This week my match up is FC Dallas versus Houston Dynamo. This game is the biggest regional rivalry in the MLS. The Texas showdown is a great example of the many regional rivalries that have developed in the MLS. New England v New York, LA v Chivas, Real Salt Lake v Colorado, etc. all have been established as strong regional competition. These close battles bring the best passion out in the crowds and the players. Just remember the heated showdown at the end of last season between Dallas and Houston; Ricardo Clark and Carlos Ruiz gave us one of the dirtiest moments in MLS history to date, when Clark kicked Ruiz while he was on the ground. Clark’s kick received a red card, and the league handed down an eight game suspension and a fine. The Texas shootout, also, shows the strong excitement of our fans, and the dedication many of them have to travel to games. This game will be shown on ESPN2 at 9pm tonight, and in HD where available. When you watch this game keep track of the crowd and see how many people are supporting the away team.

Photos from Isiphotos.com

To wrap up last week’s games, the one game that took me surprise was the New England v Real Salt lake. The Real 2 NE 1game continues Salt Lake’s 5 game unbeaten streak. The win also, keeps NE from gaining an unbeatable margin on the rest of the league. It is no doubt to me that NE will win the Eastern division, but by how much will they win is the question. Seeing Real Salt Lake stop them in strong fashion does open up confidence for other competitors, and take the shine off the NE mystic. Not to mention it move Real SL into second place in the West over the Dynamo and just one win away from taking out LA for first place. This team has shown strength and growth this season. I look forward to their results this weekend versus last place KC, then next week versus Houston.

Lastly, was I right about Turkey being exciting or what? That was a great game against Germany, and I hope to see Turkey in the Olympics.