Showing posts with label Houston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Houston. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Becks chimes in
On the Ianni/Donovan incident:
Ianni ignites ire
Since we're now four days after the fact and readers are still interested in the Donovan-Ianni incident, I'll post the audio from Patrick Ianni. I used a lot of what he said in my post-match sidebar for MLSnet.com.
I didn't get to ask Ianni any questions, though. Scott French took care of asking the questions and he pretty much asked everything I had planned on asking him. I actually thought Ianni was having a decent game until the Galaxy's first goal. Anyway, here's the audio.
And I'm not sure if Scott felt this way but yes there were some in the press box who thought that Donovan's taunts should have drawn a yellow card.
I didn't get to ask Ianni any questions, though. Scott French took care of asking the questions and he pretty much asked everything I had planned on asking him. I actually thought Ianni was having a decent game until the Galaxy's first goal. Anyway, here's the audio.
And I'm not sure if Scott felt this way but yes there were some in the press box who thought that Donovan's taunts should have drawn a yellow card.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Boo, hiss, technology
I won't bore anyone with my computer problems, but suffice it to say that I can't get the audio to save in Vista. So I'm transcribing the LD bit here.
Me: What'd you say to Pat?
LD: (pause) I'd rather not repeat it.
You guys exchanged jerseys at the end?
LD: Yeah. That's part of the game. If someone's going to take a cheap shot at me, then I would suggest not to, because it got me riled up.
Do you play better that way?
LD: I don't know if I played better. I maybe played a little more energized, because the adrenaline was pumping, but at that point in the game, I think that was going to happen anyway, because we were getting frustrated with things and that kind of added fuel to it.
So bottom line, was it a straight shoulder-to-shoulder?
LD: There are a lot of shoulder-to-shoulders that still get called. In that context, where it's nowhere near the ball, as I'm running full-speed, to just put his elbow out and shove me, I don't think that's too fair. I know if I did that on the other end, I'd get called for it, so you've got to go both ways.
Did it feel good, then, to get that goal in, while he was hanging over you?
LD: Not only that, but I don't know if you saw the replay, but he was grabbing and holding me. They were doing a lot of that the whole game. If someone defends well and defends fairly, I tip my hat and say, congratulations, but if you're going stand and grab me and pull me and tug at me all day, I'm going to let you know about it when I do score.
Me: What'd you say to Pat?
LD: (pause) I'd rather not repeat it.
You guys exchanged jerseys at the end?
LD: Yeah. That's part of the game. If someone's going to take a cheap shot at me, then I would suggest not to, because it got me riled up.
Do you play better that way?
LD: I don't know if I played better. I maybe played a little more energized, because the adrenaline was pumping, but at that point in the game, I think that was going to happen anyway, because we were getting frustrated with things and that kind of added fuel to it.
So bottom line, was it a straight shoulder-to-shoulder?
LD: There are a lot of shoulder-to-shoulders that still get called. In that context, where it's nowhere near the ball, as I'm running full-speed, to just put his elbow out and shove me, I don't think that's too fair. I know if I did that on the other end, I'd get called for it, so you've got to go both ways.
Did it feel good, then, to get that goal in, while he was hanging over you?
LD: Not only that, but I don't know if you saw the replay, but he was grabbing and holding me. They were doing a lot of that the whole game. If someone defends well and defends fairly, I tip my hat and say, congratulations, but if you're going stand and grab me and pull me and tug at me all day, I'm going to let you know about it when I do score.
The Taunting of Landon
The Galaxy's afternoon practice today was the first chance I had to ask Landon Donovan what he'd said after he scored the first goal for the Galaxy versus Houston on Saturday.
Justin, the Galaxy's media guy at the training, wasn't sure I'd get the chance to interview LD, though.
"Tuesdays are when Bianca's taping (Rules of Engagement), so Landon is usually in a hurry to make it to catch that."
Justin promised to ask, though, and I told him I wouldn't take too long. As Landon was walking away from the post-practice stretch, Justin intercepted him to inform him of my request. Landon nodded and headed over to where the press folk were encamped.
"Thanks, Landon," I said, switching on my recorder. I didn't delay, and just asked him straight out.
It's anticlimactic, really, Landon's response. Before I post the audio, here's what my best guess of what I thought he'd said was; "Don't fucking pull me again!" My take was that LD was actually reacting to getting grabbed on the goal attempt, as well as venting frustration over getting tugged at all through the game.
For those who think Landon's language was vile, don't come to Galaxy practices - the scrimmage today had worse during the 15 minutes I watched.
Justin, the Galaxy's media guy at the training, wasn't sure I'd get the chance to interview LD, though.
"Tuesdays are when Bianca's taping (Rules of Engagement), so Landon is usually in a hurry to make it to catch that."
