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Keeper Notes
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So close to that new stadium
Dynamo stadium update
Letters of intent have been signed for the city of Houston to purchase land east of Hwy. 59 near downtown for a soccer stadium. The plan is that the team will finance construction. In addition, the city recently signed letters of intent to construct an 18-field soccer complex in south Houston that would serve as a practice facility for the Dynamo and amateur clubs. Read the Chronicle article at http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/east/news/5440589.html, but more importantly, show your support for the stadium by blogging at http://blogs.chron.com/soccer/ or emailing viewpoints@chron.com.
Get yer US v Mexico tickets!
Don't wait to buy tickets for the rematch of the best rivalry in CONCACAF. The February 6 USA v Mexico game is already more than half sold. Ticket prices range from $35 to $165, and are available at Ticketmaster outlets and at the Reliant Stadium box office (Monday-Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-2).
Ref certification course ... with a cash prize!
HFA & TORSO are sponsoring a Grade-8 Entry Level Referee certification course Jan. 18-20 at North Harris College -- see course # 1N-46-0108-08 at http://stsr01.org/AvailableClinics.aspx. To sweeten the deal, both HFA and TORSO will rebate the $55 course and registration fees after successful graduates officiate 3 games for either league, at any position, for the regular referee fees.
In addition
, there is a $200 cash prize for the registered TORSO and HFA player (2 leagues, 2 prizes) who achieves the highest score on the exam. The winner will be required to work at least one league game to receive this prize. In the event of a tie for either league, the money will be split between the winners. FYI, less than 1 percent of registrants get a perfect score.
Youth league at Kicks Indoor
Kicks Indoor Soccer is offering coed youth soccer leagues for kids ages 6-8 (4v4) and 9-12 (6v6) featuring weekly practice sessions and Saturday games all played at the same convenient location inside the Loop. Deadline to register is January 16; practice begins the following week. All sessions supervised by a certified STYSA trainer. See http://www.kicksindoor.com/youthleagues/.
Take a shot at the keeper
Like what you're reading? Got ideas or links to share? Let me know: keeper@keepernotes.com. And be sure to check out keepernotes.com as well and tell me what's missing.
That's right, he's from Texas
Big shout out to south Texan Clint Dempsey, who was named US Soccer's 2007 Male Athlete of the Year. Dempsey had 3 international goals this year and has earned his keep at Fulham FC with several goals for the Cottagers. Way to go, Clint!
February men's tourney: CASH PRIZES
Kicks Indoor is hosting a men's tournament February 16-17 with a $2500 cash prize for the champion and $500 for runner-up. 3-game minimum, World Cup format, 16 teams max. $450 fee per team, no roster limit, 6v6 (including keepers). Deadline to enter is February 4. Email info@kicksindoor.com or call 713-426-1107 to sign up.
Keeper Query
Kudos to Erik Nielsen for the correct answer to the last query -- the three Swedes who have played in MLS are Thomas Ravelli (the Keeper's fav, of course), Jan Eriksson and Anders Limpar.
This week's query: US captain and international caps leader (340!) Kristine Lilly recently announced that she will not play in 2008 as she is expecting her first child. Her 1999 World Cup teammates already have at least 11 daughters and 5 sons among them. So here's a different kind of query ... how many 1999 champion moms can you name? Whoever can list the most by 3 pm CT wins a Dynamo soccer ball (and maybe some women's national team schwag). Email keeper@keepernotes.com.
Live soccer on TV
Saturday
EPL: Arsenal v Birmingham City, 9 am, Fox Soccer Channel
EPL: Manchester Utd v Newcastle Utd, 11 am, Fox Soccer Channel
Futbol de Argentina: River Plate v Independiente, 6 pm, Fox Soccer Channel
InterLiga finals: San Luis v Atlas, 8 pm, Fox Sports en Espanol
InterLiga finals: America v Cruz Azul, 10:30 pm, Fox Sports en Espanol
Sunday
EPL: Bolton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers, 10 am, Fox Soccer Channel
Tuesday
FA Cup: Liverpool v Luton Town, 2 pm, Fox Soccer Channel
Wednesday
FA Cup: Manchester City v West Ham Utd, 2 pm, Fox Soccer Channel
More at http://www.soccertv.com
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Keeper Calendar
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January 16: US women v Canada, China
January 18: 2008 MLS SuperDraft
January 18: US women v Finland, China
January 19: US men v Sweden, Carson, CA
January 20: US women v China, China
February 6: US men v Mexico, Reliant Stadium
February 20: Pan-Pacific Championship: Gamba Osaka v LA Galaxy, Houston Dynamo v TBA, Hawaii
February 23: Pan-Pacific Championship: third place match & final, Hawaii
March 10-23: CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tourney (men's u23)
March 29: Houston Dynamo at New England Revolution
April 6: FC Dallas at Houston Dynamo, Robertson Stadium
Expanded calendar at http://www.keepernotes.com/calendar.htm
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