Dynamo Gameday Magazine by Leslie Lopez

DYNAMO vs PHILADELPHIA UNION • MARCH 19, 2011

GAMEDAY MAGAZINE VOL. 05, ISSUE 01

contents

03 welcome letter 05 Xs & Os 06 team rosters 07 projected lineups 09 who’s next? 11 2011 schedule 14 team preview 16 by the #s 18 tweets of the week 19 player q&a 21 in the community 22 international soccer 25 around the league 26 academy to play super group 27 guess the signature 28 robertson memories 29 construction update 32 dynamo on the air 36 the rookie life 41 sth of the game 42 supporters 44 diesel’s word search

TODAY ®

DYNAMO vs PHILADELPHIA UNION KICKOFF 7:30 PM PRE-GAME

• U.S. Coast Guard flyover First Kick & team photo • Boys & Girls Club participants

GIVEAWAY

Rally towels courtesy of Taco Bell

BUD LIGHT STAGE AM/FM

A Houston-based cover band that plays everything from oldies and classic rock hits to ‘80’s and ‘90’s pop, as well as modern alternative.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Natalie Foreman

Today marks the second time that Natalie Foreman has sung the National Anthem at a Houston Dynamo match. Natalie is a professional singer living in Houston and is the daughter of former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman.

HALF-TIME

• Season Ticket Holder of the Game • Taco Bell Corner Kick Contest • Brad’s Brigade Soldier Recognition • Dynamo Girls Routine presented by Pantene Pro-V • Hooters T-shirt Toss

POST-GAME

Fireworks on field

LIVE BROADCASTS

Television KHOU 11.2 TV Azteca 51 (Sunday, 7 AM) Radio KPRC 950, La Ranchera 850

DESIGN leslie lopez ENTERTAINMENT maria duran EDITORIAL jonathan yardley, jonathan kaplan PHOTOGRAPHY wilf thorne, TIM MILLER, anthony vasser, bob levey

HOUSTON DYNAMO 1001 Avenida de las Americas Suite 200 Houston, TX 77010 info@houstondynamo.com [T] 713.276.7500 [F] 713.276.7572

Dear Dynamo Fans, Welcome to the 2011 season! These are exciting times for soccer fans in Houston. We had a very busy and productive off-season: Our team went through a big transition as we said goodbye to many players from the 2010 roster and welcomed in 10 newcomers … We unveiled a classic new adidas uniform that includes our new jersey partner in Greenstar Recycling … We finalized a deal to build our downtown stadium and began construction … We made substantial progress on the development of our new practice facility … We continued to grow our season ticket and sponsorship base … and we maintained an active role in our community endeavors through Dynamo Charities. After a disappointing 2010, we felt it was necessary to build a team that is younger, stronger, faster, and more athletic. In an effort to do so, we revamped the squad with new players representing 40 percent of the roster. As a result, we have decreased the average age of our team from 28 to 24. These new players have gelled with a very strong group of returning players to form a formidable unit as we enter 2011. We are confident that we will field a competitive side and make a return to the MLS Cup Playoffs. I am excited to watch Tally Hall take the reins as starting goalkeeper behind a new-look defense, led by offseason signings Hunter Freeman and Jermaine Taylor. I am excited to see Geoff Cameron leading the attack from central midfield and Brad Davis continuing to provide outstanding service. I can’t wait to watch the debuts and growth of rookies Kofi Sarkodie and Will Bruin, both first-round draft picks, and the return to action of Colin Clark following ACL surgery. All this and much more make 2011 an exciting year to be a Dynamo fan. We are also busy building our future off the field. The fields at the Houston Amateur Sports Park will soon be ready to host training sessions for our first team and Dynamo Academy. Once open, the park will be available to the community for practices, games, leagues, tournaments, camps, clinics, and more. Dirt is moving on the site of our new stadium, and we remain on target for an opening in the spring of 2012. We will play all MLS home games next season at the new stadium and look forward to making it one of the premier sports venues in the United States. The waiting list for tickets at the new stadium next year already includes more than 5,000 names. We are excited about the future of this club and of soccer in Houston. That future starts today, with kickoff of the 2011 season, and we are glad you are such a big part of it. Wear orange, be loud, and go Dynamo! As always, thank you for your support! Forever Orange,

Chris Canetti President Houston Dynamo 3

changes to their team. They’ve had a good preseason record, and they’ve kind of stayed away, so it may be a mystery as to what’s going on, but I do know one thing: Peter [Nowak] will have his team ready to play for Saturday. JY: When you go about making your lineup for opening day, especially with this many new and young players, what plays into your thought process and how are you in terms of injuries? DK: I’m just trying to put the best team on the field to help us win that day – that’s always the thought process. As far as

Xs Os

injuries, we’re pretty good. Bobby [Boswell] should be OK, it was just a bit of sickness [in Atlanta]. We’ll see what happens with Brian and monitor his situation. With that update, we’ll have a better idea of who’s starting.

W I T H D O M I N I C K I NN E A R QUESTIONS BY JONATHAN YARDLEY

Jonathan Yardley: It’s finally time to get back on the field for another season. How was this offseason different than some of the others, and how did that affect your preseason preparations? Dominic Kinnear: First and foremost, the amount of turnover stands out the most. We tried to play as many games as possible to get these guys ready for MLS competition, but overall, the biggest thing was the amount of turnover. JY: How did you feel about the preseason and the performances you saw? DK: One thing I can say is we came out of it relatively healthy, and the results went in our favor. A bunch of guys chipped in with good goals and good minutes, so overall as we head into the season, the feeling is very positive. JY: You open up this season with Philadelphia at home, so what are you looking for in this first game and what do you expect from the Union? DK: You want to win, first and foremost. You’re at home, and you want to have the fans leave the stadium with a good feeling. You know Philadelphia is going to come in very eager and hungry to play, because we played two tough games against them last year. They’ve brought back an old friend of ours in Carlos Ruiz, so I’m sure the fans will be more than welcoming him back to MLS. Overall, they’ve made some

