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Keeper Notes, 7 May 2010
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MLS All-Stars v Man U – Dynamo Saturday in So Cal – Mexico v Angola May 13
World Cupdate – Youth soccer opportunities – Coaching gigs – Keeper Query
It's official!
Major League Soccer announced today (finally!) that the MLS All-Stars will face Manchester United on Wednesday, July 28 at Reliant Stadium. The English Premier League team is committed to bringing all players without World Cup obligations (in other words, we very likely won't see Wayne Rooney but will get Ryan Giggs, Berbatov and many more stars). Ticket info should be posted on HoustonDynamo.com soon.
Saturday in SoCal
Join Dynamo fans at the official viewing party at Shuck Daddy's (1511 Shepherd, a few blocks south of I-10) tomorrow as the Dynamo face Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center. Party begins at 9 pm, kickoff is 9:3o pm. Or join the Texian Army at Ernie's on Banks off Montrose, just south of Hwy. 59 (21+ only).
If you're watching at home, catch the game on KHOU 11.2, TV Informa, Fox Sports Houston or MLS Direct Kick, or listen to the dulcet tones of the Dynamo's Jonathan Yardley on the radio broadcast on 790 AM. (Even better, watch the game on TV with the sound off and turn up the radio … you'll have to sync the video with the audio but it's totally worth it.)
Props for Pat
If Onstad takes the field Saturday, he will break Preki's record as oldest player to play in an MLS game. Wednesday night Pat set the records for oldest player to start a game and play a full 90. Maybe he can score a goal and earn an assist this season and take those records from Preki too!
Canetti's corner
Dynamo COO Chris Canetti now has a weekly blog. Get all the inside Dynascoop every Monday at www.houstondynamo.com/news/2010/05/canettis-corner-may-3-2010.
Are you forever orange?
How about 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.
Countdown to el gran dia
It's less than a week away … do you have your tickets for the May 13 Mexico v Angola match at Reliant Stadium? You should! Every futbol fanatico in town will be there. Buy your tickets now because prices go up on gameday!
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster outlets, most Fiesta locations, HoustonDynamo.com, lsse.net and the Reliant Stadium box office or call 832-667-2390. Special rates available for groups of 20 or more.
SW Indoor Soccer summer youth session
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Registration deadline for the summer YOUTH session is Wednesday, June 9, games start Saturday, June 12.
The following divisions will be available: U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18, U19.
For more info, see www.letsplaysoccer.com/main/Locations/southwest/std/reginfo.htm or call 281-564-7947 any day after 5 pm.
One small step for soccer, one giant leap for women's soccer
This Sunday marks the debut of the first stadium built specifically for a WPS team. The Atlanta Beat host Sky Blue FC at 6 pm in their new 8,300 seat, state-of-the-art facility. Catch the game live on Fox Soccer Channel or via the live webcast as womensprosoccer.com.
Win two tickets to the Mexico v Angola match!
Just go to keepernotes.com and enter to win TWO tickets to the May 13 Mexico v Angola match at Reliant Stadium, courtesy of Keeper Notes & Southwest Indoor Soccer! Deadline to enter is THIS SUNDAY, May 9; winner will be notified by noon Monday, May 10. Limit one entry per email address per day.
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 about 5400 subscribers.
FREE STUFF: soccer-related job openings, youth & adult league registration info, free soccer events, teams looking for players, any nonprofit info, and any "shout out" to local soccer achievers. Email details to keeper@keepernotes.com.
NOT FREE: soccer camps, paid tournaments, other commercially-related info. Contact The Keeper for rates.
"Two players. 25 countries. One game."
Away from professional stadiums, bright lights, and manicured fields, there’s another side of soccer. Tucked away on alleys, side streets, and concrete courts, people play in improvised games. Every country has a different word for it. In the USA, we call it "pick-up soccer." In Trinidad, it's "taking a sweat." In Brazil, the word is “pelada,” which literally means "naked" -- the game stripped down to its core. It’s the version of the game played by anyone, anywhere -- and it’s a window into lives all around the world.
"Pelada" is a documentary following Luke and Gwendolyn, two former college soccer stars who didn’t quite make it to the pros. Not ready for it to be over, they take off, chasing the game. From prisoners in Bolivia to moonshine brewers in Kenya, from freestylers in China to women who play in hijab in Iran, "Pelada" is the story of the people who play.
