- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Keeper Notes, 22 June 10
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This is getting good
Winding down the first round
We're done with those 6:30 am kickoffs! Beginning today, the final first-round games for each group will be played & televised simultaneously, with two groups wrapping up per day:
Group A: Today, 9 am
Mexico v Uruguay, ESPN
France v South Africa, ESPN2
A Mexico/Uruguay tie means both teams advance (Uruguay would win the group on goal differential). A win by either Mexico or Uruguay means the winner of France/South Africa must score lots of goals to advance.
Group B: Today, 1:30 pm
Argentina v Greece, ESPN
Nigeria v South Korea, ESPN2
If Greece and South Korea win today, they will each have 6 points along with Argentina, and the two teams that advance will be decided by goal differential. Nigeria can only advance with a high-scoring win and a Greek loss.
Group C: Wednesday, 9 am
USA v Algeria, ESPN
England v Slovenia, ESPN2
A win and we're in. A tie with Algeria and we'd need a Slovenia win or low-scoring tie to advance. England advances with a win. And the possibility exists that we could end up tied with England for second place on both points and goal differential … which means FIFA would draw little slips of paper from little balls to decide who goes through. Really.
Group D: Wednesday, 1:30 pm
Ghana v Germany, ESPN
Australia v Serbia, ESPN2
Germany needs at least tie to advance; Serbia & Ghana both advance with wins. Australia needs a win plus a Germany loss to make the round of 16. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oy, oy, oy.
Group F: Thursday, 9 am
Slovakia v Italy, ESPN
Paraguay v New Zealand, ESPN2
Italy advances with a win; Paraguay needs at least a tie to guarantee a spot in the next round. New Zealand advances with a win and an Italy loss. Slovakia needs a win plus a high scoring New Zealand victory.
Group E: Thursday, 1:30 pm
Denmark v Japan, ESPN
Cameroon v Netherlands, ESPN2
The Oranje have clinched a berth to the round of 16 and Cameroon is out. That means the winner of Japan/Denmark advances; a tie lets Japan advance on goal differential.
Group G: Friday, 9 am
Portugal v Brazil, ESPN
North Korea v Ivory Coast, ESPN2
Brazil's in, North Korea's out. Portugal is in even with a loss … unless Ivory Coast can make up the huge goal differential (Portugal has +7, Ivory Coast has -2).
Group H: Friday, 1:30 pm
Chile v Spain, ESPN
Switzerland v Honduras, ESPN2
This group could easily end up with three teams with 6 points each (if Spain and Switzerland win Friday), so goal differential is key. Or will the Catrachos surprise everyone and sneak through (with a Spain loss and a superior goal differential)?
Watch USA v Algeria at the Front Porch this Wednesday!
{advertisement}
The Front Porch Pub in Midtown will open at 8:30 am this Wednesday, June 23 so soccer fans can enjoy the USA v Algeria game. The full pub menu plus breakfast specials will be available, and every single TV in the joint will be showing the match!
If you want to make sure you have a good table, call ahead to reserve a table for you & your soccer pals ... 713.571.9571 (though reservations are certainly not required). Map & more info at www.frontporchpub.com.
USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
More World Cupdates
The USA kicks off against Algeria at 9 am this Wednesday. At KeeperNotes.com, there's an UPDATED list of places showing World Cup matches, opening early and/or offering specials. The Dynamo is hosting a World Cup viewing party at Lucky's Pub east of downtown, featuring a breakfast buffet and $1 pints.
The Texian Army & American Outlaws will be watching the game at Ernie's on Banks, just off Montrose in the Museum District. 21 & older only. Or you can catch the Keeper at the Firkin & Phoenix (first to find her wins Dynamo tickets).
If the USA wins Group C, they play the runner-up of Group D (likely Germany or Serbia) this Saturday, 1:30 pm on ABC. If we finish second in our group, they face the winner of Group D Sunday at 9 am on ESPN.
Need to rewatch a match? Go to espn3.com.
A slice of the World Cup, every day: 1560 The Game is offering a one-hour World Cup show every night at 7 pm throughout the World Cup. Listen at 1560 AM oor online at 1560thegame.com. Call-in number is 713-439-1560. The Keeper will be on the show every Wednesday!
Dynamo dates
Saturday, June 26
The Dynamo resumes MLS play this weekend as they host the Colorado Rapids at Robertson Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30 pm; first 5,000 fans to enter the stadium receive a free water bottle from HEB. Get your tickets today! Game airs live on KHOU 11.2 and TV Informa 43, or you can listen to the action on SportsTalk 790 (English) or La Ranchera 850 (Spanish).
Tuesday, June 29
The Dynamo will host the winner of tonight's Miami/Tampa Bay match in the third round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Location & ticket details will be announced shortly. This game is not part of the season ticketholder package.
Thursday, July 1
The Orange meet the Reds in Toronto on ESPN2. Game airs live at 6 pm. Stay tuned for local watch party details.
Saturday, July 3
The Dynamo is hosting a EA FIFA tournament at Conn’s on Gessner beginning at 11 am. Fans will have a chance to play against their favorite Dynamo player, enjoy food and drink, and earn prize; each participant gets a ticket to the July 10 Dynamo home game. The finals will be played during halftime on the big screen. Space is limited to first 200 registrants. Call Mike Williams at 713-276-7529. $25 per person.
