It was “hace mal tiempo” at Robertson Stadium last night. Cold temperatures limited the crowd to less than 2000 despite the quality of the players. So where were the other 28,000 fans that showed up to the Superclasico doubleheader on Saturday? Probably home watching on FOX Espanol…….TOLUCA defeated MORELIA 1-0 in the opener despite losing the battle of ball possession. MORELIA seemed to threaten through Peruvian International ANDRES MENDOZA who had few chances despite alot of involvement as a striker.
Leave it to TECOS defender and former NEW YORK RED BULL DIEGO JIMENEZ who headed in the lone goal for TECOS who are now back in contention to advance after getting thrashed 4-0 by PACHUCA in their opener. PONY RUIZ again defying his age was the most impressive player on the field for me and JOSE CORONA in goal was solid keeping TECOS in a position to pull off the result….PACHUCA then won the night-cap 1-0 over MFL Champions TOLUCA. TUZOS on the full six points right now.

SVEN-GORAN ERIKKSON was in attendance again last night to scout MEXICAN players. Of course SVEN needs to make sure he looks busy after MEXICO limped into the final round of CONCACAF WORLD CUP QUALIFYING with blemishes on their record against CANADA, JAMAICA and HONDURAS. Now after the loss to HONDURAS here was a sampling of some of the negative feedback on the “SVENSTER”. Now remember the “SVENSTER” was the same guy angling for another job while the manager of ENGLAND. The “SVENSTER” under the disguise of going to the opening of a soccer academy in the Middle East (Dubai I believe) was lured on to a yacht by an English newspaper reporter dressed as a SHEIK( too funny) who was to by an EPL team. After sipping champagne the SVENSTER then told the fake shiek how he could bring DAVID BECKHAM and others to the club.
Here is what was said in Mexico’s REFORMA:

“The truth is that Erikkson has not brought anything to the Mexican team,” wrote leading commentator Francisco Javier Gonzalez. “His touch is not seen, there is no visible concept and even the defense that was once the team’s great strength is now deeply vulnerable.”
Pretty agressive stuff and pretty hard to argue with. Friends in Mexico that will go nameless say this was a poor choice from the Mexican F.A. So was this a stretch just for a name coach? Do you think Erikkson will right the ship and get Mexico back on track? Could this be less about the manager and more about the players?

AC MILAN is in a training camp in DUBAI as they prepare for the second half of the Italian Serie A season.
BECKHAM is expected to play in a “friendly” match there and has been good in training according to manager CARLO ANCELOTTI who has said to the press that BECKHAM could play a part in the JANUARY 11 SERIE “A” showdown against ROMA.
AC Milan are currently 9 points behind leaders INTER MILAN and JOSE MOURINHO……On to another BECKHAM related note, if LANDON DONOVAN stays long term at BAYERN MUNICH how would that effect BECKHAM? That is if he doesn’t stay at MILAN?

*Keep an eye on 19 year old THEO WALCOTT at ARSENAL. A clause in his contract could mean he is off to greener pastures this summer if a deal can’t be struck with the “GUNNERS”. WALCOTT is still out with a shoulder injury.

*TOLUCA and PACHUCA tonite at ROBERTSON STADIUM pits to clubs with great winning history and chock full of talent. TOLUCA recently won the MEXICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE title over CRUZ AZUL. While PACHUCA is familiar to DYNAMO fans for their epic matches both in Houston and in MEXICO.

*The Pan Pacific Cup lineup could look like this in February and will not be held in Hawaii but LA: LA GALAXY, Oita Trinita (J LEAGUE), Shandon Luneng Taishan (Chinese Super League), Suwon Bluewings (K League)……

*CARLOS TEVEZ is demanding wages in the neighborhood of CRISTIANO RONALDO and WAYNE ROONEY. So could the talented ARGENTINE be leaving the RED DEVILS?
UNITED and ALEX FERGUSON says that TEVEZ and his agent rejected an offer. TEVEZ claims he wants to remain at UNITED but admitted on ARGENTINE RADIO that leaving is a real possibility. Isn’t leaving a real possibility always at contract time? Lots of posturing going on here but one thing is clear. TEVEZ is not only talented but plays with tremendous heart and passion at all times. I’d want him on my team how about you?