And "Pelada" is coming to Houston! Don't miss your chance to see the movie and help the filmmakers raise much needed funds to complete post-production. The screening will be May 19, 7 pm at Studio Movie Grill, 805 Town and Country Lane. There will be a Q&A session with director Ryan White immediately following the screening.
Tickets are $10 and are available online at http://www.neoflix.com/store/PEL41/PEL4191TIX01-19May7pm
View a preview of the film at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=331599998700#!/event.php?eid=120645274621289&ref=ts
World Cupdate
The initial 30-man roster for the USA World Cup team will be announced sometime next week. Team will train at Princeton University beginning May 17.
The Stars & Stripes will face two traditionally strong European teams before departing for South Africa -- they'll play the Czech Republic on Tuesday, May 25 in Connecticut (7 pm on ESPN & Galavision) and then Turkey on Saturday, May 29 in Philadelphia (1 pm on ESPN2 & Galavision).
The US World Cup jerseys are available to fans at ussoccerstore.com and all Soccer4All locations in Houston.
Youth soccer opportunities
Westside Soccer Club and Bear Creek Soccer Club are excited to announce a merger to become Texas United FC
Our mission is to create a first-class, affordable and competitive soccer club to help the youth of Houston maximize their soccer experience with a safe atmosphere for practice & play, quality professional training, and well-organized game competition at all levels. We are a volunteer, parent-run organization whose focus is on each player’s overall soccer growth through skill development and competitive play. Our coaches get to coach and are not just team managers with each team being run like a franchise and can be kept intact.
We have access to excellent professional soccer trainers as an option for all teams and individuals and a wonderful central location at Bear Creek Park with over 30 soccer fields. Tryout dates for fall 2010 are listed below for DIV 1, SUPER 2 & DIV 2. Registration can be done online or on-site (please show up 15 minutes early). For more info, see www.texasunitedfc.com.
TUFC Tryout Schedule for Fall 2010
BOYS
Mon Jun 7, 5-6:30 U12-U14; 6:30-8 U15-U19
Wed Jun 9, 5-6:30 U12-U14; 6:30-8 U15-U19
GIRLS
Tue Jun 8, 5-6:30 U12-U14, 6:30-8 U15-U19
Thu Jun 10, 5-6:30 U12-U14, 6:30-8 U15-U19
Rain date Fri Jun 11, 5-6:30 BOYS; 6:30-8 GIRLS
Albion Hurricanes tryouts for fall 2010
May 8
U-11 Signing Day, AHFC Campbell Road Office for both Main and West
May 17-20
U-9 and U-10 Evaluations, Campbell Road for Main Campus and Katy Park for West
May 22
U-9 and U-10 Signing Day, AHFC Campbell Road Office for both Main and West
June 7-10
U-12 through U-19 Evaluations, Bear Creek Park for Main Campus and for West
June 12
U-12 through U-19 Signing Day, AHFC Campbell Road Office for both Main and West
Tryout form & more info at www.albionhurricanes.org.
U11 Girl Goalie needed
Team has been together for many years and is looking for a new member to add to the family.
Team: Texas United Superstars
Team Status: 2009 District Champs, undefeated for 3+ years, qualifying for Division 1
Requirements: experienced, full-time goalkeeper
If interested, please contact Beth Amaya at 832-428-1709 or eamaya714@aol.com.
Shout out to...
Native Texan José "Gringo" Torres, whose club team Pachuca earned the CONCACAF Champions League title last month. Pachuca will take part in the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup in December.
Keeper tweets
www.twitter.com/keepernotes
Soccer coaching gigs
Middle school coach needed
Duchesne Academy is looking for middle school soccer coaches for the winter season (November 1, 2010 through February 4, 2011). For more info, please email amit.shah@duchesne.org.
SoccerTots instructors needed
SoccerTots is looking for quality instructors in the following areas: Sugar Land, Town & Country, Katy, Pasadena, Friendswood and Webster. SoccerTots is a motor skills development program for children aged 18 months - 6 years old. Classes are typically offered mornings, late afternoons and weekends. A soccer background is not absolutely necessary, but would be helpful. Childcare experience would also be relevant. See www.soccertotshouston.com. A background check and references will be required.