Justin promised to ask, though, and I told him I wouldn't take too long. As Landon was walking away from the post-practice stretch, Justin intercepted him to inform him of my request. Landon nodded and headed over to where the press folk were encamped.
"Thanks, Landon," I said, switching on my recorder. I didn't delay, and just asked him straight out.
It's anticlimactic, really, Landon's response. Before I post the audio, here's what my best guess of what I thought he'd said was; "Don't fucking pull me again!" My take was that LD was actually reacting to getting grabbed on the goal attempt, as well as venting frustration over getting tugged at all through the game.
For those who think Landon's language was vile, don't come to Galaxy practices - the scrimmage today had worse during the 15 minutes I watched.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Short-term memory loss
Patrick Ianni was asked about what Landon Donovan said to him after the Galaxy forward scored his first goal on Saturday.
"I don't know... I heard him saying something."
At first, he claimed he couldn't remember.
I actually thought Ianni was doing well for himself. He was in good position and seemed to do well with Bobby Boswell in the center of the Dynamo's defense. But ultimately Donovan was too tough. Still, I think their "feud" would have played out better in the future had they not exchanged jerseys after the game because now the next time they meet it's a non-issue.
"I don't know... I heard him saying something."
At first, he claimed he couldn't remember.
I actually thought Ianni was doing well for himself. He was in good position and seemed to do well with Bobby Boswell in the center of the Dynamo's defense. But ultimately Donovan was too tough. Still, I think their "feud" would have played out better in the future had they not exchanged jerseys after the game because now the next time they meet it's a non-issue.
Becks post-Houston
I really like this sweater. It's a great color. I didn't ask Becks where he got it, though, or I'd be the candidate for "Most Bizarre Becks Question" at the press conference. The reporters were talking before he appeared about how Beckham brings out some kooky questions, especially in the last two sessions. We wondered who might continue the trend. No one did, actually. All the questions were on point and not weird.
A draw that feels like. . .
Here's the reaction sidebar I wrote early this morning. I fell asleep before espn.com posted it. I'm curious, though, about the reaction among our regular readers - you guys know I love your opinions. Post what you thought of the game (I know some already have, I'm just encouraging any shy ones to speak up).
Sick about it
Actually, Dom Kinnear was very reasonable post-game, but he does have a cold, or the flu, so his voice sounded funny. I apologize for the shaky video. My digital recorder wasn't turning on, so I was trying to figure out what was wrong with it even as I held the camera. Turns out I had put the battery in backwards.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Houston post-game presser
Audio of Houston's Dominic Kinnear and Brad Davis talking about the 2-2 draw between Houston and Los Angeles.
Houston/Galaxy running blog
The Angel City Brigade sets up their banner in their section of the stadium.Josh Wicks --- Nope! Steve Cronin passed a late fitness test and he gets the start in goal for the Galaxy.
Want more info? Alan Gordon is the center mid. Kleiny, Franklin, Vanney and Randolph in the back. Becks, Tudela, McDonny along with Gordon in the middle, Edson and LD up top.
Joe Franchino is on the bench, along with Wicks, Bry, Roberts, Izzy, Pete, and Xavier.
The press box is buzzing about the first goal in SJ 2 (Quake Harder) history.
2 - LD sends the first shot wide.
3 - Kleiny fouls Davis - FK cleared.
4 - Kleiny fouled - both teams have come out gunning, very fast and physical. This will be a slugfest.
6 - LD nearly off on a counter, but caught. The ball is mostly in Galaxy territory and they concede a corner. CK by Davis. Cleared off the line! - no a foul first negates that.
8 - The Galaxy defense is losing shape badly. Another CK conceded. Houston is pressuring hard. Mulrooney takes. Cleared out.
9 - Deep throw for Houston. Now for the Galaxy. Still in G half of field.
11 - Houston possessing well. Back into the attack.
13 - houston FK Nearly bent into goal, but Cronie catches. Becks leads the counter, tries to feed Buddle, who is grabbed. FK in good spot. Becks sets up - it's into the wall.
15 - The Galaxy were actually in Houston's end for a bit there.
16 - Randolph on the attack, gets past to mids and gets the ball to Becks, but his cross into the box is cleared. On the counter, Caraccio chips the ball past Vanney and Cronin, but the ball rolls harmlessly in front of the goal. Close.
21 - Play has moved to the midfield a bit more. The Galaxy are no longer defending on their doorstep.
23 - They're knocking on Houston's door instead. Donovan passes to Buddle in the box, but he can't beat his defender. The G's get another chance, but LD's shot deflects and shows down enough for Caig to make the catch.
25 - Mullan beat Randolph and earns a FK. Randolph sees yellow. It's right on the edge of the box. Houston sets up. DDR and David standing, DeRo takes, it bends toward goal, Cronie twists in the air, gets a hand on it to tip it on to the crossbar, where it rebounds out and is clears. A+ save there.
