The Basics
Dynamo Charities Cup
Houston Dynamo vs. Bolton Wanderers
Wednesday, July 20, 7:30 p.m. CT
Robertson Stadium, Houston, TX
2011 DYNAMO CHARITIES CUP
Dynamo vs. Bolton Wanderers
July 20, 7:30 p.m.
Dynamo Charities Cup record: Houston 2-0
TICKET INFORMATION
Dynamo-Bolton tickets
Budweiser Party Zone - $25
McDonald's 4-Pack - $72
More Gameday Information
BROADCAST INFORMATION
SportsTalk 790 - 7:00 p.m. (stream at Sports790.com)
La Ranchera 850 - 7:00 p.m.
San Jacinto Post-Game Call-In Show with Jonathan Yardley - SportsTalk 790, 9:45 p.m.
POSTGAME
United Airlines Autograph Alley
PREVIEW
The Houston Dynamo take on European opposition for the first time
in club history on Wednesday night when they host Bolton Wanderers from the
English Premier League in the third annual Dynamo Charities Cup. The clubs are
connected by former Houston and current Bolton
midfielder Stuart Holden, who is unavailable due to injury. The Dynamo have
partnered with Houston City Council Member James Rodriguez, who represents
District I, to ensure proceeds from Wednesday’s match will benefit East End
youth soccer programs, which are in danger of being eliminated due to City of
Houston budget constraints.
REFEREE: Alex Prus; SAR (bench): Adam Gardner; JAR (opposite): Greg Boles; 4th: Armando Villarreal
CHARITIES CUP HISTORY
Wednesday's game marks the third edition of the Dynamo Charities Cup, a tradition started during the 2009 season. Houston plays a different international opponent each season, with a portion of the match proceeds benefitting a charitable cause.
- In October 2009, the Dynamo hosted Mexican power Monterrey at Robertson Stadium and won 2-1 on a late Dominic Oduro goal. The match included a melee that resulted in four red cards, two of which were issued to players on the Monterrey bench after they joined the scuffle.
- In June 2010, during the Major League Soccer break for the FIFA World Cup, Houston dominated Aguila from El Salvador by a 4-0 margin. The Dynamo tried out three trialists and scored twice in the first 28 minutes before cruising to victory. Dynamo goals came from Joseph Ngwenya, Corey Ashe, Dominic Oduro, and Luis Landin.
- Three current Dynamo players have a chance to start each of the first three editions of the Dynamo Charities Cup if they start on Wednesday. Goalkeeper Tally Hall, defender Corey Ashe, and forward Cam Weaver all started the previous two matches. Ashe had a goal and an assist in the 2010 match.
- In the short history of the Dynamo Charities Cup, Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall has been a consistent presence, playing all 180 minutes and saving 10 of 11 shots, earning the win in both editions.
- Bolton Wanderers enter the match with a 1-1 record on their current United States tour. Bolton lost its opening match last Thursday when it fell 1-0 to NASL club FC Tampa Bay, which got a decisive six-save performance in the second half from Houston goalkeeper Evan Newton, currently on loan. Bolton then beat USL Pro club Orlando City 3-1 on Sunday night.
- The 2011 edition marks the second consecutive year that the Dynamo will have guest players available for selection in the Dynamo Charities Cup. On Wednesday, Houston can call on forward Miler Castillo and midfielders Bjorn Lindemann and Álvaro Sanchez.
- Teams will be allowed 10 substitutions during the match, with no re-entry except in the case of a goalkeeper injury. If the game ends in a tie after 90 minutes, the teams will proceed directly to a shootout to determine the Charities Cup winner.
HOUSTON DYNAMO
The Dynamo remained unbeaten in their last four games after a bittersweet 1-1 tie with Sporting Kansas City last Saturday at Robertson Stadium. After Wednesday's non-league action, Houston returns to MLS play on Saturday, taking on Chivas USA.
LAST MATCH
- Midfielder Brad Davis opened the scoring for Houston in the eighth minute, curling a 22-yard free kick over the wall and just inside the right post for his third goal of the season. The goal is currently a nominee for the MLS Goal of the Week.
- The match turned in the second half, when Colin Clark in the 51st minute and Brian Ching in the 70th minute were both shown straight red cards. Houston finished the match with nine men for just the second time in its sixth season of MLS play.
- With just eight field players in front of him, Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall turned in a fantastic display to keep the score 1-0 deep into the match, making five official saves in the second half alone and making several other key catches.
- Kansas City finally broke through in the 90th minute when Aurelien Collin's left-footed shot from outside the penalty area hit Dynamo defender Kofi Sarkodie and deflected behind Hall, who had been diving to stop the initial shot.
- Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear changed his formation to a 4-3-3 to match Kansas City's shape, bringing Colin Clark back into the starting lineup in place of Will Bruin, who had played in every game of the season until Saturday.
- HOUSTON DYNAMO (4-3-3): Tally Hall - Kofi Sarkodie, Jermaine Taylor (Bobby Boswell 46), Andre Hainault, Corey Ashe - Je-Vaughn Watson, Geoff Cameron, Brad Davis (Lovel Palmer 61) - Danny Cruz (Hunter Freeman 79), Brian Ching, Colin Clark.
- Defender Jermaine Taylor left the match at halftime due to concussion-like symptoms after a head-to-head collision with Kansas City's Chance Myers in the first half. Taylor will be evaluated by team doctors this week.
TEAM NEWS
- Four Dynamo players were named MLS All-Stars on Monday, tied for the highest total in Major League Soccer. League assist leader Brad Davis earned his fourth All-Star selection and third consecutive nod. Midfielder Geoff Cameron earned his second selection in the last three years. Goalkeeper Tally Hall and defender Corey Ashe were named All-Stars for the first time.
BOLTON WANDERERS
Bolton earned their first win of the preseason on Sunday night, beating USL Pro club Orlando City 3-1 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Wanderers had dropped a 1-0 decision to NASL club FC Tampa Bay in its first preseason game last Thursday. Following Wednesday's game, Bolton will return to England for five more friendlies before beginning the EPL season on August 13 against Queens Park Rangers.
LAST MATCH
- Bolton dominated against Orlando from the opening kickoff and opened the scoring in the 18th minute, when Martin Petrov crossed to captain Kevin Davies for a header into the bottom corner.
- Orlando found a tying goal against the run of play when forward Matt Luzunaris, on loan from the San Jose Earthquakes, broke the offside trap and scored past goalkeeper Adam Bogdan. Bolton defender Zat Knight pulled up injured and was replaced following the goal.
- Bolton re-took the lead through new signing Darren Pratley, who signed from Swansea City in the offseason. Pratley reacted first to a loose ball in the penalty area after a cross from Chung-Yong Lee.
- Wanderers notched their third goal six minutes before halftime when Martin Petrov broke into the penalty area and fired past Orlando goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo.
- Bolton manager Owen Coyle made six changes from the team that faced Tampa Bay, including giving 23-year-old Hungarian Adam Bogdan the start in goal.
- BOLTON WANDERERS (4-4-2): Adam Bogdan (Rob Lainton 75) - Paul Robinson (Mark Connolly 76), Marcos Alonso, David Wheater, Zat Knight (Gary Cahill 28), Chung-Yong Lee, Fabrice Muamba (Mark Davies 46), Darren Pratley, Martin Petrov (Tope Obadeyi 75), Robbie Blake (Ivan Klasnic 46), Kevin Davies (Tom Eaves 75)