Student Athlete of the Game Ryan Hornback | 6-2 Baseball | Sophomore | C Sweeny | Sweeny HS Major / field of study: Kinesiology As a freshman: JUCO World Series all-tournament selection… Region XIV South All-Conference selection… Rawlings Gold Glove Award recipient… Posted a perfect fielding percentage during the regular season…Third on the squad with a .341 average… Selected in the 43rd round by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. Prior to San Jac: Guided the Bulldogs to the district championship… Two-time All-State selection. Personal: Full name is Ryan Hornback... Born in Houston... Son of George and Jackie Hornback (one brother)... Brother Riley played baseball at San Jac (20082010), and is now in the Baltimore Orioles organization... In his free time enjoys hunting and fishing. Three words that describe me: hardworker, nice, handsome My teammates would describe me as: a hardworker The most interesting place I’ve visited is: Grand Junction, Colorado The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Hard work pays off. Favorites Movie: Shooter TV Show: NCIS Book: “Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back” by Josh Hamilton Musical artist: Darius Rucker Food: Mexican Professional athlete: Evan Longoria Professional sports team: Boston Red Sox Sport (other than baseball): football Color: dark green Actress: Kiera Knightley Saying: “You’re either working hard or hardly working.”

SCORECARD

HOUSTON DYNAMO

PHILADELPHIA

UNION

Player

Pos Birthdate

Hometown

MLS Exp

Tally Hall

5/12/85

Gig Harbor, WA

Eddie Robinson

6/19/78

Greensboro, NC

Jermaine Taylor

1/14/85

Portland, Jamaica

Danny Cruz

1/3/90

Glendale, AZ

Colin Clark

4/11/84

Fort Collins, CO

Kofi Sarkodie

3/22/91

Dayton, OH

Jason Garey

7/19/84

Gonzales, LA

Brad Davis

11/8/81

St. Charles, MO

WILL BRUIN

10/24/89

St. Louis, MO

0 1

Francisco Navas Cobo

11/17/91

Houston, TX

Jordan Graye

6/15/87

Washington, DC

Cam Weaver

6/10/83

Kent, WA

Mike Chabala

5/24/84

Josue Soto

1/3/89

Fresno, CA

Monterrey, Mexico

Alex Dixon

2/7/90

Humble, TX

Geoff Cameron

7/11/85

Attleboro, MA

Hunter Freeman

1/8/85

Allen, TX

Lovel Palmer

8/30/84

Mandeville, Jamaica

Dominic Oduro

8/13/85

Pramso, Ghana

Tyler Deric

8/30/88

Spring, TX

Brian Ching

5/24/78

Haleiwa, HI

Corey Ashe

3/14/86

Virginia Beach, VA

Evan Newton

4/1/88

Virginia Beach, VA

Andre Hainault

6/17/86

Hudson, QC, Canada

Bobby Boswell

3/15/83

Tampa, FL

Player

Pos Birthdate

BIRTH PLACE

Faryd Mondragon

6/21/71

Cali, Colombia

MLS Exp

Jordan Harvey

1/28/94

Mission Viejo, CA

Juan Diego Gonzalez

9/22/80

Medellin, Colombia

Danny Califf

3/17/80

Montclair, CA

Carlos Valdes

5/22/85

Cali, Colombia

Stefani Miglioranzi

9/20/77

Pacos ed Caldas, Brazil

Brian Carroll

7/20/81

Springfield, VA

Roger Torres

7/13/91

Barrancabermeja, Colombia

Sebastien Le Toux

1/10/84

Mont-Saint-Aignan, France

Danny Mwanga

7/17/91

Kinshasa, DR Congo

Chris Agorsor

9/1/90

Severn, MD

Kyle Nakazawa

3/16/88

Torrance, CA

Amobi Okugo

3/13/91

Hayward, CA

Zac MacMath

8/7/91

St. Petersburg, FL

Jack McInerney

8/5/92

Chattanooga, TN

Carlos Ruiz

9/15/79

Guatemala City, Guatemala

Michael Farfan

6/23/88

San Diego, CA

Justin Mapp

10/18/84

Brandon, MS

Ryan Richter

4/12/89

Southampton, PA

Thorne Holder

4/4/86

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Sheanon Williams

3/17/90

Boston, MA

Zach Pfeffer

1/6/95

Dresher, PA

STaRT

SUB

Goal Assist CARD

STaRT

SUB

Goal Assist CARD

TEAM lineups 1

COACHES

Dominic Kinnear Head coach WADE BARRETT Assistant coach STEVE RALSTON Assistant coach TIM HANLEY Goalkeepers coach

T. Hall

B. BOSWELL

J. TAYLOR

K. SARKODIE

Peter Nowak Head coach

John Hackworth Assistant coach Rob Vartughian Goalkeeper coordinator

H. FREEMAN

l. palmer

j. mapp

b. davis

g. cameron

J. GAREY c. ruiz

W. bruin d. mwanga

B. CARROLL

S. MIGLIORANZI

J. HARVEY

c. ashe

COACHES

D. CALIFF

9 S. WILLIAMS

C. VALDES

F. MONdragon

s. LE TOUX

1 7

WHO’S NEXT? L O O K IN G A HE A D T O T H E N E X T O P P O N E NT

DYNAMO @ SEATTLE SOUNDERS

DYNAMO @ NEW YORK RED BULLS

WHEN? Friday, March 25 – 9 PM CT

WHEN? Saturday, April 2 – 6:30 PM CT

WHERE? Qwest Field, Seattle WA

WHERE? Red Bull Arena, Harrison NJ

LISTEN KPRC 950, La Ranchera 850

WATCH Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Deportes

WATCH KHOU 11.2 (live), TV Azteca-51 (7 AM Sunday)

RECORD VS Seattle 2-3-2 (1-2-1 regular season)

RECORD VS New York 2-4-6 (2-3-5 regular season)

WHAT’S INTERESTING? The Dynamo and Sounders renew their

WHAT’S INTERESTING? Houston gets an early crack at one

rivalry that has seen six of the teams’ seven games be decided

of the league’s highest profile teams, led by French forward

by one goal or less. Houston has yet to win at Qwest Field but

Thierry Henry and Mexican center back Rafael Marquez. Last

did earn an emotional tie there in the 2009 playoffs. Houston

year’s series featured two of the most dramatic games of the

goalkeeper Tally Hall is from nearby Gig Harbor, Washington,

season: the Dynamo lost 2-1 on the road on a last-minute free

and had one of the most memorable games of his career in

kick in June before scoring a last-minute goal of their own to

Seattle in Open Cup play in 2009. Mike Chabala, Brian Ching, and

force a 2-2 tie in Henry’s MLS debut in Houston in July.

