The Zygo Soccer Report

And Now It's Time for Something Completely Different

2013-05-21T19:25:00.000-05:00

Well, not something completely different, but it is time for a change, time to shake things up here and get out of a rut, time to broaden the scope of this blog.

For close to a year now, for a variety of reasons, I've felt pretty burnt out on soccer and have felt the need to pull back. What I've learned in this time is that I'm less cynical and jaded when I get soccer in smaller doses and on my time and terms.

I'll still post about soccer here, in fact, I'll touch on an MLS development a bit later in this post, but I intend on posting about other topics too, such as arts, food, entertainment, other sports, books, etc. I know some die hard soccer types don't appreciate this kind of mixing of topics, too bad.

So first topic of the day is that the NFL announced that Houston will be the host of Super Bowl LI in February of 2017. It's about time NFL, it'll have been 13 years since Houston last hosted the Super Bowl, time to realize Houston wasn't to blame for Janet Jaackson's "wardrobe malfunction."

I grew up a Houston Oilers fan, it was painful, but I was still 100% Luv Ya Blue. I've never really hidden the fact that I'm a fan of NFL football and admire, most of the time, how the league went from being a little sister of the poor not only to Major League Baseball but also to college football and grew into the financial and entertainment juggernaut of the American sports world.

Meanwhile, Don Garber and MLS made their own announcement today, a 20th MLS team has been selected and it will be NYC FC, which will join the league in 20015. The team is a joint venture between the New York Yankees and Manchester City FC. As of now, it's not clear where the team will locate its stadium. While the Corona Park location in Flushing Queens has come up as a potential location for a soccer stadium, but it's not clear that MLS is completely sold on that idea. It does seem likely that the team might play some matches at Yankees Stadium in the Bronx. I wouldn't be surprised if they try to push for a Brooklyn location.

I didn't do a scientific study on soccer fan/media reaction to this decision, but it does seem that a large number of people are unhappy with this decision, with the possible exception of people who have been long time rivals of RedBull New York, the team located in Harrison, New Jersey.

I really don't have much problem with the decision to put "another" MLS team in the New York City region. Even with a lovely new stadium in Harrison, RedBull has not managed to capture of the attention of many New Yorkers or created the type of fan base that the Jets and Giants have, a fan base willing to travel to the Meadowlands for home games.

MLS needs a strong presence in the New York City area, will NYC FC bring that? Who knows, but sometimes you just have to roll the dice.

Well, that's all I have for today. With this new format I should be posting more, not always about soccer, not always about multiple topics, not always etc.

You're Cold War Throwback Friday Goals for April 12, 2013

2013-04-12T07:38:00.000-05:00

The Champions Leagues were dominated by teams from Germany, Spain, and Mexico; Baby Kim is saber rattling; and the Iron Lady is gone, time for a throwback to the Cold War edition of your Friday goals.

More after the jump:

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Roma's Francisco Totti & Michael Bradley Star in VW Commercial

2013-04-11T07:13:00.001-05:00

Volkswagen has recently started airing a commercial in Italy, as part of its Viva il Calcio campaign, featuring Roma's Francesco Totti and Michael Bradley playing of the language divide with each making attempts at speaking the other's language.

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Your Friday (U.S. Soccer) Goals For April 5, 2013

2013-04-05T07:29:00.000-05:00

Bale and Messi are hurt, Real Madrid conquers Istanbul, and the United States Soccer Federation celebrates 100 years by taking over Times Square today, it's time for your Friday goals, but with a twist.

More after the jump:

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Your Friday Goals for March 22, 2013

2013-03-22T07:35:00.000-05:00

El Capitán is headed back to Dallas, turmoil in the United States National Team's locker room, March Sadness is underway, and World Cup Qualifying resumes, it's time for your Friday goals.

