For the first time in franchise history, the Houston Texans have made it to the NFL Playoffs. On
Saturday January 7, 2012, the Texans hosted their first ever Playoff game at Reliant Stadium, and
prior to that game there was an indication that the Texans' front office had paid attention to the
tifo displays that have occurred down the road at Robertson Stadium, former home of the Houston
Dynamo, because, as evidenced by the above picture, they managed to orchestrate a tifo display
worthy of any major football club in Europe.
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!
In the spirit of full transparency, and wasting no time since the balloting was announced, I am
jumping in with both feet and giving you my picks for Dynamo Theory's 2011 Creamsicle Awards.
Hopefully, we can finish the year and start the next with a healthy discussion and debate on
reviewing what was, for me, the most fun Houston Dynamo season that didn't have a trophy-winning
celebration at the end of it.
The Philadelphia Union will play their first home game of the 2012 MLS season on March 18,
according to a list of home openers released by MLS earlier today.
For a third straight season, the Union will begin the season by heading on the road to face an
opponent, though which team that will be has yet to be announced.
Ching threatens to retire if he's picked in expansion draft
Dynamo all-time leading scorer Brian Ching, who scored the franchise's first goal at Robertson
Stadium in 2006 and the last at the stadium in 2011, vows to retire Wednesday if the Montreal
Impact takes him in the expansion draft.
Houston Dynamo vs. LA Galaxy The Home Depot Center - Carson, CA - 8:00pm CT MLS Cup Final
All-time series: Galaxy lead 8-5-4
BROADCAST:
ESPN (ENG TV) Galavision (SPN TV) SportsTalk 790 (ENG Radio) ESPN Deportes 1180 (SPN Radio)
THE MATCHUP:
MLS Cup 2011 will match two of the most successful clubs in Major League Soccer history when the
LA Galaxy take on the Houston Dynamo.
Tomorrow Sporting KC get the chance to qualify for their 3rd MLS Cup in team history when they take
on the Houston Dynamo, who will also be looking to qualify for their third final under the Dynamo
name. Thursday night, Houston qualified for the conference finals by defeating Philadelphia 1-0 off
a Brian Ching goal from a Brad Davis free kick.
Quick Recap:
The Houston Dynamo takes care of business against a young Philladelphia Union team and win their
last home game at Robertson Stadium 1-0.
First Half
Inexplicably Peter Nowak made multiple changes to the Union line-up, leaving off regular started
Justin Mapp and FreddyAdu. The changes did not help the Union even though they were able to control
the ball at times they were unable to get a shot that looked dangerous.
After the all consternation, all the second guessing, all the doubts, the Houston Dynamo are
playing for the Eastern Conference Championship on Sunday. It's mind blowing to realize that this
really was a rebuilding year in Houston and despite the challenges and roster turnover, Dominic
Kinnear once again has his team in a conference final, the fourth time in the team's six
seasons.
The Houston Dynamo took a 1 goal aggregate advantage home to Robertson Stadium to face the
Philadelphia Union in front of an Orange clad 24,749 fans in what was the final MLS match ever at
Robertson Stadium.
The Philadelphia Union made some head scratching line-up changes for the second match in a row that
left many question Peter Nowak's strategy.
Those of you who listen to the World Football Phone-In on BBC Five Live every week (either live
or podcast) can hear the wonderful host Dotun Adebayo singing this classic Leiber and Stoller tune
regularly, expecially on the weeks when co-host Sean "The Big Wheel" Wheelock is on.
Philadelphia Union vs. Houston Dynamo
November 03, 2011 -- Robertson Stadium
Eastern Conference semifinals -- Game 2
Attendance: 24,749
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Brian Ching 1 (Brad Davis 2) 48+
Philadelphia Union -- Faryd Mondragon, Sheanon Williams, Carlos Valdes, Danny Califf,
Gabriel Farfan (Roger Torres 66), Michael Farfan, Brian Carroll, Veljko Paunovic (Freddy Adu 66),
Sebastien Le Toux, Jack McInerney, Danny Mwanga (Justin Mapp 66).
I promise I'll be writing about last night's Dynamo victory in the Robertson Stadium finale, but
we'll start the day with something simple. Katy Umaña is a fantastic photographer and I wanted to
share a photo she took at last night's game. There's just something great about this image of THE
MVP and The Big Kahuna.
Houston 1 - Philadelphia 0 (3-1 on aggregate) Houston's Brian Ching was the difference in the
second-leg of their playoff series with Philadelphia, scoring in first-half stoppage time for the
game's only goal. Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall picked up the shutout with four saves. This was the
last game at Robertson Stadium, wit Houston moving to their new stadium for the 2012 season.
Photo by Katy Umaña
On April 2, 2006, over 25,400 sports fans packed into Robertson Stadium on the University of
Houston campus to see the first ever MLS match to ever be played in Houston. The match featured the
newly minted Houston Dynamo, formerly the San Jose Earthquakes, hosting the Colorado Rapids and the
star of the night was a Hawaiian forward named Brian Ching who scored the first goal and then three
more in the 5-2 Dynamo victory.