Cam Weaver also have ties to the Seattle area.

2011 HOUSTON DYNAMO SCHEDULE Date

Day

Time/CT

Opponent

TELEVISION/OUTCOME

Mar 19

Sat

7:30 PM

Philadelphia Union

KHOU 11.2, Fs houston, TV AZTECA 51*

Mar 25

FRI

9:00 PM

@ Seattle Sounders

Fox Soccer Channel, FOX DEPORTES KHOU 11.2, TV AZTECA 51*

Apr 2

Sat

6:30 PM

@ New York Red Bulls

Apr 6

WED

7:00 PM

SPORTING KANSAS CITY (U.S. OPEN CUP) – COLLEGE STATION, TX

Apr 10

Sun

6:00 PM

Vancouver Whitecaps

KHOU 11.2, FS houston, Galavision

Apr 17

Sun

6:00 PM

New England Revolution

KHOU 11.2, FS houston

Apr 23

Sat

7:30 PM

@ Chicago Fire

KHOU 11.2, TV AZTECA 51*

Apr 29

Fri

7:30 PM

D.C. United

Fox Soccer Channel, FOX DEPORTES

May 4

Wed

7:30 PM

Colorado Rapids

KHOU 11.2, FS houston plus

May 7

Sat

6:00 PM

@ Toronto FC

KHOU 11.2, TV AZTECA 51*

May 14

Sat

8:00 PM

@ Real Salt Lake

Fox Soccer Channel, FOX DEPORTES

May 21

Sat

7:30 PM

New York Red Bulls

KHOU 11.2, FS houston PLUS, TV AZTECA 51*

May 25

Wed

9:30 PM

@ Los Angeles Galaxy

KHOU 11.2, FS HOUSTON

May 28

Sat

7:30 PM

FC Dallas

KHOU 11.2, FS houston PLUS, TV AZTECA 51*

Jun 4

Sat

9:30 PM

@ San Jose Earthquakes

galavision

Jun 11

Sat

7:30 PM

Chivas USA

KHOU 11.2, FS houston PLUS, TV AZTECA 51*

Jun 18

Sat

7:30 PM

Columbus Crew

KHOU 11.2, FS houston PLUS, TV AZTECA 51*

Jun 25

Sat

5:00 PM

@ D.C. United

GALAVISION

Jul 3

Sun

8:00 PM

@ Colorado Rapids

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes

Jul 9

Sat

7:30 PM

Toronto FC

KHOU 11.2, tv azteca 51*

Jul 16

Sat

7:30 PM

SPORTING KANSAS CITY

KHOU 11.2, tv azteca 51*

Jul 23

Sat

9:30 PM

@ Chivas USA

KHOU 11.2, FS HOUSTON PLUS, TV AZTECA 51*

Jul 27

Wed

7:30 PM

MLS All-Star Game @ Red Bull Arena

espn2, espn deportes

Jul 30

Sat

7:30 PM

Seattle Sounders

KHOU 11.2, FS houston PLUS, TV AZTECA 51*

Aug 6

Sat

6:30 PM

@ Philadelphia Union

KHOU 11.2, TV AZTECA 51*

Aug 14

Sun

8:00 PM

Portland Timbers

KHOU 11.2, FS HOUSTON, Galavision

Aug 17

Wed

7:00 PM

@ New England Revolution

KHOU 11.2, FS houston

Aug 20

Sat

7:30 PM

Real Salt Lake

KHOU 11.2, tv azteca 51*

Aug 27

Sat

6:00 PM

@ Vancouver Whitecaps

KHOU 11.2, TV AZTECA 51*

Sep 10

Sat

3:00 PM

@ SPORTING KANSAS CITY

KHOU 11.2, TeleFutura

Sep 14

Wed

6:30 PM

@ Columbus Crew

KHOU 11.2, FS houston PLUS

Sep 17

Sat

7:30 PM

San Jose Earthquakes

KHOU 11.2, tv azteca 51*

Sep 24

Sat

3:00 PM

@ FC Dallas

TeleFutura

Oct 1

Sat

3:00 PM

Chicago Fire

KHOU 11.2, TeleFutura

Oct 14

Fri

9:30 PM

@ Portland Timbers

KHOU 11.2, FS HOUSTON PLUS, TV AZTECA 51*

Oct 23

Sun

6:00 PM

Los Angeles Galaxy

KHOU 11.2, FS HOUSTON PLUS, Galavision * Sunday, 7-9:30 AM

FOR COMPLETE SCHEDULE INFORMATION, LOG ON TO HOUSTONDYNAMO.COM

ONE SHINING MOMENT {February 5, 2011} Wilf Thorne / Houston Dynamo Dynamo President Chris Canetti (center) celebrates groundbreaking on the Dynamoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new stadium with Harris County Judge Ed Emmett (left) and Houston Mayor Annise Parker (right).

DYNAMO EYE REBOUND IN 2011 the tweet and lowdown

Kinnear & co. took the offseason to re-evaluate their roster and

Youth, defense were priorities in an offseason full of change

Houston signed nine new players – four on the defensive side –

for the Houston Dynamo, but can they turn those changes into

dropping the club’s average age from 28 to 24.