More after the jump:

Video: Real Madrid ping pong

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Your Friday Goals for March 15, 2013

2013-03-15T07:15:00.000-05:00

Barcelona proves that it's not dead yet, Galatasary fans try to tunnel into a stadium, the Charlie Stillitano rants about the EPL team bias of English language UEFA broadcasts, and Leonardo proposes to Anna Billo on tv, it's time for your Friday goals:

Video: Kozak completes hat-trick as Lazio moves on

More after the jump:

Video: Cassano goal gives Inter hope

[Video] All of Totti's 225 Serie A Goals

2013-03-14T08:09:00.002-05:00

Earlier this month, Roma forward Francisco Totti picked up his 225th Serie A goal in a match against Genoa. That goal tied Totti with Gunnar Nordahl for second place on Serie A's all-time scoring list. Totti, who is 36, made his debut with Roma back in 1993 and was part of Italy's 2006 World Cup winning squad.

The number one all-time scorer in Serie A is Silvio Piola, who scored 274 goals. Totti has indicated a desire to play into his 40s and to beat Piola's record, it seems unlikely that will happen, but only time will tell.

Here is a video of all of Totti's 225 goals, almost an hours worth of goals:

Santos Laguna Knocks Houston Dynamo Out of Champions League

2013-03-14T07:24:00.000-05:00

The Houston Dynamo went into last night's 2nd leg CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals tie against Santos Laguna at Estadio Corona with a 1-0 aggregate lead, but by the end of the night, the Dynamo gave up 3 unanswered goals and were booted from the competition.

Santos evened up the score 1-1 in the 23rd minute when Juan Pablo Rodriquez picked up the rebound goal after Tally Hall had blocked Rodriquez's penalty shot. Five minutes later US National Team forward Herculez Gomez picked up the lead, and the winning goal, for Santos.

During the first half, the Dynamo were hampered by sloppy play and mental mistakes, and although they started to show some offensive life in the second half, their hopes of advancing were dashed by a Marc Crosas goal in the 77th minute.

With the loss to Santos, the Dynamo are out of the 2012-2013 CONCACAF Champions League and return their focus to the MLS regular season. This Sunday, the Dynamo take on F.C. Dallas in Frisco, Texas. The match, which begins at noon local time, will be broadcast on ESPN2.

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Houston to Host 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup Double-Header

2013-03-14T07:02:00.001-05:00

On Wednesday, March 13th, the Confederation of North, Central America, and the Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announced the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup groups and schedule, with Houston being awarded Group B games featuring El Salvador vs. Haiti and Honduras vs. Trinidad & Tobago at BBVA Compass Stadium on Monday, July 15th. The doubleheader will kick-off at 6:00 p.m. The complete schedule can be found online at the official Gold Cup website.

The 2013 Gold Cup final will take place at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, July 28th at 3:00 p.m. CST. As previously announced, the Rose Bowl will host the opening doubleheader of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sunday, July 7th, which will feature reigning Gold Cup champion, Mexico taking on Panama as part of that doubleheader.

Tickets for CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B doubleheader games will be available to the general public starting on Thursday, March 21 at 10:00 a.m. and will be available online at the BBVA Compass Stadium website, AXS, and the Gold Cup website, or by calling 888-929-7849. Tickets are also available at the Ticket Office, open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

“We look forward to a successful tournament and an exciting 2013 Gold Cup final on July 28, right here at Soldier Field,” said CONCACAF President, Jeffrey Webb. “We also expect yet another competition fueled by passionate fans brought together in a celebration that will hopefully inspire a whole new generation of players.”

Mexico will anchor Group A, which begins play on July 7th, in a doubleheader that kicks off with Canada taking on Martinique at 4:30 pm CST the Rose Bowl. Honduras will lead Group B the following day, facing Haiti at Red Bull Arena on July 8th, with El Salvador and Trinidad & Tobago facing off earlier in the evening. The United States will play the following night, July 9th at Portland's JELD-WEN Field against Belize in Group C, which also will include Costa Rica vs. Cuba in the first match of the doubleheader.

The 2013 Gold Cup quarterfinals will be played in Atlanta's Georgia Dome and Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium, both first-time hosts in the tournament. The semifinals will head to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX on Wednesday, July 24.