28 - Another save! DeRo gets a great pass in the box, but Cronie dives to parry it out, CK. It's cleared. The Galaxy escape again.
30 - Houston still pressuring hard. The Galaxy hanging on - ball out for goal kick.
32 - Houston's midfield is bossing this game. Beckham gets cheers for a nice defensive tackle, but then he gives up the ball.
34 - The ball actually gets into Houston's box, but Caig takes care of it.
36 - GOAL! Mullan beats Franklin with a nice move and crosses in front of goal - Caraccio heads it down back to goal, Ching whiffs at the ball, but Davis is right next him and he knocks it in - the ball actually hits Cronin on the way to net. 1-0 Houston.
40 - Vanney just did the weirdest sit-down tackle that actually worked.
41 - DeRo with an outside shot, Cronie reads it, save.
43 - The Galaxy had a bit of an attack going for a minute there. No longer.
45 + - Buddle takes a cross from Klein the the box - his header is wide. Donovan is on the attack in the box, working a give-n-go with Tudela. LD gets shoved off, wants the call, isn't getting it.
Halftime
The Galaxy are lucky they aren't down by multiple goals. Cronie saved a couple that looked like Houston points for sure. The Galaxy attack was anemic. Houston looks in top form tonight. Well, at least their midfield on up looks in top form - their defense was tested so little it's hard to say what shape they're in, but they haven't screwed up yet.
47 - Franchino is on the field, Gordo off, Xavier is on for Tudela. Houston hasn't made any changes.
49 - Joe tries to lead out a counter after Houston had a chance in the box, but Becks isn't looking for the pass and Houston gets the ball back. This is looking so bad for the Galaxy.
51 - It gets a bit better - the Galaxy just earned a corner. The fans are on their feet, the scarves are out - LD takes, it's a shot on goal by Franklin! Cleared off the line by Barrett!
53 - Beckham gets the pass on a counter, crosses to LD who lays back for Buddle, whose shot is low and straight and parried by Caig. Corner. Cleared out.
54 - Franklin fouled outside the left side of the box. FK. Becks takes, Houston heads it out - Joe takes an outside shot - it's over the bar.
56 - Becks and LD working the ball upfield, Becks gets shoved down and the fans boo the nocall, Joe takes another outside shot - this one is closer, but wide.
57 - Vanney gets a yellow for an elbow and Houston gets a very tasty FK, just outside the box.
59 - The Galaxy wall holds. Another foul on Vanney now. Another appetizing FK for Houston, but a bit farther out. DeRo aims high.
60 Houston was on their heels a bit at the start of the second half, but they're back to running the show.
61 - Galaxy FK, way out. Caig catches.
63 - LD charging after a long ball over the top, Ianni trying to cover the play to usher the ball to Caig, who catches the ball. Ianni steps in to shield Donovan anyway, and sends LD sprawling. That seemed unnecessary. The crowd is livid. LD is down for a while.
66 - LD nice flick pass to Randolph, who shoots on goal, Caig saves. Corner. Corner leads to another shot - Caig saves again.
68 - GOAL! The Galaxy attack again, and LD finds Beck on the right. The cross goes back to LD, who beats Ianni to get a header into the net. He stand up and yells something in Ianni's face. I'm guessing it wasn't friendly. 1-1 Tie game.
72 - I was about to type that Franchino is playing well, then he sent a pass to no one just now.
73 - Cronie catches a cross, ending a Houston attack.
74 - DeRo's header is high and wide.
76 - Becks n LD on the attack - but Buddle is offside on the final pass.
77 - Houston CK
78 - GOAL! Cronie punches out the corner, but it falls to Mullan, who sends a pass to Davis, Davis crossed the ball into the box, DeRo shot, crossbar, but Cronin fell, rebound to Caraccio, who shoots into an open net. 2-1 Houston.
Caraccio took off his shirt for that goal - which, truth be told, was kind of a garbage goal. He gets a yellow.
81 - Caraccio now out for Holden.
83 - Edson works hard to earn a FK, Becks takes, Houston clears.
84 - GOAL! Becks to Landon! Of course. 2-2 Tie.
86 - Houston CK - LA clears. but Houston attacks again. Another cross into the box. Cronie finally collects.
88 - Buddle offside. Then DeRo.
90 - OFF THE POST! The Galaxy built up a good attack, but Houston escaped.
90 + Now the Galaxy escape DeRo heads over the bar.
Handball, and Rico gets a yellow. It's int Galaxy territory, though, so Houston isn't in danger. The Galaxy are though, Houston attack building, but the Galaxy hold it off. A hard-fought tie. The crowd applauds and boos at the same time. 2-2 Houston is still winless.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Houston/Dallas running blog
Who would have thought that the defending champs would be the MLS team left scoreless at the start of the season? To be fair, they did lose two productive forwards - Joe Ngwenya and Nate Jaqua, plus the semi-productive Paul Dalglish.