2011 success?

The turnover means the club could have as many as six new

setting the scene The Houston Dynamo’s 2010 season was a perfect case study for Murphy’s Law: Everything that could go wrong, did. Head coach Dominic Kinnear has built his teams around a stout

MLSSoccer.com Team Preview BY DARRELL LOVELL

committed to getting younger and overhauling their defense.

starters on opening day. Staying healthy and getting younger will only take the Men in Orange so far: If they hope to get back to the postseason, the revamped defense will have to return to its stingy championship ways.

defense, but last year’s version allowed 49 goals and a number

key changes

of late game-winning or tying goals.

Players in: Alex Dixon (Dynamo Academy, University of North

On top of their defensive woes, the club lost stars Geoff

Carolina), Hunter Freeman (IK Start, Norway), Jason Garey

Cameron and Brian Ching to injury for long stretches, and the

(Columbus Crew), Jordan Graye (D.C. United), Will Bruin (Indiana

first Designated Player in franchise history, Luis Ángel Landín,

University), Evan Newton (Old Dominion University), Kofi

was released at midseason. Those issues combined to equal

Sarkodie (University of Akron), Josue Soto (Dynamo Academy,

the club missing the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in

SMU), Jermaine Taylor (St. George’s, Jamaica)

franchise history.

players out: Sammy Appiah (declined option), Ryan Cochrane

(New England), Richard Mulrooney (declined option), Joseph

In addition to his defensive ability, his sense of calm and play

Ngwenya (D.C. United), Anthony Obodai (declined option), Pat

out of the back has drawn praise from coaches and teammates.

Onstad (D.C. United), Adrian Serioux (declined option)

With Taylor a favorite to land a starting spot at center back,

Coaching changes: MLS all-time assist leader Steve Ralston

he has the opportunity and physical ability to have a standout

transitioned to Kinnear’s staff as an assistant, replacing departed John Spencer, who is now at the helm of the expansion Portland Timbers. Ralston joins Wade Barrett and Tim Hanley on staff.

star attraction

debut campaign in MLS.

storylines to watch Health is a concern, despite the club making significant steps to get younger. The Dynamo need proven starters Ching, Davis, and Cameron – all three missed significant time last season –

Geoff Cameron

to stay healthy to have a successful 2011.

Cameron is once again ready to take the keys to the Dynamo

All eyes will be on the revamped defense this year.

attack, and this time, he’ll do it in the spotlight. Opposing

Replenishing the D was a top priority this offseason and three

teams are well aware that Cameron is no longer just a player

positions could see new starters. Newcomers Sarkodie, Taylor,

with potential but Houston’s most complete player. Coming off

and Freeman will be counted on to play prominent roles in

an injury-shortened 2010, his preseason play has teammates

improving the second-worst MLS defense from last year.

and coaches praising his creativity, vision, and skill on the ball. If the dynamic midfielder stays healthy, he’s showing the ability to provide the same spark that former All-Stars Dwayne De Rosario and Stuart Holden once did in the center of the Dynamo attack.

unsung hero Lovel Palmer Palmer may not be a household name around the league, but he’s vital to Kinnear’s plans. The Jamaican international is a versatile midfielder – he played three of the four midfield positions in 2010 – and has the ability to impact the game from both wide and central positions. Making 24 starts last season, Palmer showed he’s willing to do

Expectations are also high for midfield duo Cameron and Palmer. The Dynamo won two championships controlling the midfield with De Rosario, Clark and Holden. The evolution of the central midfield partnership will be vital to the club’s success in 2011.

what he said “We’ve got a lot of new faces this year, and those guys have brought a great attitude. We’re going to go out and continue to play the way we do and try and keep that attitude throughout the season.” – Midfielder Brad Davis

the type of work that former All-Star Ricardo Clark did for the

if everything goes right

Dynamo. He has the ability to both cover for a young Houston

The Dynamo are looking to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs and

back line and support midfielders Cameron and Brad Davis in

build momentum ahead of their move to a new, permanent

the attack.

home in 2012. Kinnear has assembled a talented and diverse

ready for primetime Jermaine Taylor Taylor has the physical tools and experience – he has 37 caps for Jamaica – to make an immediate impact for the Dynamo. A

young group, giving the two-time MLS Cup-winning coach depth and lineup options. If everything goes right, Houston will be heading back to the postseason, with a good chance of securing one of the three automatic playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

physically imposing defender with good pace, the soft-spoken Taylor improves the athleticism on a back line that had trouble

Check HoustonDynamo.com throughout the season for game

with speedy forwards in 2010.

recaps, photo galleries, breaking news, and much more.

ByThe#s Number of rookies used by the Dynamo in five

Players signed by Major League

previous MLS openers out of 64 total players;

Soccer teams under the league’s

Geoff Cameron appeared as a substitute in

home-grown player initiative,

2008. Houston’s 2011 first-round draft picks,

which began in 2007, including four

right back Kofi Sarkodie and forward Will Bruin, could

Dynamo Academy products. Home-grown players now

see the field today.

comprise roughly six percent of all MLS players.

Percentage of Houston goals in MLS play in which Brad Davis has participated, highest in team history. With 17 goals and 46 assists out of the club’s 211 all-time tallies, Davis ranks just ahead of Brian Ching (46 goals, 15 assists).

Percentage of Philadelphia goals in which Sebastien Le Toux participated last season, an MLS record. Le Toux posted 14 goals and 11 assists out of the Union’s 35 total goals in league play. He went from being selected in the expansion draft to being named to Major League Soccer’s Best XI for 2010.

Number of Dynamo players born outside

Number of Union players born in

the United States: defender Andre Hainault

Colombia: defender Juan Diego Gonzalez

(Canada), forward Dominic Oduro (Ghana),

Alzate, goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon,

midfielder Lovel Palmer (Jamaica), and

midfielder Roger Torres, and defender

defender Jermaine Taylor (Jamaica).

