We preview today’s home game against Vancouver Whitecaps FC with Dynamo broadcaster Glenn Davis. Tickets are available for today’s match will air live on ROOT SPORTS SW Alternate Channel (channel guide) with pregame show set for 8 p.m. CDT. Davis, a former professional player can be seen on national soccer broadcasts on ESPN and FOX and hosts the Soccer Matters radio show. Look for more daily soccer content from Davis on his Soccer Matters Facebook page and Twitter.
Matt Pedersen: The Dynamo endured a very tough 1-0 loss to FC Dallas on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. What were your thoughts on the match?
Glenn Davis: The Dynamo will feel somewhat frustrated by that one, especially after they had a wonderful twenty minutes at the beginning of the second half only not to score. Goal scoring remains the issue and ultimately they fell to the sword of Fabian Castillo. On the night it was competitive, in the context of the season it was frustrating.
MP:Do you think tonight’s game could be a good indicator of the Dynamo resolve and mentality, given the tough loss on Wednesday and how they respond tonight?
GD: I think every training session and every match has to reveal the character of players who want to be a part of the future. That is a given with a professional soccer player.
MP:Vancouver’s style of play seems to be evolving this season due to the changeover in players, most notably the loss of winger Kekuta Manneh to a foot injury and the departure of forward Octavio Rivero. Is Vancouver’s style of play much different than what the Dynamo saw in two previous meetings this year?
GD: Their style is still similar, although they possibly have gotten opened up a bit more and have had their defensive struggles. Still, they have numerous players that individually can be dangerous in Pedro Morales (great passing range), Cristian Techera—who is in form—and the opportunism of Masato Kudo. They are aggressive and will find it difficult in the heat. I would love to see the Dynamo jump on them and get the early goal as the heat in the 65th-70th minute can become unbearable for opponents and some will give up.
MP:Vancouver suffered two red cards in the second half last year, with Kendall Waston and Matias Laba both sent off. How can the Dynamo capitalize on the heat tonight and force Vancouver into mental mistakes?
GD: They are a physical group as mentioned and Kendall Waston (also sent off playing for Costa Rica in the Copa America), Matias Laba and Jordan Smith are ones that emotionally can go over the top. The heat can sometimes accentuate this in the case of players that are physical setters and emotional. Emotional control and keeping focus in the heat is an art.
MP:The Dynamo acquired veteran midfielder Eric Alexander in a trade with the Montreal Impact on Friday. What will he bring to the Dynamo?
GD: He will help the center of midfield with his passing game and inclination to go a bit more forward.
MP:Without U.S. Open Cup to play for any longer, what would you like to see from the Dynamo over the final 15 regular-season games?
GD: Become more goal dangerous, become definitive on individual players and reveal the vision for the future of the club.