With a mix of historic venues and brand new state of the art soccer facilities that average 57,000 spectators, the 2013 edition of the Gold Cup promises to provide fans both in stadium and at home with unforgettable atmospheres. In 2011, the tournament drew more than 600,000 fans throughout 13 match-days, including nine sell-outs. Taking place every two years, the Gold Cup has established itself as the region's most popular national team tournament, routinely drawing capacity crowds and millions of television viewers across the region. It features the confederation’s best players from the top 12 nations.

2013 CONCACAF GOLD CUP™
GROUP A: Mexico, Panama, Canada, Martinique
GROUP B: Honduras, El Salvador, Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti
GROUP C: USA, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba

The above is from a press release from BBVA Compass Stadium.

Your Friday Goals for March 8, 2013

2013-03-08T07:27:00.000-06:00

The 2013 MLS season has started, Real Madrid has bumped Manchester United from the Champions League, and David Beckham road the bench for PSG, it's time for your Friday Goals.

Video: Bale header gives Spurs early lead

Video: Quagliarella extends Juventus lead against Celtic

More after the jump:

Video: Rusescu penalty gives Steaua 1-0 advantage

Mexican & Nigerian National Teams to Play Friendly at Reliant on May 31st

2013-03-06T10:16:00.001-06:00

Obtained from a Press Release issued by SUM:

The Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF) and Soccer United Marketing (SUM) announced on Wednesday March 6, 2013 that the Mexican National Team will face the current Africa Cup of Nations champion, Nigeria, on Friday, May 31 (9:00 p.m. ET) at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. The match, presented by Allstate, will be the third of five games as part of Mexico’s annual U.S. tour, now in its 11th year.

An exclusive Visa pre-sale for the game will begin Thursday, March 7 via www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets, which start at $30, will go on sale to the general public on Monday, March 11 at 10:00 a.m. ET on www.Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 and at all Houston-area Ticketmaster locations, including all Houston-area Fiesta stores. The Federación Mexicana de Fútbol invites fans to use their Visa cards.

Mexico has played 12 matches at Reliant Stadium since 2003, averaging nearly 60,000 fans per appearance. The last time El Tricolor featured against an African opponent at Reliant in 2010, Mexico defeated Angola 1-0 before a crowd of 70,099.

The upcoming May game against Nigeria will be crucial for Mexico head coach, Jose Manuel de la Torre, as it will be the team’s final preparation match before two June Hexagonal CONCACAF World Cup qualifying round matches. Following the qualifiers, Mexico – the reigning CONCACAF Gold Cup champions – will then head to Brazil to participate in the FIFA Confederations Cup. In Brazil, El Tricolor will face the home team, Italy and Japan in the group stage. Mexico will return to U.S. territory to defend their title in the bi-annual CONCACAF Gold Cup, which Mexico will inaugurate on July 7 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Nigeria was crowned champion of the 2013 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the final, and will also travel to Brazil in July to participate in the FIFA Confederations Cup where they will face Spain, Uruguay and Tahiti in the group stage. Nigeria, currently leading Africa’s World Cup qualifying, has won the Africa Nations Cup on three occasions and also has participated in four World Cup tournaments. Mexico and Nigeria have met three times with a 1-0-2 record in favor of Mexico. The two teams last met in October of 2007 in an international friendly, with the match ending in a 2-2 tie at the Estadio Olimpico Benito Juarez in Chihuahua, Mexico.

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While there is no secret that El Tri has a substantial fan base in the Houston area, Houston also has a sizable Nigerian community likely eager to support the current Champions of Africa.

Dynamo Start First Leg of Champions League Quarterfinals With 1-0 Win

2013-03-06T07:22:00.002-06:00

Photo by Nigel Brooks.

The first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals began in Houston, Texas with the Dynamo hosting Mexico's Santos Laguna at BBVA Compass Stadium.

On the whole, much of the match seemed fairly balanced with both teams being unable to take advantage of opportunities presented as a result of defensive breakdowns on both ends of the pitch. In the end though, it was Brad Davis, who had some less then stellar set pieces, that picked up the game winning goal in the 89th minute.

The Dynamo's newest player, Andrew Driver, had a golden opportunity to score a second goal almost immediately after Davis' goal, but Driver lost control of his feet and went down, untouched, in the box.

