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Keeper Notes
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Get your hard hats ready!
Another Soccer Saturday
The last match of our 3-game home stand is Saturday at Robertson Stadium, with an early kickoff at 3 pm; gates open at 2 pm. The Men in Orange face Western Conference rival Chivas USA, and we may see the return of Joseph Ngwenya. A Dynamo community calendar will be handed out to the first 5000 fans who enter the stadium. Game airs live on TeleFutura, and can also be heard on 790 AM (English) and 850 AM (Spanish).
Tax Day ticket special!
For today only, the Houston Dynamo are offering tax relief to Dynamo fans … with the Tax Day Dynamo discount you can get a $10.40 ticket for Saturday’s match. To buy tickets, go to www.HoustonDynamo.com/tax or call 713-276-7500.
Cruz & Boswell in the house
Bobby Boswell & Danny Cruz will be at the adidas store in the Galleria today, along with Dynamo Diesel and the Dynamo Girls, 6 - 7:30 pm. Season ticketholders receive a 30% discount off in-store merchandise with proof of STH status (2010 season ticket or STH membership card). Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used soccer gear to donate to the US Soccer Passback program.
When they build it, not if ...
At last! The Harris County Commissioners Court approved the Dynamo stadium Tuesday … all that remains to do before the digging starts is negotation of a lease. At this point we're looking at starting the 2012 season in the new venue.
Soccer Matters
Check out the latest episode of "Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis" on Fox Sports Houston today at 5 pm.
Win tickets & flights to Dynamo away games
Check out the Amigo Energy sweepstakes at amigofreekick.com.
Are you true blue?
The Dynamo is looking for outgoing, passionate soccer folks to join the Blue Crew, the group of dedicated volunteers who support the team & fans at home games and Dynamo community events. Minimum age 18, minimum commitment 10 home games per season. Email bcrew@houstondynamo.com for more info.
Coming up
MLS will likely make an announcement next week about the opponent for this summer's All-Star game at Reliant Stadium. The word on the street (aka the Chronicle's soccer blog) is that Manchester United will play the All-Stars as part of their U.S. tour.
May 13: Mexico v Angola at Reliant Stadium
Let's show the US World Cup bid committee why Houston is *the* place to host World Cup matches … let's fill Reliant Stadium with the best soccer fans in the USA! It's gonna be a great match between two teams with interesting but very different styles of play ... so don't wait to buy your tickets.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster, most Fiesta locations in Houston, lsse.net and the Reliant Stadium box office, or call 832-667-2390.
If you would like a suite for the match, contact Brian Varnadoe at 832-667-2160. Suites hold 16 or 22 guests, and the seats are $85 each.
Sports Quest Soccer Camps 2010
Celebrating 14 years!
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Sports Quest - "A Professional, Christian soccer training organization" - will be conducting soccer camps throughout Houston again this summer (June 7 - August 13).
Boys and girls 5-12 years will receive 5 days (3 hours/day) of quality soccer instruction by licensed trainers. Players are grouped according to age and ability levels.
We also offer elite camps for players U11-U19 (Div. 2 through Div. 1). 28 Each camp includes a free soccer ball, T-shirt, plus other daily prizes and give-a-ways.
Check out www.sportsquesttraining.com for more information and to register online.
World Cup trophy coming to Houston
The World Cup trophy is only making two stops in the United States, and one of those stops is here in Houston! The trophy will be at the University of Houston's intramural fields on Sunday, May 2.
Bring a specially marked "FIFA Trophy Tour" Coca-Cola can to get in free to the event. Limit one per person. Space is limited; entry is first come, first served. See www.mycokerewards.com/showLBE.do?type=pillar&id=worldcup_esp&size=3.
Shout out to
to the Houston-area adult teams that competed in State Cup last weekend:
In Men's Division 1 action, Fury FC of HFA made it to the finals. After 120 minutes of tough play (plus playing a man down in the second OT) and eventually shots from the mark, they lost to the Celtic Cowboys from Austin.
In the Division 2 final, it was an all-HFA affair with BJK Black Eagles and Islanders battling for the title. Black Eagles scored first, but Islanders put one in during the final seconds of the game to force overtime. The Black Eagles scored again and held on to claim the title of state champs.
In Women's Division 2 play, Rayadas of HWSA won the championship final.
Dynamo Camps!
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The Dynamo Centers of Excellence focuses on individual player development and is open to boys and girls aged 8-12 (8-18 for goalkeepers). There are 22 total sessions throughout the year at locations in Katy, Sugar Land, Klein, Space City, Inner City and HBU.
The Dynamo Residential Elite Camp in San Antonio, TX; June 13 - 17. This camp includes daily training sessions and nightly games, a futsal tournament, and lectures by top college coaches and Dynamo Staff. The top players will be selected to the Houston Dynamo Academy.