Photo by Katy Umaña
On April 2, 2006, over 25,400 sports fans packed into Robertson Stadium on the University of
Houston campus to see the first ever MLS match to ever be played in Houston. The match featured the
newly minted Houston Dynamo, formerly the San Jose Earthquakes, hosting the Colorado Rapids and the
star of the night was a Hawaiian forward named Brian Ching who scored the first goal and then three
more in the 5-2 Dynamo victory.
By JOEY SAMUEL
Coming into the second leg of their Eastern Conference semifinal clash with the Philadelphia
Union, the Houston Dynamo knew all they needed to do to advance was to keep a clean sheet.
They did that and more Thursday night, as Brian Ching got on the end of yet another Brad Davis
free kick and the Dynamo defended brilliantly to seal a 1-0 win and a spot in the Eastern
Conference final.
Brian Ching scored before the half as the Dynamo coasted to the Eastern Conference final as they
beat Philadelphia 1-0 Thursday night and clinched the series 3-1 on aggregate at Robertson
Stadium.
Ching, who rose above a scrum of players inside the box, nodded a lofty Brad Davis free kick
through in the 48th+ minute as the Union failed to file a reply thanks in large part to the same
offensive ineptitude that haunted them during the regular season.
It seemed so fitting. So perfect, even. The Philadelphia Union were seeking their first ever
playoff match victory and playoff series victory in the same place where they took their first-ever
road victory, and opened their second season with a victory: Robertson Stadium in Houston. But it
was not to be.
The Houston Dynamo play their final match at Robertson Stadium before moving to their new
stadium in 2012, and if they want to christen that new stadium with an MLS Cup trophy, they will
need to hold off the Philadelphia Union in their Eastern Conference semifinal second leg (8:30pm,
Fox Soccer Channel).
The scenario tonight is simple. If the Union lose or draw, they are eliminated. If the Union win
by 1 goal, we will have extra time. If the Union win by 2 goals, they will advance to the Eastern
Conference Final this Sunday at Kansas City. Eastern Conference Semifinal. Leg 2. Kickoff at
Robertson Stadium is scheduled for 8:30 PM ET.
After yesterday's convincing win by Sporting Kansas City and nail biting victory on aggragate by
Real Salt Lake there can be few still willing to argue that the playoffs do not produce compelling
soccer. Today's games promise to be every bit as exciting as both away teams will need a victory to
advance to the conference finals.
First, if you put your money on anything I told you concerning yesterday's pair of playoff
deciders ... you're welcome.
I will congratulate myself later today for this (rare) prognostication achievement with a plate
of chicken fajita nachos and a cold, cold Pacifico at my favorite local Tex-Mex spot.
Photo: Courtesy of the Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo's Dominic Kinnear is the guest on the latest installment of the KYW Philly Soccer
Show podcast as KYW's Greg Orlandini and Philly Soccer Page writer Eli Pearlman-Storch sit down
with the two-time MLS Cup winning coach to discuss the Philadelphia Union's series with
Houston.
There are plenty of story lines surrounding tonight's match between the Dynamo and the
Philadelphia Union. Jeff Gordon will be an honorary captain, this will be the final Dynamo match
ever played at Robertson Stadium, but in the end though, the only thing that really matters is
holding off a comeback from a Union team that is perfectly capable of turning this series
around.
Setting: Thursday, November 2 at Robertson Stadium in Houston;
kickoff scheduled for 8:45:00 PM Eastern
Broadcast Information: ESPN2, ESPN3.com, ESPN Deportes
(Richard Mendez, Giovanni Savarese) and ESPN Deportes Radio (Jorge Ramos, Hernan Pereyra)
nationwide, with coverage beginning at 8:30 PM Eastern / SportsTalk 790 KBME-AM (Jonathan Yardley)
and La Ranchera 850 KEYH-AM (Daniel Mejia, Alex Parra) in Houston / TSN2 nationwide in Canada
(ESPN2 feed)
Series Information: Houston leads the series 2-1 on
aggregate
For the Houston Perspective, Visit Dynamo Theory
After what can only be described as a disappointing performance from the Philadelphia Union in
their playoff opener, with plenty of blame to go around to both players and coaches, anything less
than a gutsy performance in this series concluder will see Philadelphia's season end the same place
it started: Robertson Stadium in Houston.
This week in Talking Tactics: Peter Nowak's gambit
In the end, I think Peter Nowak may have picked the right tactic for his Philadelphia Union, but
for the wrong game. Tomorrow night at Robertson Stadium, this thing might have found some legs. But
at home, to open the home-and-away series against Houston .
Leg two of the MLS Eastern Conference Semifinals match-up between the Houston Dynamo and
Philadelphia Union takes place at Robertson Stadium in Houston at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday November 3,
2011, and in preparation for the match, the City of Houston will be holding a Rally to support the
Dynamo, who won the 2006 and 2007 MLS Cups, on Wednesday November 2, 2011.