Join us for World Cup viewing at Firkin & Phoenix Pub
{advertisement}
The Firkin & Phoenix is located at 1915 Westheimer near Hazard, just a block east of S. Shepherd. Catch all the World Cup action on our many projectors and LCDs and enjoy our Fine Firkin Fare.
The Firkin will open early at 8:30 am for all 9 am broadcasts during the World Cup. Call 713.526.3100 to make a reservation or email info@firkinandphoenix.com.
Links to keep
Help the "Soccer Grannies" play in the USASA Veterans Cup!
www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/sports/soccer/07rhoden.html
www.veteranscup.us/news/225-bring-the-south-african-soccer-grannies-to-ma
Morgan Freeman's Guide to the World Cup (from the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz0xSBePS9w
Highlights galore
www.fifa.com/newscentre/video/videolist.html
Get yer All-Star tickets!
The MLS All-Stars will take on Manchester United at Reliant Stadium on Wednesday, July 28. The lower bowl is already sold out, but good seats still remain in other sections. For group packages (10 or more tickets), call the Dynamo directly at 713-276-7500 and avoid Ticketmaster fees.
Private suites are available for $195/seat and hold either 16 or 22 guests. Contact Brian Varnadoe at 832-667-2160.
Don't forget to make your picks for the 2010 MLS All-Stars at www.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-all-star-ballot.
27th Annual Labor Day Cup
{advertisement}
The 27th Annual Labor Day Cup, Houston’s largest soccer tournament, is a three-day event presented by the two-time MLS champion, the Houston Dynamo. This eventful weekend takes place at Bear Creek and Katy Park and offers competitive play plus a myriad of soccer activities and fun for the entire family. Over 400 teams from the Greater Southwest, Northwest Texas, Louisiana and Mexico will participate.
Boys and Girls ages 9-19 from Division 1, Super 2, and Division 2 teams can register online at houstonlabordaycup.org. Registration deadline is August 25, 2010. For more information, email director@easterinvitational.org or visit houstonlabordaycup.org.
Keeping up with the Keeper
Twitter: www.twitter.com/keepernotes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Keeper-Notes/331599998700?ref=ts
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
Houston's first NPSL derby
On Sunday, July 4, Regals FC hosts Galveston Pirate SC in the first game at Woodforest Bank Stadium in The Woodlands. Kickoff is 7 pm. The Woodlands' fireworks display starts across the highway at the conclusion of the match. All tickets are $10.
SW Indoor ADULT league deadline WEDNESDAY
{advertisement}
The registration deadline for the next adult soccer session is TOMORROW, June 23; games start Monday, July 12 (after the World Cup final). Registration is available online or just drop by the facility any day after 5 pm -- $100 deposit is required to hold a space for a team. Individuals can be placed on a house team for $75 per player, which includes ref fees.
SWIS host adult leagues year-round for women's competitive & recreational, men's competitive & recreational, men's over 30, coed competitive and recreational, coed over 30 and Sat/Sun men's open. Each session offers 8 games.
For more info, see www.letsplaysoccer.com/main/Locations/southwest/std/reginfo.htm or call 281-564-7947 any day after 5 pm.
Soccer 4 All Summer Clearance Sale
This Friday & Saturday, the Soccer 4 All store in Spring (6700 Louetta, east of Stuebner Airline) is holding a clearance sale featuring discounts of 75-90% off original retail prices on jerseys, shoes, tshirts and more. Store hours are 10 am - 7 pm Friday and 10 am - 5 pm Saturday.
Keeper Query
No one sent the correct answer to the last query, so here's the answer ... before Saturday, the last time CD Aguila played in Houston was August 2006. They lost to Olimpia of Honduras 3-2 at Robertson Stadium as part of a doubleheader with a Houston Dynamo/Carolina Dynamo US Open Cup match.
Today's query: Cristiano Ronaldo scored one of Portugal's seven goals yesterday to end his international scoring drought. So when was his last goal for Portugal? Name date and opponent. First to answer correctly after 9 am CT wins two tickets to Saturday's Dynamo game.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Keeper Calendar
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
June 22: Mexico v Uruguay
June 23: USA v Algeria
June 26: Colorado Rapids at Houston Dynamo, Robertson Stadium
June 26: World Cup round of 16 begins
June 29: US Open Cup/Dynamo v Tampa Bay Rowdies or Miami FC, TBA
June 30: WPS All-Star Game, Atlanta 28
- - -
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: US women v Sweden, Omaha, NE
July 14: u20 Women's World Cup/US v Ghana
July 15: SuperLiga/Dynamo v Pachuca, Robertson Stadium
July 17: US women v Sweden, E. Hartford, CT
July 17: u20 Women's World Cup/US v Switzerland
July 18: SuperLiga/Dynamo v Chivas USA & Pachuca v Puebla, Robertson Stadium
July 21: SuperLiga/Dynamo v Puebla, Robertson Stadium
July 17: u20 Women's World Cup/US v South Korea
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
- - -
August 8: Houston Dynamo at Seattle Sounders
August 10: US men v Brazil, E. Rutherford, NJ
August 14: Houston Dynamo at New England Revolution
August 21: Chicago Fire at Houston Dynamo, Robertson Stadium
Expanded calendar at keepernotes.com.