I have interviewed most every coach in MLS but it is rare that you get many to take responsibility publicly for a loss.
Hey isn’t that what a leader is supposed to do. Doesn’t the buck stop at the top.
No one will ever say that Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear does not lead by example.
During Monday night’s Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis , Kinnear was asked about the poor showing in Los Angeles in a 1-0 loss and responded like a man in charge.
“When the team isn’t playing well I am the the first one to stand up and say I take my full share of responsibility how the team played last night,” said Kinnear.
“I felt disappointed walking off the field because I could have done a better job.”

Kinnear and the Dynamo will look to reverse the LA loss Saturday night in Kansas City against the Wizards (KHOU 11.2 at 7:30 pm). Then it is off to play on the east coast mid-week against the Charleston Battery in the Open Cup and cross country to Seattle to take on the Sounders in front of a sell out crowd.

Are you impressed by the coaching integrity of Dominic Kinnear?

Last night in Austin, TX the Houston Dynamo defeated the Austin Aztex of the USL 2-0 in front of 4,000 fans.
Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear gave opportunity to a number of players that have not had significant playing time.
The Dynamo got goals from Corey Ashe and new signing Dominic Oduro.
If you were at the game give us your insight!

UNITED WE ARE!
So Manchester United are moving forward without Cristiano Ronaldo and it looks like Carlos Tevez as well.
The whole key to this re-shaping of the “Red Devils” is the signing of Wigan attacker Antonio Valencia.
By acquiring Valencia it looks now like Wayne Rooney will get some consistency positionally.
Rooney looks set to be the main striker now .

STARS, STARS and more STARS but can they be molded together?
That is the question for Real Madrid. Who now will acquire Karim Benzema from Lyon to go along with trophy signings Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.
Can this squad be controlled? Can this squad be managed with all these monster ego’s?
Time will tell but Chilean Manuel Pelligrini the new manager will be on a short leash and expected to produce quickly. The “engineer” better get this right!

Give me your thoughts on Manchester United’s re-make and Real Madrid?

Well that was the sentiment of some of the emails I have received since it was revealed that Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark had received interest from Rennes in France.
Clearly as one of the best U.S. players in the tournament and with all the eyes that the squad received after knocking off Spain this bid and attention from other clubs seemed inevitable.
Striker Charlie Davies also received interest and these are just the ones we know about.
You don’t think that Landon Donovan’s agent didn’t receive a call or two? Think again.

According to Sky Sports, Clark has been linked to clubs in England, Italy and Spain but now is a target of Rennes.
Rennes is the current club of U.S. defender Carlos Bocanegra. According to the Sky Sports Article here is what Clark’s representative Manuel Quintana told Sky….
“Rennes have asked for information.”
Now I have not hear of the names of clubs in England, Spain and Italy that have shown interest in the 26 year old midfielder and who knows the legitimacy of these rumors but no one at the Houston Dynamo has heard from Rennes nor MLS at this moment according to Dynamo CEO Chris Canetti.
Clark is out of contract after this year.
This is a feather in the cap for the Dynamo but their young talent like Clark, Holden and Cameron could be targets in the future for other clubs and the challenge for the Dynamo will be to retain their services or make deals that can benefit their future.

What do you think of Rennes coming in for Ricardo Clark?

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was obliterated when in the Superliga tournament was created a few years ago.
It’s importance lessened under the developing rivalry between the U.S. and Mexico.
Now what would you rather watch? The Wilmington Hammerheads or Chivas?…….Now their is no disrespect here but the tournament in many ways has secretly become a hinderance to most MLS teams around this time of the year based on the heaviness of one’s schedule.
Conversely it is a great opportunity for lower division clubs to grab an MLS scalp and get a major boost of confidence and stake a claim. In the case of the USL, it is a way for them much like in the Concacaf Champions League to make a claim of being equal or better to MLS and these games become in many cases the highlight of the year. Are they up for the moment? Absolutely.
Last night Chicago, NE and Chivas USA were all ousted by clubs considered inferior on the American soccer landscape and I really wonder if coaches Denis Hamlett, Steve Nicol and Preki are crying over a bowl of cereal this morning about the loss. The ultimate prize remains the MLS Cup.
Now the flip side of the coin is the fact that without a reserve league these games provide opportunity to players on the back end of rosters yet I can’t believe that the Dynamo are extremely happy to be going to Austin to play on artificial surface against the Aztex.
That is unless of course you are one of the group of players that has not been getting regular time and need to make an impression to a coach. Coming to mind here are Houston players like Ade Akinbiyi, Dominic Oduro, Mike Chabala and others.
You can watch the Dynamo tonite at the United Soccer League website or listen on the radio at 790thesportsanimal.com
The Dynamo are expected to rest players as best they can ahead of the Kansas City Wizards 4th of July match which can be seen on KHOU 11.2 and FOX SPORTS HOUSTON.
Where does it all fit when rosters are stretched to the max and players are representing their countries in international play?
For individuals it may work but overall for MLS where does this tournament really fit in on the scale of importance? Do you care about the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup?