Three of four lower seeds in the MLS conference playoff semifinals suffered home losses, leaving
most of higher seeds in total control heading into the second leg rematches at mid-week. While that
may not bode well for seeing a true upset in the conference semifinals for the first time in a good
while (unless you think RSL beating Seattle is actually an upset), we still might see some
surprises.
Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union October 30, 2011 -- PPL Park, Chester PA
Eastern Conference semifinals -- Game 1 Attendance: 18,539
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Andre Hainault 1 (Brad Davis 1) 5
PHI -- Sebastien Le Toux 1 (Michael Farfan 1, Justin Mapp 1) 7
HOU -- Calen Carr 1 (Brian Ching 1) 30
Houston Dynamo -- Tally Hall, Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell, Geoff Cameron, Corey Ashe,
Danny Cruz (Je-Vaughn Watson 65), Adam Moffat, Luiz Camargo, Brad Davis, Brian Ching (Carlo Costly
71), Calen Carr (Will Bruin 76).
No more games in hand, no more disparity between games played at home and on the road, no more
asterisks denoting games that didn't really count because the opposition was bad. With the regular
season over and playoffs under way, we can finally look back on the MLS regular season and compare
statistics through 34 games, where every team played every other team twice.
Setting: Sunday, October 30 at PPL Park in Chester; kickoff
scheduled for 5:15 PM Eastern
Broadcast Information: ESPN2 and ESPN3.com (Rob Stone, Taylor
Twellman), ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes Radio nationwide, with coverage beginning at 5:00 PM
Eastern
Houston's Regular Season Record: 12-9-13, second in East
Houston's Last Match: W, 3-1 vs.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Philadelphia Union v Houston
All time record: 2–0–2
At PPL Park: (2 meetings): Union 0–0–2, 2 goals. Dynamo 0–0–2, 2 goals
At Robertson Stadium (2 meetings): Union 2–0–0, 4 goals. Dynamo 0–2–0, 2 goals
In 2010
On May 29, 2010, the Union earned their first-ever win on the road as an expansion team against
Houston.
There is just one match remaining in the 2011 MLS regular season, but that one match will have
implications for a plethora of teams.
The Houston Dynamo play host to the LA Galaxy tonight (7pm, Galavision/Direct Kick) in their
final match at Robertson Stadium before moving into their new stadium in 2012, a match that will
set the final playoff match-ups for the entire league.
First things first, on Friday night in Portland the Dynamo had to take care of business and get
three points against the Portland Timbers...and they did. It was a bit physical, borderline dirty
even*, but a clever header deflection by Andre Hainault and a 40-yard wonder strike from Danny Cruz
was enough to give Houston a 2-0 victory and the first piece of the final playoff spot puzzle.
Houston Dynamo (11-9-13) vs. Portland Timbers (11-14-7)
October 14, 2011 -- JELD-WEN Field, Portland OR
Attendance: 20,323
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Andre Hainault 1 (Brad Davis 15) 36
HOU -- Danny Cruz 2 (Luiz Camargo 2) 59
Houston Dynamo -- Tally Hall, Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell, Geoff Cameron, Corey Ashe,
Danny Cruz, Adam Moffat, Luiz Camargo (Je-Vaughn Watson 77), Brad Davis (Colin Clark 74), Calen
Carr (Will Bruin 81), Carlo Costly.
Chicago Fire (7-8-16) vs. Houston Dynamo (10-9-13) October 1, 2011 -- Robertson
Stadium Attendance: 17,544
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Colin Clark 4 (unassisted) 33
CHI -- Dominic Oduro 12 (Baggio Husidic 2) 43
Chicago Fire -- Sean Johnson, Michael Videira, Jalil Anibaba, Cory Gibbs, Gonzalo
Segares, Logan Pause, Daniel Paladini, Baggio Husidic (Pavel Pardo 67), Corben Bone (Marco Pappa
73), Dominic Oduro (Patrick Nyarko 51), Diego Chaves.
The Chicago Fire isn't out of the playoff picture just yet.
Chicago kept itself in the mix for a playoff spot on Saturday night, earning a 1-1 draw with the
Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium. The result has Chicago on 37 points this season, three shy of
the last wild card spot currently held by the New York Red Bulls.
Dominic Oduro -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
Fire interim head coach Frank Klopas certainly was not conceding Saturday's game against the
Houston Dynamo. But with Tuesday's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Seattle Sounders FC and a recent 3-0
win at Real Salt Lake three days prior, Klopas decided to put several of Chicago's key cogs on the
bench to start out.
Dominic Oduro returns to Robertson Stadium this afternoon. The last time he was here, he missed
a wide open opportunity and the Houston Dynamo fans booed him out of town. Literally. Dynamo
management traded him to Chicago despite signing Oduro to a new contract just three weeks earlier.
That miss might have been the best thing to happen to the Fire all season.
