Zygo Soccer Report - MLS All-Star Game Special

Here's some audio from after Manchester United's 5-2 victory over the MLS All-Star Team on Wednesday night in Houston, Texas.

Please click the link below to view it.
http://zygosoccerreport.podomatic.com/entry/2010-07-31T11_34_00-07_00

Or use the embedded player:

Sir Alex Ferguson's Presser in Houston

Sir Alex Ferguson talked to the press last night in Houston, here's what he had to say.

Line-Up for the MLS All-Star Celebrity Soccer Match

While the match between the MLS All-Stars and Manchester United on Wednesday July 28, 2010 at Reliant Stadium is the focus of the MLS All-Star festivities, there are other events leading up to that match worth checking out if you're in Houston.

One such event is the MLS All-Star Celebrity Soccer Match, which will take place on Tuesday July 27th at 5:00 pm at Discovery Green in downtown Houston. As I understand it, the rosters are almost finalized, for now here's who I know will be at the game on Tuesday:

Coaches:

Patrick Patterson (Houston Rockets 1st Round Draft Pick)
Phife (A Tribe Called Quest)
Mike Chabala (Houston Dynamo)
Lovell Palmer(Houston Dynamo)

Referees:

Corey Ashe (Houston Dynamo)
Danny Cruz (Houston Dynamo)
Ike Opara (San Jose Earthquakes)
Jaime Moreno (DC United)

MC:

Guy Torre

Team One:

Allen Hopkins (ESPN)
Chingo Bling (Musician)
Jeff Agoos (former US Player)
Eric Wynalda (former US Player)
Alexi Lalas (former US Player)
Brandi Chastain (former US Player)
Marcus Coleman (former Houston Texan, New York Jet, Dallas Cowboy - 1560 The Game)
Bubba McDowell (former Houston Oiler)
Slim Thug (Musician)
David Paul (KHOU)
Missael Espinoza (Mexican National Team)

Team 2

Phil Garner (former Houston Astros Player & Coach)
John Harkes (former US Player)
Dj Brandy Garcia (Houston DJ)
Marcelo Balboa (former US Player)
Tab Ramos (former US Player)
Joy Fawcett (former US Player)
Jesus Ortiz (Houston Chronicle)
DJ Rasta Roots (Musician)
Corey Bradford (former Houston Texan)
Temryss Lane (Fox Soccer Channel)

Video from Houston Dynamo v. Pachuca - SuperLiga

Here's some video from after Houston Dynamo's 2-1 win over Pachuca in SuperLiga on Thursday night, courtesy of Erin Dutka:

Smarmy Recap Guy Finally Makes it to South Africa

I had heard that 1560 The Game in Houston was sending Smarmy Recap Guy to South Africa to cover the World Cup, well he finally made it, listen as he calls in to Sean & John.

Changes at Houston Dynamo, So Long Spencer & Landin, Hello Obodai

During tonight's broadcast of The Orange Slice on 1560 The Game, news about changes at the Houston Dynamo started filtering out. Most importantly, the Dynamo announced the departure of long term assistant coach John Spencer, secondly, the Dynamo had released their designated player, Luis Angel Landin, and finally, the Dynamo had signed midfielder Anthony Obodai.

The 39 year old John Spencer started his soccer playing career when he signed for Glasgow Rangers in 1985, where he saw his first playing time in 1987. After loan stints at Greenock Morton F.C. and Lai Sun (Hong Kong), Spencer found himself at Chelsea in 1992, where he remained until 1996 when he was loaned to Queens Park Rangers. The QPR loan turned permanent in 1997. After subsequent stints at Motherwell and Everton, in 2001 Spencer found himself in the United States playing for the Colorado Rapids. Spencer retired from playing football after the Rapids' 2004 season. Spencer has served as the assistant coach for the Houston Dynamo since the Dynamo came to Houston, prior to the 2006 MLS season.

On tonight's show, we spoke to Chris Canetti, COO of the Houston Dynamo, who told us that last week Spencer informed the team he would be leaving to pursue another opportunity. The split was amicable and Canetti indicated that it was not the Dynamo's place to make an announcement about Spencer's future. Since last fall, news that the Portland Timbers, who will be joining MLS for the 2011 season, were interested in hiring John Spencer as their coach had been circulating. In fact, if memory serves, some of the stories indicated that Spencer would likely stay with Houston until July 2010 before joining the Timbers organization. While John Spencer will be missed here in Houston, I'm sure Dynamo fans wish him good luck at Portland, except when Portland plays the Dynamo of course.

Last summer the Houston Dynamo brought Luis Angel Landin in as a designated player. Landin, who caught the eye of the Dynamo during the past couple years when they played Pachuca, was considered the kind of physical Mexican player who could probably handle playing in MLS. Unfortunately, Landin joined the Dynamo shortly after the league break in Mexico and during a period when he wasn't seeing much playing time in Mexico. In other words, Landin wasn't match fit when he joined the Dynamo. While he looked to be in better shape at the start of the 2010 MLS season, he still wasn't in the physical shape he needed to be in for a long MLS season, plus, during the 2010 season, he has succumbed to too many injuries. In the end, the Dynamo gave Landin a shot, but when they decided it wasn't a salvageable situation the Dynamo did what they normally do, they released him.

While fans say goodbye to Spencer and Landin, they'll soon be saying hello to Ghanaian Anthony Obodai. Obodai, a midfielder, comes to the Dynamo from the Dutch club RKC Waalwijk, where he has played since 2007. Previously, Obodai has played at Sparta Rotterdam and Ajax. Tonight, Canetti stated that Obodai's visa has been approved and that they expect no problems in obtaining an international transfer certificate from The Netherlands.

