- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Keeper Notes, 28 May 2010
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I see a World Cup and I want to paint it black ...
Lei it on this Saturday!
Tomorrow is the Dynamo's last home game before the World Cup begins. They host expansion franchise Philadelphia Union, whose roster includes former Dyna-man Alejandro Moreno. Kickoff is 7:30 pm, and the first 5000 fans to enter the stadium will receive World Cup brackets.
Be sure to get there early because Continental Airlines will be giving three lucky fans vouchers for roundtrip flights for two to anywhere in the continental U.S. -- the first giveaway will take place before kickoff! The game will be televised nationally on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español, and can be heard in the Houston area on SportsTalk 790 and La Ranchera 850.
Special Brian Ching Tribute
You've probably heard the stupefying news that US coach Bob Badley left Brian Ching off the final 23-man World Cup roster. As a tribute to our Flying Hawaiian, the Texian Army will be giving out white leis to all Dynamo fans who come by our tailgate before the game (they have about 1000 to give away). Feel free to snag your own white leis at Arne's Warehouse (just 59 cents each ... go to 2nd floor). If Brian Ching scores, those leis should be in the air (but not on the field)!
Bald is beautiful
Don't be freaked out when the Dynamo take the field Saturday and they all look like Craig Waibel. Waibel has organized another Bald is Beautiful event to benefit Nick's Team. Donation of $100 gets you a shaved head just like Craig! The goal is to shave 75 heads and register 100 new marrow donors. Shaving begins at 5:30 pm in the west side pavilions outside Robertson Stadium. Fans can also buy special tshirts, enter a raffle or bid on silent auction items to benefit the cause. Cash, check and credit card payments accepted.
Last chance to get All-Star Game tickets in special presale
Buy your tickets now for the All-Star game before individual tickets go on sale to the public on Tuesday. Use this link with the password DYNAMO10, or call the Dynamo at 713-276-7500 if you're buying 10 or more tickets (group packages aren't subject to Ticketmaster fees).
Props to Pat and little Dom
Pat Onstad played the whole game in goal for the Reds in Canada's 5-0 loss to Argentina Monday in Buenos Aires. With this appearance, Onstad set the Canadian goalkeeper cap record (57). Andrew Hainault also played the full 90 for Canada. Dominic Oduro won Goal of the Week honors for his 2nd half strike against DC United.
Dynamo All-Access
The Dynamo All Access show with Glenn Davis on Sports Talk 790 will host live shows on Tuesday, June 1 (Baker Street Pub in the Woodlands) and Monday, June 7 (Niko Nikos in Montrose). Fans are encouraged to attend -- there will be player appearances and raffles for jerseys.
Vote for the MLS All-Stars -- make 'em orange!
www.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-all-star-ballot
SuperLiga schedule update
Thursday, July 15: Dynamo v Pachuca, 7 pm
Sunday, July 18: Dynamo v Chivas USA 7 pm, Pachuca v Puebla, 9 pm
Wednesday, July 21: Dynamo v Puebla, 7 pm
All games are at Robertson Stadium. Note that the Dynamo's matches against Pachuca & Puebla are part of the season ticketholder package, but the Sunday doubleheader is not. Tickets are on sale at HoustonDynamo.com and Ticketmaster outlets.
Here's to the big Kahuna
www.houstondynamo.com/news/2010/05/commentary-bradley-will-regret-ching-snub ...
And check out his international "goalography" video on brianchingsoccer.com.
Over 30s/40s HFA league
The Houston Football Association (HFA) is starting a new O30s and O40s men's soccer league on Thursday nights. Depending on number of teams, there'll be one division of each age group in a format that allows for a 5-game season. Players must be at least 30 or 40 (as appropriate) at the time of registration.
Team fee of $300 includes an 18-player roster, field fees and insurance -- add $25 for each additional player. Team applications are available on the HFA website under Forms and Maps. Player registration deadline June 3. Games begin June 10. Questions? Email
hfa@hfasoccer.com.
Free adult clinic June 5
HWSA is hosting a free adult player clinic on Saturday, June 5 from 3 - 5 pm at Bear Creek Park. Stefani Webb, UT-Tyler women’s soccer coach, will run the clinic. She is a USSF “A” licensed coach, a member of the Olympic Development Training staff, and a wellness coach who focuses on self-leadership to unlock a person’s maximum potential. To read more about Coach Webb, check out the following link: http://workhardhavefun.com. For more info and updates about the player clinic, see www.hwsa.org.
WPSL South Texas Select
Houston's semi-pro women's team is looking for elite players for the 2010 summer season. If interested, contact coach David DeVeretuil at 713-899-4342. Games will be played at San Jacinto College South. See http://www.wpsl.info/team/index.php?tid=64.
HBU Soccer Camps
{advertisement}
Reserve your spot now for one of the HBU soccer camps:
Husky Pup ages 4-7 June 7-11
Husky Full Day ages 8-13 June 7-11
Women’s H.S. Residential June 13-17
Men’s H.S. Residential June 27-July 1
Goalkeeper training is offered at every HBU soccer camp. You can register online or download the flyer at www.justsportscamps.com/hsa.
