Houston Dynamo

The 2012 MLS Cup is 24 hours away. By now you have immersed yourself in previews, predictions and opinions from all angles. 

But not like this.

Bold predictions are tricky (especially after the fact when you are embarrassingly wrong). But they are not solely based on a gut feeling. There is factual evidence that supports each claim.

Accentuating these bold predictions is the false impression many have of this year's final: The Houston Dynamo stand no chance against the defending champion LA Galaxy.  

The Las Vegas Hotel SuperBook has installed the Galaxy as a minus-240 favorite. For those who have never dabbled in gambling before, that paints the Dynamo as a significant underdog. 

Twelve MLS pundits have shared their predictions with John Godfrey of Americansoccernow.com, and not a single one predicted a Dynamo victory.

How does the general public feel?

It is not the most scientific method, but a Twitter poll from Fox Soccer shows a resounding support for LA (92-8 percent in favor of the Galaxy). 

It is undeniable they side with the media and Vegas’ assessment.  

With the coronation of the Galaxy underway, here are a few bold predictions for the 2012 MLS Cup.

The LA Galaxy Will Come Out Flat

Remember the last time the Galaxy were heavily favored to win a match?

The Vancouver Whitecaps were in a position to pull off a monumental upset in the Western Conference knockout round this season. Vancouver would eventually squander a 1-0 lead, but it took a full 69 minutes to do so.

Even in victory, the Galaxy played one of its worst matches this postseason against the Whitecaps.

Vancouver left LA’s offensive attack frustrated from the start—allowing one shot on frame in the first 25 minutes.

The 2012 MLS Cup final will be no different.

With prognosticators, Vegas and the general public expecting a convincing result from the Galaxy, LA will disappoint.

By now, Landon Donovan’s wavering desire to play the beautiful game is well known. His public comments to the media last week did not help suppress the rumors of a possible semi-retirement (via the Los Angeles Times).

The nagging hamstring injury that kept him out of the second leg of the Western Conference Finals, coupled with the unabated retirement talk, makes Donovan a huge question mark for the Galaxy.

Without its captain fully invested on the pitch, LA will look sluggish and disinterested for the first 25 minutes of the match.  

Like it has twice on the road this postseason, the Dynamo will have the opportunity to set the tempo.

It will be physical, possession-based and "ugly"—the trademark of a Dominic Kinnear victory. 

David Beckham Will Bend It Once More

No one bends a free kick better than David Beckham.

(Hollywood has yet to produce a film called Bend it Like Pelé.)

It is his signature trademark. With all eyes on the iconic superstar for his final MLS match, he will not disappoint. 

Beckham will bend it once more, and his last goal with the Galaxy will be the same as his first. For a brief moment, Beckham will elevate his legend to mythic proportions.

As impressive as the Dynamo have been in defending set pieces this year, Beckham has been just as impressive in taking them.    

Statistically, 2012 was Beckham’s best season with the Galaxy. The seven goals he recorded was more than the previous three seasons combined (six).

Of those seven, four came in free-kick situations. 2012 was vintage Beckham.

Beckham’s free kick in the MLS Cup will be the signature moment of his six-year tenure in MLS—a sure-fire nominee for the SportsCenter Top 10 on Saturday night. 

Unfortunately for Beckham, it will be to no avail. 

The Houston Dynamo Will Score First and Win the MLS Cup

The Houston Dynamo will win the 2012 MLS Cup.

Even bolder, Will Bruin’s goal in the first half will set that victory in motion.

The Dynamo were undefeated in the 2012 MLS playoffs when striking the first blow (2-0-1). In contrast, the Galaxy lost two of three matches when conceding the first goal this postseason (1-2-0).

True, the MLS Cup will be played at the Home Depot Center. But that does not mean the Galaxy will come out firing on all cylinders.

In three home playoff matches this year, LA conceded the first goal twice.

That gives Houston a 66 percent chance of scoring first and walking out of the Home Depot Center as champions. 

In Vegas, that percentage is as good as gold.

Anything can happen in a winner-take-all match—especially when you are as vulnerable in the back four as the Galaxy have been this postseason.  

This goal was wrongfully disallowed due to an alleged offsides in the second leg of the Western Conference final against the Seattle Sounders. 

Notice the four Galaxy defenders caught ball-watching and the inviting space Eddie Johnson has in front of him.

Vancouver midfielder Matt Watson was unable to bury this chance against the Galaxy in the Western Conference knockout round. But again, look at the inviting space the ball-watching defenders for LA have left Watson with.

