Stuart Holden has left USMNT camp and returned to Houston due to an injury. More information as I get it.
Also, just wanted to apologize for the downtime between posts. Alot has happened over the last week and I promise to get to it all shortly (Felix, 09 schedule, etc.).
Monday, February 2, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Bobby is BACK!!!!!; Goodbye Magnum PI
Just got word that Bobby Boswell will be wearing orange for the good guys again! The Dynamo announced today that the Dynamo Defender of the Year, Iron Man of the Year and Fans Player of the Year signed a multi-year deal to return to The Rob. This is great news for the team and the fans.
At the same time, the team announced that they have traded Patrick Ianni to Seattle for a conditional pick in next years SuperDraft. The pick will be a third rounder unless Ianni plays 20 or more league and playoff games. If he does, the pick is upgraded to a second round slot. Since PI went to non-GA status during the off-season, he became a high-cost, low-production liability for both the team and the front office. It was obvious to most that if Boswell did re-up, Magnum was most likely a goner.
So what does this mean to the lineup in 09? I would imagine that Richard Mulrooney lost his starting right back position before he even got comfortable. I see James starting at right back with Roon backing up both James and Rico. It looks like Rico could potentially miss quite a few games because of USMNT duty (WCQ, Gold Cup & Confed Cup), so depth will be key again this year. Now let's go get El Chaco and we will be ready to roll!
At the same time, the team announced that they have traded Patrick Ianni to Seattle for a conditional pick in next years SuperDraft. The pick will be a third rounder unless Ianni plays 20 or more league and playoff games. If he does, the pick is upgraded to a second round slot. Since PI went to non-GA status during the off-season, he became a high-cost, low-production liability for both the team and the front office. It was obvious to most that if Boswell did re-up, Magnum was most likely a goner.
So what does this mean to the lineup in 09? I would imagine that Richard Mulrooney lost his starting right back position before he even got comfortable. I see James starting at right back with Roon backing up both James and Rico. It looks like Rico could potentially miss quite a few games because of USMNT duty (WCQ, Gold Cup & Confed Cup), so depth will be key again this year. Now let's go get El Chaco and we will be ready to roll!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Dynamo Sign Tally Hall
The Chronicle is reporting that the Dynamo have signed Tally Hall, a San Diego State product that has spent the last few years in Denmark with Esbjerg. Hall was original drafted by the Gals in 2007 and was a member of the U-23 squad that made a trip to Japan with Bob Bradley in February of that same year.
While at San Diego State, Hall was a Semi-finalist for the Hermann Trophy and a 2-time All-American.
Here is the link to the Chronicle's story: Tally Hall
While at San Diego State, Hall was a Semi-finalist for the Hermann Trophy and a 2-time All-American.
Here is the link to the Chronicle's story: Tally Hall
Monday, January 19, 2009
2009 Pre-Season Schedule Released
This was posted on MyDynamo.net earlier:
With the start of training camp just two weeks away, we are excited to bring you the Dynamo's preseason schedule! As details become finalized, we will post each game in the events section and, once it is up, on HoustonDynamo.com's 2009 schedule page. The early games against FC Dallas remain tentative, and we do not know if spectators will be permitted, but we will keep you posted. Here is a rough itinerary for the Dynamo in February and March:
02/02 - First day of practice
02/06 - @ FC Dallas (Frisco TX)
02/09 - vs. FC Dallas
02/12 - @ LA Galaxy (Carson CA)
02/15 - @ SJ Earthquakes (3 p.m. CT; Central Coast Showcase, San Luis
Obispo CA)02/18 - Hammarby (Carson CA)
02/24 - vs. Atlante (9 p.m. CT; CCL quarterfinals, Robertson Stadium)
02/28 - vs. Montreal Impact
03/03 - @ Atlante (9 p.m. CT; CCL quarterfinals, Cancun MEX)
03/07 - @ Austin Aztex (7:30 p.m. CT, Austin TX)
03/11 - vs. SMU
03/14 - vs. TBA
03/16 - Dynamo Charities Countdown to Kickoff luncheon
03/17-19 - possible dates for CCL semifinal first leg if Houston qualifies
03/21 - vs. Columbus Crew (7 p.m. CT, MLS First Kick 2009, Robertson Stadium)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Daniel Cruz to Dynamo with 41st overall pick; Hermann Award winner in 4th Round
Great move by the Dynamo to snag this GA midfielder in the 3rd round. Here is the college bio on Cruz. A little short at 5'8"-5'9" but it seems that the U-20 USMNT player has a high ceiling. The youngest Generation Adidas player available, the Glendale AZ native just turned 19 on January 3rd, so the Orange are getting someone that they can bring along slowly either at ACM or forward. Great story about Danny's unusual soccer career here.