Is it evil of me that I'm really happy this match is on Telefutura? Some of the MLS announcers in English pay so little attention to the game. I find the small talk really annoying. At the same time, I once got an email from someone telling me that every time they listen to a woman talking about soccer (I'd just done a radio guest spot) it irritates them so much they have to change the station. Anyway, let's just leave it at I'm happy to listen to Telefutura's announcers for a change. Another big difference for me is that they're usually intrinsically more excited and emotional about the game.
Since I'm a bit early for this rb - any predictions from Houston or Dallas fans out there?
Yay, Dom! It's great to hear the MLS coaches who speak Spanish. Quick - who can answer without looking it up - which team did Dom play for in Mexico?
Kickoff!
1- DeRo tests Sala early on. Sala's up for it, though.
Hey, Davino is playing. Nice hair.
7 - Midfield battle for the teams, but the Telefutura announcers are on a roll. They covered the goalkeeping injury of Josh Lambo, Sala's Colorado fight and suspension last year, Rico's suspension and the cause, the record thus far of both teams, injury updates and roster changes for both sides and the CCC update for Houston.
* 44 - Dario Sala (GK)
* 4 - Duilio Davino
* 6 - Pablo Ricchetti
* 8 - Juan Toja
* 11 - Andre Rocha
* 12 - Arturo Alvarez
* 13 - Dax McCarty
* 14 - Drew Moor
* 15 - Adrian Serioux
* 23 - Blake Wagner
* 33 - Kenny Cooper
11- "Great intensity, little soccer" says the announcer. Apt description. It's helter-skelter on the field.
13 - Coop bangs a shot off Boz for a CK. WOW. Looked like a sure goal twice, but the crossbar and Pat Onstad combined well to keep the ball out.
15 - Dallas gets a FK - now Pat punches it out. CK. Cleared. FC Dallas is knocking on the door, though.
* 18 - Pat Onstad (GK) -
* 2 - Eddie Robinson
* 8 - Richard Mulrooney
* 10 - Franco Caraccio
* 14 - Dwayne De Rosario
* 16 - Craig Waibel
* 20 - Geoff Cameron
* 24 - Wade Barrett
* 25 - Brian Ching
* 26 - Corey Ashe
* 32 - Bobby Boswell
17 - Cameron gets Houston back to the offensive side of the field, but his shot goes wide.
19 - Weak Dallas clear falls to DeRo, who takes a low, hard shot in the box - Sala gets down low and hangs on in the fetal position to deny a rebound.
22 - Arturito Alvarez! He gets a ball in the box and tries to sneak it past Onstad, but Pat denies by grabbing the ball to his left.
GOAL! Hard luck for Dallas. Corey Ashe dinks a pass in front of the goal, and Brian Ching crashes into Dario Sala going for it, making it hard for Dario to make the grab - Caraccio heads it into the net. 1-0 Houston.
24 - Not sure if it's payback, but Onstad goes down hard on the other end is is down for a bit.
26 - Newsflash. Corey Ashe is fast. "un dolor de cabeza" for Dallas.
28 - Pat seems to have suffered a shoulder injury. He's coming off. Tony Caig is coming in.
31 - Coop loses the ball. He drops so far back to get it, that he has a long away to go if he tries to dribble. He'd be much more effective if he could hold the ball and wait for help.
33 - If you haven't heard of Caig, he's actually a vet of many years, and was last with Gretna in Scotland.
34 - Ok, Houston had about four chances in and around the box just now. Shots bounced off defenders every time. Pinball. Dallas escaped unscathed.
35 - GOAL! Coop! Yay! He's my fantasy forward, so I'm extra excited. Yay Coop. It was actually a semi-distance goal - he split defenders on the break and caught Caig off his line with a looping shot. 1-1 All square.
38 - Waibel with a shot from close range, hits the outside of the post. Dario cut off most of his angle, but Waibel still came close.
44- GOAL! FC Dallas on the counter, led out by the inimitable Toja. He drives into the box and lays the ball off for Coop, who fires first time - Caig parries it, but the ball squirts through his grasp and into the net. 2-1 Dallas.
45 + Cameron beat his defender near the box and had three teammates waiting, but his cross was way high and far.
Halftime
Like RSL in the second half versus Chivas USA last night, Houston had the better of play until the effective Dallas counter.
Tough times for Houston - Onstad injured really changed their fortunes, though they were playing well in spurts even after that. It didn't quite pay off, though, and Dallas cashed in the chances they had.
2nd half. Lunchbreak. I was watching, but fingers were on food instead of keyboard.
