Odds & Ends on a Tuesday

The Pan-Pacific Cup starts in Hawaii next week. The Houston Dynamo will be facing Sydney F.C. on Wednesday February 20, at 8:30 p.m. Hawaii Time.

http://www.ppchampionship.net/index.php

As I previously reported, in March the Dynamo will be doing some training in San Antonio in conjunction with the Texas Pro Soccer Festival. There will be preseason exhibitions involving the Dynamo, Chivas USA, D.C. United, and F.C. Toronto. Here's the official site with more details and ticket information:

http://www.texasprosoccerfest.com/

Finally, I'm thrilled that the USA will be playing Poland in Poland on March 26 and Spain on June 4.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23117823/

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5533461.html

And there are indications that the USA will play England at Wembley on May 28:

http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/02/10/usa-clash-can-land-becks-ton-98487-20314883/

Finally, some noise is being made about the USA taking on Argentina in a friendly.

I like these matches, the USA needs to branch out beyond CONCACAF, play games in unique atmospheres and against teams with highly respected skills. These games are steps in the right direction.