Come to an HBU soccer camp this summer and take your game to a new level.
By the numbers
MLS Insider followers on Twitter: 28, 546
WPS followers on Twitter: 244,190
MLS franchises that have folded: 2
WPS franchises that have folded: 2
Articles by Grant Wahl about MLS this year: 200ish
Articles by Grant Wahl about WPS this year: 0
Yes, the Keeper is a little cranky.
World Cupdate
The US 2010 World Cup roster
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Tim Howard
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector
Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber, Stuart Holden, Jose Francisco Torres
Forwards: Jozy Altidore, Edson Buddle, Robbie Findley, Herculez Gomez
The following players weren't selected but are eligible as replacement players in case of injury, up til 24 hours before the team's first match: defenders Chad Marshall and Heath Pearce, midfielders Alejandro Bedoya, Robbie Rogers, Sacha Kljestan and forwards Eddie Johnson and the amazing Brian Ching.
Saturday the US faces Turkey in their last friendly before departing for South Africa. Game airs live on ESPN2 and Galavision at 1 pm. Then on June 5 the team plays Australia in South Africa, a week before they face England in their first World Cup match. That game airs live on ESPN at 7:30 am.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/fixtures?ver=us&cc=5901
The full sked of games, including broadcast times (in ET).
Please, God, no
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/fixtures?cc=5901&ver=us
SW Indoor Soccer YOUTH session
{advertisement}
Registration deadline for the summer YOUTH session is Wednesday, June 9, games start Saturday, June 12. The following divisions will be available: U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18, U19.
For more info, see
www.letsplaysoccer.com/main/Locations/southwest/std/reginfo.htm or call 281-564-7947 any day after 5 pm.
Houston Leones host Tornados
The PDL's Houston Leones host the DFW Tornados this Sunday at Soccer World Center in Richmond. Game kicks off at 5 pm. More info at http://houstonleones.com.
Get your notes in the Notes
Spread the soccer word about your program, event or club in Keeper Notes. The Keeper Notes list (which is never, ever, ever sold or shared) has about 5400 subscribers.
FREE STUFF: soccer-related job openings, youth & adult league registration info, free soccer events, teams looking for players, any nonprofit info, and any "shout out" to local soccer achievers. Email details to keeper@keepernotes.com.
NOT FREE: soccer camps, paid tournaments, other commercially-related info. Contact
The Keeper for rates.
Let's hear it for the girls
US women beats Germany 4-0
Abby Wambach scored international goals #106 and #107, moving her ahead of Michelle Akers on the US all-time scoring list. Kristine Lilly scored her 130th international goal, making her the oldest player to score for the US (she's a few months shy of 39). Here's the full list:
Mia Hamm (USA, retired): 158 goals
Kristine Lilly (USA): 130
Birgit Prinz (Germany): 126
Julie Fleeting (Scotland): 111
Elisabetta Vignotto (Italy, retired): 107
Abby Wambach (USA): 107
Carolina Morace (Italy, retired): 105
Tiffeny Milbrett (USA, retired-ish): 100
WPS update
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/soccer/story/284423D62E7DC1C586257731000C1E86?OpenDocument
Blame it on the Brits ... the London-based investors of the St. Louis Athletica simply stopped paying the bills, so the WPS franchise has folded. The team is owned by St. Louis United, which also runs AC St. Louis, the men's DII team. That team will continue operations. The Athletica players -- including US national teamers Hope Solo, Lindsay Tarpley, Shannon Boxx and Lori Chalupny -- will be free agents as of Tuesday, and a revised WPS schedule will be released next week.
Youth soccer tryouts
Texas Rush Soccer Club is looking for the best soccer talent in the greater Houston area for their USSF Academy teams. The Development Academy is a partnership between U.S. Soccer and the top youth clubs around the country to provide the best youth players in the U.S. with an everyday environment designed to produce the next generation of National Team players. See
www.texasrushacademy.com.
Texas United FC (the merged Westside Soccer Club & Bear Creek Soccer Club)
TUFC Tryout Schedule for Fall 2010
BOYS
Mon Jun 7, 5-6:30 U12-U14; 6:30-8 U15-U19
Wed Jun 9, 5-6:30 U12-U14; 6:30-8 U15-U19
GIRLS
Tue Jun 8, 5-6:30 U12-U14, 6:30-8 U15-U19
Thu Jun 10, 5-6:30 U12-U14, 6:30-8 U15-U19
Rain date Fri Jun 11, 5-6:30 BOYS; 6:30-8 GIRLS
Albion Hurricanes
tryouts for fall 2010
June 7-10
U-12 through U-19 Evaluations, Bear Creek Park for Main Campus and for West
June 12
U-12 through U-19 Signing Day, AHFC Campbell Road Office for both Main and West
Keeping up with the Keeper
Twitter: www.twitter.com/keepernotes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Keeper-Notes/331599998700?ref=ts
Houston Dynamo Examiner:
www.examiner.com/x-31347-Houston-Dynamo-Examiner
Keeper Notes calendar featuring Dynamo matches, full World Cup schedule and more, via any browser:
www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=keeper%40keepernotes.com&ctz=America/Chicago
Regals FC Reserve League
Do you think you have what it takes to play professional soccer? NPSL's Regals FC invites you to join the club's reserve league and get the chance to compete at a higher level and maybe earn an opportunity to join the club. This is for former pro players, college and high school standouts.