While a 1-0 win at home is a good result to start with, the Dynamo have to defend their lead, and hope to extend their lead, down in Torreón on Wednesday March 13th at 7:00 p.m. central time. The good news for the Dynamo and its fans is that the Dynamo do not have an MLS match this week, so they have plenty of time to rest and prepare for the second leg of this quarterfinals match-up.

Houston Dynamo Start 2013 MLS Season with a 2-0 Win over DC United

2013-03-03T12:53:00.000-06:00

Photo by Nigel Brooks.

The Houston Dynamo kicked off the 2013 MLS Season at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday March 2nd with a 2-0 victory over D.C. United, with Ricardo Clark having a role in both goals.

Over 20,000 soccer fans showed up in the eastend of Downtown Houston on a chilly, windy winter evening to get a first glimpse of how the team that lost the last two MLS Cup finals is shaping up for their next run at the MLS Cup final. The first half was a bit sluggish as both teams tried to shake off the last of the off-season rust. As the first half clock moved past the thirty minute mark, the Dynamo's offense was pressing the attack and a foul on Ricardo Clark set up a penalty kick for Brad Davis in the 40th minute; however, it was a poor clock and United keeper Bill Hamid guessed correctly, blocking the shot. This was Davis' third missed penalty kick in a row. Television viewers felt that the foul took place outside of the box and that it should not have been a penalty, but following the match, Ricardo Clark said that he felt it was in the box.

The first goal of the match came in the 80th minute on a corner kick. The goal was initially credited to Ricardo Clark, but a review of the play showed it to be an own goal by United defender James Riley. Clark finally got his goal 8 minutes later, thanks to an assist by Warren Creavalle, who had just substituted in for Brad Davis.

With Saturday's victory, the Dynamo continued their regular season dominance of D.C. United with an 8-0-1 record and 19 goals to United's 4 goals. In Saturday's match, United was not credited with a single shot on goal.

The Dynamo's next match is at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday March 5th when they host Santos Laguna in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.

The Dynamo do not have another league match until St. Patrick's Day when they travel to Frisco, Texas to face F.C. Dallas at noon central time. Dallas also opened the 2013 season at home on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Colorado.

Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, Sporting Kansas City beatdown the Philadelphia Union, 3-1; the Vancouver Whitecaps pulled off a 1-0 victory over Toronto F.C.; Columbus Crew rolled over reborn Chivas USA, 3-1; and the Montreal Impact picked up a 1-0 away win against the Seattle Sounders.

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The National Anthem was sung by Asli Omar, lead singer of the Tontons, here's some Tontons for those who are not familiar with the Houston band:

Houston Dynamo Odds & Ends - March 1, 2012

2013-03-01T09:37:00.000-06:00

The 2013 MLS season starts tomorrow, Saturday March 2nd, and the Houston Dynamo will be hosting D.C. United at BBVA Compass Stadium. Click here to purchase tickets. It's been a somewhat busy week for the Dynamo as they get ready for the new season and another shot at the MLS Cup.

Contracts have been a big issue this week with Brian Ching and Mike Chabala getting new contracts and Chris Canetti getting a contract extension.

Brian Ching signed his new contract sometime within the past 24 hours. This is a one season contract, and it is clear that this will be Brian Ching's final season as a player for the Houston Dynamo, but that doesn't mean that the native of Haleiwa, Hawai’i (on the lovely island of O'ahu) will be leaving the Dynamo after this season. The contract provides that Ching will be a player/assistant coach, opening the door to a future on the coaching staff or being in the front office.

Ching was a member of the old San Jose Earthquakes team that made the move to Houston in 2006, and his long tenure and star power here in Houston puts him the same realm of former Astros players Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell.

“We are happy to keep Brian on the team,” said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. “Throughout his career, Brian has been a key part of who we are. He has also been an important player on the field and in the locker room.”

“(Houston) is where I always wanted to be,” said Ching. “I was completely optimistic that we would get this deal done. I wanted to come back and play again, so I’m looking forward to continuing the same role I finished the season with last year and hopefully making a difference on the field.”