57 - GOAL! DeRo looks like he fell in the box, but he gets up and continues the attack, which culminates in a pass in front of goal to Ching, who slide-kicks past Moor to put the ball in. 2 -2 Tied up.
60 - GOAL! Arturito's turn to split the defenders. This time Caig won't be chipped, he comes out, but Alvarez slots it past him. 3-2 Dallas.
65 - "Flecha Roja" one announcer terms Dax after he cleans out Ashe with a sliding tackle. It means "Red Arrow". They say he only plays one way, Dax, all-out.
Sala saves a shot in the box. Houston is charging hard, putting pressure on.
66 - Brad Davis on the sideline with Kinnear - Davis has been injured, but it looks like he's going to be the sub option Dom will turn to.
68 - Houston pushing hard, but Dallas holding on and even slowly, slowly, breaking the pressure of the Dynamo.
69 - Toja gets a yellow for a semi-from behind tackle on Mulrooney.
73- Barret pushes out Cooper on the sideline - gets a yellow
74 - Dax is the last man back, but he holds off a Houston attack by his lonesome. The announcers are duly impressed.
76 - Cameron slides a ball in front of the box. "He's searching for an orange foot - but only finds the white gloves of Sala!" The announcers love imagery.
78 - Davino wins a duel with his commercial co-star, Ching. CK Houston. Cleared.
80 - Davis in for Barrett, Houston pushing hard, Red Arrow clears out for a corner kick. Cleared out for a counter led by Oduro, who shoots, Caig parries while the announcers scream and abuse Oduro for not passing to an open Alvarez.
82 - A Dax outside shot gets parried by Caig.
84 - A Rocha FK snagged by Caig. The announcers agree Caig started off poorly, but now is merely not horrible.
85 - Sala is furious at the CK call, because the ball went off Houston. FC Dallas withstands the CK, though.
87 - Here's another CK for Houston. Mulrooney takes it, Sala snags it in a crowd.
88 - Anthony Wallace coming in for FC Dallas. Cooper comes out. Rocha goes down, a DeRo high kick. Houston repulses the FK.
89 - A Houston FK has the crowd on their feet, pleading for a last attack to deny FC the win. It's cleared and FC Dallas counter right up the gut. It's 3 versus one defender and Caig. Caig dives and saves it and Houston comes right back up the field.
90 - GOAL! Cameron opens his MLS account and sends the Houston faithful into a frenzy of celebration. The ball squirts free at the top of the box and before Serioux can clear, Cameron unloads straight into the net. 3-3 Dallas still hasn't won in Houston.
Robinson is against the boards as time ticks down. He looks hurt, but Abbe blows the whistle to end the match. Barnburner of a game - six goals and a last-gasp equalizer.
Is it evil of me that I'm really happy this match is on Telefutura? Some of the MLS announcers in English pay so little attention to the game. I find the small talk really annoying. At the same time, I once got an email from someone telling me that every time they listen to a woman talking about soccer (I'd just done a radio guest spot) it irritates them so much they have to change the station. Anyway, let's just leave it at I'm happy to listen to Telefutura's announcers for a change. Another big difference for me is that they're usually intrinsically more excited and emotional about the game.
Since I'm a bit early for this rb - any predictions from Houston or Dallas fans out there?
Yay, Dom! It's great to hear the MLS coaches who speak Spanish. Quick - who can answer without looking it up - which team did Dom play for in Mexico?
Kickoff!
1- DeRo tests Sala early on. Sala's up for it, though.
Hey, Davino is playing. Nice hair.
7 - Midfield battle for the teams, but the Telefutura announcers are on a roll. They covered the goalkeeping injury of Josh Lambo, Sala's Colorado fight and suspension last year, Rico's suspension and the cause, the record thus far of both teams, injury updates and roster changes for both sides and the CCC update for Houston.
* 44 - Dario Sala (GK)
* 4 - Duilio Davino
* 6 - Pablo Ricchetti
* 8 - Juan Toja
* 11 - Andre Rocha
* 12 - Arturo Alvarez
* 13 - Dax McCarty
* 14 - Drew Moor
* 15 - Adrian Serioux
* 23 - Blake Wagner
* 33 - Kenny Cooper
11- "Great intensity, little soccer" says the announcer. Apt description. It's helter-skelter on the field.
13 - Coop bangs a shot off Boz for a CK. WOW. Looked like a sure goal twice, but the crossbar and Pat Onstad combined well to keep the ball out.
15 - Dallas gets a FK - now Pat punches it out. CK. Cleared. FC Dallas is knocking on the door, though.
* 18 - Pat Onstad (GK) -
* 2 - Eddie Robinson
* 8 - Richard Mulrooney
* 10 - Franco Caraccio
* 14 - Dwayne De Rosario
* 16 - Craig Waibel
* 20 - Geoff Cameron
* 24 - Wade Barrett
* 25 - Brian Ching
* 26 - Corey Ashe
* 32 - Bobby Boswell
17 - Cameron gets Houston back to the offensive side of the field, but his shot goes wide.