*Former Dynamo Franco Caraccio apparently has most recently been in the Argentine 3rd division.

DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS this WEDNESDAY from 7-9pm on 790TheSportsAnimal

Did you make it out to ROBERTSON STADIUM last night?
If you did you were reminded of the draw that the “Superclasico” between CHIVAS and CLUB AMERICA is.
Along with the U.S./Mexico rivalry this is clearly near the top of the list in this part of the world. Had this been at RELIANT STADIUM you would have to think it would have drawn 50,000.
Hey, wasn’t it nice to see the field in good shape (note hint of sarcasm here), I wonder what manager DOMINIC KINNEAR (in attendance last night) thought looking at the beautifully manicured pitch sans the American Football lines.
Lots of rumors flying last night at Robertson, now remember I said rumors.

Rumor #1: Stadium is a done deal, it will happen and will be announced before the opening of the season.

Rumors come out of anywhere these days on the internet and via blogs and MLS has to straddle the fence. Of course we want people talking and discussing the game to make it grow but lots of information is just not TRUE. So choose wisely the people who you decide to listen to and consider the source their background and legitimacy.

Ok, on to the game.
CLUB AMERICA produced the game’s first goal and may have had the edge in the first half but the difference in the intensity and “edge” in the CA/Chivas game was clear in comparison to the yawner between ATLAS and TIGRES (to be fair this is still pre-season so this should be expected).
New CLUB AMERICA signing JEAN BEAUSEJOUR produced the game first goal.
I can only think how much order and balance PAVEL PARDO will bring back to this team when he is available. His leadership, aura, and experience will be vital in bringing together a club that spent 20 million dollars and has 9 new players.

CHIVAS played far better in the second half despite missing two very key pieces in defender JONNY MAGALLON and striker OMAR ARELLANO and produced a tying goal based off the courage of one of three new signings SERGIO AMAURY PONCE whose header deflected off an AMERICA defender and in for an own goal. If he doesn’t put his head in bravely rest assured this goal isn’t scored.
Another bright spot for CHIVAS was the return of goalkeeper LUIS ERNESTO MICHEL who if you remember last year broke his arm in the Superliga competition.

A great night of passion, average night of football and a great reminder to Houston the strength of soccer. Sadly, few will talk about it in the press in Houston.
Rest assured that I will this Wednesday night on 790thesportsanimal from 7-9p so join me for an exclusive interview with EFRAIN FLORES the Chivas manager, Dynamo manager DOMINIC KINNEAR and guests to be announced in the next few days.

A TALE OF TWO PLAYERS

* Watching new signing EDGAR CASTILLO play left back for CLUB AMERICA has to make one wonder. CASTILLO was born and played his youth soccer in LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO and was quickly capped by HUGO SANCHEZ when he was in charge of the MEXICAN NATIONAL TEAM. Sure would have been nice to have CASTILLO fighting it out with current U.S. left back HEATH PEARCE……..JESUS PADILLA it was discovered was born in SAN JOSE, California not San Miguel el Alto, Jalisco in Mexico according to Sports Illustrated which would sort of go against the tradition of CHIVAS fielding all MEXICAN NATIONAL players, remember PADILLA was invited to play at the youth international level for the UNITED STATES but turned it down. Some say that owner JORGE VERGARA pressured PADIILLA not to play for the U.S. Who knows and quite frankly it is the players choice and players will make choices for personal reasons but the reason that CHIVAS has 300 million fans is alot about the fact that they use MEXICAN NATIONALS and this has always been a source of tradition and pride not to mention the greatest of MARKETING TOOLS…….