“It’s nice to formally wrap up Brian’s contract for 2013. Having him here was never in question; it just took some time to iron out the details. He is an integral part of our club today and will be into the future,” said Dynamo president Chris Canetti.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Houston Dynamo CEO Chris Canetti signed a contract extension that will keep him as the team's President for three more years. Canetti first joined the Dynamo front office when he became the Chief Operating Officer in 2006, and was promoted to President when Oliver Luck left the role to become the Athletic Director at the University of West Virginia in 2010.

“Under Chris’ leadership, the Dynamo have not only achieved some of the most successful seasons (on and off the pitch) in MLS history, they have truly been a model franchise for all of professional sports,” said Tim Leiweke, President & CEO, AEG, managing partners, Houston Dynamo. “While waiting years to open one of the great soccer stadiums, Chris continued to set records for attendance and revenue and now, with BBVA Compass Stadium, we have no doubt that with Chris guiding the organization, the best is yet to come for the Houston Dynamo franchise and their fans.” Leiweke continued: “On behalf of Oscar De La Hoya, Gabriel Brener, and Phil Anschutz, we could not be more pleased to ensure that Chris will remain with the Dynamo for years to come.”

“I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to continue to lead this great club into what is a very bright future,” said Canetti. “I love coming to work every day and am committed to helping the Dynamo achieve the highest levels of success. I’d like to thank our ownership group for its confidence in me and for all of the support they have given over the years.”

An old face signed a new contract with the Houston Dynamo, it was announced on earlier this week that Mike Chabala, who was invited to trial with the club during preseason, and will now be much needed depth on the back line. Read more about Chabala rejoining the Dynamo at Dynamo Theory.

On Monday, the Dynamo unveiled their new jerseys:

This season will mark the first season the Dynamo have included the Texas flag on their kit.

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Resolutions for the 2013 MLS Season

2013-02-28T13:51:00.004-06:00

With Major League Soccer set to start the 2013 season this weekend, I felt it was time to suggest some resolutions for the forthcoming season. Some of these might not be acceptable to some (or maybe a large amount) of MLS fans, but I am of the opinion that trying to abide by these resolutions would result in the 2013 MLS season being an enjoyable season, for us all.

Stop Saying "We Need to Grow the Game":

A battle cry from the soccer media and soccer fans in the United States is that, "We must grow the game!" Well, we can't really grow the game, the game will grow organically, in the same manner that the NFL and NBA managed to grow organically out of the shadow of Major League Baseball. Organically growing the game is essentially on MLS and, to a lesser extent, U.S. Soccer. Put out a good, accessible product and the game will grow.

MLS fans and U.S. Soccer fans bemoan what they call "Euro Snobs," bemoan how you're likely to find more Manchester United fans at the soccer bar than MLS fans. Well, that supports my argument, EPL, La Liga, and UEFA have all managed to provide a good, polished product that has, thanks to the internet and cable television, managed to grow big fan bases in the United States, as well as elsewhere in the world.

For a number of reasons, primarily financial, MLS still has lots of growing to do to reach those levels of popularity. It's not going to happen overnight, not if you want MLS to create a solid financial foundation, but MLS has come a long way since 1996, it'll get there.

Finally, let's be honest, efforts to grow the game can often be counterproductive because too many soccer fans can become annoying evangelical zealots that tend to turn away sports fans who are not soccer fans.

Stop Complaining about Lack of National Television Coverage:

There's a simple truth about sports broadcasting in the United States that many MLS fans do not seem to comprehend, and that is the fact that no major sports league has all of its games broadcast on national television. Not MLB, not NBA, not NHL, and not even NFL.

Thanks to contracts with NBC Sports Network and ESPN2 about two MLS matches per matchweek are broadcast nationally. Additionally, almost every MLS team, if not all MLS teams, have contracts with regional channels and networks that broadcast all of their non-nationally broadcast matches.

This is pretty much how it is in MLB and NBA. While NFL does have broadcast contracts with CBS and FOX, many of those games are only shown in specific regions. Only the Sunday, Monday, and Thursday night games are truly national broadcasts.