19 - Weak Dallas clear falls to DeRo, who takes a low, hard shot in the box - Sala gets down low and hangs on in the fetal position to deny a rebound.
22 - Arturito Alvarez! He gets a ball in the box and tries to sneak it past Onstad, but Pat denies by grabbing the ball to his left.
GOAL! Hard luck for Dallas. Corey Ashe dinks a pass in front of the goal, and Brian Ching crashes into Dario Sala going for it, making it hard for Dario to make the grab - Caraccio heads it into the net. 1-0 Houston.
24 - Not sure if it's payback, but Onstad goes down hard on the other end is is down for a bit.
26 - Newsflash. Corey Ashe is fast. "un dolor de cabeza" for Dallas.
28 - Pat seems to have suffered a shoulder injury. He's coming off. Tony Caig is coming in.
31 - Coop loses the ball. He drops so far back to get it, that he has a long away to go if he tries to dribble. He'd be much more effective if he could hold the ball and wait for help.
33 - If you haven't heard of Caig, he's actually a vet of many years, and was last with Gretna in Scotland.
34 - Ok, Houston had about four chances in and around the box just now. Shots bounced off defenders every time. Pinball. Dallas escaped unscathed.
35 - GOAL! Coop! Yay! He's my fantasy forward, so I'm extra excited. Yay Coop. It was actually a semi-distance goal - he split defenders on the break and caught Caig off his line with a looping shot. 1-1 All square.
38 - Waibel with a shot from close range, hits the outside of the post. Dario cut off most of his angle, but Waibel still came close.
44- GOAL! FC Dallas on the counter, led out by the inimitable Toja. He drives into the box and lays the ball off for Coop, who fires first time - Caig parries it, but the ball squirts through his grasp and into the net. 2-1 Dallas.
45 + Cameron beat his defender near the box and had three teammates waiting, but his cross was way high and far.
Halftime
Like RSL in the second half versus Chivas USA last night, Houston had the better of play until the effective Dallas counter.
Tough times for Houston - Onstad injured really changed their fortunes, though they were playing well in spurts even after that. It didn't quite pay off, though, and Dallas cashed in the chances they had.
2nd half. Lunchbreak. I was watching, but fingers were on food instead of keyboard.
57 - GOAL! DeRo looks like he fell in the box, but he gets up and continues the attack, which culminates in a pass in front of goal to Ching, who slide-kicks past Moor to put the ball in. 2 -2 Tied up.
60 - GOAL! Arturito's turn to split the defenders. This time Caig won't be chipped, he comes out, but Alvarez slots it past him. 3-2 Dallas.
65 - "Flecha Roja" one announcer terms Dax after he cleans out Ashe with a sliding tackle. It means "Red Arrow". They say he only plays one way, Dax, all-out.
Sala saves a shot in the box. Houston is charging hard, putting pressure on.
66 - Brad Davis on the sideline with Kinnear - Davis has been injured, but it looks like he's going to be the sub option Dom will turn to.
68 - Houston pushing hard, but Dallas holding on and even slowly, slowly, breaking the pressure of the Dynamo.
69 - Toja gets a yellow for a semi-from behind tackle on Mulrooney.
73- Barret pushes out Cooper on the sideline - gets a yellow
74 - Dax is the last man back, but he holds off a Houston attack by his lonesome. The announcers are duly impressed.
76 - Cameron slides a ball in front of the box. "He's searching for an orange foot - but only finds the white gloves of Sala!" The announcers love imagery.
78 - Davino wins a duel with his commercial co-star, Ching. CK Houston. Cleared.
80 - Davis in for Barrett, Houston pushing hard, Red Arrow clears out for a corner kick. Cleared out for a counter led by Oduro, who shoots, Caig parries while the announcers scream and abuse Oduro for not passing to an open Alvarez.
82 - A Dax outside shot gets parried by Caig.
84 - A Rocha FK snagged by Caig. The announcers agree Caig started off poorly, but now is merely not horrible.
85 - Sala is furious at the CK call, because the ball went off Houston. FC Dallas withstands the CK, though.
87 - Here's another CK for Houston. Mulrooney takes it, Sala snags it in a crowd.
88 - Anthony Wallace coming in for FC Dallas. Cooper comes out. Rocha goes down, a DeRo high kick. Houston repulses the FK.
89 - A Houston FK has the crowd on their feet, pleading for a last attack to deny FC the win. It's cleared and FC Dallas counter right up the gut. It's 3 versus one defender and Caig. Caig dives and saves it and Houston comes right back up the field.
90 - GOAL! Cameron opens his MLS account and sends the Houston faithful into a frenzy of celebration. The ball squirts free at the top of the box and before Serioux can clear, Cameron unloads straight into the net. 3-3 Dallas still hasn't won in Houston.