For more info or to register, contact 713-276-7524, HoustonDynamo.com or email camps@houstondynamo.com.
Local kids done good ...
Midfielder Kyle Emerson of Texas Soccer Club has been called into camp with the US u18 men's national team. The team will train in Carson, California April 25 to May 2.
Midfielder Sophia Mundy, an alumna of Texas Premier and UH, came on as a sub in the 68th minute for WPS expansion team Atlanta Beat in the team's inaugural match against the Philadephia Independence Sunday. The teams tied 0-0.
The Strake Jesuit varsity team that reached the Class 5A State final Saturday and battled through 100 scoreless minutes before losing to Dallas Jesuit in a shootout.
Copa Alianza final Saturday night
The final of the 32-team Copa Alianza men's tournament will be held Saturday at 6 pm at HISD's Dyer Stadium (Loop 610 & Hwy. 290). Admission & parking are free. The final features Regals FC (the NPSL's newest team) and Veracruz FC. See RegalsFC.com.
The Dynamo Academy will face the Copa Alianza winner Sunday at 6 pm at Dyer Stadium. Free parking & admission.
2010 Rice Owls Soccer Camp
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Come join the fun this summer at the Rice Owls Soccer Camp! The camp is held at Rice University in Houston, and is open to boys and girls ages 4-18. Players are grouped according to age and ability levels.
Your child will participate in a training environment that is both fun and challenging! The camp curriculum will help every player improve his or her skills and abilities. We offer full-day camps, half-day camps for the younger players, and the Owl Elite Academy and Goalkeeper Academy.
Check out www.hustonsoccer.com for more information and to register online.
Links to keep
www.gousabid.com
Have you signed the petition yet?
fantasy.womensprosoccer.com
Win great prizes like Puma gear and autographed items
www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=otb&id=berylson
Worth a read
itunes.apple.com/podcast/set-piece-analysts/id338471720
Worth a listen
http://en.trivia.fifa.com/fifaquiz/
Win World Cup tickets!
Southwest Indoor Soccer
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Deadline to register your team for the next session is next Wednesday, April 21. Games begin May 6.
Register your team in the following “prime time” divisions for $600 per team (plus $10 ref fee per game):
- MEN 1, 2, 3 and 4 – Competitive
- MEN OVER 30 A and B
- MEN 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D – Men Recreational
- COED A and B – Competitive COED
- COED REC A, B and C – Recreational COED
- COED OVER 30 – The best there is and the only one in town.
Or try the SPECIALTY LEAGUES:
- MEN OPEN (Saturdays & Sundays only) -- 10 teams are already in. $400 for 8 games.
- MIDNIGHT LEAGUES -- A “return college student” special. $400 per 8 games. $20 ref fees. All games played after midnight (12:20 am or 1:10 am).
Drop by the facility anytime after 5:30 pm. Looking for a team? Call 281-564-7947. We’ll get you on a team TODAY.
Check out Southwest Indoor’s MIDNIGHT SOCCER pickup games. Every Tuesday and Friday at midnight. See www.letsplaysoccer.com/main/Locations/southwest/index.html.
Want to work in soccer?
Regals FC is looking to fill both paid and volunteer positions with the new NPSL club.
Volunteer: Off-Field Officials & Clock Operations
This group includes the official scorekeeper, music, public address announcer, and game clock operations.
Volunteer: Video Coach
This is a very important aspect of our training and preparations. The video coach should own video equipment and have experience editing the game recordings.
Volunteer: Team Operations
Equipment managers, changing room assistants, ball boys (and girls!) and are always in high demand.
More job listings & details at www.regalsfc.com. Interested parties should contact Stephen Heisler at stephenheisler@aol.com or 832-445-9983.
By the numbers
Twitter followers as of April 14
NBA: 1,833,416
NFL: 1,595,715
MLB: 917,098
WPS: 246,709
MLS Insider: 22,549
Age of professional soccer debut
Freddy Adu: 14
Bobby Convey: 16
Wayne Rooney: 17
Lionel Messi: 17
Brian Ching: 22
World Cup average attendance per match
68,991 USA 1994
52,491 Germany 2006
47,431 Brazil 1950
42,268 Korea/Japan 2002
24,138 Uruguay 1930
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, ever sold or shared) has more than 5200 subscribers. No lie!
FREE ITEMS: soccer-related job openings, youth & adult league registration info, free soccer events, teams looking for players, any non-profit info, and any "shout out" to local soccer achievers. Email your details to keeper@keepernotes.com.
NOT FREE: soccer camps, paid tournaments, other commercially-related info. Contact The Keeper for rates.