* You would have to think the DYNAMO have tracked JOSEPH NGWENYA throughout his European adventure that has produced few games and only 1 goal albeit it against Turkish giants GALATASARAY. Now NGWENYA goes down in DYNAMO lore with his tying goal at the MLS CUP and his dramatic piece of individual skill against CHICAGO (see prior entry).
One wonders how long he will chase the dream in EUROPE . He could come back to a great fan base in a city that cares about soccer, get a solid deal from the DYNAMO .
It would be the perfect fit provided his mentality is ALL IN FOR THE DYNAMO. Not to mention it would still give the DYNAMO room under the salary cap to do more.
Would look pretty good going into the season with BRIAN CHING, J NGWENYA and KEI KAMARA. A nice group of different strikers !!!

*FA CUP SHOCKERS, the GHOST OF BRIAN CLOUGH AND NOTTINGHAM FOREST

* Embattled MANCHESTER CITY GOT SMOKED AT HOME 3-0 to NOTTINGHAM FOREST IN THE FA CUP putting further doubt as to how long MARK HUGHES will be in charge for CITY.
Money clearly not buying success. This is not the correct blend of players and personalities. Maybe WAYNE BRIDGE acquired from CHELSEA can help?

CHELSEA fans you are not off the hook either as the “BLUES” continue to doubt as they drew 1-1 with SOUTHEND in the FA CUP which forces a replay.

The flip side is HOW GREAT IS THIS for clubs like NOTTINGHAM FOREST and SOUTHEND, this is why you love the F.A. Cup.
All hail the “Shrimpers” !

Hard to believe this rivalry is taking place after only three weeks of training but CHIVAS and CLUB AMERICA will get it going tonite in the SUPERLIGA before a sell-out crowd at ROBERTSON STADIUM.
Both teams had dissapointed MFL campaigns last year failing to make the playoffs. CHIVAS in particular was hit with the loss of OMAR BRAVO and MAZA RODRIGUEZ to Europe and that was complicated with an injury crisis.

Don’t let the fact that underneath the surface teams grumble about the timing of this tournament. Tonite will be a war.

So what have these teams done in the off-season transfer window. CLUB AMERICA has gone out and spent 20 MILLION DOLLARS on players and all the new editions are expected to play tonite.
PAVEL PARDO returns from STUTTGART in GERMANY after two plus years and will bring vital leadership back to a team that needs it.
Striker ROBERT De PINHO is expected to produce goals and the Brazilian once played at TECOS and PSV EINDHOVEN. Fans also will remember the talented COLOMBIAN ANDRES CHITIVA who played at PACHUCA.
Nine players are out at CLUB AMERICA including the ARGENTINE FEDERICO INSUA who has been off-loaded to NECAXA who is also owned along with CLUB AMERICA by TELEVISA. Being sent to NECAXA in the world of CLUB AMERICA is like being sent to the reserve squad and INSUA has been very vocal in the MEXICAN press about this move.
Still AMERICA has favorites like SALVADOR CABANAS and GUILLERMO OCHOA.

CHIVAS have three changes adding Champion SERGIO PONCE a midfielder from TOLUCA, CARLOS OCHOA from MONTERREY and a face familiar to many in PANCHITO MENDOZA of CHIVAS USA. These players go along with familiar names like GONZALO PINEDA, HECTOR REYNOSO at the back and legendary player RAMON MORALES.

Quickly back to MENDOZA, expect him to be kept long term by CHIVAS so that will be another plug that CHIVAS USA will have to fill. Manager EFRAIN FLORES is very pleased with his play and he made that clear to me in a two-hour discussion I had with him last night at the hotel here in Houston.
I will air an interview with him Wednesday night on 790thesportsanimal on DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS at 7pm.

My prediction tonite is CHIVAS over CLUB AMERICA because of the fact that they have had made fewer changes. Being a friend of EFlores since during years of youth work I also am pulling for his success. What is your predicition and why?

So we all know the Dynamo are in need of a back-up goalkeeper, defender (assuming Bobby Boswell does not return, yet I wouldn’t count that out just yet) and an additional striker.

In Europe don’t expect to see the normal splashing around of money. Expect more very prudent and shrewd buys that target specific areas of teams.

MANCHESTER CITY is swooping in on CHELSEA defender WAYNE BRIDGE. MANCHESTER UNITED are signing two young talented SERBIANS with an eye on less of an impact from RYAN GIGGS down the stretch.