Robinson is against the boards as time ticks down. He looks hurt, but Abbe blows the whistle to end the match. Barnburner of a game - six goals and a last-gasp equalizer.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Waste of time
Well, I just wasted some valuable time watching Houston and Saprissa play to a nil-nil draw. I guess I thought too much of Houston and figured they'd actually play with a sense of urgency. But by the time the club got around to actually playing decent soccer, the finishing was terrible.
Enough of the preseason excuses. Houston should have buried the chances they had, whether this game was in March or April or November or whenever. They dropped the ball on this one, well, technically they grazed the right post on a point-blank header that should have been in the back of the net. Multiple times.
Now Houston faces the unenviable task of needing a win in Costa Rica, or at worst a draw and penalty kicks. Yeah, good luck on that one.
Enough of the preseason excuses. Houston should have buried the chances they had, whether this game was in March or April or November or whenever. They dropped the ball on this one, well, technically they grazed the right post on a point-blank header that should have been in the back of the net. Multiple times.
Now Houston faces the unenviable task of needing a win in Costa Rica, or at worst a draw and penalty kicks. Yeah, good luck on that one.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Pugilists
Major League Soccer's toughest owner was spotted at Home Depot Center.
Oscar De La Hoya, who is reportedly close to buying a chunk of the Houston Dynamo, held a press conference at Home Depot Center to promote his next fight, a May 3 bout against Steve Forbes.
De La Hoya said the fight will be the biggest fight of his career and that he's not looking at Steve Forbes as a tune-up fight or anything like that. De La Hoya said his entire team is up in Big Bear to help him prepare for the fight and to enter the bout in tip-top shape. I would have liked to have stuck around to ask him about MLS but didn't have the chance. Between Oscar De La Hoya and Charlie Davies, all these work obligations keep getting in the way of interviews for Sideline Views.
In terms of the fight, it will be interesting to see a boxing match at Home Depot Center. It's actually going to be on the main field, not the tennis stadium. De La Hoya said that there will be somewhere around 20,000 seats priced $75 or less, which is apparently affordable for boxing.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Under new management
It looks like Houston will finally walk on its own.
Reports have surfaced that Golden Boy Promotions' Oscar De La Hoya will buy a stake in the MLS champions. According to the Houston Chronicle, De La Hoya will enter into a partnership to purchase 50 percent of the Houston Dynamo.
This is exciting news on many levels. De La Hoya and his business partner Gabriel Brener each have filthy amounts of cash, and that seems like a good thing. I mean, it's preferable to have financially stable people investing in MLS. Plus, a celebrity like De La Hoya could also draw fans of his to MLS. De La Hoya has done well since launching Golden Boy Promotions, and perhaps he could carry those promotion skills into MLS as well.
Also, the city could provide the club financial support for the possibility of a new stadium.
All these things are signs of positive financial growth within the league. Now, if some of that could trickle down to the players, things would really be great.
Reports have surfaced that Golden Boy Promotions' Oscar De La Hoya will buy a stake in the MLS champions. According to the Houston Chronicle, De La Hoya will enter into a partnership to purchase 50 percent of the Houston Dynamo.
This is exciting news on many levels. De La Hoya and his business partner Gabriel Brener each have filthy amounts of cash, and that seems like a good thing. I mean, it's preferable to have financially stable people investing in MLS. Plus, a celebrity like De La Hoya could also draw fans of his to MLS. De La Hoya has done well since launching Golden Boy Promotions, and perhaps he could carry those promotion skills into MLS as well.
Also, the city could provide the club financial support for the possibility of a new stadium.
All these things are signs of positive financial growth within the league. Now, if some of that could trickle down to the players, things would really be great.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Dynamo get their man
Houston found their replacement for Joseph Ngwenya/Nate Jaqua in the form of Franco Caraccio.
The 21-year-old Argentine is set to join the defending MLS champs soon enough, according to Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle.
Caraccio will join Houston from Arsenal de Sarandi. Arsenal won the 2007 Copa Sudamericana but Caraccio only played once during the tournament, a late-game substitute in an early-round match.
The 21-year-old Argentine is set to join the defending MLS champs soon enough, according to Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle.
Caraccio will join Houston from Arsenal de Sarandi. Arsenal won the 2007 Copa Sudamericana but Caraccio only played once during the tournament, a late-game substitute in an early-round match.
Monday, November 19, 2007
All-time great
There have been many outstanding players who have competed in Major League Soccer and several of them have led their team to MLS glory.
Houston's Dwayne De Rosario is certainly that category. He scored the game-winning goal in MLS Cup 2007 on Sunday with a timely header late in the second half. It's actually his second such goal as De Rosario scored the match-winner in MLS Cup '01.
