Open Cup - Houston Dynamo - July 1 - 7.30pm

About the Houston game last night - imho. Yes we shoud have been awarded a pk in the opening minutes, yes the offsides goal in the first minute was in fact offsides. Yes the referee was atrocious, par for the course, yes Eddie should have passed to Kyle (but I can't say with confidence that Kyle would have scored). I think the turning point was when we missed the header from point blank (not sure who did it, or didn't do it as it were). I think our defense played poorly, how does 5' 3" Corey Ashe score a header? Also how is no one within 15 yards of Ashe when he crossed it for the second goal?

Agreed almost completely -- I was standing right even with the offside call, and it was clear. Caugherty's header: thought he made a good effort, he just couldn't get high enough to get it down on goal. Ashe: Well, it's not the first time he's made opposing defenders look slow and confused -- he's a quality winger -- but Mullan did much the same in the first half. I thought the central defense did pretty much okay, considering how many dangerous crosses were getting whipped in there.

The PK would have changed the entire match.

2 v 1 you always pass, plain and simple.

Sergio

I'm only going to say a few things about the match. The officiating was horrible. I don't care who you were rooting for. Refereeing is about consistency and no clear standard was applied, in my opinion. That being said, the Aztex were not able to take the game out of the refs hands (by converting scoring opportunities to goals.) The Dynamo were only awarded opportunities and they converted at least one. Had there been consistent levels applied to both sides in all challenges, I don't think the free kick that scored for Houston would have been awarded. Again, my opinion.

As far as individual plays or calling this guy or that guy out, I won't do it. The Aztex seem to me to be playing their game plan, but not executing as well as I would like. There does seem to be a lot of effort, so I am not unhappy. I would just like to see them attack more with passing that advances the ball.

Go On You Aztex!

Don't want to repeat anything that has been said around here but I agree on all accounts.

Personally I wished Silva didn't rececived that red card against El Paso or Alvarez doing down with a 4-6 week injury. Otherwise it would have been a very different game. But it doesn't matter now.

And I'm still angry & bitter.

Ruck the Feferee!

Huck Fouston!

The split-second first impression I got when I saw that play was that Eddie glanced at Kyle, maybe even made a hint of a feint, then decided to shoot it himself. In other words, that he might have been trying to use that exact conventional wisdom of "2 v 1 you always pass" to try to fake out a young 'keeper.

Who other than Eddie knows, of course, and I'm sure that's more than enough analysis of one shot.

What bummed me most was that Kinnear didn't have to eat his words about how the Open Cup is the "easiest trophy", "play 4 games and you get a trophy", etc. I hope Charleston rips them a new one. AGAIN.

There's another thing I wondered, given all the discussion of pyrotechnics at Aztex games we've had on this forum.

Did any of those Houston fans get arrested, ejected, neglected, injected, inspected, detected, infected or otherwise affected for firing up those immense smoke bombs?

One can only hope.

For the griping in the Statesman comments about the constant drumming, it was the noxious fumes from the fireworks that would've driven me away were I down there in the stands.

This was the 1st Aztex game that I've been to, and I thought the drumming was great! Next game I'm at, I'm bringing a giant bucket to drum, and maybe I'll saw down my Potato cannon to use as a confetti and streamer launcher!

Kyle Brown impressed me! I like watching him play. The posts I've read about the defense speed made me think back to one period in the 2nd half when I thought the Aztex defender was so much closer to the ball there should have been no point in the Dynamo forward even running after him, but lo-and-behold they both reached the ball at about the same time and mounted a real challenge for the ball. I thought it was a great game and I really enjoyed watching my team play against a high-riding MLS team like Houston.

Welcome to the familia Daniel.

And deffinatly bring your cannon, but more importantly bring some friends, especially if their nutts for football/soccer. see ya soon compadre.

I thought the reason for the fireworks was so that the stadium would smell like good old Houston. jk - houston, I do cheer for Houston as a Texas team. Love the Rockets (after the Spurs), liked the Oilers, but I cant say that I've bought into this Texans thing. Good luck.

i wanted to pay you guys, your organization and your team a compliment and thought this was the best place to do it.

our group regularly has to coordinate tickets, travel and logistics with MLS F.O.s and also FMF F.O.s (when we travel to Mexico for CCL games). i have been pleasantly surprised by the professionalism and organizational preparedness of your ticket office and F.O. staff. seriously, they're better than some of the MLS F.O.s.

i was also surprised by the attendance. you guys brought 4,000 fans on a wednesday night. that's 1/2 the tickets fc dallas sold when we played them in PHP on a saturday night. i saw a lot of Aztex jerseys out there which is a good sign of the dedication of the hardcore soccer fans to the team that they're willing to shell out $70 for a PDL/USL team that's been around for 2 years.

you're SG also looked to have grown in size since the pre-season friendly. keep it going and good luck. see you guys next year.