I have spent the last week in MEXICO CITY (I need to get back to the “fresh” Houston air.) and it is always great to feel the soccer culture of this country even the MFL is down yet not for long.
INDIOS and TECOS will kick off the next tournament on January 16th but the U.S. will get to take a look at MFL teams in the Interliga. SO are you going to the SUPERCLASICO between CHIVAS and CLUB AMERICA?
Prediction for this one is EFRAIN FLORES’s boys over CA. As you may already know CLUB AMERICA has done alot of “retail therapy” signing eight players trying to turn around a very poor team from the last tournament.

Once again Houston is home for important international competition with the Interliga in town..Are you going?

DYNAMO ALL ACCESS WITH GLENN DAVIS MONDAY from 7-9pm.
I will get you the updates on all Dynamo news and expect DWAYNE DEROSARIO on the show with others.
www.790thesportsanimal.com and MLSNET.com for those around the country on the internet.
713-212-5790 is the call in number.

So lets have a little fun……….
If you had one player within MLS you would choose for the Dynamo who would it be?

If you had one player worldwide who would it be?

My choices would be JUAN PABLO ANGEL from NEW YORK and LIONEL MESSI from BARCELONA.

JOSEPH NGWNEYA’s Europe venture has not be going so well.
Recently, it was clear he was not in favor at ANTALYASPOR in the TURKISH SUPERLIGA.
In fact he has only appeared three times for his Turkish club with his greatest moment a goal against GALATASARAY via his head months ago.
He also had a cup of coffee in Austria and a three week trial at BAYERN MUNICH courtesy of KLINSMANN.

Apparently now the man from PLUMTREE, ZIMBABWE has been released at his TURKISH CLUB.

It would be an easy transition back into the club for NGWNEYA and who can forget his best moments in MLS with the Dynamo.
He could come back to the open arms of Dynamo fans.

One wonders if anyone else has interest in Europe.
So should the DYNAMO swoop in and make an attempt at bringing NGWENYA back?

Ricardo Fuller Slaps His Captain Andy Griffin - Stoke Vs West Ham (New) - video powered by Metacafe

What an absolutely strange and fascinating season it has been in the ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE. The title is up for grabs or is it? One thing is clear, at the end of the season every team in the table could be playing for something in the final week of the season.

*Will LIVERPOOL grab the glory of winning the title for the first time in 19 years? STEVEN GERRARD has called this the best “REDS” side he has played on. By the way GERRARD as you alreadly probably known was involved in a bar-fight which apparently he came out the winner in. LIVERPOOL are rallying around their key man.
Is this the year of LIVERPOOL?

* CHELSEA got spanked by the “deuce” NACOGDOCHES CLINT DEMPSEY who scored a pair including a header in the 89th minute in a 2-2 draw. It is good to see DEMPSEY finding that form that gets U.S. fans excited. As for CHELSEA is it time to just stick with DIDIER DROGBA and NICHOLAS ANELKA up front? They can’t get JOHN TERRY and RICARDO CARVALHO back soon enough. FRANK LAMPARD was a beauty against FULHAM scoring twice.
Can the real CHELSEA step up?

* MANCHESTER UNITED are my favorites to take the title and have two games in hand after a 1-0 win over MIDDLESBROUGH. DIMITAR BERBATOV getting only his 3rd goal in the PREM but what an important goal it was to take the full three points at OLD TRAFFORD.
CARLOS TEVEZ was back in ARGENTINA dealing with family issues.
MIDDLESBROUGH manager GARETH SOUTHGATE hinting that officiating is less than fair by saying “several grounds you don’t get decisions”. Hmmmm sour grapes is or this just the reality? MANCHESTER UNITED VS. CHELSEA is just around the corner.

*THEATRE OF THE BIZARRE:
Fights in football occur all the time at training and in locker rooms but on the field? That is what happened to STOKE’S RICARDO FULLER and ANDY GRIFFIN during a 2-0 loss to WEST HAM. Bizarre to say the least.
Griffin gets beat on a goal and as STOKE goes to kick-off FULLER walks over to his captain GRIFFIN and SLAPS HIM! FULLER gets ejected.