Keeper Query
Props to Ramiro Magana for the correct answer to last week's query -- the WPS leaders for the 2009 were Marta (10 goals), Sonia Bompastor (6 assists) and Karina LeBlanc (12 shutouts).
This week's query: Rookie Zack Schilawski scored a hat trick for the Revs last weekend against Toronto. ... this was just the third hat trick by a rookie in the history of the league. Name the three current MLS franchises that have yet to put a hat trick (from a vet or a rookie) in their record books. First to answer correctly after 9 am CT wins two tickets to Saturday's Dynamo game. Email your answer to keeper@keepernotes.com.
Soccer to watch
All times CT. All times subject to change.
Today
La Liga
Almería v Real Madrid, 1 pm, GolTV
Valencia v Atletico Bilbao, 3 pm, GolTV
Major League Soccer
Toronto FC v Philadelphia Union, 6 pm, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
Friday
Bundesliga
FC Köln v VfL Bochum, 1:30 pm, ESPN Deportes
Serie A
Inter Milan v Juventus, Fox Soccer Channel
Saturday
English Premier League
Manchester City v Manchester United, 6:45 am, ESPN2
Blackburn Rovers v Everton, 9 am, Fox Soccer Channel
Birmingham City v Hull City, 9 am, Fox Soccer Plus
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea, 11:30 am, Fox Soccer Chanel
La Liga
Espanyol v Barcelona, 1 pm, GolTV
Major League Soccer
Houston Dynamo v Chivas USA, 3 pm, TeleFutura
LA Galaxy v Real Salt Lake, 9:30 pm, Fox Soccer Channel
Mexico Primera
Queretaro FC v Tecos, 5 pm, TeleFutura
Monterrey v América, 5 pm, Telemundo
Pachuca v Toluca, 7 pm, TeleFutura
Chivas Guadalajara v Atlas, 7 pm, Telemundo, mun2
Sunday
English Premier League
Wigan Athletic v Arsenal, 7:30 am, Fox Soccer Plus
Portsmouth v Aston Villa, 10 am, Fox Soccer Channel
La Liga
Real Madrid v Valencia, 2 pm, ESPN2
Mexico Primera
Pumas v Morelia, noon, Telemundo
Puebla v Cruz Azul, noon, ESPN Deportes
Serie A
Sampdoria v AC Milan, 8 am, Fox Soccer Channel
Santos Laguna v San Luis, 4 pm, Univision
Women's Professional Soccer
Boston Breakers v Philadelphia Independence, 5 pm, Fox Soccer Channel
Tuesday
UEFA Champions League semifinals, 1st leg
Inter Milan v Barcelona, 1:30 pm, Fox Sports Espanol, DirecTV
Wednesday
UEFA Champions League semifinals, 1st leg
Bayern München v Olympique Lyon, 1:30 pm, Fox Soccer Channel, DirecTV
English Premier League
Hull City v Aston Villa, 1:45 pm, Fox Soccer Plus
CONCACAF Champions League finals, 1st leg
Cruz Azul v Pachuca, 9 pm, Fox Soccer Channel
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Keeper Calendar
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April 17: Chivas USA at Houston Dynamo
April 20-21: UEFA Champions League semifinals, 1st leg
April 21: CONCACAF Champions League finals, 1st leg
April 24: Houston Dynamo at Chicago Fire
April 27-28: UEFA Champions League semifinals, 2nd leg
April 28: CONCACAF Champions League finals, 2nd leg
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May 1: Kansas City at Houston Dynamo
May 5: FC Dallas at Houston Dynamo
May 7: Mexico v Ecuador, New York
May 8: Houston Dynamo at Chivas USA
May 10: Mexico v Senegal, Chicago
May 13: Mexico v Angola, Reliant Stadium
May 13: Houston Dynamo at Real Salt Lake
May 16: UEFA Champions League final, Madrid
May 16: Mexico v Chile, Mexico City
May 22: DC United at Houston Dynamo
May 22: US women v Germany, Cleveland
May 24: Mexico v England, London
May 25: US men v Czech Republic, E. Hartford, CT
May 26: Mexico v Netherlands, Freiburg, Germany
May 29: Philadelphia Union at Houston Dynamo
May 29: US men v Turkey, Philadelphia
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June 2: Houston Dynamo at New York Red Bulls
June 3: Mexico v Italy, Brussels, Belgium
June 5: Houston Dynamo at LA Galaxy
June 5: US men v Australia, South Africa
June 10: Houston Dynamo v Laredo Heat, Corpus Christi
June 11: 2010 World Cup begins
June 12: World Cup/US men v England, South Africa
June 18: World Cup/US men v Slovenia, South Africa
June 23: World Cup/US men v Algeria, South Africa
June 26: Colorado Rapids at Houston Dynamo
June 26: World Cup knockout round begins
Expanded calendar at keepernotes.com.