Having now had time to digest the news Kris Boyd rejected an offer from Houston Dynamo that Dom Kinnear and the front office worked on diligently only to later accept a reportedly hastily-assembled one from Portland Timbers, it's time to flesh out possible reasons why. Granted, there's still a bit of acid reflux felt by some fans of the Naranja, but at least getting a first round draft pick out of Portland soothes the situation like Pepto Bismol.

First the good.
In acquiring Danny Cruz, United looks to have settled the flank depth question, initially addressed by the drafting of Nick DeLeon as Pontius' backup. A regular starter for the MLS Cup finalists from Houston, Cruz provides excellent cover for Najar, who will likely be away for Olympic and possibly World Cup duty with Honduras and may even attract interest from abroad this summer.

Geoff Cameron has been a standout for the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer, and has not only lead the Dynamo into the MLS Cup this past season, but also received a recent call-up to the US National team.
His play is worthy of national team consideration, but it's his presence and positive attitude that have been key components in his success.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

The Montreal Impact wasted little time in making it known who they would take with the first pick in Tuesday's MLS Supplemental Draft.

With their selection, which is akin to the first pick in the third round of the SuperDraft had the main event not been shortened, the Impact took Charlotte winger Evan James, a skilled, Canada-born midfielder who performed well at the combine after helping the 49ers to the NCAA championship game.

Somehow, it works out so I am off during the MLS SuperDraft 2012, and thus I've taken on the responsibility of live-blogging the first (and maybe) second round. It's being aired on ESPN2, TSN2 and RDS2 at 11AM CST. That means there are about 3 hours remaining until the Montreal L'Impact -- barring any trades or moves, are on the clock for the 1st overall selection in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.

Free agent Scottish striker Kris Boyd, formerly of Rangers, Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest and most recent, Eskişehirspor, is apparently considering an offer from the Dynamo, at least according to Bryan Swanson of Sky Sports.

Boyd is 28-years old and has a fairly strong goal scoring record from his Rangers days, including three 20+ goal seasons.

Dom Kinnear - Combine Spotlight from Soccer By Ives on Vimeo.

A quick hit from Soccer By Ives. It's nice to hear Dom's voice discussing the MLS Combine, especially the part on the end where he talks about draft day trade possibilities. We all remember what happened last year, which makes so many MLS mock drafts have less predictive value than a Magic 8 Ball.

Welcome to the 2011 Creamsicles: The Dynamo Theory Awards.

For the first time, Dynamo Theory will be honoring the best of the best from the 2011 Houston Dynamo season. Hopefully this becomes an annual extravaganza, but we'll have to see how things go this year first. We surveyed our readers and staff members to determine the winners and we'd like to first thank everyone for participating in the voting!

Similar to any pledge nearing his way toward an initiation, there were some, ah, "tasks," to complete before being allowed to smudge up the margins of this blog. Rather than having been taped to a goalpost wearing my girlfriend's undergarments or made to drop a brick tied to a part of my anatomy from an upper floor ledge, though, the project was a bit more nefarious.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't watch much college soccer, sorry. There's simply too much out there for me to consume to give a great deal of attention to a version of the sport where the clock runs the wrong direction and there are infinite substitutions. That said, I do try to watch the playoffs and Final Four every year to at least have some idea of the potential names that could be coming to MLS.

Their Words "Zak Whitbread has been excellent since he has been at the football club," Norwich City manager Paul Lambert. Other Sources Dynamo give Kinnear 3-year extension - from The Houston Chronicle's Jose De Jesus Ortiz: "But it's safe to say he's going to be the team's head coach for the foreseeable future.

Dom Kinnear has enjoyed one of the strongest coaching careers in MLS history, and the Houston Dynamo have assured that he will be sticking around for a while.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the Dynamo have signed Kinnear to a three-year contract extension.

Photo by Nick Turchiaro/ISIphotos.com

Almost six years ago, Nathan Sturgis was a Generation adidas signing, a U.S. youth national team prospect and a player with a bright MLS future.

Five teams later, he hopes to have finally found a long-term home.

Sturgis was dealt to the Houston Dynamo from Toronto FC for a conditional draft pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft on Wednesday, marking his second trade in 13 months.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Lee Nguyen's long journey is leading back home.

Nguyen, a Texas native, signed a multi-year deal with MLS on Tuesday, bringing a one-time U.S. attacking prospect to the league after six years overseas. Nguyen appeared three times in 2007 for the U.

When the Montreal Impact select 10 players at Noon Pacific a couple may never set foot in Quebec as they will be used in swaps to get protected talents, allocation or draft picks. Considering the Seattle Sounders needs - veteran leadership, fullback, target forward - there are a few players that make a bit of sense.

By JOSE M. ROMERO

CARSON, Calif. -- Make it three MLS championships for 60-year-old Bruce Arena, and no coach in the has more since the inception of the league in 1996.

Just another feather in the cap for the 2011 MLS Coach of the Year, who appeared to letting it all soak in as he sat down to speak with reporters after his Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Houston Dynamo 1-0 Sunday night for the MLS Cup.