EDIT: The Dynamo surprised a few people with their 4th round pick - Hermann Trophy winner Marcus Tracy. Yes, the same Marcus Tracy that looked horrible in the NCAA Championship game. And the same Marcus Tracy that looked like another player with two first names in the Semi-Final game (OK - maybe not him ...). And yes, the same Tracy that has been linked to Danish side Aalborg. If he leaves, the Dynamo wasted a 4th round pick. If he stays, this could be highway robbery.
EDIT: The Dynamo surprised a few people with their 4th round pick - Hermann Trophy winner Marcus Tracy. Yes, the same Marcus Tracy that looked horrible in the NCAA Championship game. And the same Marcus Tracy that looked like another player with two first names in the Semi-Final game (OK - maybe not him ...). And yes, the same Tracy that has been linked to Danish side Aalborg. If he leaves, the Dynamo wasted a 4th round pick. If he stays, this could be highway robbery.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
First Pre-Season Friendly Announced
3/7 - Austin Aztex at Nelson Field - 7:30pm
Sounds like a good mini-road trip to get the juices flowing before the regular season starts. Of course, the matches against Atlante on 2/24 and 3/3 should go along ways towards getting my blood a' boilin'. Need to start my lung exercises before the end of January to get ready.
My wife just advised me that I will be Las Vegas that day. Crap.
Sounds like a good mini-road trip to get the juices flowing before the regular season starts. Of course, the matches against Atlante on 2/24 and 3/3 should go along ways towards getting my blood a' boilin'. Need to start my lung exercises before the end of January to get ready.
My wife just advised me that I will be Las Vegas that day. Crap.
WANTED: GK Coach, Equipment Manager plus .... EL CHACO!!!
With the announcement this week that GK Coach Mike Toshack has left to go to TFC, yet another opening has, well, opened in the clubhouse. Head equipment man Beau Abdulla tendered his resignation last week and is headed to Africa to do some very important and fulfilling work. I wish Beau well ... Toshack not so much.
Toshack might have had one of the easist jobs under Dom since Onstad doesn't really need much coaching. Although he can be credited with Wells' progression while he was with the Dynamo, he can also be blamed for recommending Tony Caig. Out of all the available keepers everywhere in the world, Caigger turned out to be nothing more than a human traffic cone. Tell me in what universe outside of hockey should a keeper ever (EVER) make a chest save???? Caig will be easily forgettable and hopefully the next backup signed will be someone that can take over after Pat retires. Now that I think about it, why even hire a GK coach? Just have a youngster serve under Onstad for the next year or so and just soak up the knowledge.
Still searching for a striker and a center back. I have begun to wonder if the FO is waiting until after the draft to see if a decent MLS vet or two becomes available on waivers. Maybe this will be an opportunity to trade all of our picks for the next 2 years!!! If they can get someone like Cameron in a lower round each year, who cares if we ever have a first rounder.
On another note ... Andrea Canales has a great article containing an interview with my favorite hopeful Dynamo addition. Dreaming of El Chaco.