*A DRESSING DOWN
HARRY REDKNAPP of SPURS absolutely crushed referee STEVE TANNER for what he believes was an incredibly poor performance as the man in the middle in a 2-0 TOTTENHAM loss to WEST BROMWHICH ALBION. He has some validity here but lets hope his team got the wrath of “Harry” also after a poor performance.

*DYNAMO defender BOBBY BOSWELL is apparently close to signing for ANTALYSPOR in TURKEY according to soccer365.com
Details are apparently being worked out but it seems as though we finally have found who has genuine interest in BOSWELL.
ANTALYASPOR currently sits 16th in the TURKISH SUPERLIGA and is the same club that Joseoph Ngwenya is at.

* FOUR DYNAMO CALLED IN TO NATIONAL TEAM CAMP
It is exciting to see what U.S. manager BOB BRADLEY has done with the selection for national team camp in January.
Lots of youth in this squad as well as players getting a second shot at the national team. Bradley has also rewarded those that have performed well in MLS.

GOALKEEPER: (4) Jon Busch (Chicago), Will Hesmer (Columbus) and Troy Perkins (Valerenga) Matt Pickens (out of contract)

DEFENDERS: (8) Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (Midtylland), Sean Franklin (LA Galaxy), Cory Gibbs (Colorado), Clarence Goodson (IK Start) , Chad Marshall (Columbus), Chris Wingert (RSL), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELD: (9) Geoff Cameron (DYNAMO), Stuart Holden (DYNAMO), Ricardo Clark (DYNAMO), Brian Carroll (Columbus), Eddie Gaven (Columbus), Jack Jewsbury (KC), Sacha Kleijstan(Chivas USA), Robbie Rodgers (Columbus), John Thorrington (Chicago)

FORWARD: (4) Brian Ching (DYNAMO), Chris Rolfe (Chicago), Charlie Davies (Hammarby), Ken Cooper Jr. (FC Dallas)

These players have a tremendous opportunity to impress Bradley and his staff over a longer period of time and crack the lineup for the friendly against SWEDEN on January 24th (FSC, Galavision)

Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ironically as I am in Mexico City today I drove by the Estadio Azul the home of CRUZ AZUL.
Little did I know that it would become the new club of MORELIA striker LUIS LANDIN whom the Dynamo have been pursuing.
The young talented MEXICAN player still remains elusive for MLS teams and financially a stretch, unless one wanted to exercise their designated player slot.
It is extremely difficult for MLS squads to compete with Mexican clubs financially for top players. It is even hard to say that MLS is competing to be fair at this time period of MLS outside of Cuauhtemoc Blanco in Chicago.
So while this deal had seemingly become more promising based on speculation and other moves in the MFL in reality it may never have really been “on” to Morelia management. The flip side is that the Dynamo made an effort and a play for Landin.
The time will come when a quality Mexican player will suit up for the “orange”.
I still firmly believe that young Mexican players can grow immensely playing in MLS under different curcumstances and within a different culture yet have to be convinced of the long-term benefit of such a move.
Yet until MLS can add to lifestyle change with offers with substantially more money few will make the hop, skip and the jump across the border.
And to use the DP slot on a younger, emerging Mexican league player would be a risk in many cases. Besides most DP’s in MLS come with the potential to put people in seats.

How great is it to see that ASTON VILLA has broken into the big four for the time being in the EPL.
MARTIN O’NEILL is doing a masterful managing job and the recent come-back after being down 2-0 to ARSENAL shows that this may just not be a flash in the pan effort. Goals from GARETH BARRY and ZAT KNIGHT proved that this team has back-bone.

Meanwhile, MANCHESTER CITY who has thrown truck-loads of money at their squad sits in the relegation zone under manager MARK HUGHES whose head is being called for by fans. MARK HUGHES is not content with the squad and says he has assurances for more funds to try and improve the squad during the January transfer window.

Do you think ASTON VILLA can stay in the top four of the Premier League for the duration. Do they have the depth?