The Houston Dynamo - America's Team

[Dan Loney]

It takes a very special team to win the hearts of two sets of fans in two very different cities in two very different states. MLS has that team today, in the Houston Dynamo. They play beautifully, as we saw on Sunday. They have lots of attacking firepower, they pass extraordinarily well, they defend with strength but without unnecessary violence, and they're anchored in the back by the wonderful and ageless Pat Onstad. Dwayne DeRosario is arguably both the best and most exciting player in the league. Paul Dalglish has joined Brian Ching to provide exciting goals. Brad Davis has finally come into his own as a creative force on the field. Not only that, but by all acounts, both from California and Texas, the people involved with the Dynamo are likeable, accessible, down-to-earth people who love the game and love their fans. They are one of the truly model franchises not just in MLS, but in American sports today.

God, how I hate them.

[Matrim55]

They have lots of attacking firepower, they pass extraordinarily well, they defend with strength but without unnecessary violence, and they're anchored in the back by the wonderful and ageless Pat Onstad.
Eddie Robinson taking an axe handle to the kneecaps of any striker bold enough to put a shot on frame doesn't count as "unnecessary violence"?

[Hierarchyfive]

It takes a very special team to win the hearts of two sets of fans in two very different cities in two very different states. MLS has that team today, in the Houston Dynamo. They play beautifully, as we saw on Sunday. They have lots of attacking firepower, they pass extraordinarily well, they defend with strength but without unnecessary violence, and they're anchored in the back by the wonderful and ageless Pat Onstad. Dwayne DeRosario is arguably both the best and most exciting player in the league. Paul Dalglish has joined Brian Ching to provide exciting goals. Brad Davis has finally come into his own as a creative force on the field. Not only that, but by all acounts, both from California and Texas, the people involved with the Dynamo are likeable, accessible, down-to-earth people who love the game and love their fans. They are one of the truly model franchises not just in MLS, but in American sports today.

God, how I hate them.

Couldnt agree with you more, great post.

[KevTheGooner]

God, how I hate them.

Not as much as Earthquakes fans.

[Sigil]

Ah, the sweet taste of bitter Galaxy fan tears.

Enjoy your era of utter failure that will be known as "the Lalas years" :D

May you be rid of him soon enough.

Go Dynamo!

[MasterShake29]

No no, go New England! Why? Because that way we can have a couple months of discussion on where the Revs will be playing their first round Champions Cup match at!

[texgator]

If the Dynamo are "America's team" then I'm moving to Mexico.

[uniteo]

They are one of the truly model franchises not just in MLS, but in American sports today.



Other than the whole packing up shop and moving cross country thing. Seriously, the bloom isn't even off the rose, how do they get to be a model franchise already (and what about that Houston 2329 thing)

[Dre00]

I approve of this thread. http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

[JoeMax]

If the Dynamo are "America's team" then I'm moving to Mexico.

Please take Carlos Ruiz with you, thanks!

[wolfp10]

They are one of the truly model franchises not just in MLS, but in American sports today.

God, how I hate them.

Who is their local owner, and where is their SSS?

[DonJuego]

There is something about the group of guys that is our Dynamo. As far as teams go -- this is a group that may well be much more than the sum of their parts. That is special.

As franchises go, and I love our Dynamo, I think the jury is out. They have not had time to establish a model for operations. There is no english language radio coverage, no away game TV coverage, not even a complete set of cool shirts and stuff to buy. The franchise is literally just getting going.

But as a football team? Oh boy.

[Blitzz Boy]

Even if they win, I am still going to yell, "Fix our potholes" at them.

[CeltTexan]

It takes a very special team to win the hearts of two sets of fans in two very different cities in two very different states. MLS has that team today, in the Houston Dynamo.


Perhaps no association football club could ever be a de facto 'America's Team' or carry National following. The culture behind the fans dictate the identity.

Yet for a native Houstonian from South Texas, they are for sure a symbol of the unique culture around here. What was never marketed by AEG in Houston 1836 was that Spanish has always been spoken here. Dang near 500 years now that's all. In 1836 the National language of Texas was Spanish. The Declaration of Independence was written in Spanish first and then English. It was the true historical stories like that which was left aside in AEG's marketing wisdom. Regardless of the seeds of discord sown by so many that have little or zero knowledge of the beautiful game, politicians need concentrate on finding stadiums for teams NEVER NICKNAMES! Us in the Hinchada Tejana have done very well to come together to celebrate our special heritage as we sing in both Spanish and English!

I truly feel for the NorCal footy supporters and AEG's flip flops leading up to even the weeks before of the announcement of the move (Craig Waibel told me of this), as an old Tennessee Spoilers die hard I have told y'all I know the pain. Here's to the Houston vs San Jose donnybrook in years to come. Never 'America's Team' Dan....just Team Tejas is fine with me and my buddies.

Vamos Houston y Viva Tejas!!!

NE Revolution vs. Houston 1836 Mexican Baby Killer Gunmen...jeez we ought to have a "Rebel Cup" for this Cup Final. Where's ABC marketing head???

[JCUnited]

Maybe I'm biased, but me thinks DC United holds that honor.

[Honore de Ballsac]

But as a football team? Oh boy.

Funny. That's the part Houston had nothing to do with, but rather imported in toto from San Jose.

[Shopping Cart Man]

There is no flagship franchise in MLS. Each team either has the cart (like LA), the horse (like DC), or neither (like ********)

And rep to texgator. Any space in the car?

[DynaKat]

If the Dynamo are "America's team" then I'm moving to Mexico.

:P Good, one less Dallas fan to laugh at.

This is the Dynamo's first year...it is too soon to call them America's team, but they've managed to gain a hardcore group of fans in a matter of weeks/months. Getting to the playoffs and the final in their first year really boosted their status in Houston. It's the best publicity they've gotten so far.

[seahawkdad]

Maybe I'm biased, but me thinks DC United holds that honor.And Spanish is spoken here, too. Just come to RFK and look around the stands...maybe not the Mexican variety, but plenty with Central and South American roots...and chants and songs in both languages.

[EdG567]

Houston is definitely getting behind this team, can't really speak for the rest of the country though.

I'm sure the Dynamo fans will travel well, but damn how I wish we had one more game at the Rob. Packed house most definitely....