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Keeper Notes, 25 June 10
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Yes, we friggin' can
The Ultimate soccer SaturdAy
Hopefully you've recovered from Wednesday's 92 minutes of pure torture and two minutes of extreme joy, because tomorrow we have two more great matches for Houston soccer fans to savor:
FIRST: USA v Ghana
1:30 pm kickoff, ABC
The Yankee Boyz were the definition of determination and persistence Wednesday and won their World Cup group for the first time since 1930 (the first World Cup!). Ghana lost to Germany, but advanced over Australia on superior goal differential. So we get a rematch of the 2006 first round World Cup match that saw the Black Stars send our boys home. If we advance, we play the winner of the Uruguay/South Korea match next Friday, July 2 at 1:30 pm.
The Keeper's recommendations for watching this game:
- Lucky's Pub, the host of the Dynamo's official watch party
- Firkin & Phoenix, one of the Keeper's hangouts
- Front Porch Pub in midtown
- Ernie's on Banks, home of the Texian Army & American Outlaws
- Richmond Arms, one of the original "soccer bars" in town
But there are many, many other places also showing World Cup soccer. Check out the big list at KeeperNotes.com/WCpubs.htm. If you can, make a reservation. Also, check out the fan photos from various local pubs during Wednesday's match at www.partypi.com/2010/06/usa-win-over-algeria-world-cup.
THEN: Dynamo v Colorado Rapids
7:30 pm kickoff, Robertson Stadium
At long last, the Houston Orange resumes MLS play! The first 5,000 fans to enter the stadium receive a free water bottle from HEB. 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). The team is well-rested ready to roll after a 4-0 win last weekend over Àguila in the Dynamo Charities Cup.
The Dynamo is honoring soon-to-depart President/GM Oliver Luck with a $10 ticket special for this game, in recognition of his jersey number when he played with the Houston Oilers. There is also a McDonald's 4-pack available.
Parking lots open at 4:30 pm, general gates open at 6:30 pm. Season ticketholders can enter gate 1 at 6 pm, providing they have their original booklet tickets or a 2010 season ticketholder lanyard.
And in case you need a soccer nightcap, the final of HFA's Memorial Cup will be played at Robertson after the Dynamo game.
More World Cupdates
Round of 16 nearly set
Group G: Today, 9 am
Portugal v Brazil, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision, espn3.com
North Korea v Ivory Coast, ESPN2, TeleFutura, espn3.com
Brazil's in, North Korea's out. Portugal can advance with a loss … unless Ivory Coast makes up a huge goal differential (Portugal has +7, Ivory Coast has -2).
Group H: Today, 1:30 pm
Chile v Spain, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision, espn3.com
Switzerland v Honduras, ESPN2, TeleFutura, espn3.com
This group could see three teams finish with six points (if Spain and Switzerland both win), so goal differential is key. Or will the Catrachos surprise everyone and sneak through (if Spain loses and Honduras scores a lot)?
Forgot to set your DVR? Go to espn3.com for replays. Several language options available.
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 or online at 1560thegame.com. Call-in number is 713-439-1560. The Keeper is on the show every Wednesday.
Bracket/schedule for knockout round: www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/kostage.html
Click on these links!
www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-june-23-2010/world-cup-2010--into-africa---us-beats-algeria
http://blogs.chron.com/sportsupdate/archives/world_cup/
Studio 90 on ussoccer.com has daily video clips from South Africa.
By the numbers
http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/u-s-game-draws-big-numbers-for-espn/?src=twt&twt=nytimesgoal
http://mashable.com/2010/06/23/usa-vs-algeria-world-cup/
Need US Soccer gear? Ya should bought it a long time ago. ;)
Join us for the World Cup at Firkin & Phoenix Pub
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Catch all the World Cup action on our many projectors and LCDs, and enjoy our Fine Firkin Fare. The Firkin & Phoenix is located at 1915 Westheimer near Hazard, just a block east of S. Shepherd.
We will open early at 8:30 am for all 9 am broadcasts during the World Cup. Call 713.526.3100 to make a reservation (highly recommended for Saturday's USA match) or email info@firkinandphoenix.com.
GO USA!
Dynamo Open Cup match Tuesday
The Dynamo host Miami FC in the third round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup next Tuesday, June 29 at Robertson Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30 pm. Tickets are $12 ($8 for season ticketholders -- call your rep). Fans can enter on the west side at 6:30 pm.
