Chivas Tops Houston 1-0

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 15, 2008) Omar Arellano found the goal in the 71st minute to give Chivas de Guadalajara a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo in group A action of Superliga 2008.

Chivas moves into first place in Group A with a 2-0 record (6 points). Houston falls to 1-1 (3 points) with each team having one match to go in the first round.

In earlier action, Atlante defeated DC United 3-2, giving Atlante a 1-1 record (3 points) while DC United falls to 0-2 (0 points).

The Dynamo will need a win over DC United on Saturday (July 19) and a Chivas win over Atlante to advance to the semi-finals.

The Dynamo faced a relentless offense by Chivas in the second half with The Goats mounting attack after attack until they found the goal.

Arellano took the ball at the top of the box, curled it around Houston’s Patrick Ianni before putting it low past goalkeeper Pat Onstad for the score.

Chivas goalkeeper Luis Michel made numerous tremendous stops to keep Houston from finding the goal.

Both teams will take a few days of needed rest before their next games this coming weekend.

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.

Dynamo face Chivas with Reduced Roster

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 15, 2008) When the Houston Dynamo faces off against Chivas de Guadalajara tonight in the second game for both teams in SuperLiga 2008, they will have to do it without the services of two of their most prolific players.

Dwayne De Rosario will miss the game do to being red-carded on Sunday’s game against Atlante, while Brian Ching will miss his second SuperLiga game with an abdominal injury.

The Dynamo will also be without defenders Richard Mulrooney and Eddie Robinson. Mulrooney is recovering from a knee injury, while Robinson recuperates his injured ankle.

Chivas will be trying to take advantage of Houston’s diminished roster and guarantee their place in the semi-finals.

Both Chivas and the Dynamo are 1-0, with three points and both teams would like nothing better than to go into their final Group A match with two victories.

Chivas comes into the game in pre-season mode while the Dynamo has been struggling to find consistency in their play this season. They are currently 4-4-8 and in fifth place in the Western Division of MLS.

They showed what they are capable of during Sunday evening’s thumping of Atlante. They will need to keep that strength going against Chivas.

Chivas has a multimillion-dollar roster and national team-caliber talent. In terms of American’s sports teams, Chivas is the New York Yankees of Mexico. Their players serve as the base for the Mexican national team. In reality, they are a club that is several levels above Atlante.

That fact is not lost on the Dynamo. They know they will have a tough time against Chivas.

"It's going to be a good test for us,” Stuart Holden (Dynamo midfielder) said. "They are a strong team, and they proved it in their victory over D.C. United.

With a 9:00pm start, everyone in Robertson Stadium will know if the Dynamo can handle Chivas. Sometime around 10:30pm and everyone will know.

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.