a sup in a League Cup game in 2003. For the next three seasons he was loaned out to three different clubs before catching on with Bradford City. He finished his time in England with Chester City, and was allowed out of his contract in January 2009 as the club was facing financial hardships. He also appeared with England at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.
OPEN CUP HISTORY
While the Aztex are making their cup debut as a professional club, their PDL team qualified in 2008, losing to the Atlanta Silverbacks on penalty kicks in the first round. The Austin Lone Stars of the D3 Pro League made three straight Open Cup appearances (1997-1999).
El Paso has made seven previous appearances, two with the USISL Select League, three as a member of the A-League, and two with the PDL. Of Course, their standout performance was finishing as runners-up to the Richmond Kickers in the 1995 Open Cup Final.
Depending on tonight’s outcome, the Dynamo’s schedule will be:
Houston Dynamo at Austin Aztex, June 30th
Nelson Field - Austin, TX | 7:30 p.m.
OR
Houston Dynamo at El Paso Patriots, June 30th
Patriot Stadium - El Paso, TX | 8 p.m.
FOREVER ORANGE
Dallas sucks.
Category: Team NewsUnited in Orange
By: Jeremy | 4 Comments
I came across this interesting info while cruising through bigsoccer.com earlier today.
Blackpool FC is an English Football team currently competing in The Championship. Some fans of Blackpool reached out to fans of the Dynamo to form an informal partnership between fans, based mostly on the two teams having a similar color scheme.
Apparently, this informal partnership has also involved Dynamo fans sending a care package to Blackpool fans for display at their pub.
…the Dynamo shirt (signed by Paul Dalglish, who played for Blackpool previously) is due to be put on display in the Supporters Bar in the new South Stand once it is built! Piling work has apparently started now on the stand. It should be open for the start of next season (so August 2009).
We have it on good authority that the trees given to Blackpool by Dynamo supporters have been planted on the grounds and are doing well. We are hoping to have some pictures in the near future.
So, if you’re looking for another club to support, it seems that Blackpool FC has made strides to garner your attention.
FOREVER ORANGE
Category: Team News
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