There are some stories in life and sports that force us to re-evaluate what is important. This is one of those stories. It is the story of a young man whose courage, determination and heart has touched the lives of professional athletes from all over Major League Soccer and beyond. Evan Mundine, a 13 year old boy from Texas has found a way to connect with athletes in the best ways possible.

There are some stories in life and sports that force us to re-evaluate what is important. This is one of those stories. It is the story of a young man whose courage, determination and heart has touched the lives of professional athletes from all over Major League Soccer and beyond. Evan Mundine, a 13 year old boy from Texas has found a way to connect with athletes in the best ways possible.

With the Houston Dynamo's preseason well under way, it's not surprising that last night's Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis on Sports Talk 790 in Houston featured interviews with Geoff Cameron, Dominic Kinnear, and Eddie Robinson. If you missed last night's show, you can catch up via the podcast:

Dynamo all access 1 30 2012 Hr 1: Geoff Cameron joins Glenn on the show to talk about the National team and his performance.

With the Houston Dynamo's preseason well under way, it's not surprising that last night's Dynamo All Access with Glenn Davis on Sports Talk 790 in Houston featured interviews with Geoff Cameron, Dominic Kinnear, and Eddie Robinson. If you missed last night's show, you can catch up via the podcast:

Dynamo all access 1 30 2012 Hr 1: Geoff Cameron joins Glenn on the show to talk about the National team and his performance.

It seems like just yesterday the Dynamo played for the MLS Cup in Los Angeles, in fact it was only 66 days ago, but time waits for no one and the new season must get underway. Yesterday at the team's training facilities, the Dynamo did just that, kicking off the 2012 season with the opening of pre-season camp.

The defending Eastern Conference champion Dynamo began preseason camp for the first time in franchise history without the services of club icon Brian Ching and Eddie Robinson. It was definitely odd not to see those important players running around. Speaking of forwards, the Dynamo are still trying to lure a veteran forward in Great Britain [.

In his eleven seasons playing in MLS, Eddie Robinson has only played for one team. In 2001, Robinson signed on with the San Jose Earthquakes and he stayed with the team when it moved to Houston in 2006 and was rechristened as the Houston Dynamo. During his tenure, Robinson became a fan favorite for his rough, no nonsense style of defense, despite the fact that he was prone to injury and being carded.

In his eleven seasons playing in MLS, Eddie Robinson has only played for one team. In 2001, Robinson signed on with the San Jose Earthquakes and he stayed with the team when it moved to Houston in 2006 and was rechristened as the Houston Dynamo. During his tenure, Robinson became a fan favorite for his rough, no nonsense style of defense, despite the fact that he was prone to injury and being carded.

photo by Nick Turchiaro/ISIphotos.com

After uncertainty clouded his future with Toronto FC, Joao Plata is staying right where he is.

One of MLS's most technically-gifted players, Plata has agreed to re-sign with Toronto FC on a multi-year deal.

Four time MLS Cup champion defender Eddie Robinson, one of the last remaining original Dynamo, announced his from professional soccer today. Robinson came with the team in 2006 when they moved from San Jose and was a key part of the team's two championships. Injuries have limited Robinson the last couple seasons, but his retirement from the game does not mean we'll be seeing any less of E-Rob around Houston.

No holds barred: Retiring Houston defender Eddie Robinson is one of a kind

Former Dynamo broadcaster Jonathan Yardley offers an excellent retrospective on the career of Eddie Robinson. Definitely worth your time.

Stage 2 of the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft is done and there is a bit of Dynamo new to report. While Houston themselves passed with their selection, defender Hunter Freeman was selected by the Colorado Rapids in the second round. The Rapids now have seven days to offer a new contract to Freeman. Jason Garey and Eddie Robinson, the only other Dynamo players available for selection were not picked and the Dynamo declined the option to retain either player.

There was a time when I liked a couple players in the MLS Re-Entry Draft for the Seattle Sounders to pick up in Stage Two and talk into less money. First Bobby Boswell renegotiated with the Houston Dynamo and then Bobby Convey went to Sporting Kansas City at a cut rate (rumors say 200K$). Now the list of available players is absent of the really appealing names.

The Houston Dynamo did not select a player during today's first stage of the Re-Entry Draft. The 2nd stage will be held next Monday.

While 16 teams passed with their picks, three did make moves. Chivas USA selected forward Arturo Alvarez from Real Salt Lake, defender Carlos Mendes moves from the New York Red Bulls to the Columbus Crew and Danleigh Borman was selected by the New England Revolution from Toronto FC.

Well this is going to piss off some Dynamo fans. Just days after protecting Bobby Boswell in the expansion draft, the Dynamo declined his 2012 contract option. They could of course be hoping to re-sign Boswell at a lower wage, but I doubt this is going to sit well with fans after the loss of Brian Ching, who was left exposed in the expansion draft.