Carlos Valdes.

SoccerByIves

Ives Galarcep

Did Chad Barrett really say the reason he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t score more for Toronto FC was because of lack of service? Maybe by service, he meant aim? 10 Mar

FakeSepp

Fake Sepp Blatter

Present from Sunil Gulati...it appears to be the page Morgan Freeman missed in presentation. Too late Sunil. #happybirthdaysepp 10 Mar

Chabala17

Michael Chabala

Hahahaha RT @lesterbator: Separated at birth: @Chabala17 and bad guy from The Incredibles 9 Mar

BillHamid28

Bill Hamid

Barcelona had more attempts at their own goal than arsenal did at victor Valdez.... #ithinkisawvaldeznapping 8 Mar

F OLLO W U S AT T WITTE R .CO M/ H O UST O NDYNA MO

brian

Best movie youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen in the past year

Inception

player Q&A food you could eat everyday

CARTOON youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d still watch as an adult

Chocolate chip cookies

Transformers

last concert you went to

The Fighter

KO F I

h u n t er

Linkin Park

Mexican food

Vietnamese food, specifically Pho

Kenny Chesney

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Never been but I would love to go to an Eminem concert at some point

Black Swan

in the community On March 2, Dynamo midfielders Geoff Cameron and Corey Ashe paid a visit to the children at the John & Cissy Havard Boys and Girls Club in Houston. The players spoke to the children about the importance of working hard in school and respecting each other. After a brief autograph session, Cameron and Ashe played soccer with the children, showing them some of the moves they have learned over the years. Courtesy of Taco Bell, each kid in attendance was given a ticket to the Dynamo’s opening day match against Philadelphia. “It’s always fun to come out and interact with kids,” Ashe said. “Geoff and I love giving back to the community, so it’s great to come out here, have fun with the kids, and put a smile on their faces. The important messages we wanted to share with them are stay in school, work hard, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t reach your dreams. As long as you have heart, you can do anything you want to.”

international soccer CONCACAF GOLD CUP SCHEDULE

The regional championship for national teams will be held in the United States this summer with the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The region’s top 12 teams will battle for supremacy and a spot in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. Most exciting for Dynamo fans, the tournament semifinals will be held here in Houston at Reliant Stadium on Wednesday, June 22. Tickets for the Gold Cup semifinals are on sale now! For ticket information, call

713.276.GOAL

Group A June 5 – Cowboys Stadium, Arlington TX Costa Rica v. Cuba Mexico v. El Salvador

Group C June 7 – Ford Field, Detroit MI Panama v. Guadeloupe United States v. Canada

June 9 – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte NC Costa Rica v. El Salvador Cuba v. Mexico

June 11 – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa FL Guadeloupe v. Canada United States v. Panama

June 12 – Soldier Field, Chicago IL El Salvador v. Cuba Mexico v. Costa Rica

June 14 LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, Kansas City KS Canada v. Panama Guadeloupe v. United States

Group B June 6 – The Home Depot Center, Carson CA Jamaica v. Grenada Honduras v. Guatemala June 10 – FIU Stadium, Miami FL Jamaica v. Guatemala Grenada v. Honduras June 13 – Red Bull Arena, Harrison NJ Guatemala v. Grenada Honduras v. Jamaica

Quarterfinals June 18 – New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford NJ June 19 – RFK Stadium, Washington DC Semifinals June 22 – Reliant Stadium, Houston TX Final June 25 – Rose Bowl, Pasadena CA

around the LEAGUE Chicago Fire Chicago is doing major re-tooling throughout its lineup and is not favored to reach the postseason. Columbus Crew Columbus jettisoned five starters from last year’s squad but could contend for a playoff spot despite re-building following back-to-back Supporters’ Shield titles in 2008-09.

Chiva s US A New head coach Robin Fraser is trying to turn around a club that finished last in the Western Conference last year, but the playoffs could still be out of reach. Colorado R apids The defending MLS Cup champions will try to be more consistent in the regular season and should be a force in the Western Conference.

D.C . Uni t ed In the midst of a major overhaul after finishing last in MLS in 2010, D.C. United should be much more exciting in 2011 and could challenge for a playoff spot.

FC Dalla s The defending Western Conference champions lost just four games last year and will rely on league MVP David Ferreira to keep them contending.

Spor t ing K ans a s Ci t y Formerly known as the Wizards, Kansas City could contend for a playoff spot in 2011 with a dynamic front line of Omar Bravo, Kei Kamara, and Teal Bunbury.

L A G alaxy With Landon Donovan and David Beckham providing service from midfield, the Galaxy should contend if Juan Pablo Angel or any other forward can take advantage of their chances.

New England Re volu t ion Despite finishing 13th in 2010, New England has not made a big splash with its offseason acquisitions and is not favored to reach the postseason.

P or t land Timbers John Spencer has signed several key players with MLS experience for one of the league’s expansion teams, and reaching the playoffs could be a realistic goal.

New York Red Bulls The early favorite in the Eastern Conference after finishing first last year, the Red Bulls get a full season of Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez in 2011, with Marquez slated to play center back.

Real Salt L ake One of the preseason favorites, Real Salt Lake is currently in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League and is an MLS Cup contender.

Philadelphia Union A dangerous team that edged the Dynamo 1-0-1 in the season series last year, the Union should contend for a playoff spot in their second season.

San Jos e E ar t hquakes San Jose is expected to make more additions prior to the season, but the Earthquakes will likely be battling for a playoff spot once again.

Toron t o FC Dutch legend Aron Winter takes over as head coach and is still evaluating potential signings, but Toronto is not favored to reach the postseason.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE Sunday, March 20

7 PM

NE Revolution at LA Galaxy

TeleFutura

Friday, March 25 9 PM

DYNAMO at Seattle Sounders FSC

Seat t le Sounders The Sounders have struggled to find scoring support for Fredy Montero but should still be a playoff team in 2011. Vancouver Whi t ecap s Tough to peg as another expansion team, the productivity of Vancouver’s foreign signings will likely determine if they can contend for a playoff spot.

