MEMO WITHIN THE MEMO
From: Andrew Naudin, Director, Dynamos Puma Cup
Dyess Park, Cypress, Texas–The Dynamos Puma Cup announced last year the plans for scheduling the upcoming 2019 edition of the annual Valentine's day classic. As the Puma Cup, the event will kick off its 10th anniversary, with opening games the weekend of February 9 at Dyess Park, Zube Park and Katy Park. It’s the 38th consecutive year the Dynamos organization has hosted the event, for many years known as the Valentine’s Tournament. Registration is open for Under-9 to Under-15 teams until January 25 at midnight. The complete schedule will be posted February 5. Volunteers are again encouraged to help out over the weekend. The current list of participating teams can be found at https://app.roomroster.com/events/6819/who-is-playing?nav=hidden
TOURNAMENT CHANGES
Prior to the opening of this year’s registration, Tournament Director Naudin made a change to the tournament registration provider. "I had looked at this over the past few years and determined that we could offer our registrants a better experience. I selected Room Roster (Event Connect) to not only host our website but also provide registration, hotels, and scheduling. It is now a seamless experience for our participants but gives a great cost benefit to the club. On a personal note, Director Naudin added: “Ten years is a long time to be involved in something. I appreciate the continued faith and support the Dynamos have provided me over the past decade. Looking forward to DPCX!”
LIFE AS A REFEREE
By Andrew Bridges
High School Soccer season is upon us. Several years ago, I was frustrated with the caliber of referee I was seeing at my son’s high school soccer games. My father always taught me if you didn’t like something, jump in there and try and fix it. I have been a soccer referee since 2008 but did not start officiating high school games until 2015. I wasn’t confident I could make the big calls under the lights with all those parents yelling at me. Yes, parents yell at you! I quickly realized that you can’t make everyone happy and to call the game the way you see it on the field. Fast forward a couple of years and I find myself often assigned to the elite-level games, so I guess I am doing something right. In fact, this past Tuesday night I was assigned to the fourth-ranked team in the State of Texas—Katy Tompkins, facing Bridgeland High School. I love the pageantry of a varsity high school match: the walkout, the announcements, singing of the National Anthem. The game is so beautiful and to have a chance to interact with young men and women is priceless. For me this is a pretty good hobby, I get to watch some great soccer and stay in shape running on the field.
Photo by Damon Trager
THE BUZZ
Tournament Director Andrew Naudin reminds that registration deadline for the Dynamos Puma Cup (Feb. 9-10) is Tues., Jan. 22. Dyess and Zube will be alive with great soccer, as will added venue Katy Park!. . .Please note a slight change to the training schedule for Dynamos goalkeepers. Beginning Jan. 21, training for Junior and Intermediate boys and girls (14 years and under) will continue on Mondays 5:15-6:30pm on Field 6, but Senior keepers (15 years and older) will meet at 6:30pm and train until 7:45pm, also on Field 6. Intermediates who have a conflict with team training will have the option to join the Seniors at 6:30pm. Trainers Roland Sikinger and Edgar Diaz will oversee the training. . .Take a moment to watch videos of the Glenn Davis interviews with Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, and also with national soccer analyst Alexi Lalas, regarding the arrival of a MLS franchise in Austin—they are inspiring. You can join in with Glenn on ”Soccer Matters” at Radio ESPN 97.5FM Wednesdays (and various other days) 7-9pm. Call-in number is 281-780-3776 to chat with the Glenn and his guests.
QUOTABLE
“Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.”—Coach John Quincy Adams
THOUGHT ON COACHING
It’s official: Austin FC has been accepted as Major League Soccer's 27th franchise and begins play in 2021. The announcement came Tuesday when MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Austin FC Chairman/CEO Anthony Precourt and Austin Mayor Steve Adler jointly lauded the huge potential of professional soccer in the Texas capital. Austin FC later this year begins construction on a $225 million privately-funded stadium at McKalla Place. Austin FC becomes the first professional team in a major sports league in the city and will be the third MLS team in Texas, creating another branch of the Texas Derby with the Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas. Garber acknowledged the unconventional path—by MLS standards, at least—that the new club took in getting to this launch. “Like everything that’s worth having in life,” Garber declared, “the journey to get to Austin was not linear, and it wasn’t all that easy. Certainly, this was one of the most complicated projects in our league’s history.”
ANOTHER THOUGHT
“With speculation mounting that Houston Dynamo star Alberth Elis is moving to Europe this year, the player spoke publicly about the near future. (Houston soccer analyst) Glenn Davis shared video on Sunday of Elis being asked about a move, Elis reiterated his interest in moving to Europe at some point in his career while also saying he was ‘ready to play this season’ if a deal doesn't happen immediately.’ As promised, the wide forward did report to the start of the Houston Dynamo pre-season training on Monday.” —Alicia Rodriguez, MLSsoccer.com.
IT’S ONLY FAIR
Coach Cy Fair dodged National Quitter’s Day—when most break their New Year’s resolutions-- he didn’t make any. Make today so awesome, urges Coach Flo, that yesterday gets jealous.