Look for Will Bruin to take advantage of a similar opportunity in the MLS Cup, just as he did in the Eastern Conference knockout round against the Chicago Fire.

With Brad Davis and Bruin on the pitch this year, the Dynamo will be able to create the chances it failed to last year.

Houston will capitalize and defeat the Galaxy 2-1 in the 2012 MLS Cup.

The Dynamo will win its third title in seven years, creating a new debate: Who is the best team in the modern era of MLS?

With six playoff appearances, four MLS Cup appearances and three MLS Cup titles in the last seven years, there is no denying the Houston Dynamo belong in that conversation.

Be sure to follow Eduardo on Twitter for insight and interaction on a variety of topics. Follow @Mendez_FC

Last night, in a frigid 42 degrees at Toyota Park, the Houston Dynamo eliminated the Chicago Fire from the playoffs. Head coach Dominic Kinnear is at it again, and has many believing his team can make its second-consecutive MLS cup.

Houston was pedestrian on the road all season (3-9-5)—a step up from its 2-6-9 record in 2011—but played an impressive 90 minutes of soccer that propelled it to a 2-1 victory. 

The Dynamo were poised from the start and took advantage of the Fire’s shaky play. Brad Davis’ assist off a corner kick led to Will Bruin’s header in the 12th minute and gave Houston the early lead. 

The Fire had only allowed six goals off a set piece all season, but their first of the playoffs was costly.

Davis, who has 92 career assists (46 off a set piece), had no issues connecting with the Dynamo’s top scorer, due in large part to Jalil Anibaba’s slippery footing inside the box.

Houston would maintain control for the remainder of the match.

Chicago’s 4-2-3-1 formation was setup primarily to defend, but shoddy defending allowed Calen Carr to send a beautiful ball in the box that led to Houston’s next score. Bruin had no issues on his run, and his brace gave Houston a stunning 2-0 lead just seconds after the half.

It was a lead Houston would not relinquish, and it will now face a stingy Sporting Kansas City side that only allowed a league-best 27 goals this season. Sporting KC is heavily favored to represent the Eastern Conference in the MLS Cup, but don’t count out the Dynamo.

Houston has not lost to Kansas City this season (1-0-2) and are undefeated at BBVA Compass Stadium (11-0-6).

Another performance like the one that led Houston to its 2-1 victory over Sporting KC back in July, coupled with a hard-fought draw on the road, could send a shock wave through the MLS. 

It won’t be easy for the Dynamo.

Kansas City has gone 63 consecutive matches without conceding a goal on a corner kick and has allowed the fewest shots on goal (102) in the MLS (via Jonathon Feyerherm).

The Dynamo must rely on a precision-passing, possession-oriented attack in order to break down Sporting KC’s tough defense. Houston possessed the ball a league-best 55.93 percent this season, and its 81.53 passing accuracy was the second-highest in the MLS (via Jonathan Kaplan).

It is a formula that could spark another Cinderella run for Coach Kinnear and his team—similar to the one last year that saw Houston eliminate Sporting KC in the Conference Finals. 

It would be the Dynamo’s fourth appearance in the MLS Cup in seven years, but four matches remain before Houston can accomplish such an incredible feat. 

A repeat performance like the one it had last night could go a long way in achieving its championship aspirations.  

Follow Eduardo on twitter for more insight on a variety of sports topics. Follow @BR_Mendez

On Wednesday night, the 2012 MLS playoffs kicked off at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois, and a familiar playoff favorite continued their winning ways in the postseason.

The Houston Dynamo once again came out to play in the MLS Cup Playoffs and advanced into the semifinal round with a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference knockout round.

Houston went up early in the 12th minute with a goal from forward Will Bruin.

Bruin's header found the back of the net off of a corner kick by veteran Brad Davis.

On the corner kick, Chicago defender Jalil Anibaba slipped in the penalty area while defending Bruin, allowing the Dynamo forward to score the first of his two goals of the night.

Bruin's second goal came in the 46th minute as he capitalized on poor defending by Chicago and fired his shot right past keeper Sean Johnson, who had a miserable night in the net.

Throughout the rest of the second half it seemed like the Dynamo had the match all locked up, but the Fire gave the two-time MLS Cup champions a bit of pressure late in the second half.

In the 83rd minute, substitute Alex scored to give the Fire and their home supporters a small chance of achieving a two-goal comeback.

Alex's shot barely found the back of the net after it bounced off the right post.