KAKA UNVEILED

Thirty thousand people came out to welcome Brazilian KAKA in Madrid as he was officially unveiled to the Real Madrid fans.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be next and lets hope this is a good move for him….The boy has been acting a bit goofy these days.
Ok, back to Kaka. He was voted the top player at the Confederations Cup with his teammate Luis Fabiano second and the U.S.’s Clint Dempsey third.
Tim Howard was voted the top goalkeeper!

Get over to HOUSTONDYNAMO.com and get your tickets in for the Chicago and LA game. Cuahutemoc Blanco and David Beckham will appear here in Houston and no fan will want to miss these nights of star quality. Get the Chicago tickets and get in to the stadium early as they will be giving out Stuart Holden bobbleheads…..

FIESTA TICKETMASTER is the place to get your Concacaf Gold Cup tickets (Mexico vs. Panama) and World Football Challenge tickets that includes Chelsea vs. Club America.
Get them now and save some dinero!

Dominic Kinnear the Houston Dynamo manager made a point that it has taken a huge effort to get to the top of the Western Conference and that it will take an even bigger effort to remain there.
Hear his full interview at 790thesportsanimal.com, click podcast, click Glenn Davis.

The Dynamo now take on the Austin Aztex tomorrow night in Austin in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and then Kansas City on Saturday which is a game that can be seen on KHOU 11.2 and FOX SPORTS HOUSTON. KC will be without Davey Arnaud and Jimmy Conway who are two cornerstones of their squad.
The Dynamo will get back midfielder Ricardo Clark from U.S. duty!!!

So without Stuart Holden, Brian Ching and Andrew Hainault how do you want to see the Dynamo come out?

FIESTA TICKETMASTER is the place for Concacaf Gold Cup and World Football Challenge tickets featuring CHELSEA and CLUB AMERICA.
Get your tickets now at savings!!!!

Interesting interview with former Tampa Bay Rowdie and Manchester City player Rodney Marsh plus Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear on the 1-0 loss at LA. Lots of great calls as well.
What did you think of this version of Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis.

The U.S. National team may not have won the Confederations Cup against Brazil but they made it interesting.
A first half of intelligent play, great goalkeeping from Tim Howard and a stunning counter-attack goal from Landon Donovan had the U.S. positioned at half time for what could have been another historic win……In the second half Brazil morphed into the giant soccer playing nation they are and after relentless attack eventually wore down the United States producing three goals to win 3-2.
Brazilian defender Lucio headed in a corner kick that would be decisive.

So how do you feel about the U.S. National team after this match?

LA 1 Dynamo 0

Meanwhile in Carson , CA the Dynamo undefeated run came to end against the LA Galaxy.
Not one of the better games aesthetically LA edge out the Dynamo on a 24th minute goal after the Dynamo defended an LA corner poorly.
Donovan Ricketts denied Cam Weaver late of an equalizer while Brian Ching seemed to be pulled down in the penalty area.
Kei Kamara and Ching were in on a 2 on 1 that looked promising but Kamara’s final ball was never completed.
The game was more about grit and determination and the Dynamo never seemed cohesive in this one.
What did you think about the LA/Dynamo match on Espn 2/