• Dynamo do things the right way, even in loss [Houston Chronicle]
• In losing effort, Dynamo full of praise for LA's Donovan [MLS Soccer]
• Donovan's goal downs Dynamo in MLS Cup [Houston Chronicle]
• Kinnear: Dynamo never get a handle on it in loss to LA [MLS Soccer]
• Costly's time with Dynamo at an end after Cup loss [MLS Soccer]
• Cameron's injury the turning point in Dynamo's Cup loss [MLS Soccer]
• No Rest for Dynamo As Expansion Draft Beckons [Houston Chronicle]
• Dynamo feel Davis absence in final [Houston Dynamo]

In Other News:

• As Twitter Reacts To John Harkes, Networks Should Take Notice [GTTF]
• Strong signs for future of U.

By FRANCO PANIZO

CARSON, Calif. -- Minutes before the Los Angeles Galaxy blasted music and opened bottles of beer in their locker room at the Home Depot Center, the Houston Dynamo sat in theirs with glum faces and blank stares. The silence that filled the air spoke volumes.

As we do for a number of big soccer events every year, tonight Footiebusiness.com will offer a business take on the broadcast of the MLS Cup Final. Over the next couple of days, we'll look the business ramifications of the new schedule, offer some thoughts on the new MLS Cup Final format and discuss the expansion draft.

Almost game time...

TSG's MLS Cup Final Preview, right here.

Still several hours away from tip off.

Toe-to-toe they go for the big price, Houston's Dynamo and the Los Angeles Galaxy for the season ultimate prize, the Supporter's Shield MLS Cup.

Rain is all over the forecast and you have to believe despite squirmy Calen Carr's ability to squirt through a backline that is favors Los Angeles.

Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By AVI CREDITOR

CARSON, Calif. -- Standing atop the winner's podium following MLS Cup is nothing new for Los Angeles Galaxy coach Bruce Arena and Houston Dynamo coach Dom Kinnear. Whichever one gets the opportunity to do that again following Sunday's final, though, will make history in the process while further etching his name in U.

Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com

By AVI CREDITOR

LOS ANGELES -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter sent shockwaves through the soccer world with his comments about the lack of racism as a whole in soccer and to deal with on-field incidents with a mere handshake, and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham didn't hold back when given the chance to address Blatter's remarks to assembled media on Thursday.

We are only four days from the culmination of the 2011 season and I don't know about all of you, but I'm ready. Alas, we must be patient and in an attempt to give you something to focus on ahead of the game, I figured it would be good to offer up my analysis of the two teams and who I see having the advantage, at least on paper.

• Can the Dynamo win one for De La Hoya? [Yahoo! Sports]
• Power outage during Galaxy match still rankles Dynamo [Houston Chronicle]
• Houston's Kinnear: Davis not available for MLS Cup [MLS Soccer]
• Dynamo hold topping out ceremony at new stadium site [Houston Dynamo]
• Kinnear, Arena vie to become first coach with three MLS titles [Houston Chronicle]
• MLS Cup Head-to-Head Breakdown: Bench [MLS Soccer]
• Ching fights off injuries, leads Dynamo to Cup appearance [MLS Soccer]

In Other News:

• Keane puts Galaxy on hold to relish moment [Irish Times]
• Jay Heaps chosen as next Revolution coach [Boston Globe]

So there have been some "reports" by a couple organizations that have claimed that the LA Galaxy are pursuing Frank Lampard as a replacement for David Beckham. The 33 year old Chelsea is, no doubt, a powerful name in soccer so it doesn't surprise me that these rumors are out there.

That said, I would just like to clarify that everybody should take these reports for that they're worth: rumors.

When the New England Revolution announced that they were "parting ways" with Steve Nicol a couple weeks back, speculation on his impending replacement began almost immediately. The organization assured the public that the search was going to start right away, and by all accounts it has. Names have been tossed around, rumors have swirled, but at the end of the day, we still aren't sure.

The Monday after many a Dynamo match this year hasn't been the best of days, consider those all conditioning for the delight we all feel today as our beloved Dynamo will face the Los Angeles Galaxy for the 2011 MLS Cup in two weeks.

Yet another road game? Meh, we own the road.

No Brad Davis?

By AVI CREDITOR

If there's a theme prevalent throughout the last round of the MLS postseason, it's that proficiency off of dead-ball situations has been vital to staying alive.

Out of the four remaining teams, only Real Salt Lake has yet to benefit from a set piece during its playoff run.

By Jason Davis - WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 2, 2011) US Soccer Players -- This MLS playoff season has a theme. Folded in along with the narratives of LA's dominance, RSL's return to form, Seattle's annual playoff failure, Sporting's surprising favorite status and Houston's Kinnear-inspired grittiness, is the obvious truth that the playoffs have an edge.