If you were to compile an all-time MLS Best XI right now, De Rosario's inclusion would be a must.
Sometimes, you take De Rosario for granted. Other players like Christian Gomez and Landon Donovan get a lot of publicity and sometimes De Rosario is overlooked. I'll admit that I did not consider De Rosario much for my 2007 Best XI voting while I included Gomez and strongly considered Donovan.
But maybe that's because De Rosario is more about performing when the lights are on the brightest, when the stakes are the highest and someone needs to step up and perform. That seems to be when De Rosario is at his best.
De Rosario has now won four MLS Cups, a figure few others have reached. From his first one, when he came off the bench to bury the Galaxy in golden-goal extra time, to Sunday's, when before the game he was the catalyst to the defending champions' attack, De Rosario's game has improved immensely. He's got a lethal shot and produced one of the best free-kick goals I've ever seen in person when he ripped a 30-yarder against the Galaxy late in the '05 season. But he also showed his ability to finish however necessary on Sunday by whipping that header into the corner of the net.
If there is one flaw in De Rosario's game, it's clearly his post-goal celebration. That little herky-jerky chicken dance has got to go. Aside from that, though, De Rosario is hands down one of this league's all-time great players.
Houston's Dwayne De Rosario is certainly that category. He scored the game-winning goal in MLS Cup 2007 on Sunday with a timely header late in the second half. It's actually his second such goal as De Rosario scored the match-winner in MLS Cup '01.
If you were to compile an all-time MLS Best XI right now, De Rosario's inclusion would be a must.
Sometimes, you take De Rosario for granted. Other players like Christian Gomez and Landon Donovan get a lot of publicity and sometimes De Rosario is overlooked. I'll admit that I did not consider De Rosario much for my 2007 Best XI voting while I included Gomez and strongly considered Donovan.
But maybe that's because De Rosario is more about performing when the lights are on the brightest, when the stakes are the highest and someone needs to step up and perform. That seems to be when De Rosario is at his best.
De Rosario has now won four MLS Cups, a figure few others have reached. From his first one, when he came off the bench to bury the Galaxy in golden-goal extra time, to Sunday's, when before the game he was the catalyst to the defending champions' attack, De Rosario's game has improved immensely. He's got a lethal shot and produced one of the best free-kick goals I've ever seen in person when he ripped a 30-yarder against the Galaxy late in the '05 season. But he also showed his ability to finish however necessary on Sunday by whipping that header into the corner of the net.
If there is one flaw in De Rosario's game, it's clearly his post-goal celebration. That little herky-jerky chicken dance has got to go. Aside from that, though, De Rosario is hands down one of this league's all-time great players.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Clark fined and suspended
Finally, a punishment that starts to fit the crime. I was a bit worried MLS would let Ricardo Clark off easily after his cheap shot on Carlos Ruiz. But MLS slapped Clark with a nine-match ban and a $10,000 fine. Clark might not play again until next season.
There's no room for what he did here or anywhere. That's beyond bonehead. Boneheaded is what Kevin Harmse (sucker punch) and Alex Zotinca (headbutt) did to each other on Aug. 23. Clark's actions went way beyond just losing your cool. For a soccer player to kick another player like that would be akin to a hockey player taking his stick and bashing someone else or a football player taking his helmet to smack someone with it. It's Clark's most violent weapon, really, and here he is using it against another player.
To me, it doesn't much matter that it was the league's biggest flopper who was kicked. Ruiz may have provoked Clark but what he did was inexcusable and indefensible.
There's no room for what he did here or anywhere. That's beyond bonehead. Boneheaded is what Kevin Harmse (sucker punch) and Alex Zotinca (headbutt) did to each other on Aug. 23. Clark's actions went way beyond just losing your cool. For a soccer player to kick another player like that would be akin to a hockey player taking his stick and bashing someone else or a football player taking his helmet to smack someone with it. It's Clark's most violent weapon, really, and here he is using it against another player.
To me, it doesn't much matter that it was the league's biggest flopper who was kicked. Ruiz may have provoked Clark but what he did was inexcusable and indefensible.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
No verdict yet
No word yet on how long Ricardo Clark will be suspended for after his actions against Carlos Ruiz on Sunday.
In case you missed it...
There is absolutely no place in soccer for that kind of boorish and loathsome behavior. If it were up to me, I'd start by suspending Clark for the remainder of this season.
In case you missed it...
There is absolutely no place in soccer for that kind of boorish and loathsome behavior. If it were up to me, I'd start by suspending Clark for the remainder of this season.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Kudos to Houston
This is a great thing to do.
Wish more MLS teams, especially the one closest to the tragedy, would also think of some way to express solidarity and sympathy.
Wish more MLS teams, especially the one closest to the tragedy, would also think of some way to express solidarity and sympathy.
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