SuperLiga 2010: Houston Dynamo Slug Out A Win Over Puebla FC

(Puebla FC midfielder Yasser Corona (14) and Houston Dynamo defender Mike Chabala (17) go for the ball in SuperLiga 2010 action at Robertson Stadium. Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved)

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 21, 2010) After a rash of red and yellow cards beginning in the 84th minute, the Houston Dynamo held on to down Puebla FC 1-0 to win Group B of SuperLiga 2010.

Houston Dynamo needed either a win or tie against Puebla FC to advance to the semifinals of SuperLiga 2010.

Both teams failed to score in the first half, each having three total shots with no shots on goal.

In addition, both teams were issued only one yellow card each. Houston midfielder Lovel Palmer was carded in the 11th minute for a reckless tackle, while Puebla defender Juan Garcia was cited in the 35th minute for the same offense.

Even the fouls were kept to a minimum with Puebla committing seven and the Dynamo called for 10.

The second half when about the same as the first….until the Dynamo finally found the goal and both teams receive that unwanted rash of yellow and red cards.

In the 64th minute, forward Dominic Oduro received a header from forward Cam Weaver and knocked the ball past Puebla goalkeeper Edgar Hernandez for the only score of the match. The score was Oduro’s fourth goal of the season.

Then “all hell broke loose” with that rash of yellow and red cards that cost both teams players for the remainder of the match. Pushing, shoving, and slapping occurred which stopped play until it could be sorted out. As usual, extra time was added to compensate for the missed playing time.

Other players, as a result of excessive yellow cards in the tournament or red cards issued in this match, will have to sit out the next SuperLiga game for both teams.

After everything was settled, two players from each team were ejected, along with 12 cards issued; eight yellow and four red. Seven of the cards were to the Dynamo and five to Puebla.

As the Group A champion, the Dynamo will face Monarcas Morelia at Robertson Stadium in the semifinals the first week of August. Puebla will face Group B champion New England Revolution at a yet undetermined date.

SuperLiga 2010: Houston Dynamo Face Puebla FC

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 21, 2010) Coming into tonight’s SuperLiga 2010 game against Puebla FC, the Houston Dynamo held their fate in their own hands.

After tying Chivas USA 1-1 on Sunday evening, the Dynamo were 1-0-1 (4 points) in Group A, while Puebla was 2-0-0 (6 points) after a 3-1 thumping of Pachuca on the same evening.
The top two finishers in each group advance to the semi-finals and while it seems probable that the Dynamo will advance; their hopes rest on the hope that they can outscore a Puebla squad which has scored five points in two games, while giving up only two.

Puebla FC has qualified for the semifinal stage in SuperLiga. Pachuca FC has been eliminated from the semifinals. With a draw or a victory, Houston will qualify for the semifinals. Chivas USA need to defeat Pachuca and have Puebla defeat Houston, and also over tuen a minus-2 goal differential.

In any case, the Dynamo hold their own fate in the hands, or should I say with their feet.

Dynamo-Chivas USA Battle to Tie in SuperLiga Action

(Chivas USA's Ante Jazic (6) and Houston Dynamo's Cam Weaver (15) both go for a header in the SuperLiga tie at Robertson Stadium. Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved)

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 18, 2010) With an overcast sky, rain in the forecast and the temperature a muggy 80 degrees, the Houston Dynamo faced off against Chivas USA in the second match for both teams of SuperLiga 2010 on Sunday evening at the University of Houston’s Robertson Stadium.

Houston was coming off a 2-1 win over Pachuca CF on Thursday night at home, while Chivas fell to Puebla FC 2-1 at the Home Depot Center.

Both teams battled for supremacy in an attempt to advance to the second round, but the best each team could do was settle for a 1-1 tie.

The Dynamo struck first on an unassisted shot from the top of the box by midfielder Lovel Palmer in the 6th minute.

Spirited play and a reckless tackle by Dynamo defender Andrew Hainault in the 18th minute resulted in the match’s first yellow card.

Teammate Eddie Robinson picked up the Dynamo’s second yellow card of the match for a technical foul in the 35th minute while attempting to defend a Chivas USA attack in front of the Dynamo goal.

In the 45th minute, Dynamo forward Corey Ashe got the ball at midfield and began solid run towards Chivas’s goal; passing off to forward Cam Weaver in the final scoring attempt of the 1st half. Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy got a hand on it before it found the goal, to keep the score at 1-0 at the half.

Chivas USA received their first yellow card of the match when defender Michael Umana got a bit reckless on a tackle in the 41st minute.

The second half saw Chivas USA substitute Osael Romero for Marcelo Saragosa in an obvious attempt to close down the Dynamo attack from the middle.

Palmer make a daring right footed attempt at the goal in the 49th minute to try to increase Houston’s lead, but a quick body block and catch by Kennedy foiled the attempt.

In the 57th minute, Houston substituted midfielder Danny Cruz for Brad Davis. Cruz was given a rousing round of cheers by the Dynamo fans, the Batallon, and the Texian Army as he left the field.