• Games will be played at the Legends Sports Complex beginning June 6.
• Minimum age 18.
• Each team will play 8 games, plus tournament play with 2-game guarantee.
• Player registration fee is $100.
• Register online at http://bit.ly/summer7s
• Limited space is available; recreational players need not apply.
For more info, contact Gregg Hess at 281-298-5700.
Keeper Query
The Stars & Stripes face Turkey this weekend for just the third time in US Soccer history. Which members of the 2010 World Cup squad have played against Turkey before in a senior international match? First to answer correctly after 9 am CT wins two tickets to Saturday's Dynamo game. Special bonus if you can name the person in the Dynamo organization has also played against Turkey. Send your answer to keeper@keepernotes.com.
Soccer to watch
All times CT and subject to change.
Today
International friendlies
Paraguay v Ivory Coast, 1 pm, ESPN Deportes, espn3.com, FIFA.com
Ireland v Algeria, 1:45 pm, FIFA.com
Saturday
International friendlies
Slovakia v Cameroon, 7 am, FIFA.com
Brazil v Peru, 10:30 am, Fox Sports Premium
US men v Turkey, 12:30 pm, ESPN2, Galavision, espn3.com
Hungary v Germany, 12:45 pm, ESPN Deportes, espn3.com, FIFA.com
Poland v Finland, 1 pm, FIFA.com Spain v Saudi Arabia, 1 pm, ESPN Deportes
Argentia v Colombia, 7:30 pm, Fox Sports Premium
England Football League One final
Millwall v Swindon, 9 am, espn3.com, Fox Soccer Plus
Major League Soccer
New England Revolution v New York Red Bulls, 7 pm, Galavision
Houston Dynamo v Philadelphia Union, 7:30 pm, Fox Soccer Channel
Sunday
International friendlies
Japan v England, 7:15 am, Fox Soccer Channel
Mexico v Gambia, 9:30 am, Telemundo
Tunisia v France, 2 pm, FIFA.com
Women's Professional Soccer
Washington Freedom v Philadelphia Independence, 5 pm, Fox Soccer Channel
Tuesday
International friendlies
Australia v Denmark, 7:30 am, FIFA.com
Switzerland v Costa Rica, 1:15 pm, espn3.com
Netherlands v Ghana, 1:30 pm, espn3.com, FIFA.com
Portugal v Cameroon, 1:30 pm, FIFA.com
Wednesday
International friendlies
Poland v Serbia, 1:30 pm, espn3.com, FIFA.com
Greece v Paraguay, 2 pm, espn3.com, FIFA.com
Major League Soccer
New York Red Bulls v Houston Dynamo, 6:30 pm, KHOU 11.2, TV Informa, FS Houston Plus
Thursday
International friendlies
Spain v South Korea, noon, FIFA.com
Mexico v Italy, noon, Telemundo
Friday
International friendlies
France v China, 11 am, espn3.com, FIFA.com
Slovenia v New Zealand, 1:45 pm, FIFA.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Keeper Calendar
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
May 29: US men v Turkey, Philadelphia
May 29: Philadelphia Union at Houston Dynamo
- - -
June 2: Houston Dynamo at New York Red Bulls
June 5: US men v Australia, South Africa
June 5: Houston Dynamo at LA Galaxy
June 10: Houston Dynamo v Laredo Heat, Corpus Christi
June 11: 2010 World Cup begins/Mexico v South Africa, South Africa
June 12: World Cup/US men v England, South Africa
June 18: World Cup/US men v Slovenia, South Africa
June 19: Dynamo Charities Cup/Houston Dynamo v Águila, Robertson Stadium
June 23: World Cup/US men v Algeria, South Africa
June 26: Colorado Rapids at Houston Dynamo
June 26: World Cup round of 16 begins
June 29: US Open Cup/Dynamo v TBA, TBA
June 30: WPS All-Star Game, Atlanta
- - -
July 1: Houston Dynamo at Toronto FC
July 2-3: World Cup quarterfinals
July 6-7: World Cup semifinals
July 10: World Cup third place match
July 10: Columbus Crew at Houston Dynamo, Robertson Stadium
July 11: World Cup final
July 13: u20 Women's World Cup begins, Germany
July 13: US women v Sweden, Omaha, NE
July 15: SuperLiga/Dynamo v Pachuca, Robertson Stadium
July 16: US women v Sweden, E. Hartford, CT
July 18: SuperLiga/Dynamo v Chivas USA & Pachuca v Puebla, Robertson Stadium
July 21: SuperLiga/Dynamo v Puebla, Robertson Stadium
July 24: Houston Dynamo at Columbus Crew
July 28: MLS All-Stars v Manchester United, Reliant Stadium
July 31: New York Red Bulls at Houston Dynamo, Robertson Stadium
Expanded calendar at keepernotes.com.