I don't have the time or inclination to do a statistically breakdown on the percentage of league games in each league that are nationally broadcast, but face it MLS fans, MLS is not getting a cold shoulder on the national broadcast landscape.

Stop Complaining when National Television Coverage is Delayed by Another Sport:

Sometimes sports games and events go over their scheduled time, sometimes that means you're going to miss the start of an MLS game. One most occasions, due to contractual obligations, the network cannot leave the prior game or event to go to the MLS game before that prior game or event is over.

But here is the good news for you, when an MLS game goes over it's scheduled time, the network is staying with the MLS game and not switching to the game or event scheduled to follow the MLS game.

Stop Complaining about American Football Lines on the Soccer Field:

Do you want MLS teams to make money so that they can pay better salaries, attract better talent, improve the product, grow the game? Then learn to live with American Football lines on MLS pitches.

For teams with their own stadiums, leasing them to college and high school football teams and tournaments is a good source of revenue. Get used to the lines, they'll be showing up every fall.

As a side note, MLS is not the only place you see those lines - they're also in some stadiums in Mexico, plus some teams in Europe share stadiums with rugby teams, which have similar lines.

Forget about promotion and relegation:

It's not a viable option, not right now. The current lower soccer leagues in the United States are in too much turmoil and uncertainty that promotion to MLS would just hurt MLS and relegation from MLS will hurt league revenue and investment.

While many "resolutions" that MLS seems to want to push seem to be geared towards creating a more "family friendly" environment, these resolutions are geared more to trying to get MLS fans to be more realistic about MLS and the business world it exists in, to be happy with how far MLS has come, and to learn to sit back and enjoy the ride, cause the destination will be worth it.

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Your Friday Goals - February 22, 2013

2013-02-22T07:29:00.000-06:00

Another week of European Nights, another bad outing by Arsenal, Carlos Ruiz is back in MLS, it's time for your Friday goals:

Video: Muntari extends Milan's lead over Barcelona

Video: Jones equalizes for Schalke before halftime

More after the Jump:

Video: Boateng goal stuns Barcelona

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Houston Dynamo to Unveil 2013 Uniforms at Event on Monday

2013-02-22T07:01:00.001-06:00

On Monday February 25th, the Houston Dynamo will unveil their new, official 2013 uniforms at a launch party being held at The House of Blues, located at 204 Caroline St. in downtown Houston.

The uniform launch event is free and open to the public. The event will begin at 5 p.m. and feature Dynamo players modeling the new home and away uniforms, goalkeeper jerseys, and training tops. Other highlights of the event will be Dynamo Girls and the first broadcast of CSN’s Dynamo Weekly show. The 2013 uniform unveiling is the first event in a series of activities scheduled for next week, dubbed March to Soccer week.

Valet parking is available at House of Blues. Private lots and street parking are also available around the venue.

I'm Done With Landon Donovan

2013-02-21T07:47:00.000-06:00

I'm done with Landon Donovan.

I'm done with his sabbatical.

I'm done with his Major League Soccer "return."

I'm done with his lack of passion.

I'm done with his lack of heart.

I'm done with his pouting.

I'm done with his unrealized potential.

I'm done with his body language.

I'm done with his lack of genuine displays of emotion.

I'm done with his monotone way of talking.

I'm done with the speculation.

I'm done with the Livia Soprano of U.S. Soccer.

I'm done with the what could have beens.

I'm done with the apologists.

I'm done with the accolades.

I'm done with the leniency.

I'm done with him not fighting harder.

I'm done with his penalty kick routines.

I'm done with him on the United States National Team.

I'm done with Landon Donovan.

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I reserve the right to change my mind and opinion based on the future performances of Landon Donovan.