Toshack might have had one of the easist jobs under Dom since Onstad doesn't really need much coaching. Although he can be credited with Wells' progression while he was with the Dynamo, he can also be blamed for recommending Tony Caig. Out of all the available keepers everywhere in the world, Caigger turned out to be nothing more than a human traffic cone. Tell me in what universe outside of hockey should a keeper ever (EVER) make a chest save???? Caig will be easily forgettable and hopefully the next backup signed will be someone that can take over after Pat retires. Now that I think about it, why even hire a GK coach? Just have a youngster serve under Onstad for the next year or so and just soak up the knowledge.
Still searching for a striker and a center back. I have begun to wonder if the FO is waiting until after the draft to see if a decent MLS vet or two becomes available on waivers. Maybe this will be an opportunity to trade all of our picks for the next 2 years!!! If they can get someone like Cameron in a lower round each year, who cares if we ever have a first rounder.
On another note ... Andrea Canales has a great article containing an interview with my favorite hopeful Dynamo addition. Dreaming of El Chaco.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Boswell makes debut for Antalyaspor; Ngwenya still with team
Bobby Boswell made his debut for Turkish side Antalyaspor today in their 0-2 defeat to Nurnberg of the 2.Bundesliga. The friendly was played in Antalya and also revealed the fact that the much rumored exit of Joseph Ngwenya has not yet taken place. Ngwenya started up front while Boswell earned his non-league debut as one of the starting central defenders. More information as it becomes available.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Antalyasport for BB; JoJo leaving Turkey; Landin remains in Mexico; Mulrooney in at RB
Looks like other blogs have broken the story about Boswell in Turkey. Seems he is looking to settle down in the coastal town of Antalya until the end of the current season (apparently that is when Antalyaspor will be relegated to Bank Asya 1. Lig based on their current downward spiral).
At the same time, it looks like the Scorpions will be bidding adieu to a former Dynamo forward, with the rumor that Joseph Ngwenya is on his way out. JoJo has only seen time in 3 games since joining the southwestern Turkey side, scoring one goal. In the year or so that Ngwenya left for Europe and the big dollars, he has played in only 4 first team matches, the other being during his short stay with SK Austria Karnten. I am discounting the German Supercup appearance with Bayern Munich.
Cruz Azul has snapped up Landin, so it looks like the Dynamo will have to look elsewhere for that 3rd forward. Surely they won't go into training camp with only Ching, Kamara, CWondo and Ustruck up top. Anybody for El Chaco?? Anybody??
One last item ... it looks as if Richard Mulrooney will indeed go into the season as the starting right back for Houston. Not sure if Waibel is being demoted, is retiring (if so, I am hoping that he joins Charlie Palillo in the booth for all TV games and is on the radio for non-televised matches) or is moving on to another team. I really think this is the end of the road for the most fan-friendly player the Dynamo has seen in it's short existence. But can you think of a better person to lead the Dynamo community relations staff? Hopefully the Warrior will remain in Houston in some capacity.
At the same time, it looks like the Scorpions will be bidding adieu to a former Dynamo forward, with the rumor that Joseph Ngwenya is on his way out. JoJo has only seen time in 3 games since joining the southwestern Turkey side, scoring one goal. In the year or so that Ngwenya left for Europe and the big dollars, he has played in only 4 first team matches, the other being during his short stay with SK Austria Karnten. I am discounting the German Supercup appearance with Bayern Munich.
Cruz Azul has snapped up Landin, so it looks like the Dynamo will have to look elsewhere for that 3rd forward. Surely they won't go into training camp with only Ching, Kamara, CWondo and Ustruck up top. Anybody for El Chaco?? Anybody??
One last item ... it looks as if Richard Mulrooney will indeed go into the season as the starting right back for Houston. Not sure if Waibel is being demoted, is retiring (if so, I am hoping that he joins Charlie Palillo in the booth for all TV games and is on the radio for non-televised matches) or is moving on to another team. I really think this is the end of the road for the most fan-friendly player the Dynamo has seen in it's short existence. But can you think of a better person to lead the Dynamo community relations staff? Hopefully the Warrior will remain in Houston in some capacity.
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