Ashe made another spirited run at the goal in the 65th minute, receiving that ball at the left side, about 15 yards out. He sailed a shot across the bow of the goal, barely missing the net by the width of the ball.

Chivas finally got on the scoreboard in the 71st minute when a corner kick by midfielder Rodolfo Espinoza was headed by midfielder Jesus Padilla right past the outstretched arms of Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall.

The Dynamo quickly came back with two shots from 12-yard out in the 73rd and the 75th minute. Neither shot found it way into the goal to keep the score even.

Chivas substituted midfielder Ben Zemanski for Blair Gavin and came back one minute later with another substitution; defender Mariano Trujillo for Carlos Borja.

Dynamo defender Adrian Serioux went down at midfield in the 83rd minute, grasping his left leg in pain. He was quickly pulled from the game and replace with Richard Mulrooney.

After four minutes of stoppage time, the score remained at a one-all tie.

The Dynamo are now 1-1-0 (4 points) after two games of Group A of SuperLiga 2010. Chivas USA is 0-1-1 (1 point). Houston will face Puebla FC at 7:00pm Wednesday, July 21 for their final game of the first round. Chivas USA will face Pachuca CF at the Home Depot Center at 7:30pm (PST), also on Wednesday.

Dynamo Reach SuperLiga Semi-Finals

By Chris Price
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

WASHINGTON DC (June 20, 2008) The Houton Dynamo scored three goals by Ricardo Clark, Bobby Boswsell and Stuart Holden to down DC United, 3-1, in the nest-to-last Group A pool games at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC.

Francis Doe scored the lone goal for United in the 76th minute off a Marc Burch assist.

Houston won the grouping in a tie-breaker between themselves Atlante and Chivas, all of whom had 2-1-0 records and six points in the standings. United ended pool play 0-3-0.

Atlante defeated Guadalajara, 2-0, Saturday in the other Group A game at Buck Shaw Stadium at the University of Santa Clara in Santa Clara, CA.

Sunday is the final day of group play with Group B leader, the New England Revolution facing Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA, and defending tournament champion Pachuca meeting winless Santos Laguna at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX.

Dynamo-Chivas Scoreless in 1st Half

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 15, 2008) A rash invaded Robertson Stadium in the first half of the Houston Dynamo-Chivas match in SuperLiga 2008 Group A action.

The rash took its toll in the form of yellow cards in the scoreless half.

Neither team could find the goal with the yellow cards and goalkeepers seeing most of the action.

Yellow cards were issued to Houston’s Ricardo Clark (pushing, holding-19th minute) and Corey Ashe (pushing, holding-36th minute).

Chivas saw Gonzalo Pineda (pushing, holding-19th minute) and Sergio Avila (tackle from behind-27th minute) receive the cautions.

Chivas lead in total shots (6-5) and shots on goal (3-2). The Dynamo’s Pat Onstad recorded three saves while Chivas’ Ernesto Michel tallied two.

Both teams need to play more to the middle and look for the other team's openings. Defense was certainly the name of the game in the first half.

2008 SuperLiga Games, Times Set

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 13, 2008) The teams and sites for the 2008 edition of SuperLiga was recently announced. The SuperLiga is a North American soccer competition between teams from Mexico's Primera División and the Major League Soccer.

SuperLiga will decide the best in the region and will also award $1,000,000 to the winner; the heftiest winner’s purse in North American soccer history.

The second edition of the cross-border showdown is set for July 12 to August 5.

The Houston Dynamo, DC United, New England Revolution and Chivas USA will represent MLS while Chivas Guadalajara, Atlante, Pachuca and Santos will represent Mexico.

The groups, schedules, and venues are as follows:

Group A
Houston Dynamo
D.C. United
Guadalajara
Atlante

Group B
Chivas USA
New England
Pachuca
Santos


July 12: DC United - Guadalajara @ RFK Stadium in Washington DC, 8pm
July 12: Houston - Atlante @ Robertson Stadium in Houston, TX, 10pm

July 13: New England - Santos @ Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, 8pm
July 13: Chivas USA - Pachuca @ Home Depot Center in Carson, CA, 10pm

July 15: DC United- Atlante @ RFK Stadium, 8pm
July 15: Houston - Guadalajara @ Robertson Stadium, 10pm

July 16: New England - Pachuca @ Gillette Stadium, 8pm
July 16: Chivas USA - Santos @ Home Depot Center, 10pm

July 19: DC United- Houston @ RFK Stadium, 8pm
July 19: Atlante - Guadalajara, Location to be determined, 10pm

July 20: Chivas USA - New England @ Los Angeles, 8pm
July 20: Santos - Pachuca, Location to be determined, 10pm

July 29: Semi-final 1, Time and location to be determined

July 30: Semi-final 2, Time and location to be determined

Aug 5: Final, Time and location to be determined

All times are Eastern Time Zone.

SuperLiga Ticket Package Go On Sale Today

Fans have chance to get best seats to see best of United States and Mexico

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 26, 2008) – One year after hosting large crowds for the inaugural SuperLiga, Houston Dynamo tickets for this year’s SuperLiga are now available, the team announced today.