Saturday, March 26

1 PM

3:30 PM D.C. United at NE Revolution

Portland Timbers at Toronto FC

3 PM New York Red Bulls at Columbus Crew

8 PM

San Jose Earthquakes at FC Dallas

3 PM

Vancouver Whitecaps at Philadelphia Union

8 PM

LA Galaxy at Real Salt Lake

3 PM

Sporting KC at Chicago Fire

9:30 PM Colorado Rapids at Chivas USA

TeleFutura

Dynamo Academy invited to Dallas Cup Super Group Jonathan Kaplan / HoustonDynamo.com Over the past four years, the Houston Dynamo Academy has proven itself as one of the top youth development programs in the United States. Next month, the Dynamo will be given the opportunity to prove itself as one of the top programs in the world when they compete in the U-19 Super Group of the prestigious Dallas Cup tournament. The tournament will run from April 17-24. “We have a great history with the Dallas Cup,” Dynamo Director of Youth Development James Clarkson said. “It was the first tournament the Academy entered, and we have been to the finals three times in the past four years. It is something that is on our calendar from day one, and playing in the Super Group is something we have always strived to achieve.”

“Tactically, we are going to have to be sharper in terms of the way we defend our counter-attacking,” he said. “We are playing a different caliber of team, and we are not necessarily going to have a high percentage of the ball. We will have to work harder off the ball, as these teams will provide different challenges than we face week in and week out in league play.”

The Academy’s three finals appearances include championships in the U-17 bracket in 2008 and the U-16 bracket in 2010. In 2007, recent Dynamo signing Josue Soto helped the Academy reach the championship game of its first tournament, only to fall in a shootout. This year, for the first time, the Dynamo have entered teams at the U-15, U-17, and U-19 age groups all in the same year.

To help his squad compete next month, Clarkson has called upon a former player, Dynamo first team midfielderFrancisco Navas Cobo, who represented the U.S. U-20 squad at last year’s Dallas Cup. Navas Cobo does not turn 20 until November and is therefore still eligible to compete in the U-19 bracket. Clarkson said he approached head coach Dominic Kinnear last month about the possibility of Navas Cobo joining his squad for the tournament and, much to Clarkson’s delight, Kinnear was open to the idea.

“We feel we have a really exciting group of players in the 15s that can be very successful and give us a good look going forward,” Clarkson said. “Previously we have only taken one team, so for us this is a huge undertaking. In terms of talent, we feel we have the depth to take three teams and represent well.”

“He is genuinely excited to play with us,” Clarkson said. “We hope he comes in and has a professional attitude, on and off the field. He was a great asset to us when he played with the Academy previously, and we think this will be a great test for him to play within his age group against top teams in the world.”

Although all three teams will compete against worldclass competition, only the U-19 group will compete in the tournament’s Super Group. This year’s group includes Arsenal, Barcelona, and Eintracht Frankfurt. Twelve other clubs round out the sixteen-team field, including three other MLS Academy programs – Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Dallas and Real Salt LakeArizona. The Dynamo will face Brazilian club Coritiba, German side Eintracht Frankfurt, and Costa Rican team Alajuelense in group play. Brazilian clubs have won four of the last six Super Group titles.

With the Academy’s spring season set to resume on April 30, the tournament will also serve as an opportunity to play competitive games as the squads head into the home stretch of the season. Currently, the U-16 and U-18 squads sit on the outside looking in of the USSF Development Academy playoffs, and a strong showing at the Dallas Cup could be the push they need to make a late-season run.

“We are finally in it, and we just hope to represent Houston and MLS well,” Clarkson said. “These are the caliber of teams we feel we should be playing, and this is another opportunity for us to expose our players to the highest level of soccer.” 26

Having said that, Clarkson understands his team will have to perform at a higher level than normal if they want to compete against the teams at the Dallas Cup.

“The timing is great,” Clarkson said. “It really sets us up for our preparation to hit the ground running when the academy league starts again. Our main focus of the year is still to be successful in our season, and this tournament serves as ideal preparation for our 18s. The experience of playing against the first team was a great start to the year, and now with this experience added on, I expect 2011 to be a great year for the Academy.”

The Houston Dynamo Youth Programs, presented by Statoil, provide support and tuition to local soccer players through a variety of year-round training options. The progressive system of development provides a challenging curriculum that allows players of all ages and abilities to discover the game under close supervision of our experienced staff. Players are encouraged to aspire toward success and for outstanding individuals, clear routes exist to advance to our renown Academy and, ultimately, to the first team. Center of Excellence programs offer high level training to advanced players and provide a direct route into the Houston Dynamo Academy. Players are challenged to increase game intelligence through a variety of small-sided activities. Experienced and qualified Dynamo coaches expose and guide players to the level required for Academy and collegiate level play. Dynamo Camps are aimed at all players looking for a challenging soccer experience or a fun introduction to the game. In age and ability specific groups, led by experienced and qualified Dynamo coaching staff, players will be motivated to achieve through ageappropriate soccer activities. Through Dynamo Camps, players receive the individual attention to technique that is required to become more confident and expressive on the field. For more information or register for a Dynamo Youth Program, visit HoustonDynamo.com/preacademy