The late goal was not enough for the hosts, however, and they were unable to get the ball past Dynamo keeper Tally Hall in the final attacks of the match.

With the loss, the Fire become the first team eliminated from the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs and will be wondering where their season went wrong.

One outside observer may point to the one win in the final five regular-season matches played by the Fire as they slumped into the postseason.

As for the Wednesday night winners, the Dynamo will head home to BBVA Compass Stadium, where they have not lost yet, to host Eastern Conference top seed Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of the semifinal round on Sunday.

The second leg of the Eastern Conference semifinal will be played next Wednesday at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City.

"3 Games. 7 Days. 9 Points."

That's the Houston Dynamo's promotional poster for this week, and it succinctly sums up the importance of the week.

On Sunday night the Dynamo started off the week in the best possible way, thrashing top side DC United, 4-0. On Wednesday, the Dynamo face off against Sporting KC, followed by a Saturday matchup against the Montreal Impact. 

This is the biggest week of the season for the boys in orange, with three home games and a chance to make a real push for the playoffs.

The Dynamo are only eight points behind SKC and in fifth place in the conference (enough to make it to the play-in round of the MLS Cup playoffs). SKC leads the conference so a Dynamo win on Wednesday would go a long way towards shortening that gap. 

On Saturday they face the Impact, who are currently only six points behind the Dynamo in the East. A good result is vital to making sure Montreal doesn't get closer in the standings, especially since the Impact are expected to improve once their new signings, Marco Di Vaio and Alessandro Nesta, get settled.

One thing is for sure: Defense will be the key for the Dynamo in the next two games. And the Dynamo defense should have confidence after keeping a clean shirt versus a strong DC side. But SKC have one of the most lethal offenses in the league, and the Impact just need their new duo to start playing well to be a great attacking side.

They could be at that point by Saturday.

Another thing that makes this week special for Dynamo fans is that these upcoming games could likely be Geoff Cameron's last in Houston.

The defender has been in fantastic form this season and has gotten his side out of a ton of messes. Stoke City have been heavily linked to the defender, and even Cameron himself said he may have played his last game with the Dynamo after their win over DC United.

If this is his last week with the Dynamo, he'll want to go out with clean sheets, and the Dynamo will look to get the maximum out of him before they sell him.

BBVA Compass Stadium should be an electrifying atmosphere for these next two matches, and the Dynamo will hope to continue their impressive unbeaten run at the new facility.

I will be tweeting live on location at BBVA Compass as Houston takes on Sporting KC, which is—in my opinion—the most crucial game of this important stretch. 

You can follow me @sportreport67. 

When the Houston Dynamo walk onto BBVA Compass Field on Saturday night to face D.C. United in front of 22,000 fans (4:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network)—it spells a new challenge for the Dynamo and caps a journey that started in San Jose.

It's also another big step for Major League Soccer as Houston becomes another team with its own place to call home.

When the Dynamo moved from San Jose to Houston in 2005, it was because AEG, the team's principle owners, couldn't secure a stadium location. So the team moved to Houston and called Robertson Stadium at the University of Houston home.

In its first season in Houston, the Dynamo won the 2006 MLS Cup, beating the New England Revolution 4-3. 

Even though the Dynamo were hugely successful after moving from San Jose, it still took six years for Houston to build a stadium—which is even more of a feat considering the new stadium was the reason for the move.

Now, the team has a brand new, state-of-the-art stadium to show off, which is located next to the Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston. The stadium is another sign that Major League Soccer is pushing its way into the mainstream and that it's getting the recognition it deserves.

Now, people and cities are willing to support the league's long-term projects.

The Dynamo's $95 million mansion brings the total number of MLS soccer-specific stadiums—renovated or new—to 15 for the league's 19 teams.

Just 10 years ago, when the league was floundering, a soccer-specific stadium like BBVA Compass Field in Houston would never have been imagined—let alone actually getting built. Teams were trying to stay alive; they weren't looking to expand or work on large-scale public projects.

Today, even the teams without soccer stadiums seek to find funding because they're being left behind. Newly catered soccer-specific facilities are now demanded by fans.

One of the teams still in search of a new stadium is the New England Revolution.

The Revolution have a home at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, but the large football stadium, located 40 minutes outside of Boston, isn't drawing fans. And the location certainly isn't conducive to creating an atmosphere fans want to watch a match.

