Saturday, August 22, 2020

Houston Dynamo, FC Dallas battle to scoreless draw in first match of 2020 Texas Derby

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved
By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 21, 2020) After one hundred seventy-four days, the Houston, the Houston Dynamo returned to the pitch inside BBVA Stadium for live soccer, as they took on FC Dallas in the first match to determine the possession of the El Capitan, in the annual Texas Derby. After 90 minutes of play, neither team could seem to get an advantage, with the match ending in scoreless draw.

Due to COVID-19 issues, the match was played without fans, with on team and stadium personal and selected media were allowed in the stadium. The Dynamo had fan and supporter noise broadcast over public address system, to simulate actual game conditions. 

It simulated game noise did not seem to hinder or help either team, as they constantly battled each other up and down the field, with neither team able to find a way to get the ball into their opponent's goal. The Dynamo had an 17-7 advantage in shots for the match, while keeping possession of the ball 58% for 90 minutes of play.

Houston head coach Tad Ramos stated:

 “I think we did exactly what we wanted to do, which was to take possession away from them. Dallas is a team that usually has possession every game, and we wanted to make sure that we were the ones dictating the game. Overall, I have to say I’m happy with the team. There wasn’t much more I could ask from them. They made an incredible effort today – I’m happy with that. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make a goal. We had the shots and we created the chances, but the ball didn’t go in. That’s the way it goes.”

Goalkeeper Marko Maric, playing in his first Texas Derby also spoke about the draw:

“I think there would be more intensity if the stadium was full with supporters. In the end it’s a game. I know how much this means for Houston and our supporters, but in the end, us as players have to play our game. Of course, we don’t want to lose against our rival. Before we came in, we were pumped up. We know what is online. I wish I would’ve had my first derby win, but today it didn’t happen. To me, it would be much more attractive to play with supporters to see how much love we have here for this derby.”

Next up for the Dynamo is a Tuesday, August 25 road match against Sporting Kansas City. They will return to BBVA Stadium on Wednesday, September 2 with a 7 p.m. CDT meeting against Minnesota United FC.  

Saturday, August 01, 2020

On this day in Olympic History, August 1

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 1, 2020) August 1 is a unique day in Olympic history. Many newsworthy Olympic events have happened on August 1; dating back 92 years to the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam. On that day, the United States sweep the medals in a rainy pole vault final with Sabin Carr capturing the gold medal, followed by William Droegemuller (silver) and Charles McGinnis (bronze).

Below are more events from Olympic history of August 1.

1936: The Games of the IX Olympiad open in Berlin.

1976: The Games of the XXL Olympiad officially close in Montreal, Canada

1980: Gerd Wessig of East Germany becomes the first male to set a high jump world record at the Olympics with a jump of 2.36 meters (7 feet, 9 inches) in Moscow.

1980: East German runner Waldemar Cierpinski wins his second consecutive Olympic Games marathon in 12:11:03 in Moscow.

1992: American sprinter Gail Devers wins an incredibly close blanket finish in the women's 100 meters with the time of 10.82 seconds in Barcelona, with five athletes within 0.06 seconds of Devers.

1996: Dan O'Brien wins the decathlon gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics to become the first American since Bruce Jenner in 1976 to win the event.

2012: American Nathan Adrian clocks 47.52 in winning the 100-meter freestyle gold at the London Olympics; his first swim under 48 seconds.