SKC @ Houston, Houston's POV

Not a flame thread, just some of the highlights from the Houston game thread that reflect what they think of our team, fans, players, city,and the game. Some good love, respect, and hate in the Houston thread. There is a reference to a picture of Collin in here, if you would like to reduce any man-crush you have on Collin a little, please go view it. Sometimes even the great frenchman has fashion go wrong! Now, for your reading pleasure:


Please note that KC has got some defense - I think fewest goals allowed in the league so far...
This game will be a physical defensive battle - especially if we don't open ourselves up to thier counter attacking strengths.

The Dynamo FO tried to comp Vermes the tacos but he said "I can't let you do that, you already gave me Kei Kamara for Abe Thompson. I owe you a lifetime supply of KC BBQ everytime you visit Livestrong Park".

This a "Show-Me" game for a team sort of from the Show-Me State (border town).

Big game. With all top 5 teams playing 19 games thus far, other than a slight home field advantage for the Dynamo (all of which we use up this week), the table is pretty good read on where teams stand and if we want to finish top 3 this is the kind of game we need to win, not tie (and certainly not lose).

KC game straight to Houston from Columbus, so you know they mean business. But this feels like a 0-0 or 1-0 slugfest to me. Just can't see this one being a 3-2 game.

And by "KC BBQ", he means low-quality beef with too much fat. Most overrated grilled meat ever.
Or he means "Abe Thompson Quality" beef

As an aside, I think it's interesting that they start Nagamura and Espinoza, who I think most people would view as two defensive midfielders. Espinoza can contribute a bit more to the attack, but I think he's still basically a defensive mid. This is the team that people often suggest have the 4-3-3 figured out pretty well, and they do it with two defensive mids. Just food for thought.

I am calling it a 0-0 draw until Brigitte Nielsen gets sent off for going Flava Flav on Mac Kandji! Then I predict a 3-0 win for the Dynamo. Someone keep me updated while I am watching the best team in the world take Seattle apart!

I'll say this -- I'm really liking the SKC v HOU series. These games have been played in a good spirit. Everyone plays hard but I don't find too much disrespect unless you go back to the Brian Ching/Aurelian Colin stuff. Series has featured some Red Cards, but generally for stupid stuff rather than malicious stuff. Stupid stuff that came from intensity.

I have tremendous respect for SKC and The Cauldron. They do a tremendous job in their mid-Westernly sort of way. (And that is not meant to denigrate but acknowledge distinction with the unique sound of TA/EB/Etc.)

My mouth is watering for this game. Or is it my new found pre-game Burrito?

Espinoza will be gone with the Honduran olympic team? So we have a chance!!!!!

A little looking into the KC stats...
Aurelian Colin leads the league in fouls comitted with 40.
Espinoza is not far behind with 34
Kei Kamara at 27
Chance Myers at 24
Sapong at 22
Zusi at 22
Team total 256
KC leads the league in most fouls and fewest goals allowed (17) - they are playing physical D this year folks.

256 team fouls for KC = Lots of Free Kicks by Brad Davis

KC barbecue is for people who have never been to Texas.

I know the Orange would love 3 points, but I'll take a hard fought tie. If they lose to a team from Kansas, I may stab myself in the face.

Aurelian Colin is in school for Fashion. Wish I was motivated enough to make a good sign.

Just boo him every time he touches the ball. That's what I do. Ever since he pummeled our beloved Chingy.
I hates Aureleeeene. I've always hated him, and not just because he is French (although that puts him half-way there).
Him attending fashion school explains a few things, for example: (this is followed by a pic of Collin in a, I have to say, regrettable outfit)

fugly match. But a win is a win.
Kei is f#$$ing classless piece of trash. I actually still liked him up until tonight. That was unacceptable.

So glad we won to shut Kamara up. What a well fought game by the boys in Orange.

And KC reminds me of the Larry Bird era Celtics. (Yes I'm that old!) They are borderline dirty, but they get away with it because they have a rep as a "tough defensive team." They play the man, more often than the ball when defending. And they push the envelope of legal contact. There were many, many plays where KC players were pushing and pulling with their arms completely outstretched, but they were not being called for it. I'm not saying this as a whiney complaint. If the refs allow teams to develop this style and get away with it, it's a valid strategy. But it's a little frustrating to watch Collin and Besler and Kamara knocking people over all night and only being called for it about half the time.

Peterson Joseph, Sporting KC, a dirty player
Early in the game, Joseph hit Boniek Garcia so violently, that it took our DP at least 10 minutes to recover from the foul. The ref did NOT give Joseph a card. Boniek was in such pain, that he fell to the ground 5 min after the violent hit.
I thought we had lost our DP for a couple of games. His face reflected pain and fear, he may have thought he was seriously injured. I am hoping that Boniek does not have any medical issues after this game, I was quite surprised he even came out for the second half and played so well. Boniek wants to play, he wants to win, he wants to show us he can play.
Ironically, Boniek went after the ball a few minutes later and collided with Bunbury, and the ref called it a Boniek foul.
Eventually, Joseph got what he deserved, a red card. He could have broken Carr's leg with his reckless tackle. The ref did the right thing ejecting the thug.
I am adding Peterson Joseph to my list of bottom-dwelling dirty MLS. No class.

And during the game, watching the way SKC kept knocking us down I kept thinking why does everybody call the Dynamo thugs? I just don't get that at all. And the one thing about the Dynamo that always makes me proud is we never ever (well, mostly never) dive. When we are fouled we just get back up and keep playing, we don't lay on the ground milking calls from the ref.
Brother, Sporting KC is just a band of thugs. Frenchman Aureleeeene is a vicious brutal assassin who tortures attackers, but because he has some futbol skills, the refs give him a break. I saw so many elbows thrown on Dynamo players faces last night...