The team's president Brian Billelo knows that. He's addressed the question every year I've covered the team. He answered it again this year, during a conference call with reporters on November 9:

"It’s our No. 1 priority that we’re working hard on. It’s obviously been a big challenge for us, but something that we emphatically want to see happen and want to make happen. In terms of on the team side, there’s a lot of different projects I’m going to be working on with Michael [Burns] to turn that around and improve that immediately. On the business side, that is [the] No. 1, 2 and 3 priority for us."

It took Houston years to get all the answers and funding. It has taken New England just as long to get started.

But there are other hurdles New England needs to climb before something like BBVA Compass Field, Red Bull Arena or PPL Park will become a reality in New England. (D.C. United is also going through a similar situation, and rumors have surfaced that the team might move to Baltimore.)

New England, like D.C. United, is actively seeking a new home like Houston was a few seasons ago, and the Dynamo's new home in downtown is a good sign for teams looking for new urban stadiums.

If those teams can secure deals, it will be another giant leap for MLS. If they can't, it might be time to think like the Dynamo and find a place with fans and the money to build a new stadium.

Houston, which has been a blueprint franchise on the field for years, now becomes another blue print franchise off the field.

The Dynamo are a team that has stamped out its spot in a city's landscape, and BBVA Field is another sign that MLS continues to move forward.

Brian Ching will be suiting up for the Houston Dynamo.  Again.

The standoff between Houston and Montreal finally resulted in Ching's release Thursday and one-way ticket to Dynamo country, less than a month before the start of the MLS season.

Montreal will receive as compensation a conditional first-round draft pick in the 2013 SuperDraft.

Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear weighed in on the transaction, “I am very happy to have Brian back with the team.  This is a very important year for the Dynamo, and if anyone deserves to be involved with the team, it’s Brian.”

Ching is one of the original Dynamo players.  His 63 Houston goals is a club record.

“It’s been a long and difficult process over the last few months, but we’re happy that ultimately we got the right result and Brian will be a part of the club again,” Dynamo president Chris Canetti said.

Montreal was was not as excited about the decision, but optimistic.

"We have made this decision based on reasons that we felt were beneficial for both the desires and needs of our club and the wishes of Brian Ching," Impact head coach Jesse Marsch said in a statement. "We wish him luck on his return to Houston and thank him for his commitment and professionalism while a member of our organization."

Ching was limited to 20 games last season due to injury.  But ask Houston fans if they care.  Pull out those orange No. 25 jerseys from the bottom of the drawer, You'll need them again.

Two Houston Dynamo soccer players were arrested this past Saturday for getting into an altercation with an off-duty police officer. The players believe some members of their group weren't allowed into a night club because of the color of their skin, but the club says differently. 

According to the Houston Chronicle, Tyler Deric and Warren Creavalle were arrested. Deric was charged with "assaulting a public servant" and Creavalle was "accused of interfering with public duties." 

They were also with Alex Dixon and Will Bruin at the time, but those two did not get in any trouble. Creavalle and Dixon are black, and all the players believed they were denied entry to the club because of that reason.

The club claims it was because the players were drunk, according to Fox 26 News in Houston.

Deric's attorney, Allen Tanner, plans to fight the charges, stating that his client did not assault anyone. Tanner claims he has several witness statements that can back it up. 

FOX 26 News is reporting that the same club wouldn't allow the rap group named Drank entry as well. The group states that "the doorman said we had too many Black people." 

Racism is sadly still a problem in this country, and if true, the Roosevelt Lounge should be ashamed of itself. The lounge can let in whomever they want, but denying someone because of their race is just wrong.

As most soccer sides in the U.S look to start building themselves for the 2012 season, Wednesday brought the news that the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup will be changing the format for home ties in this years championship which is great news for the smaller sides that qualify for the National cup competition.

In this, the 99th year of the competition, changes have been abound, starting with an early first round to help solve mid season congestion for the MLS sides that will compete in MLS, CONCACAF Champions league and also host European sides on pre season tours. This also sees the MLS sides competing in their entirety for the very first time in the leagues history.

MLS : Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting Kansas City. 

The first round action begins on May 15 where all 64 teams will take to the field representing the largest contingent of teams in the modern era and also sees an expansion of 24 sides from last season competition.

With all MLS, NASL & USL sides participating, it gives a nice round competitive 32 professional teams competing and gives all the lower league teams the opportunity to gain the chance for a 'Big' match in the earlier rounds of the competition. 

The amateur entrants will comprise of 32 teams spread throughout the lower echelons of U.S soccer from across the nation.