Robertson Stadium The Dynamo begin their final season in Robertson Stadium today, with plans to move into the club’s new stadium in the East End for the 2012 season. The club has created a lot of great memories at Robertson over its first five years, and throughout the 2011 season, the club will be looking back to some of those moments. Five-star start April 2, 2006 Dynamo 5:2 Colorado Rapids By Jonathan Yardley/HoustonDynamo.com We start with, appropriately enough, the first game in Dynamo history. Less than four months after the team’s move from San Jose was announced, Dynamo players and coaches drove to work unsure what kind of reception they would get. They were blown away by the crowd and its fervor, as more than 25,000 fans squeezed their way in (many not making the opening kickoff due to crowd congestion) for a very auspicious debut. Brian Ching gave the Dynamo the lead just 13 minutes into the game, deflecting a Wade Barrett cross that rolled inside the far post, and the club was off and running in Houston. By halftime, Ching had netted a hat trick – with Brian Mullan and Dwayne De Rosario assisting on both goals –to put Houston up 3-1 and almost instantly become the face of the franchise. “From a personal standpoint, it was fun,” Ching says now. “From a team standpoint, it was great to get us off to a great start in a year we did well.” Although Colorado cut the score to 3-2 early in the second half, Ching struck one more time to etch his name in Dynamo lore and become the seventh player in league history to score four goals in a single game. Alejandro Moreno sealed the deal with a bicycle kick in stoppage time to complete a memorable seven-goal thriller and cement a 5-2 win. “The very first game is probably my favorite home game,” Dynamo defender Eddie Robinson says. “We got a lot of good fans on our side from the get-go, and it was just a fun night.”

It was only the first of many fun nights for the Dynamo at Robertson Stadium.

STADIUM CONSTRUCTION The new Dynamo stadium will be a state-of-the-art, open-air stadium designed to host Dynamo matches as well as additional sporting and concert events. When it opens in 2012, the 22,000-seat stadium will be the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer located in a cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s downtown district. Construction on the stadium is underway, transforming the site from city blocks to soccer haven. This page will be updated with construction pictures all season. P h o t o s by W i l f T h o r n e / H o u s t o n Dy n a m o

Feb. 22, 2011

MAR. 4, 2011

MAR. 11, 2011

More information is available at DynamoStadium.com

Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a 100-watt bulb for 20 hours, a computer for 3 hours, or a TV for 2 hours.

dynamo ON THE AIR Dynamo games and programming in 2011 can be seen and heard on a wide variety of stations. KHOU 11.2 will air 26 regular season games and additional ancillary programming throughout the season. Of those 26 games, 16 will be simulcast on either FOX Sports Houston or FOX Sports Houston Plus. Veteran soccer broadcaster Glenn Davis will call the action. For Spanish viewers, each of the Dynamo’s Saturday games that is not televised nationally will air Sunday morning from 7-9:30 a.m. on TV Azteca-51 in the Houston area, with Danny Gonzalez on the call. On the radio, Dynamo games can be heard in English on Clear Channel stations SportsTalk 790 and 950 AM, with Jonathan Yardley providing play-by-play, and in Spanish on 850 La Ranchera with Daniel Mejia. Additionally, HoustonDynamo.com will feature highlights, exclusive interviews, and more throughout the season. Here’s where you can catch the Dynamo over the next few weeks:

TUNE IN

Sa t urday , M arch 19 12 midnight TV KHOU 11.2 Dynamo Rewind – vs. Philadelphia (120 mins.)

Sa t urday , A pril 2 6 PM Radio 850 AM Houston Dynamo at New York Red Bulls (150 mins.)

Sunday , M arch 20 8 PM TV KHOU 11.2 Dynamo Rewind – vs. Philadelphia (120 mins.)

6:30 PM TV KHOU 11.2 Houston Dynamo at New York Red Bulls (120 mins.)

M onday , M arch 21 7 PM Radio SportsTalk 790 Dynamo All-Access with Glenn Davis (120 mins.) 7 PM Radio La Ranchera 850 La Hora del Dynamo (60 mins.) F riday , M arch 25 8:30 PM Radio 950 AM Houston Dynamo at Seattle Sounders (165 mins.) 8:30 PM Radio 850 AM Houston Dynamo at Seattle Sounders (150 mins.)

Sunday , A pril 3 7 AM TV TV Azteca-51 Houston Dynamo at New York Red Bulls (150 mins.) 8 PM TV KHOU 11.2 Houston Dynamo at New York Red Bulls (120 mins.) M onday , A pril 4 7 PM Radio 850 AM La Hora del Dynamo (60 mins.)

9 PM TV Fox Soccer Channel Houston Dynamo at Seattle Sounders (120 mins.)

W edne s day , A pril 6 7 PM Online HoustonDynamo.com Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting KC (120 mins.)

9 PM TV Fox Deportes Houston Dynamo at Seattle Sounders (120 mins.)

7 PM Radio SportsTalk 790 Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting KC (120 mins.)

M onday , M arch 28 7 PM Radio SportsTalk 790 Dynamo All-Access with Glenn Davis (120 mins.)

Thur s day , A pril 7 7 PM Radio SportsTalk 790 Dynamo All-Access with Glenn Davis (120 mins.)

7 PM Radio La Ranchera 850 La Hora del Dynamo (60 mins.)

F riday , A pril 8 9 PM TV KHOU 11 Dynamo Weekly (30 mins.)

Sa t urday , A pril 2 6 PM Radio 950 AM Houston Dynamo at New York Red Bulls (165 mins.)

12 midnight TV KHOU 11.2 Houston Dynamo at New York Red Bulls (120 mins.)

SAN JOSE ORIGINALS {MARCH 1, 2011} TIM MILLER Five years after moving their families and lives to Houston from San Jose, three players remain on the Dynamo roster from the old Earthquakes: Brian Ching, Brad Davis, and Eddie Robinson.

LI F E With the youngest roster in team history, rookies are expected to have an increased role in the Dynamo’s 2011 season. Here is HoustonDynamo.com’s look at the Dynamo’s two MLS SuperDraft picks, selected four picks apart in the first round of

#8 KOFI SARKODIE Defender, 5-8, 185 lbs. Born March 22, 1991, Dayton OH University of Akron

the January 13, 2011 draft.

2011 MLS SuperDraft, Round 1 (No. 7)

#12 WILL BRUIN

HD.com: What is your earliest soccer memory?

