There probably is a valid reason why an MLS game is scheduled to start the same time as the United States national team kicks off in the Gold Cup, but we can’t think of one. Club versus country. Now even the fans have to choose. Around these parts we are staying loyal to our new favorite pastime. We’ll spend the evening pledging allegiance to Tommy Smyth and ESPN even if that means delaying the start for the NBA Finals. The Thursday night game this week features the Houston Dynamo, a club rarely mentioned around here because they are the last MLS team on this site without a blogger. Do we hold grudges? Absolutely. We’ll be cheering on the Colorado Rapids even though we know that supporting the Rapids is the definition of existentialism. The defending league champion Dynamo enter the contest with just 10 points from nine games. They have already lost twice at Robertson Stadium this year, a place where they lost only three times all of last season. With just seven goals to their name and failing to find the goal in five of their nine games, it is fair to say that they haven’t even been able to score in a Texas whorehouse. The Rapids are in second place in the Western Conference, which probably says more about the conference than it does about the team. They do have road wins against Real Salt Lake and New York. These two teams met back on May 5 at the Dick and Houston came away with a 3-1 victory. A few things to keep an eye on while you hope it is a blowout so you can switch to the US game. 1. Political figures – Because they won the whole enchilada last year, Houston’s players had the opportunity to meet with the president last week. The president’s pappy also took in a game at their stadium earlier this season. No word yet if the twins are also on the Dynamo bandwagon. 2. Rockin’ Beckerman – It might come as a surprise that a player who looks like this would list listening reggae music as one of his hobbies. No wonder some have taken to writing Haiku’s about him. Hopefully Terry Cooke will also make an appearance if he isn’t busy visiting the hair salon. 3. Steady Eddie - Houston defender Eddie Robinson is all that is right and all that is wrong about MLS. He is a solid player who has played every single one of the 810 Dynamo minutes this season. He also could walk into any bar in the United States and not be recognized. We’re here to change that. Take a good look at his face and by all means by him a beer the next time you see him down at the local. He deserves it. Enjoy the game, whichever one you choose to watch, and feel free to use this space to talk all things MLS and/or hair fashion.