During our interview with Canetti, he did indicate that the Dynamo are looking at several players to round out the Dynamo roster, but he was not willing to go into any details on the identities of these players. One thing Canetti did make clear is that while the experience with Landin has not soured the Dynamo on the designated player issue, at this time the club is not in a financial position to consider a designated player signing.

Post Match Video from Houston Dynamo 0 - 0 Columbus Crew

Here's some video Erin Dutka took following the Houston Dynamo - Columbus Crew match this past Saturday night.

Zygo Soccer Report Episode 16

The 2010 MLS Season is back into swing after taking a break for the Group Stage of the World Cup finals. Saturday night the Columbus Crew came to Houston to face the Dynamo in a match that became a 0-0 draw. This episode has post match audio from Brian Ching, Geoff Cameron, and Dominic Kinnear. Additionally, some thoughts on Spain's 1-0 overtime victory over Netherlands in the World Cup final. Featured music from K'naan, Robert Earl Keen, Joan Jett, Public Image Limited, and Everlast.

MLS All-Star Game Update & World Cup Final Viewing Party Information

While we know that L.A. Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena will be coaching the MLS All-Star Team, along with Houston Dynamo Coach Dominic Kinnear, this year, we still don't know the full roster for the MLS All-Star Team. However, we do have some good information on who will be travelling with Manchester United to the US this summer:

GOALKEEPERS: Ben Amos (ENG), Tomasz Kuszczak (POL), Edwin van de Sar (NED)

DEFENDERS: Wes Brown (ENG), Fabio Da Silva (BRA), Rafael Da Silva (BRA), Ritchie De Laet (BEL), Corry Evans (NIR), Jonny Evans (NIR), John O'Shea (IRL), Chris Smalling (ENG)

MIDFIELDERS: Tom Cleverley (ENG), Darren Fletcher (SCO), Darron Gibson (IRL), Ryan Giggs (WAL), Nani (POR), Gabriel Obertan (FRA), Paul Scholes (ENG)

FORWARDS: Dimitar Berbatov (BUL), Mame Biram Diouf (SEN), Javier Hernandez (MEX) [will join in Houston on 27 July], Federico Macheda (ITA), Danny Welbeck (ENG)

MANAGER: Sir Alex Ferguson

As of now, Wayne Rooney is not on the roster, but that roster may change as we get closer to the match. Meanwhile Gary Neville, Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Owen, and Antonio Valencia will not travel to the US due to injury issues.

In addition to playing the MLS All-Star Team in Houston at Reliant Stadium on July 28th, Manchester United will also play Celtic in Toronto on July 16th, the Philadelphia Union at Lincoln Financial Field on July 21st, and the Kansas City Wizards at Arrowhead Stadium on July 25th.

Tickets for the MLS All-Star Game have been going fast, and most of the lower bowl at Reliant Stadium is sold out, but there are still tickets available - visit the Houston Dynamo website for ticket information.

But before Manchester United arrive in North America, there's still one very important match left in the 2010 World Cup finals - The Final between Netherlands and Spain. The match will air on ABC, with pre-game coverage starting at 12:30 central time. Meanwhile, here in Houston 1560 The Game's World Cup Show will have its final broadcast by doing a live remote at Nick's Place Houston from 11:00am to 1:00pm central time. If you're not in Houston and can't come out to Nick's Place for the show and match, you can listen online via 1560 The Game's website. The list of guests has not been finalized, but expect a few Houston Dynamo players there on Sunday.

Kige Ramsey Tackles the World Cup!

Kige Ramsey, a semi-regular guest on the Sean & John Show on 1560 The Game in Houston, has, over the past couple weeks, put together several videos concerning the 2010 World Cup finals. I've been meaning to post some of Kige's videos here, but just keep forgetting or having other matters require my time.

So, my good reader, I need to make up for my tardiness and what better day to share Kige Ramsey's videos with you than the 4th of July. Some of these are a little dated since he's making predictions for games that have already occurred, but I'll be sure to get his future videos on the Cup up in a timely manner. So, without further ado - here's Kige:

Landon Donovan and the Bejeweled Vuvuzela

So the Knock Out stage of South Africa 2010 ended on Tuesday, and despite the return of Major League Soccer and the US Open Cup, it seems many football fans are going into withdrawals since they no longer get to wake up early everyday to watch a couple World Cup finals matches. This is the perfect time then to highlight the new craze: Landon Donovan and the Bejeweled Vuvuzela!

Since returning to the United States after the US National Team got knocked out of the tournament, 2-1, by Ghana during the Knock Out stage, it seems like you cannot turn on a television in the United States without seeing . . . . .

Landon Donovan on The Early Show (okay, this was last week, but):



Landon Donovan on the David Letterman Show:



Landon Donovan on Live with Regis & Kelly (Who does this guy think he is? David Beckham?):



Landon Donovan on The Daily Show (with Bob Bradley):

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Landon Donovan & Bob Bradley
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Meanwhile, it seems that people either love the vuvuzela or hate the vuvuzela, there isn't much of a middle ground. Getting into a detailed discussion on whether the vuvuzela is a good thing or a bad thing is to American soccer circles what discussing Democrats v. Republicans is to so-called "news" shows on radio and television. I want to avoid that, so instead, I present you with the crazy story of paying 17000 Euros for a vuvuzela - yes, you read right, 17000 Euros.

It seems somebody in Russia, with way too much money on his hands, bought a vuvuzela covered in white gold and diamonds from a goldsmith, with way too much time on his hands, in Linz, Austria. Apparently, the Russian intends on giving said bejeweled vuvazela to a South African business partner.

Here's the Reuter's piece on the bejewelled vuvuzela.

Finally, the US might be out of the World Cup finals, but - You're Welcome, World Cup

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
You're Welcome - World Cup
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party