Looks like a common theme. Once again the limeys fail to deliver. When is Bechham, Johnson, or Williams going to play for their pay?

Thanks for the post/compliment, *rey* . I was very happy to read a post like this. The owners and front office are the reason I have enjoyed every minute in the stands. They are very top class, in my opinion. I hope that a very good foundation is being laid here and hope that you will come visit us again for next season's exhibition round. I hope to see many more red and white jersey's though! Good luck in Kansas City, and try to re-start a new 12 game streak...

Looks like a common theme. Once again the limeys fail to deliver. When is Bechham, Johnson, or Williams going to play for their pay?
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Boy I sincerely hope you aren't talking about Eddie Johnson, because he has played lights out in my opinion. Sure, I think he should have passed to Kyle B. against Houston, but I don't take anything away from him for not doing so. I think a good striker, midfielder, has to have the confidence to rely on him or herself. Up to this point, MVP hands down - again in my opinion.

If Johnson was playing to get paid for his goal talley, he'd be broke.

So would practically every forward in USL1. He's in 7th on the league goalscorers list with 3.

Your security at Nelson Field sucks. If they aren't gonna have security by the entrance gates, they can be prepared to expect anything. If the Aztex staff members are only there to tear the right side of the ticket off, you guys shouldn't be surprised and quite frankly are lucky that this was the worse. Step up your security and this stuff won't happen.

I have to agree. He looked decent at the very beginning of the season, but even without having any idea what they're paying him, I'm pretty sure he's not worth the money. If he's Stoke youth, he should be exchanged for someone else.

Evans is the only Brit I'd think about keeping.

Are you guys kidding me? I would keep Johnson any day of the week over Gifton. Johnson isn't your top striker but your workhorse, ala' Tevez. He will fight every ball and battle for position. Lets not pull a man u and let a guy like Johnson walk away. Sell Gifton off and bring in a new no. 9

Sergio

I agree Serg on almost every level except one. I have met the Gift in the flesh, he's a brick, he's got that look in his eyes, and the wrinkles on his face, that tell me that if our "boys" on the team are ever going to become men we're going to need him, and other's like him, on the pitch.

He has been on the injured list for awhile, but remmember this is a man who has arthretic ankles. However, methinks he has had quite an impact off the pitch talkin to people and hanging with us at Cuatro's.

Me too. I just wouldn't keep Johnson either. That money could be better spent. He works hard. Just not good enough IMO. Not a big fan of Tevez either BTW, though if he came to the Aztex for a USL salary I'd likely be content.

I would definitely keep E. Johnson at this point. He works hard and has been our most consistent forward. He is a core guy the team can build around. I'm not saying he should be "the guy" but he does bring some needed qualities to the table. Every team should have an effort guy, and I think Eddie plays that role nicely.

While I am sure G-Williams is a quality human being, and wants to be a super-stud for the Aztex, I am afraid that his knees, hamstrings, and turf are conspiring against him. If he can't stay healthy and play, and he is your highest paid player, that's a real problem. You have to either cut him loose, or take a gamble on him staying healthy next year. Not knowing exactly how hurt he is, I can't make that call. But I hope the FO and coaching staff take a good hard look at his situation going into next year.

I get it people, and have previously stated it, that Gifton is a superb human being. Got it! However, that doesn't win championships. He has athritis in his ankles? ummmm....we make fun of Owen for having chronic hamstring injuries and here we are trying to justify Gifton?

For those of you who haven't played before a guy like Tevez, i.e. Johnson, is like the Pippen to Jordan. For those of you who have played soccer then think of it like Bebeto to a Romario. A knowledgable soccer fan understands the importance of guys like Johnson. Additionally, I have seen Johnson score and show his pride for the patch. To me a hard work horse who kills himself for the jersey is prefered any day over a highly paid "superstar" who can't stay healthy.

The question that Heath has to ask himself is how he wants play. Does he want a long ball style of play looking for a Gifton'esq player (i.e. Big, Strong) or quick natural poacher i.e. David Villa. I prefer to see two quality moving strikers then a single top striker like we are striving for with Gifton.