Training will be held in the Town & Country area. You will be paid for training only if hired. Pay would be hourly, ranging from $12-$18, part-time. Submit a resume and/or brief description of your experience with child development and soccer to houstonareasoccer@gmail.com.
Keeper Query
Shout out to Franklin Cartagena for the correct answer to last week's query: the first (and so far only) American to play in (and win) a UEFA Champions League final was Jovan Kirovski, who played for Dortmund in 1997.
This week's query: Only one Dynamo field player has played every minute of the MLS season so far. Who is this ironman? First to answer correctly after 9 am CT wins a Dynamo tshirt. Email your answer to keeper@keepernotes.com.
Soccer to watch
All times CT and subject to change.
Today
International friendly
Mexico v Ecuador, 8 pm, Telemundo
Saturday
La Liga
Sevilla v Barcelona, 2 pm, GolTV
Real Madrid v Atletico Bilbao, 2 pm, ESPN Deportes
Major League Soccer
Seattle Sounders v LA Galaxy, 3 pm, TeleFutura
Columbus Crew v New England Revolution, 6 pm, Fox Soccer Channel
Houston Dynamo v Chivas USA, 9:30 pm, KHOU 11.2, Fox Sports Houston, TV Informa, Direct Kick
Mexico Primera
Monterrey v Pachuca, 6 pm, Telemundo
Chivas Guadalajara v Morelia, 8 pm, Telemundo
Sunday
English Premier League
Manchester United v Stoke City, 10 am, Fox Soccer Plus
Chelsea v Wigan Athletic, 10 am, Fox Sports Premium
West Ham United v Manchester City, 10 am, ESPN2
Mexico Primera
Toluca v Club America, noon, Telemundo
Pumas v Santos Laguna, 5 pm, Telemundo
Women's Professional Soccer
Sky Blue FC at Atlanta Beat, 6 pm, Fox Soccer Channel
Monday
International friendly
Mexico v Senegal, 8 pm, Telemundo
Tuesday
England Championship
Nottingham Forest v Blackpool, 1:45 pm, Fox Soccer Plus
Wednesday
Europa League championship match
Atletico Madrid v Fulham, 1:45 pm, Fox Sports Premium
Thursday
Int'l friendly
Mexico v Angola, 8 pm, Telemundo (you should be *at* the game)
Major League Soccer
Real Salt Lake v Houston Dynamo, 8 pm, Telemundo
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Keeper Calendar
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May 7: Mexico v Ecuador, New York/New Jersey
May 8: Houston Dynamo at Chivas USA
May 10: Mexico v Senegal, Chicago
May 12: Europa Cup final/Fulham v Atletico Madrid
May 13: Mexico v Angola, Reliant Stadium
May 13: Houston Dynamo at Real Salt Lake
May 16: Mexico v Chile, Mexico City
May 20: UEFA Women's Champions League final/Lyon v Potsdam, Getafe
May 22: UEFA Champions League final/Bayern Munich v Inter Milan, Madrid
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 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 5: US men v Australia, South Africa
June 5: Houston Dynamo at LA Galaxy
June 10: Houston Dynamo v Laredo Heat, Corpus Christi
June 11: 2010 World Cup begins/Mexico v South Africa, South Africa
June 12: World Cup/US men v England, South Africa
June 18: World Cup/US men v Slovenia, South Africa
June 19: Dynamo Charities Cup/Houston Dynamo v Águila, Robertson Stadium
June 23: World Cup/US men v Algeria, South Africa
June 26: Colorado Rapids at Houston Dynamo
June 26: World Cup round of 16 begins
June 29: US Open Cup/Dynamo v TBA, TBA
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July 1: Houston Dynamo at Toronto FC
July 2-3: World Cup quarterfinals
July 6-7: World Cup semifinals
July 10: World Cup third place match
July 10: Columbus Crew at Houston Dynamo, Robertson Stadium
July 11: World Cup final
July 13: u20 Women's World Cup begins, Germany
July 15: SuperLiga first-round match/Dynamo v TBA, Robertson Stadium
July 18: SuperLiga first-round match/Dynamo v Chivas USA, Robertson Stadium
July 21: SuperLiga first-round match/Dynamo v TBA, Robertson Stadium
July 24: Houston Dynamo at Columbus Crew
July 28: MLS All-Stars v Manchester United, Reliant Stadium
Expanded calendar at keepernotes.com.