Houston Dynamo Sign Andrew Driver & Trade Je-Vaughn Watson

2013-02-20T13:11:00.000-06:00

With just over a week before starting the 2013 MLS season, the Houston Dynamo have made a couple moves as they get closer to solidifying their roster for the start of the season. On Tuesday February 19th, the Dynamo traded Jamaican International Je-Vaughn Watson to F.C. Dallas for a second round pick in the 2015 SuperDraft. While some might think the Dynamo are getting the raw end of that deal, the trade was primarily made to open up an international roster slot for today's signing of English midfielder Andrew Driver.

Driver, 25, has been playing for Heart of Midlothian F.C. in the Scottish Premier League since 2006. The Dynamo acquired Driver from Hearts on a loan deal.

“Andrew is good at taking people on, he crosses a good ball and can take set pieces,” said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. “He is a hard-working player and I think he will definitely fit in with the team. He has a good attitude on the field and is versatile. He can play on the left or right side of midfield.”

“I am very excited about the opportunity to come and play for the Dynamo,” Driver said. “I have followed MLS over the years and Houston has stood out as one of the top teams. I know a lot of success has been because of the work of Dominic Kinnear, so I am delighted to have the chance to learn from him and improve as a player under him.”

“It’s always exciting to add a young international player with talent and experience,” said Dynamo President Chris Canetti. “Andrew will add valuable depth to the squad at a time when we are set to face a heavy load of games between MLS and Champions League."

The Dynamo start the 2013 season on March 2nd, when they host D.C. United at BBVA Compass Stadium.

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U.S. Soccer Player Robbie Rogers Comes Out, Steps Away from Football

2013-02-15T12:50:00.002-06:00

Today, on his website, U.S. Soccer player Robbie Rogers acknowledged on his website that he is gay and that he was stepping away from the sport of soccer.

Rogers, who is only 25, has played for Heerenveen, Columbus Crew, Stevenage, and Leeds United, as well as earning 18 caps with the United States National Team. Earlier this year, he left Leeds Unit in a mutual agreement with the club.

In the world of masculine sports, it is not easy for a male athlete to come at and tell the world that he is gay, so I applaud Robbie Rogers for his decision, for his bravery in being honest to his family, friends, fans, and more importantly for being honest to himself.

I wish Rogers would not end his career as a soccer player though; at the age of 25 he still has lots of good playing years left in him. If Rogers is making the decision to retire because he's concerned about how his teammates and opponents would receive him, I wish he'd reconsider. While soccer has its fair share of machismo mentality, it is also the sport that seems to have developed more acceptance of the LGBT community, especially Major League Soccer. In fact, I think MLS is much more progressive on this issue than any of the leagues in Europe, and if Rogers were to sign with an MLS club, he'd experience very little negativity from players and fans.

That being said, based on his statement, it appears that Rogers used soccer as a refuge from having to acknowledge the truth to himself, to others. If he feels he needs to retire in order to discover who he is, what he wants, then who I am to question that decision?

Godspeed Robbie Rogers, many of us soccer fans hope to see you on the pitch again, but we know it's more important for you to find happiness first.

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Your Friday Goals - February 15, 2013

2013-02-15T07:37:00.001-06:00

It was a week of European Nights and Valentine's Day, but now it's time for your Friday Goals:

Video: Bale scores second free kick against Lyon

More after the jump:

Video: Oscar breaks deadlock against Sparta Prague

Video: Umtiti scores stunner at White Hart Lane

Houston Dynamo Sign Bryan Salazar to a Homegrown Contract

2013-02-14T14:07:00.000-06:00

On Thursday February 14, 2013, the Houston Dynamo announced that they have signed Dynamo Academy forward Bryan Salazar to a homegrown contract. Salazar becomes the fifth player from the Dynamo Academy to sign a professional contract with the Dynamo first team. Per team and league policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Salazar, a senior at Houston area Fort Bend Bush High School, has been in the Dynamo program for six years, having progressed from the Dynamo Junior Academy as a 13-year-old up to playing for the Dynamo U-18 squad over the past two years. The Houston native has traveled with the Academy to tournaments in El Salvador, Mexico, and the Netherlands. Salazar was also part of the Dynamo Academy U-16 squad that won the 2010 Dallas Cup.

