The first edition of SuperLiga was a resounding success, both in the stands and on the field. For the Houston Dynamo, last year's event featured four exciting matches at Robertson Stadium and produced a number of memorable moments, but the lasting impression will be a stinging shootout loss to rival Pachuca in the semifinals. Although that game was an instant classic, witnessed by more than 21,000 fans and later voted as one of the top 10 games in Dynamo history by fans, Houston came up just short of the final, which Pachuca also won on penalty kicks.
So the Dynamo will be plenty motivated this year, especially given their 4-4-8 start to MLS play that has Houston tied for third in the Western Conference. The Dynamo open SuperLiga play Saturday, July 12, against Atlante (9:00 p.m.) and continue Tuesday, July 15, against Chivas de Guadalajara (9:00 p.m.), both at Robertson Stadium. Houston wraps up group play with a road match against D.C. United on July 19.
With the tournament looming, here are 10 reasons to pay attention as the Dynamo go after the SuperLiga trophy in the tournament's second year:
10. Records - The Dynamo record for quickest goal scored came during last year's SuperLiga contest against Monarcas Morelia, when Joseph Ngwenya netted just 13 seconds into the contest. It seems unlikely anyone will be able to best Ngwenya's mark, but there are sure to be some other records set in the two games at Robertson Stadium.
9. Offense - The Dynamo will be hoping to get back on track offensively after scoring just two goals in their last five games, and they will do so against teams that play a distinctly different - and often more open - style of play than most MLS teams. The two home games could open for Houston's outside midfielders and forwards.
8. Visiting stars - Mexican internationals like Ramón Morales, Sergio Santana, Jonny Magallon, and Gonzalo Pineda lead Chivas de Guadalajara, with the most championships in Mexican history, into Houston. Magallon already has some history in town - he scored twice in Mexico's 2-2 tie with the United States at Reliant Stadium in February.
7. Volatility - The national-team rivalry between the United States and Mexico provided the inspiration for the tournament; the Dynamo, with about 80 percent American players, and Chivas, with all Mexican players, could be poster boys for the rivalry. Add in the Dynamo's two Canadian internationals, who will face Mexico in World Cup qualifying this fall, and all three teams will likely play with plenty of national pride.
6. Possible rematch - If the Dynamo can advance out of group play, they could once again face Pachuca, which has won the last two CONCACAF Champions' Cup titles and won SuperLiga last year, in the knockout rounds.
5. Moments - Although the final result did not go the Dynamo's way, Eddie Robinson's game-tying goal in the 83rd minute against Pachuca - after Houston had played almost the entire game with 10 men - was one of the most memorable moments of the season. The 2008 tournament will create new memories and more great moments.
4. Excitement - As the 62,000 fans who watched last year's SuperLiga in Houston can attest, Robertson Stadium will be rocking from end-to-end, thanks to the always fervent Dynamo supporters groups and fans of the opposing Mexican clubs.
3. Pride - If you haven't noticed, Dominic Kinnear's crew does not like to lose. With only five wins in Champions' Cup, MLS, and Open Cup play this year, SuperLiga is an opportunity for the Dynamo to reclaim some swagger.
2. Honor - Houston has yet to win an international competition, so beating a field of top American and Mexican clubs would go a long way toward strengthening Houston's bid to be one of the region's top teams.
1. Victory - In addition to international prestige, the tournament championship could bring the Dynamo something a bit more tangible: $1 million, the total purse earned by the team that wins the tournament.
For SuperLiga ticket packages, including five-game mini-plans or a family four-pack, call (713) 276-7500. Single-game tickets are available via TicketMaster for Atlante and Chivas de Guadalajara.