Forward, 6-2, 194 lbs. Born October 24, 1989, St. Louis MO Indiana University 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Round 1 (No. 11) HD.com: What’s your earliest soccer memory? Will: My earliest soccer memory is obviously playing for St. Louis Scott Gallagher and winning states around U-8, U-9. HD.com: What is your most memorable soccer moment prior to joining the Dynamo? Will: I’d probably have to say winning the Big Ten regular season title at Indiana. HD.com: What emotions went through your head when your name was called at the draft, and it was Houston, and everything started? Will: I was very excited. I was also relieved I didn’t have to sit through the rest of the picks, so that was a big weight off my shoulders. HD.com: What are some of your hopes and goals for 2011? Will: I just want to get on the field, see if I can get some playing time, and put some balls in the back of the net.

Kofi: I was playing club soccer, and it was 2-2 with literally a minute left in the game. I made a 50-yard run all the way into the box, a guy chipped it across, diving header – goal. I must have been 14. HD.com: What is your most memorable soccer moment prior to joining the Dynamo? Kofi: There are two, and they were back-to-back. Scoring the winning PK in the quarterfinals to take my team to the College Cup, and then in the semifinal against Michigan scoring the winning goal to take us to the final. HD.com: So your name gets called and you go hold up the Houston jersey for the first time. What’s going through your head? Kofi: It was just surreal. I knew I was projected to go kind of high, but I didn’t know where I was going to go. When I heard the Houston Dynamo call my name, it was like, ‘Alright, it’s time to get started.’ HD.com: What are some of your hopes and goals and expectations for 2011? Kofi: One of the goals is to get on the field and become a regular starter and really give the team as much as I can like I did at Akron: getting up and down the sideline, putting

For more on these players and other Dynamo newcomers, log on to HoustonDynamo.com 36

in quality service, and getting assists and goals. First and foremost I want to find my niche on the team and then help us hopefully get to the playoffs and win MLS Cup.

corporate teammates Dynamo Corporate Teammates receive a selection of valuable benefits including season and group tickets, game program and website recognition, and a Dynamo jersey signed by their player.

AVAILABLE 713.276.7500

www.adamelaw.com

Danny Cruz #5

Corey Ashe #26

Howard Safe & Lock

www.enbridge.com

Andre Hainault #31

www.howardsafeandlock.com

Kofi Sarkodie #8

Harrisburg Eye Clinic & Optical

AVAILABLE 713.276. 7500

713.928.3375 www.igloocoolers.com

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Bobby Boswell #32

Brad Davis #11

Tally Hall #1

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Josue Soto #18

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Will Bruin #12

Tyler Deric #24

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Geoff Cameron #20

Alex Dixon #19

Mike Chabala #17

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Evan Newton #28

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Jermaine Taylor #4

Francisco Navas Cobo #13

Hunter Freeman #21

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www.idlp.com Cam Weaver #15

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Dominic Oduro #23

www.memorialcitymall.com www.merida-restaurant.com

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Brian Ching #25

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Colin Clark #7

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Jordan Graye #14

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Eddie Robinson #2

student of THE GAME The Houston Dynamo Student of the Game program provides South Texas youth soccer leagues and clubs with an education-based curriculum designed to further enhance players, coaches and parents knowledge and appreciation of soccer. The Student of the Game program motivates and educates youth soccer coaches and players through coaching clinics, appearances and other benefits provided by Dynamo coaches and players. Listed below are the prestigious leagues and clubs who have been selected as 2010 Student of the Game Partners.

community partners The Dynamo Community Partnership program was developed to assist the meeting needs of various local 501 C(3) non-profit organizations serving at-risk and disadvantaged children in the area. Participation allows companies to give back to their communities through the purchase of Kicks for Kids tickets, which are donated to local childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charities. These valuable donations allow children to enjoy a positive, moralebuilding experience at Robertson Stadium. The Dynamo encourage participating charities to establish good citizenship and educational incentives as a means of selecting the deserving children to attend each game. Please support the below list of companies that have demonstrated, through their support of this program, a sincere social responsibility and an appreciation of the communities they serve.

For more information on THESE PROGRAMS, please call 713.276.7500

Jean Pfluger Section 132 D 1-2

Season of the Ticket Holder GAME

Three great things about being a Dynamo Season Ticket Holder:

1. The Dynamo! Win or lose, they leave it on all on the field every night! I love it when the players walk to the end lines and clap to the supporters after each game. 2. The fans! Dynamo fans look like Houston. Old, young, black, white, Anglo, Hispanic doesn’t matter; we’re all orange on game nights. 3. My husband! One of the reasons we bought season tickets was to have regular “date nights.” I guess it works; we celebrated our 20th anniversary on March 16.

adult soccer IN HOUSTON Houston Football Association HFA welcomes all men to join the best men’s soccer league in Houston. Created in 1978, the HFA now has 90 teams spread over 9 divisions and an O30/O40 league. For information please visit www.hfasoccer.com or call 713-984-7658.

Houston WomEn’s Soccer Association Established in 1976, HWSA promotes women’s and coed amateur soccer in the greater Houston area. We offer high quality amateur soccer in five competitions -- Women’s Open, Women’s Over 30, Open Coed Sunday, Open Coed Monday, and Coed Over 30 7v7. Players of all levels are welcome. Visit www.hwsahouston.org

Thirty Over Recreational Soccer Organization TORSO creates a positive and competitive soccer experience for adult players over 30 years of age. Our co-ed team structure provides a great opportunity for men and women to compete as individuals, couples, or a family. Visit www.torsosoccer.org 41

El Batallon • Texian Army • Brickwall • La Bateria H o u s t o n Dy n a m o . c o m / s u p p o r t e r s

DIESEL’S SEARCH

R V I A B L G Z J P C E S N O R F M X I U A C P A D I E S E L B Z

BRIAN CHING

C Z J T A V H N G J I

PENALTY

O B P E N A L T Y U F S D W U C B X H Q N M

DIESEL

I N L S H J D V B I E

SOCCER

A P T C I M U R E O X

DYNAMO

Z M D Y N A M O B N J K F W U G S H E Z T C 44

FIND THESE WORDS!

UNION