“When I joined the Junior Academy six years ago, I was told this was my chance to become a professional soccer player and I’m excited this day has arrived,” Salazar said. “I want to thank everyone at the Dynamo Academy that has helped me achieve my dream of playing for the Dynamo and I look forward to continuing my career under Dominic Kinnear.”

This season, Salazar has scored nine goals in 14 games for a Dynamo U-18 squad, which has won seven of its last nine matches and is in second place in its division. At the USSF Development Academy Winter Showcase in December, the 5-foot-9 winger scored five goals in three matches, including two goals each against the Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes U-18 squads.

“Bryan is an exciting young player,” said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. “When he gets the ball, he is not afraid to run at defenders. He has put up some good numbers with our Academy teams and I think he has a very promising future. We want him to succeed as a person and a professional and we will do everything we can to make sure that happens.”

Salazar will finish high school and continue to play with the Dynamo Academy before joining the Dynamo full time this summer. Salazar is tentatively scheduled to travel to Charleston with the team this weekend for their first match of the Carolina Challenge Cup.

The Dynamo Academy, presented by Statoil, was launched in 2007 as a way to develop local talent in the Houston area with the goal of signing players to the Dynamo. Since 2007, four players have been signed to Dynamo homegrown contracts: goalkeeper Tyler Deric and midfielders Francisco Navas Cobo, Alex Dixon, and Josue Soto. Deric recently re-signed with the Dynamo after leading the team to a first place finish in the 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Of the other homegrown players that have signed with the Houston Dynamo, only Alex Dixon remains a member of the club.

The Houston Dynamo begin their 2013 MLS season by hosting D.C. United at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday March 2nd.

Portions of the above were taken from a Houston Dynamo press release.

[VIDEO] Gus Johnson's Champions League Debut

2013-02-14T07:38:00.000-06:00

On Wednesday February 13, 2013, Gus Johnson made his Fox Soccer Channel debut by doing the play-by-play in the network's broadcast of the Champions League match between Real Madrid and Manchester United. The match ended in a 1-1 draw and on the whole, I think Gus Johnson did a good job on the broadcast. Was he perfect? No, but then who is, especially their first time calling a game in a sport that they're still new too.

I admit that I did not watch the match, rather I listened to it via SiriusXM FC, which aired the audio from the FSC broadcast. That makes my experience a bit different from those who watched it, but I was able to keep up with what's going on fairly well with just the audio.

I'm not in the mood the debate the pluses and minuses of what FOX is doing in its efforts to groom Gus Johnson for its upcoming World Cup finals coverage. There's been plenty of that lately, much of it irrational, insular, and disconnected from the realities of the business of sports in the United States. I'll make no bones about the fact that I've long wanted Gus Johnson to start covering soccer and I'm happy that FOX has made this move to get him into the booth for high level soccer matches.

So, without further adieu, here's the highlights of Gus Johnson's Champions League debut:

Your Friday Goals - February 8, 2013

2013-02-08T07:11:00.001-06:00

This week The Hex began in CONCACAF with the US losing to Honduras and Jamaica holding Mexico to a draw, plus Fox announced that the great Gus Johnson will be doing soccer play-by-play, but now it's Friday, time for some goals.

El Tri: Francisco 'Maza' Rodriguez Shoots the Bird

2013-02-07T09:39:00.001-06:00

While Mexico did not lose in its opening match of The Hex, a 0-0 draw against Jamaica at the Estudio Azteca in Mexico City was not the way that El Tri wanted to start the last stage of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup Finals in Brazil. But not only were the Mexican players frustrated by the Reggae Boyz on the pitch, but they were frustrated by the boos emanating from the Mexican fans filling up the stadium.

It seems that the frustration took the better of Mexico's captain Francisco 'Maza' Rodriguez, who shot the bird at a live television camera as he left the pitch after the match. Today Maza is trying to claim the gesture was a result of a "finger injury," well I call bullshit on that. Was that scowl also a result of an injury, huh Maza? I don't mind when athletes let their emotions get away from them and they make an obscene gesture or hurtle some foul language, but I do hate when they try to cover it up with lies. Be a man Maza, admit you were pissed off and you weren't thinking straight.