All seats are general admission and only west sideline seating sections will be open. Fans are encouraged to park on the west side of the stadium (parking is free, please use Scott St. entrances) -- gate 4 on the west side will be the only public gate. Walk-up ticket sales are cash only.
This is an elimination game, so if the game is tied after 90 minutes, there will be overtime and maybe PKs. The Miami roster features former Dyna-man Abe Thompson, Houston product Chris Gbandi, and former DC United midfielder Christian Gomez. The winner of Tuesday’s game will advance to the quarterfinals on July 6 or 7 aagainst the winner of the LA Galaxy/AC St. Louis match.
LSU soccer family needs help
Two students injured in South Africa car accident, one fatally
http://appl003.lsu.edu/unv002.nsf/9faf000d8eb58d4986256abe00720a51/2e78f4cfb48051148625774a006024fe?OpenDocument
Hey now, we've got the All-Stars
The MLS All-Stars will take on Manchester United at Reliant Stadium on July 28. The lower bowl is already sold out, but good seats still remain in other sections. For group packages (10+ tickets), call the Dynamo 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.
Home Depot is offering a special deal through July 14 -- if you spend $250 or more at a participating store, you receive two FREE tickets to the All-Star Game (max two tickets per household, while supplies last).
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 sold or shared) has more than 5400 subscribers! Contact The Keeper for details.
FREE: 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.
NOT FREE: soccer camps, tournaments, and any other commercially-related info.
SW Indoor ADULT indoor soccer
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The next session kicks off Monday, July 12 (after the World Cup final). Registration is available online or just drop by the facility any day after 5 pm -- 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 eight games.
For more info, see www.letsplaysoccer.com/main/Locations/southwest/ or call 281-564-7947 any day after 5 pm. Part-time job opportunities available.
Soccer 4 All Summer clearance sale
Today & tomorrow, 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.
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
Keeper Query
Props to Malinda Moller for the correct answer to Tuesday's query: before his goal against North Korea this week, Cristiano Ronaldo had not scored for Portugal since February 2009 against Finlad.
Today's query: Defending World Cup champ Italy was eliminated yesterday in group play after losing 3-2 to Slovakia, but they're not the first Cup holders to crash out early. Name *all* the other defending champs who did make the second round of the following World Cup. First to answer correctly after 9 am CT wins two tickets to Saturday's Dynamo game.
Soccer to watch
Today
World Cup group play
Portugal v Brazil, 9 am, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univsion, espn3.com
Ivory Coast v North Korea, 9 am, ESPN2, TeleFutura, espn3.com
Chile v Spain, 1:30 pm, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision, espn3.com
Switzerland v Honduras, 1:30 pm, ESPN2, TeleFutura, espn3.com
Saturday
World Cup round of 16
Uruguay v South Korea, 9 am, ESPN, espn3.com
USA v Ghana, 1:30 pm, ABC, ESPN Deportes, Univision, espn3.com
Major League Soccer
Toronto FC v LA Galaxy, 6:30 pm, Fox Soccer Channel
Dynamo v Colorado Rapids, 7:30 pm, KHOU 11.2, TV Informa 43
Sunday
World Cup round of 16
Germany v England, 9 am, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision, espn3.com
Argentina v Mexico, 1:30 pm, ABC, ESPN Deportes, Univision, espn3.com
Women's Professional Soccer
FC Gold Pride v Sky Blue FC, 5 pm, Fox Soccer Channel
Monday
World Cup round of 16
Netherlands v Slovakia, 9 am, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision, espn3.com
G winner v H runner-up, 1:30 pm, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision, espn3.com
Tuesday
World Cup round of 16
Paraguay v Japan, 9 am, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision, espn3.com
H winner v G runner-up, 1:30 pm, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision, espn3.com
Wednesday
Women's Professional Soccer
All-Star Game: Abby Wambach's XI v Marta's XI, 7 pm, Fox Soccer Channel
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Keeper Calendar
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June 26: Uruguay v South Korea, USA v Ghana
June 26: Colorado Rapids at Houston Dynamo, Robertson Stadium
June 27: Mexico v Argentina, England v Germany
June 28: Netherlands v Slovakia, G winner v H runner-up
June 29: Japan v Paraguay, H winner v G runner-up
June 29: US Open Cup/Dynamo v Miami FC, Robertson Stadim
June 30: WPS All-Star Game, Atlanta
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July 1: Houston Dynamo at Toronto FC
July 2-3: World Cup quarterfinals
July 6-7: World Cup semifinals
July 6-7: US Open Cup quarterfinals
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
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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.