Dominic Kinnear's message to his squad

One thing's for sure, when Dynamo leave for the jungle wilds of Frisco this week, they'll be properly motivated.

Dale. Read more!

Serioux coming back to Houston

Just saw this on the WV Hooligan blog that Dynamo just traded to get the rights to Adrian Serioux. (And click here for the Toronto Sun's story on the deal.)

Personally, I think this is a great move as it really shores up the Route 1 defense while Geoff Cameron finds his footing in the CAM role. It also sends Brad Davis back out wide where his left foot can be put to the best use.

And, for those of you who follow the British media's fascination (and Arsene Wenger's whines about) with Stoke's Rory DeLapp's long throw-ins, here's the guy who did that before it was cool.

As long as Serioux can stay healthy, I think he'll be a beast in the center mid. Of course, my remarks the previous three seasons about him being an overly aggressive thug are now completely disowned. Lesson: Wear Orange and all is forgiven. :> Read more!

Pelada, a footy happening you don't want to miss

NEW Pelada Trailer from Rebekah Fergusson on Vimeo.

I have heard so much about this move Pelada (formerly known as The Soccer Project), and was further intrigued when I heard Glenn Davis talk about it on his show the other night.

If you haven't heard of it, the movie was filmed in over 25 countries and follows two former college players, Notre Dame's Luke Boughden and Duke's Gwendolyn Oxenham -- and filmed by fellow Dukies Rebekah Ferguson (herself a Blue Devil captain) and Ryan White (producer) -- around the world as they kick the ball, any ball, around with firemen, prisoners, bootleggers and anyone else they can find. Watch that trailer above and tell me you don't want to head to Austin to see it.

And if you're a Dynamo supporter, there is indeed an extra chance for you to see it, though not necessarily at the first showing. The film was selected for this year's SxSW Film Festival and will have it's World Premiere on Sunday March 14 at 7:15 p.m., which also happens to be about 15 minutes after the Men in Orange close out their home-and-home with the Austin Aztex at the capital city's Nelson Field (Kick off, 5 p.m.).

Now unless you leave early (I know. I know. But some people actually do things like that. Wild.) chances are you won;t make the show. But never fear. There will also be screenings on March 15 at noon and March 19 at 3:30 p.m.

What you're seeing up there is the new trailer. Here's the old one, which is also just as cool:

Pelada from Rebekah Fergusson on Vimeo.

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Worried? Who's worried?

David Agrell at the MLS Insider says Dom's not scared, so why should anyone else be? Well, to look further into that question after reading Agrell's great piece (see it here), I think there are no reasons why DYNAMO fans should be scared. But the rest of the league? They may just start seeming to the team like each of them looks like a certain Harris County Commissioner.

Agrell's piece itself is a little dated, as Diouf, Walker, Kaku and Saiko are all gone now. But Francisco Navas, about whom I will be shocked if he does not make the team, and Lovel Palmer are still in the potential mix. As for Palmer, I'm hoping to see him against the Aztex on Sunday (what, you have other plans for what will be a beautful late winter afternoon in Houston?), but anyone who scores against FC Frisco is a gentleman and a scholar in my book. And by the way, we haven't had that Caribbean feel on the team since honorary Reggae Boyz (Far North Chapter) member Dwayne De Rosario was here!

So here's hoping both Palmer and Navas make it. One thing's for sure, it'll bring some youth and perhaps durability as well to what is suddenly no longer an aging squad.

Here's the article from Agrell in text form:

KINNEAR'S NOT WORRIED, SO WHY ARE YOU?

BY DAVID AGRELL

Houston boss Dom Kinnear has admitted his club is still in the hunt for a midfielder, despite boasting a roster stacked with veterans and
sprinkled with upstart talent.

The Orange (no, not the Oranje that yesterday trampled all over poor ol’ USA — and former Dynamo star Stuart Holden in particular) are
facing a 2010 campaign sans attacking midfielder Holden and defensive
general Ricardo Clark.

So, what about that holding position that Clark defined last season?

“We have Richard Mulrooney, who has played there before, and he’s one of the guys we missed at the stretch of the end of last year,”
Kinnear said. “I think Geoff Cameron can play in there, and he can also
play as an attacking midfielder.”

Cameron as an attacking midfielder? Cool — wouldn’t we all love to see more of those marauding runs?

“I hope that this year [Cameron] will be able to get a little more free and score some goals,” Kinnear added. “In saying that, you don’t
want him thinking every time he gets the ball he can run forward and
score goals. You want him to be involved in the build up. It’s
important that he does have some discipline in his game.”

Oh, ok. Maybe not all of us. Kinnear again:

“We’re also in the market looking for someone who can play in the midfield as well.”

Ka-ching! So, who have they had in camp this preseason? Who’s on the radar?

The breakdown:

Khadim Diouf (two-time All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention at San Diego State) … Léandre
Griffit (French player who last suited up for Crystal Palace) … Samuel Appiah and David Walker (draft picks) … Blessing Kaku (well-traveled Nigerian with awesome name) … Francisco Navas (straight from the Dynamo Academy) … Shaun Saiko (Canadian U-20s with time at Middlesborough) … Lovel Palmer (a Jamaican who, according to thereggaeboyz.com, is a “fleet-footed player [who] will run all day for the good of his team.”)

And let’s not forget 20-year-old Danny Cruz, who’s been in top form in preseason.

All told, something tells me the ‘Mo are going to be all right this season. More from Kinnear:

“It’s difficult, but it’s comforting to know that if the season were to start, we’re not exactly looking at a huge hole. There are people we
can put in the whole that I feel can do a good job there.”

‘Nuff said.

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