• Rebuilt Dynamo bearing fruit for Kinnear [Houston Chronicle]
• SKC and Houston poised to advance [ESPN]
• Dynamo determined to keep all guns blazing [MLS Soccer]
• Dynamo know they must remain aggressive in home match against Union [Houston Chronicle]
• MLS Conference Semifinals: A Look Ahead [Soccer by Ives]
• 'D' capital for Dynamo during unbeaten streak [Houston Chronicle]
• Ching enjoys being part of deep forward corps [MLS Soccer]
• Dynamo assistant Ralston a candidate for Revolution job [Houston Chronicle]
• Academy Roundup - October 30 [Houston Dynamo]

In Other News:

• Sounders FC faces daunting task of winning by four goals [Seattle Times]
• Sigi Schmid Wants To Give Seattle An Epic Tale [Sounder at Heart]
• Donovan says Galaxy 'assuming' Beckham will stay [Sports Illustrated]
• MLS gauging interest in club playing in Baltimore [Washington Post]
• Tributes paid to Doncaster's Billy Sharp after baby tragedy [BBC]

Well that was a bit ugly at times, nerve-racking at the end, but all that really matters is that the Houston Dynamo are returning home for the second leg of their Eastern Conference semifinal against the Philadelphia Union with a 2-1 lead.

The first 8 minutes of the game were wild. Danny Cruz gets Nigel de Jong'd by Gabriel Farfan, the Dynamo score on the ensuing set piece, only to have the defense melt down a minute later as Sebastien Le Toux equalized.

(Photo: Nicolae Stoian)

Our break down of the Philadelphia Union/Houston Dynamo playoff matchup continues. PSP's roving correspondent Adam Cann lays out the big questions and Eli Pearlman-Storch answers them. Today's topic, the Dynamo midfield versus the Union midfield.

Quick.

(Photo: Courtesy of MLSsoccer.com)

Geoff Cameron scored the tying goal for Houston at PPL Park on August 6th. Since then, the Dynamo have only lost twice and have gone undefeated at home. Cameron has moved from the midfield to the back line and rejuvenated the Dynamo defense. The team has not lost with him in the back and they shut out both Dallas and Portland on the road (!

• Tale of the Tape: Dynamo vs. Union [Houston Dynamo]
• Union to face sharp passer in Houston's Brad Davis in playoffs [Philly.com]
• Union encounter new-look Dynamo in playoffs [Houston Chronicle]
• Kinnear won't let momentum define Dynamo postseason [MLS Soccer]
• Let the Playoffs Begin and #DavisforMVP [Houston Chronicle]
• Davis, Moffat, and Boswell honored for performances against LA [MLS Soccer]

In Other News:

• Red Bulls rely on defense to land the knockout punch [MLS Soccer]
• Todd Dunivant: "I don't think anyone fears New York" [ESPN LA]
• COSMOS SHAKEUP - Sources: Kemsley to be bought out by Saudi Arabian partners [Big Apple Soccer]

Yesterday, it was announced Steve Nicol would no longer be the head coach of the New England Revolution. The decision was made after a meeting between the inimitable Scot and the Revolution's investor/operators (read: owners), Jonathan and Robert Kraft, and was described as a "mutual parting of ways.

• Dynamo clinch second in East with 3-1 win over LA [MLS Soccer]
• Dynamo drop Galaxy 3-1 in regular-season finale [Houston Chronicle]
• Moffat bomb just what the doctor ordered [MLS Soccer]
• Sweet cross lifts Houston's Davis atop final assist table [MLS Soccer]
• Dynamo Finish in Second Place: 4 Things We Learned [Houston Press]
• Dynamo Notebook: Big win over LA carries extra benefit [MLS Soccer]
• A celebration at Robertson reminds us of the goal in the future [FS Houston]
• Kinnear's 100th win a milestone and momentum-builder [MLS Soccer]
• Dynamo entering playoffs with momentum [Houston Chronicle]
• Vote Moffat for AT&T Goal of the Week [Houston Dynamo]
• Dynamo have good, bad memories of Robertson Stadium [Houston Chronicle]

In Other News:

• Nicol out after 10 years as Revs coach [Boston Herald]
• Nicol's run ends with Revolution [Boston Globe]
• MLS Season 16 sets attendance record [Soccer America]

The Houston Dynamo travel to face the New England Revolution tomorrow night with a chance to move in to third place in the Eastern Conference. Standing in Houston's way is a Revolution team whose playoffs hopes are slipping and the Dynamo's apparent inability to win a match on the road this season.

Rumors are swirling that the Houston Dynamo are working to secure the services of Honduran striker Carlos Costly ahead of the closing of MLS's summer transfer window on August 15th. With Will Bruin on the shelf for at least a month and Calen Carr still recovering from a concussion, it certainly makes sense for Houston to be looking to add a forward, but is this the type of player they need or a desperate attempt to just get someone signed this summer?

Photo by Jose L. Argueta/ISIphotos.com

The Houston Dynamo have long been in the market to add a scoring punch, and after an unsuccessful stint with Spanish striker Koke, the team appears to have turned its attention to Honduran international Carlo Costly.

The Houston Chronicle reports that the club is in negotiations with Costly, who is out of contract after being released by Mexican club Atlas.

The Houston Dynamo used to be a team bordering on dynasty. They had a couple titles, many more playoff appearances, several good players and a coach that was once mentioned as a potential future US National Team coach. When the Seattle Sounders play them Saturday only one of those things will be true.