The alterations to the cup format also allows for a random draw therefore allowing home teams the option to host their upcoming tie dependent on venue criteria but shows a willingness of the cup benefactors to grow the competition into a truly nationwide opportunity for lower league teams to experience the thrill, exhilaration and buzz from each round draw and participation.

All of the matches apart from the final in August will be played on Tuesdays, and will be played weekly between May 15 until June 5. This gives the competition no time to stop and breath as it kicks into high gear, meaning the first four rounds are played in four weeks.

Due to the amount of teams with amateur status, the opening three rounds of the competition will be played geographically with a higher level of entrant joining at each round of play.

In the opening round, the 32 amateur sides will play off against each other geographically but will avoid teams from their particular league setup. Meaning NPSL, PDL and USASA teams will avoid each other if they play in the same setup.

NASL: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, NSC Minnesota Stars, San Antonio Scorpions, Tampa Bay Rowdies. 

USL PRO: Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, Dayton Dutch Lions, Harrisburg City Islanders, Los Angeles Blues, Orlando City, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, Wilmington Hammerheads.

The winners of this first round will face Division 2 or 3 sides, (USL Pro or NASL) again based on geography and the 16 winners of round 2 will then progress to play Division 1 (MLS) sides, again geographically. Its a great opportunity for lower league sides to play some major sides in the U.S pyramid of soccer, knowing that winning just 2 matches could allow them to be matching themselves against the elite sides the country has to offer.


Amateur Level Distribution (32 teams): 
U.S.A.S.A Regional Qualifiers – 9 spots
USL PDL – 16 spots
NPSL – 6.5 spots 
US Club Soccer – 0.5 spot


Using for example, Galveston Pirate Soccer Clubs situation who will be competing in the NPSL this coming season, in the first round they could be facing the likes of ASC New Stars who currently lead the Houston Football Association Premier division.

A win there could then see the Pirates face a division 2 or 3 side meaning the chance of facing NASL side San Antonio Scorpions. Again, a win in that match could hand the Pirates the opportunity of facing MLS side Houston Dynamo. 

This example would be a dream situation for the NPSL franchisee and is based on the geographical specificity of the cups new format. 

This situation will be the same throughout the country with smaller local sides being offered the chance of being 90 minutes of soccer away from playing USL & NASL sides, and only 180 minutes away from a potential tie with an MLS side.

Due to the fast and frenetic pace the cup rounds will be played at, each match will be played to a finish on the day of the game with extra time and penalties finalising each tie in preparation for the following weeks match.

Prizes will vary and will be staggered for each level of entrant.The leading amateur, Division 2 & 3 side in the competition will each win themselves $10k but for the overall winner of the cup will earn themselves £100k, with the runners up collecting half that amount.

The competitions new format means a new and exciting start to the 2012 season and for the teams involved, the US Open Cup cannot come quick enough for all the players and staff.

Nathan Sturgis, a 24-year-old journeyman midfielder, joined his fifth MLS club in only seven years yesterday evening, landing with the Houston Dynamo.  This young utility player has seen brief stints of both success and lackluster play throughout his MLS career.  

Houston signed Stugris from Toronto FC for a conditional 2014 draft pick (essentially not much).  

It would appear that Toronto unloading Sturgis might mean that Aron Winter has his targets set on bringing in another piece to his side.  Losing Sturgis (who did not particularly impress in Toronto) frees up both cap room and an American international slot.  

Having just last season signed Sturgis from the Vancouver Whitecaps for a first overall (eighth) pick in the 2011 SuperDraft, Toronto sees a great deal of loss as this deal goes through.

Houston looks to Sturgis to add depth and leadership.  President of Business Operations Chris Canetti told MLSsoccer.com that:

Dom [Kinnear] knows in his mind what he likes, and when he really likes a guy he envisions, far more than anyone else, how that guy will fit into the club and into his scheme. That was certainly the case with Adam Moffat and hopefully it will be the same situation where Dom sees Sturgis in a certain role with our club and he finds success...I think that’s a positive to get a young player with good experience that’s been around a couple of different organizations, Canetti said. He’s a professional and knows how to approach things and brings some youth to the squad.

Sturgis has been touted early as becoming an instant role player with Houston—someone who can play multiple positions and whose experience in the league can provide leadership.  

Although certainly not a blockbuster deal in any form, this is Houston's first dip into the transfer window this offseason.  Sturgis is a player with several international caps at youth level, who is looking to find a home in the MLS and revitalize his career.

Both parties are wishing that Houston is where Sturgis finds his form once again.