The challenge for U.S. manager Bob Bradley will be how to replace his own son who is not eligible today against Brazil in the Confederations Cup final.
That vital area of the middle of the field, that vital area in front of the U.S back four always has to be controlled and managed.
Yes, the U.S. will need to keep these lines tight against the likes of Kaka but who will partner Ricardo Clark?
Benny Feilhaber seems to be the player that U.S. manager Bob Bradley has hinted towards but will Feilhaber be able to provide the ethic to go along with his intelligent moments on the ball? Sacha Klejstan could be the other option and the two could share in this role over the course of 90 minutes. This is a big question today on a big day for the sport in the United States.
By the way did you see the additional support on Espn sports center?
It will be a rare moment when the United States takes on Brazil tomorrow in South Africa for the Confederations Cup title.
So will you watch it? Where will you be ?
This is another one of those indelible moments where soccer leaders can encourage their youth clubs, teams and son’s and daughters to be a part of what will be an exciting opportunity.
After watching South Africa compete against Brazil, who is to say a confident U.S. team can compete with mighty Brazil?

I have also heard of alot of watch parties being organized and adults taking the lead for a great soccer moment.
Tomorrow at 1 cst is a great opportunity to recognize the big picture.
I have heard the Mezzanine Lounge a radio sponsor is having a watch party as well as others.

The Dynamo will provide the nightcap in Carson, CA tomorrow night when they take on the Galaxy in espn 2 and I am looking forward to doing the call of this game with Kyle Martino. Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear has selection challenges at outside back with both Wade Barrett and Craig Waibel not available. Who would you play there and do the Dynamo continue their run of unbeaten play.
Dynamo look to extend unbeaten string to 12 games…

The Argentine Football Association has signed manager Diego Maradona to a contract extension.
According to reports from the press his extension will pay him 1.2 million dollars and run through the end of World Cup qualifying.
The Argentina FA highlighted the fact that large crowds have come out to support the squad which has in turn satisfied sponsors.
Makes you wonder the criteria for signing a manager these days.
Argentina has struggled in World Cup qualifying losing in Bolivia 6-1 at altitude while the Juan Roman Riquelme episode has also created turmoil.
I wonder how the sponsors will like it if for some crazy occurrence they were not able to make it to South Africa?
Yes, I know it is Argentina……..

ANDREW HAINAULT has been called up by Canada to play in the Gold Cup and is with them in Los Angeles. Hainault joins U.S. choices Brian Ching and Stuart Holden for the United States.
The Dynamo said to be the best in MLS by many will be tested during the Gold Cup period.
Mexico will play Panama here in July and Monday on Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis I will be giving a number of pairs of tickets away.
They can also be purchased along with CHELSEA vs. CLUB AMERICA tickets at FIESTA TICKETMASTER locations.

SUNDAY

U.S. vs Brazil Confederations Cup Final at 1pm CST on ESPN
Dynamo at LA at 9:30 PM on Espn 2

As a manager you are the leader of a squad and are responsible ultimately for performances.
It may have been fair to criticism the U.S. prior to recent results but manager Bob Bradley deserves credit for some of the moves he made against both Egypt and Spain.

*Against Egypt his move to push Clint Dempsey forward produced the key third goal that helped advance the U.S.

*In the Spain game Bradley pulled off a master move by not changing or disrupting his center back pairing of Jay Demerit and Oguchi Onyewu. Instead he brought back into the fold Carlos Bocanegra and played him at left back where he plays in France in place of Jonathan Bornstein. Bocanegra stayed close to the center-backs and conceded space wide but in the end DeMerit and Onyewu dealt well with crosses from wide areas.

Defending deep was out of necessity and at times it was amazingly thick with white U.S. shirts who really never conceded many clear chances. It was also amazing how deep the U.S. was at times without giving up a goal.

Does Bradley deserve more credit as a manager?

BRAZIL 1 SOUTH AFRICA 0

Brazil advanced to the Confederations Cup final this Sunday with a 1-0 win over South Africa. An amazing Danny Alves free kick was the difference after he came on as a second half sub and scored late. The U.S. will take alot of confidence out of the effort also that South Africa produced against Brazil.
The game will air this Sunday on Espn at 1pm CST ……..

Thank you to sponsors: Zukowski, Bresenhan and Sinex
Fiesta
Sterling Bank
Texas AM womens soccer
San Jacinto College Coyote Soccer
Mark West Pinot Noir
Mezzanine Lounge
Houston Football Association
Turquoise Grill