Here is the official list of protected vs. unprotected players the Houston Dynamo released. I like who's been protected and unprotected generally, but I have a few quibbles (below).

HOUSTON, TX. (Monday, November 21, 2011) - The Houston Dynamo have announced their 11-player protected list for the 2012 Expansion Draft to take place on Wednesday, November 23 at 2 p.

Houston Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis has been named to Major League Soccer's Best XI, league commissioner Don Garber announced today. It is the first career Best XI selection for Davis, a finalist for the 2011 MVP award, which will be announced on Nov. 18, and a four-time MLS All-Star.

The MLS Best XI recognizes the league's top 11 players at each position on the field - one goalkeeper, three defenders, five midfielders, and two forwards.

Joe Paterno seems like he's been coaching forever. In fact, I think he has. But it took until Saturday for him to finally pass Eddie Robinson to become the winningest coach in college football NCAA Division I history. After Penn State beat Illinois, Paterno owned a record 409 wins.

Following the game, Paterno didn't try to play down the meaning of the record.

At this point, what more can you really say?

The Houston Dynamo host the San Jose Earthquakes tomorrow night at Robertson Stadium desperately needing points to stay ahead of the trip of teams with games in hand who sit right on their tails in the standings. The Dynamo are holding on to a playoff spot by the slimmest of margins and anything less than the full three points against the Quakes really won't cut it.

Houston Dynamo (8-9-11, 35 pts.) vs. Columbus Crew (11-9-7, 40 pts.) Crew Stadium - Columbus, OH - 6:30pm
BROADCAST INFORMATION: KHOU 11.2 (ENG TV) FOX Sports Houston Plus (ENG TV) KPRC 950 (ENG Radio) La Ranchera 850 (SPN Radio)

REFEREE: Chris Penso - MLS Career: 10 games; FC/gm: 23.

Luckily, the team we're going to be facing in this video is not the one with Red in the name, but rather the one in red jerseys.

Among the things I'm seeing here that I hope Dynamo exploit on Saturday night:

1. Woeful defending. I think the next time TFC play together as a unit will be the first time.

It's still strange talking about the Dynamo in relation to the Eastern Conference, but when the Columbus Crew come to town this weekend, it's a battle for conference playoff positioning. Houston sits in third place, tied with the Crew on 18 points, but ahead on goal differential. It's these matches type of home matches that will ultimately decide the Dynamo's season so needless to say, Saturday's match is important.

Alright, so one win doesn't solve all the problems or suddenly make everything better...but it sure feels nice to be looking back at a Dynamo victory after seven matches without one. There are still some points that need to be discussed but this team needed a win and they went out a got it on Saturday against Chivas USA.

Houston Dynamo players Will Bruin, Eddie Robinson and Bobby Boswell will be on hand at the adidas store inside the Houston Galleria on Sunday, June 12 from 3-5pm to meet fans, sign autographs and take photos with Dynamo supporters.
The players are supporting the launch of the all-new adiPower Predator cleat, the latest version in the legendary cleat line.

Don't be fooled by the 2-1 final score...it was never really that close.

The match got off to a "great" start with an inexplicable decision by Jorge Gonzalez to deny the Dynamo a clear advantage and instead whistle play dead for a free kick. His quick whistle cost Houston a 2 on 1 break on goal.

Gabriel Ferrari had a shot deflect off Houston defender Eddie Robinson for an own goal, and Martin Rivas scored twice as the Chicago Fire topped the Houston Dynamo, 3-0, in MLS Reserve League action on Sunday morning.

Rivas, a 19-year-old Argentine trialist, is hoping to catch on with an MLS club after trialing with D.

Houston Dynamo v Sporting Kansas City Aggie Soccer Stadium - College Station, TX - 7:00pm CT
BROADCAST INFO:
HoustonDynamo.com (Web Feed)
SportsTalk 790 (ENG Radio)

This is the first time the Dynamo have been forced to go through U.

Despite my best efforts, my confidence and optimism about the 2011 Dynamo season was slightly shaken after the loss to the Philadelphia Union last Saturday. Fortunately, with their next match only two days away, there really isn't time to dwell on it...which is usually a good thing.

The Dynamo hit the road for the first time this season and travel to Seattle to face a Sounders team that has twice as many reasons to be concerned as the Dynamo.

First Kick 2011 for the Houston Dynamo is on three days away and to continue to prepare our readers for the new season, myself and new writer Fuzion have been joined by Jordan Wise from SB Nation Houston to offer our thoughts. We each give our preferred projected lineup, thoughts on individual positions and answer some key questions about what to expect this year.

I noticed there seemed to be a severe lack of FanPosts, so I figured I'd drum up a worthwhile series to read and write some stuff myself. Who knows? Maybe someone will actually comment on it or gain some valuable insight they didn't otherwise have before. Or maybe not. More after the jump.

This series will take a look at the four basic positions – GK, D, M and F – and the players that the Dynamo currently have in those positions.