A special SuperLiga ticket package will be available in an exclusive early period that begins May 26 so that fans can guarantee their seat to watch the Dynamo take on Mexican powers Atlante (July 12) and Chivas de Guadalajara (July 15).

Fans can purchase SuperLiga tickets as part of five-game mini-plans that include popular Dynamo games against the Chicago Fire (Aug. 31) and Los Angeles Galaxy (Oct. 18) and the team’s first playoff game. Mini-plans start at $85 and can be purchased by calling the Dynamo offices or by logging on to houstondynamo.com.

SuperLiga, now in its second season, pits the top four teams from Mexico against the top four teams from Major League Soccer in an eight-team tournament, with teams competing for a $1 million championship prize.

After reaching the semifinals last year and drawing more than 62,000 fans in the process, the two-time defending MLS Cup champion Dynamo have been placed in Group A with 2007 Mexican Apertura champion Atlante; 2006 Mexican Apertura champion Chivas de Guadalajara; and 2007 MLS Supporters’ Shield winner D.C. United.

Group B features Chivas USA, the New England Revolution, defending champion Pachuca, and Santos Laguna. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals July 29-30, with the 2008 SuperLiga champion crowned August 5.

The Houston Dynamo will face FC Dallas on the road Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m., and the game can be seen on Channel 55 and Channel 43 and heard on 790 The Sports Animal and 850 La Ranchera. The Dynamo’s next home game is May 31 against the New York Red Bulls. For more information, call (713) 276-2500 or log on to www.houstondynamo.com.

Dynamo Down DC United 1-0, Win Group B of SuperLiga

By Robert H. Kelly

(HOUSTON, TEXAS August 1, 2007) The Houston Dynamo, on the goal from forward Brian Ching, defeated D.C. United 1-0 to win Group B of SuperLiga 2007. With the win, the Dynamo will face CF Pachuca in the semifinals in Houston on August 15.

Both teams were finishing off play in Group B, with the knowledge that a victory for either team would secure a place in the semifinals

For the third time this season, the Dynamo and United faced off with each team having won a previous game. DC United topped the Dynamo in Washington on May 26 by the score of 2-1 while the Dynamo edged United 1-0 at home on July 8.

Ching’s goal came in the second half as forward Nate Jaqua fed him a perfect pass and he punched it pass DC goalkeeper Troy Perkins for the score.

The goal, which Ching scored from 15 yards out, was his first in the tournament.

The first half, which was plagued with spirited but unproductive play, saw neither team able to gain an advantage. Both teams seemed to be sluggish and never found the punch they needed to put the ball in the goal.

The second half found both clubs playing a bit more aggressive but without the intensity that was evident in previous tournament games.

The Dynamo will next play a scheduled MLS game on the road against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, August 4.

Dynamo Tie Morelia in SuperLiga Action

By Robert H. Kelly

(HOUSTON, TEXAS, July 29, 2007) If you happened to be looking for your seat, glancing away, or lacked the least bit of focus at the start of Houston Dynamo’s SuperLiga game against Monaracas Morelia, you missed a play that stunted everyone.

The match got off to an interesting start with a goal eleven seconds into the game. After the face-off, Dynamo forward Brian Ching sprinted towards the goal, sliced the ball to forward Joseph Ngwenya who glided it into the net to give Houston a 1-0 lead before a stunted crowd at Houston’s Robertson Stadium.

Morelia finally tied the score in the 74th minute as Marcio Batista kicked the ball past Dynamo goalkeeper Zach Wells on a single shot from in front of the goal.

The Dynamo is now 1-1-0 to stay of top of Group B along with DC United. Both have four points while Morelia remains in third place with two points. Club America brings up the bottom of the group in fourth place with two losses.

In Group A action, Chivas Guadalajara is in first place with four points, followed by the Los Angeles Galaxy with three. Dallas, who has two ties, is in the third spot with two points, followed by Pachuca with one.

The Dynamo will face DC United in a Wednesday 7:00 pm game in Houston while Club America and Morelia face off in Chicago in the nightcap.

In Group A action, Dallas will face the Galaxy in Dallas on Tuesday, while Chivas and Pachuca meet at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

Dynamo Down Club America in SuperLiga Action

By Robert H. Kelly

(HOUSTON, TEXAS, July 25, 2007) In the first game for both teams of the 2007 SuperLiga tournament, the Houston Dynamo defeated Club America 1-0 in front of 18112 fans at Robertson Stadium in Houston.

In the match, which was physical and defensive in nature, the Dynamo scored the game’s only goal in the 41st minute.

Midfielder Stuart Holden sent a pass to forward Nate Jaqua who found the goal, sailing the ball past the Club America goalkeeper to tally the score.

The second half saw much defense with little offense as both teams traded possessions but were unable to find the goal.

With the win, the Dynamo goes 1-0 for the tournament with three victory points. Club America is in fourth pace in Group B, after D.C. United and Monaracas Morelia battled to a 1-1 tie.

Club America will not face D.C. United in Washington D.C. on Sunday, July 29 while the Dynamo will face Morelia on Sunday in Houston.

The Dynamo-Morelia game is set for a 9:00pm start in Houston.